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In the first installment of this series on kitchen gardens, I suggested several things to consider before you start the actual work, such as your garden’s climate, your budget and available time.
In this article I’ll share tips on getting your soil right, how to make irrigation easy, how to choose the right plants and protecting your harvest from wildlife.
SOIL
One of the key elements to successful gardening of any kind is good soil. If you don’t get the soil right, gardening will be a constant struggle with less than rewarding results. Most vegetable plants are rapid growers and heavy feeders so they need rich soil.
Most people are not going to have ideal soil already in place and this is where framed beds come in handy. You will recall from last week’s article that a framed bed is a bottomless box that you place on top of the ground and then add your own soil mix.
Here is the recipe I use to create the perfect growing medium in my framed beds.
Framed Bed Soil Recipe – Blend together the following ingredients in these ratios:
- 50% garden soil
- 25% well-rotted manure
- 25% compost or humus.
Fill the framed beds with this soil mixture to about 2 inches from the top of the bed, just enough room so you can tuck your plants in and add a layer of mulch. You can order soil, manure, and compost to be delivered by the cubic yard or for smaller beds you can use bagged material. One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet 3″ deep. My raised beds are 4 feet by 4 feet or 16 square feet and 12″ deep, so I used a little over 1/2 a cubic yard of soil for each bed.
PRIMARY NUTRIENTS
Good garden soil contains a healthy amount of nutrients and trace elements that help your plants grow. Now I don’t want to oversimplify this, but generally the amount of food you give a plant depends on, among other things, it’s age and the type of soil you have. Plants need large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Those are the 3 elements listed on the back of fertilizer bags, represented by 3 numbers. These 3 numbers tell you the percentage of each nutrient in the fertilizer. For example, a typical bag of all-purpose fertilizer will show a ratio of 15-15-15, 15% nitrogen, 15% phosphorous and 15% potassium.
The first number is nitrogen and it helps plants produce vigorous growth and lots of leafy foliage. Nitrogen is ideal for spinach, but not tomatoes, because your plants would produce an abundance of leaves and not much fruit.
The middle number is phosphorus, and that element is important in the production of blooms and fruit.
The last number is potassium. This is good for strong root and stem development and disease resistance.
WATER
Like people, plants are primarily made up of water. Water transports nutrients throughout the plant and plays an important role in photosynthesis and keeping the plant cool. On average, vegetable plants need about 1/2″ to 1″ of water per week. Moisture should be distributed evenly throughout the bed on a consistent basis.
Soaker Hoses
To accomplish this, I have found that soaker hoses provide the best results for the least amount of money.
Just snake the hoses about 18 to 20 inches apart through the bed. When you attach the hose to the water faucet and turn it on, the water “weeps” from the porous sides of the hose. This keeps the soil moist, and the water directed toward the plant’s roots. An easy way to secure the hoses into place is use U-shaped pins made from wire coat hangers.
New soaker hoses can be hard to straighten out, making them unwieldy and difficult to control. Before you try to place them in your beds, stretch them out in the sun. The heat from the sun will soften them and make them easier to work with.
Additional Equipment
I also suggest that you get a timer for your watering system. This way you will not have to remember to turn the water on and off. Set your timer to water early in the morning. This allows plants to absorb moisture before the day heats up and cuts down on fungus problems.
If your region experiences frequent or intermittent rain it is also good to have a rain gauge on hand to help you determine if your garden needs supplemental moisture. Over watering can be just as damaging as under watering.
Mulch
To retain moisture and even soil temperature, apply a layer of mulch. It is best to do this after the ground warms in the spring. Otherwise your garden soil will be slow to heat up and many warm season vegetables will falter in cold soil.
Ground or shredded bark is a good choice of mulching material because it breaks down nicely in the soil. It can be purchased in bags at garden centers. It is a good idea to allow the bark to age for a time before applying it. A 2″ to 3″ layer is sufficient. Keep the mulch away from the plant’s stem to prevent rotting.
If available, wheat straw is another possibility because it is relatively free of weed seeds. It works especially well as a path material because it is slow to decay. Check for bales at farmer’s co-ops. Straw should be applied in a thin, even layer and checked frequently for snails and slugs because they like it, too.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR YOU
If you have ever browsed through a seed catalog then you know that there is a vast array of vegetables available for planting. There are so many varieties to choose from that it is hard to decide what to select. Fortunately there are a few guidelines you can follow to help narrow the field.
Growing Season
First, determine the growing season that the plant prefers. Vegetable crops can be divided into 2 basic categories – cool season and warm season. What this means is that some plants thrive in the cool temperatures of spring or fall and can survive light frosts, while others should be grown during the warm days of summer.
Now, cool season versus warm season is the broadest label you can apply to vegetables. These two categories can be further classified according to a myriad of other plant characteristics such as frost tolerance, days to maturity and whether it is an annual or a perennial. So after you determine the general growing season and look through the vegetables available for that season, select those that appeal to you and learn as much as you can about your choices.
Short Growing Season?
Here are a few tips that will help you grow warm season favorites, such as tomatoes, in cool northern climates.
Get a head start by selecting large sized plants rather than sowing seeds.
Grow vegetables in containers on casters so they can easily be moved indoors in case of late spring or early fall frost.
Select plant varieties with early maturity dates, such as ‘Early Girl’ tomatoes, which mature in 52 days.
Frost Dates and Maturity Dates
Knowing your region’s estimated first and last frost dates will help you determine the length of your growing season. Once you have these dates worked out you can check the maturity dates of the plants you have selected to help you decide when they should be planted. Maturity dates indicate the estimated amount of days required until harvest. You will find maturity dates on seed packets and plant tags. It is the number between the parentheses.
Of course, maturity dates are not set in stone. They are just estimates. You also have to factor in your garden’s individual growing conditions.
Space
You should consider the size of your kitchen garden when you are selecting plants. Certain vegetables, such as corn, melons and potatoes, require more space than others. However, there are varieties available that are tailored especially for small spaces. Look for terms such baby, dwarf and patio.
And don’t forget vertical space! You can grow many vining plants on trellises and teepees to maximize space.
Hybrids
Hybrid vegetables are varieties that have been created by cross-pollination with the help of plant breeders rather than natural open pollination. Many people lean toward hybrids, but open pollinated plants can be just as rewarding. One of the perks of open pollinated vegetables is that their seeds will produce plants that are identical to the parents, whereas seeds from a hybrid plant will not reproduce true. I suggest that you experiment to discover what works best for you.
On many plant tags or seed packets you will see that the variety is an F1 hybrid. What this means is that it is a first generation hybrid and should be vigorous grower with good yields.
Heirlooms
Heirloom plants are varieties that have been handed down generation to generation. They are open pollinated and were developed before 1940. I like heirloom plants because it is fun to grow the same varieties that my ancestors, or even Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, planted. Plus, most heirloom plants have persisted through the years because they are high quality.
All American Selections
When you see a red, white, and blue shield on a seed packet or plant tag, it signifies that the variety is an All American Selection award winner. This means that it has been tested in trial gardens and found to be an outstanding performer for home gardens. AAS awards are given to vegetables, flowers, and bedding plants. You can find AAS award winning varieties that were introduced has far back as 1933.
AAS varieties are a good choice because they are likely to be successful in a wide range of conditions.
WILDLIFE CONTROL
One of the heartbreaks of vegetable gardening is discovering that all your hard work has been looted by the local wildlife.
For moderate problems you can hang area repellents such as bars of soap or bags of hair, but they are only temporary solutions. Once an animal realizes that such an object is not going to do it any harm, the repellent becomes ineffective. It is best to avoid commercial repellents that are sprayed on plants because the chemicals in them may be toxic. You can find non-toxic sprays based on hot pepper, citrus and oil of mustard. Vinegar may also work as well. Spray repellents must be reapplied every 7 to 10 days or after a rain.
An alternative to repellents is behavior modification. Simple electric fencing works well if you do not have children or pets. Another approach is to set up a motion activated sprinkler. The animals get shot with a dose of water when they enter your garden.
Now, if your kitchen garden is repeatedly invaded by foraging animals the best solution is to enclose it with a fence.
For deer, the fence needs to be at least 8′ tall and constructed of a heavy gauge wire. They will push right through chicken wire. I also suggest planting a hedge of deer resistant shrubs about 4′ away from the outside of the fence. Deer are excellent vertical jumpers, but they cannot cover much ground in a single jump, so the hedge will prevent them from leaping over the fence.
A shorter fence can be used if the wildlife is smaller, such as rabbits. Just be sure to select a material that they cannot slip through. To keep out burrowing animals, bury the fence into the ground about 2′ below the surface.
I hope that I have given you enough information to get you started on your kitchen garden. It really all boils down to a few simple ideas – get to know your site, plant in good soil, be consistent about watering and learn as much as you can about the plants you want to grow.
For further reading I recommend that you purchase a copy of The Gardener’s Table by Richard Merrill and Joe Ortiz. The information shared by these authors will take you from the garden to the kitchen with helpful guidelines and delicious recipes.
To learn more about kitchen gardens, check out the video below! | https://pallensmith.com/2017/06/29/kitchen-garden-plant-selection/?amp=1 |
Like jewels on a necklace, this series of gardens is laid out on a circular route. Originally created in the 1920s, in Arts and Crafts style, they include a formal Italian garden, elegant Japanese garden, wooded valley with winding paths and dramatic waterfalls, and a large rock and water garden. They are home to a diverse collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants – over 3,000 different species – for year-round interest.
Important update
With the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, gardens in the 2-for-1 directory are beginning to open.
To ensure the safety of visitors and staff, many have special measures in place, including pre-booking and limiting the number of visitors.
Before visiting a garden, please contact the garden directly to determine their opening status and any restrictions that may apply.
Please note: we’re unable to keep all individual 2-for-1 garden pages updated, but we will publish the latest details that we have on our weekly updates page from week commencing Monday 8 June, 2020.
View 2-for-1 Garden status updates
Using your 2-for-1 card at Compton Acres
- One free entry with one full-paying adult
- Before setting off check the garden’s website or call direct, as opening details can vary and one-off restrictions may apply
Opening details:
Open all year, daily, 10am-6pm (4pm 1 Nov-2 Apr)
Entry prices: | https://www.gardenersworld.com/2-for-1-gardens/south-west-england/compton-acres-2-for-1-entry/ |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to orthoses and more specifically, a method for producing a negative cast for a brace with corrective forces to control PLC deficiencies.
Orthoses are external supports (braces) for the body, which are custom fitted and/or custom fabricated for the specific needs of the patient. The typical process for creating a brace for a patient includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan for the patient, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up, and practice management.
The procedures traditionally used to produce a knee orthosis (KO) only involve the use of measurements or creating a negative cast (which is wrapped on the patient). When the brace is produced from a cast, some manufacturers instruct practitioners to position the patient's knee in full extension without corrective forces applied during the procedure. The manufacturer then modifies the positive cast (by filling the negative cast with plaster—the hardened plaster results in the negative cast) to provide the corrective forces. The prior art has soft anterior shells, very narrow hard shells, or larger shells made from non-corrective casts, and do not extend proximally over the tibial condyles, not having corrective forces applied during casting or measuring.
The prior art procedures traditionally used to produce a knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) involve different procedures to cast for the KAFO, which may include tri-planar design in the foot and ankle, but only bi-planar design at the knee. Those procedures control knee movement in the coronal (frontal—for viewing varus and valgus of the knee) and saggital (side—for viewing flexion and extension of the knee) planes only. Those traditional procedures do not address deformities of the knee in the transverse plane (rotation—internal and external movement), which are addressed by the invention disclosed herein. When patients have posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries or deficits, all three planes are involved. Until now the knee has only been supported in two planes simultaneously. To achieve optimal results, the knee must be controlled in all three planes.
Rotating the foot to try and produce external rotation only slightly effects the knee. It is also difficult or not possible to achieve neutral or external foot rotation with some patients with moderate to severe neuroskeletal deficits or deformities. This invention is unique in the process of achieving the tri-planar support desired to produce an orthosis that controls posterolateral movement of the knee. Traditionally, the procedures to produce a negative cast for a KAFO involves the cast being applied to the patient, then corrective three point pressures are applied to the proximal medial thigh (directing pressures laterally), to the lateral knee or proximal lateral calf (to direct pressures medially), and a medial pressure is applied at the distal calf (directing pressure laterally). These pressures are applied with the patient's knee straight or slightly flexed with the foot having no correction or correction made after the upper section was cast. This traditional method does not produce the rotational alignment required to achieve the maximum benefit to the patient. Even a cast taken with the external rotary deficiency (ERD) corrections to the foot does not affect the rotation of the knee adequately. The present invention disclosed herein is unique in the process of achieving the tri-planar support desired to produce an orthosis that controls posterolateral movement of the knee and restore the screw home motion of a normal knee.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating a negative cast of a human leg is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: initially positioning the leg with a knee bent at an angle between approximately 15° and 50°; wrapping casting material around the leg while the knee is positioned at the angle between approximately 15° and 50°; bending the knee in a position of flexion at an angle between approximately 70° and 90°; applying corrective forces to the knee while it is positioned at the angle between approximately 70° and 90°; extending the knee while continuing to apply the corrective forces to the knee; allowing the casting material to dry; and removing the casting material from the leg.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating a negative cast of a human leg is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: initially positioning the leg with a knee bent at an angle of approximately 45°; wrapping casting material around the leg while the knee is positioned at the angle of 45°; bending the knee in a position of flexion at an angle of approximately 85°; applying corrective forces to the knee while it is positioned at the angle of 85°; extending the knee while continuing to apply the corrective forces to the knee; allowing the casting material to dry; and removing the casting material from the leg
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating a negative cast of a human leg is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: initially positioning the leg with a knee bent at an angle of approximately 45°; wrapping casting material around the leg while the knee is positioned at the angle of 45°; bending the knee in a position of flexion at an angle of approximately 85°; applying corrective forces to the knee while it is positioned at the angle of 85°, wherein the step of applying corrective forces to the knee comprises the steps of: applying valgus directed pressure to the knee and ankle; and applying external tibial rotation of a foot and an ankle of the leg; fully extending the knee while continuing to apply the corrective forces to the knee; allowing the casting material to dry; and removing the casting material from the leg.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
FIGS. 1-5
, together, disclose the method for providing a negative cast to be used to fabricate the orthosis for a patient suffering from posterolateral corner deficit. The present invention provides innovative casting techniques applied during the process of producing a negative corrective cast which is an important component of the fabrication process for the KO or KAFO brace. The resulting cast is unique in the procedures used to position the patient's leg and the corrective forces applied. This results in a cast and orthosis which is going to prevent the knee from externally rotating and control genu recurvatum and genu varum by performing the procedures in the reverse pivot shift test. The disclosed method discloses steps for controlling tri-planar movement of the posterolateral corner of the knee during casting.
This invention is unique in the process of achieving an orthosis which controls recurvatum, rotation and varum of the knee by providing the tri-planar support. The traditional methods in this art have not been used to cast and produce an orthosis in this manner to achieve the resulting reduction of posterolateral movement of the knee and unloading the medial compartment, which also reduces pain and progression of deterioration of the medial knee capsule. In order to achieve optimal results, the knee must be controlled in all three planes: coronal, saggital, and transverse.
varus
Disclosed herein is a method of designing a brace used to provide support and control of the knee movement, specifically external rotation, recurvatum and , by restoring the natural screw home motion. It will also prevent the posterior subluxation of the lateral tibial plateau and genu recurvatum due to deficiencies of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee. Using the present method to produce the orthosis (KO or KAFO) will prove to superiorally unload the medial compartment, which will prevent deterioration of the knee joint by realigning the knee in a more natural position. This will decrease pain and improve the quality of life for many people.
In a normal knee, a movement known as screw-home motion occurs. This is passive femoral rollback (posterior displacement of the femur with respect to the tibia), which occurs as the knee flexes from full extension. In patients with deficiencies of the PLC, the screw-home motion is simulated by the casting technique disclosed herein to obtain the desired result. During the casting process the knee is flexed and then held in the corrected position while extending the knee and maximally externally rotating the foot. This controls the rotation and posterior subluxation of the tibial plateau. This specific design technique has not been previously used by practitioners to control this type of deficiency in the knee.
The present invention addresses an aspect of the field of art that has not previously been addressed properly. The tri-planar motions of the foot and ankle have been previously recognized and resolutions have been discovered. A combination of these tri-planar motions has been identified as external rotary deformity (ERD). However, the rotational components of the knee have not been resolved until now. In previous research on genu recurvatum, the foot and ankle have a tone-induced equinovarus positioning, which means that when the forefoot is in adduction, supination, and plantarflexed position and the calcaneous is sustained in a position of varus and dorsiflexion, the anterior-lateral lever function has been decreased. This causes the foot to become rigid and prevents the normal pronation moment from occurring during initial stance. This external torque is immediately transferred to the talocrural joint as well as proximally through the tibia to the knee in a closed kinetic chain (when the foot is in contact with the ground). As the talocrural joint externally rotates, the knee joint is now displaced in a posterior-lateral direction with external rotation of the knee. Posterior deviation (hyperextension) and genu varum (outward bowing of the knee) is most pronounced around mid-stance.
Many individuals suffer from deficiencies of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee. PLC deficiencies usually occur from musculoskeletal diseases or disorders. This deformity of the PLC may also be caused by ligament injury or stress due to imbalance of muscles on the knee caused by musculoskeletal condition. Another cause may also occur due to the failure of the posterior collateral ligament grafts which increase the forces on the posterior cruciate ligament and create a varus moment coupled with posterior drawer force and external rotation torque. Another cause of PLC may be traumatic injury.
To identify a person who has a PLC deformity, the practitioner must perform a visual exam as well as clinical exam such as the posterolateral drawer test, external rotation recurvatum test, adduction stress test at 30° of knee flexion, dial test at 30° and 90°, and the reverse pivot shift test. These tests are considered to be the most reliable tests for determining posterolateral injury. The techniques used in performing the reverse pivot shift test proved to be beneficial as a technique incorporated into the casting method presented herein.
To perform the reverse pivot shift test, the patient is placed in the supine position with the knee flexed to about 85° and the tibia in maximum external rotation. The practitioner places a hand on the proximal lateral tibia, applying valgus directed pressure to the knee and ankle while maintaining external tibial rotation from the foot and ankle. An axial load is also applied as the examiner's other hand is placed just distal to the first on the anteromedial tibia at the mid-shaft so as to gain full contact of the distal leg. The examiner then begins to extend the knee while maintaining external rotation, axial load, and valgus force on the tibia. In a patient with posterolateral rotary instability, the lateral tibial plateau will be posterially subluxed at the onset of the test. As the knee is passively extended by the practitioner, the lateral tibial plateau will reduce with a palpable shift or jerk when the knee is extended to about 30°. This occurs as the pull of the iliotibial band changes from a flexion vector to an extension vector, thereby reducing the rotary subluxation through its pull on the Gerdy tubercle (where the iliotibial band attaches to the tibia).
By externally rotating the foot it will reduce external knee adduction moment (KAM). KAM is a measurement of the torque (a tendency of the force to rotate an object about an axis) that adducts the knee during the stance phase of gait. It has been previously found that externally rotating the foot and having the individual walk with an increased toe-out gait reduced medial loading of the knee and lead to a significantly decreased external KAM. The greater the KAM the greater the medial compartment varus alignment occurs. Peak KAM has been implicated in the progression of medial compartment OA (osteoarthritis). Although this has been important information regarding the reduction of medial knee joint pressures and pain, it has not been incorporated into traditional methods of casting of orthoses to result in controlling genu varum and external knee adduction moment. The present method herein used with the reverse pivot shift test process goes beyond prior casting methods and contributes to fabrication of orthoses that more effectively control the movement of the knee to a more natural alignment, thereby unloading the medial compartment of the knee, reducing pressures and pain.
FIG. 1
FIGS. 1-3
FIGS. 4-5
20
20
20
20
20
20
When a cast is taken for a knee brace, traditionally the corrective forces are only applied in two planes without any attention to the position of the foot. In method of the present invention, the casting process for the negative cast of a KAFO and a KO begins with the patient in a supine position. shows the patient in a supine position with his right knee bent in an angle of approximately 45°. The knee may be bent in an angle of between about 15°-50°. Prior to casting, a stocking may be wrapped about the patient's leg. Casting material is then wrapped around the patient's leg, over the stocking. For a KO, casting material is preferably wrapped around the patient's leg from the proximal thigh down to the distal calf just above the ankle (see ). For a KAFO, the casting material will also cover the patient's foot (see ). The casting material may comprise gauze combined with plaster of Paris which is a gypsum plaster consisting of a fine white powder (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) that hardens when moistened and allowed to dry, may be used. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may also be obtained from the use of other suitable casting materials . A cut strip may be inserted between the stocking and the casting material , which is used to protect the patient's leg when the cast is cut off.
FIGS. 2-3
20
85
Referring to , after the casting material is applied to the patient's leg, the practitioner (or other health care provider) will bend the patient's knee in a position of flexion between about 70°-90° degrees, with a preferred angle at . The practitioner will then apply corrective forces to the patient's knee. Specifically, the practitioner will apply valgus directed pressure by placing one hand on the patient's lateral knee and pushing/directing pressure medially while the practitioner's other hand is simultaneously placed on the patient's anteromedial ankle and talus and pushing/directing pressure laterally while also externally rotating (external tibial rotation) the patient's foot. This hand positioning gives the practitioner leverage to apply laterally directed valgus forces to the lower limb while maximally externally rotating the foot simultaneously.
FIGS. 4-5
Referring to , while maintaining this corrected position; i.e. while maintaining valgus pressure and external rotation of the foot, the leg is then fully extended. It should also be understood that substantial benefit may also be derived if the leg is extended to an angle that is 5° short of full extension. If the patient requires a KAFO, the negative casting process involves the cast of the foot being attached and overlapping the proximal portion. If the foot requires correction as with ERD (external rotary deficiency), the cast is applied, maintaining corrective pressure and overlapping the proximal portion. The negative cast is then allowed to dry and removed by cutting it along the cut strip. The negative cast is then used to produce a positive cast and fabricate the orthosis. The positive cast is produced by filling the negative cast with plaster of Paris or other foam material. The positive cast therefore mimics the shape of the patient's leg and the brace is made to fit about the positive cast. The result is that the brace is specifically fitted for that patient's leg and the brace provides the corrective forces needed for that patient.
This new method of producing an orthosis would benefit the patient who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a posterolateral corner deficiency. It may be combined with posterior cruciate tear. A posterolateral corner deficiency is a condition which occurs when the primary structures of the posterior knee fail to resist the opening of the tibiofemoral compartment, posterior subluxation of the lateral tibial plateau with tibial rotation, knee hyperextension and varus recurvatum.
With the method disclosed herein, the foot is externally rotated during casting and forces are applied at the lateral knee and anteromedial ankle. With the knee flexed at between about 70° to 90°, the cast is fully extended, which places the knee in a position which will reduce the pressures on the medial knee. This is the position desired during the casting process with the knee flexed and then held while extending the knee. The result is control of the posterior lateral rotation, therefore controlling the posterior subluxation of the tibial plateau to achieve the motion and alignment that the screw home motion produces.
The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be limitation upon the practice thereof. While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, but rather, illustrate certain attributes thereof.
FIG. 1
is a side view of the step of applying plaster material to a patient's right leg wherein the patient's right leg bent at about a 45° angle, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is side view of the step of applying corrective forces to the patient's right leg wherein the patient's right leg is bent at about a 85° angle, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 3
FIG. 2
is top view of the step of ;
FIG. 4
is a side view of the step of fully extending the patient's right leg wherein corrective forces are still applied, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and
FIG. 5
FIG. 4
is a top view of the step of . | |
This is another meaningful collaboration to provide opportunity for students to recognise various Arab musical instruments and genres as well as to highlight the influence of Arab music in other cultures.
Students will be taught basic percussion techniques as they learn the significance of each rhythm and how it is used in different kinds of occasions.
Programme Outline
- Students will learn the basic percussion techniques of dum, tak & tek, slapping and fingering on the drum frame
- Demos of various beats in different parts of arabia will be demonstrated
- Explain the significance of each rhythm & is to be used in different kinds of occasions or Religious/ Non- Religious related events
- The blending of each rhythm in genres
- Tempo Training
Duration of Programme
- Starting on 26 November 2016
- Saturdays, 4:30pm-6:30pm
- 4 sessions, 2 hours per session
- Once a week
Programme Fees
- $150 (inclusive of materials fee)
Note: A minimum of 5 pax to materialise a class
Register your interest
About As-Souq
In 2013, As-Souq officially launched her very own Arabic Language Courses as part of the mission to be the ‘One-Stop for all your Arabic learning needs’.
Information
Contact
39 Arab Street #02-01/02,
Singapore 199738
Office No. 62911617
Hp No. 82844110
[email protected]
Newsletter
Don’t miss a thing, sign up for our newsletter and keep yourself updated. | https://as-souq.com/learn-arab-music/ |
Ban Ki-moon calls for equal scrutiny of all countries by UN human rights organ
“No country, however powerful, should escape scrutiny of its record, commitments and actions on human rights,” Mr. Ban said, hailing the start of the Universal Periodic Review, under which all UN Member States – at the rate of 48 a year – will be reviewed to assess whether they have fulfilled their human rights obligations.
“The Review must reaffirm that just as human rights are universal, so is our collective respect for them and our commitment to them. It must help prevent the distrust that surrounded the work of the Commission on Human Rights in its final years,” he added, recalling the accusations of bias and politicization that dogged the predecessor body whose work was taken over by the new Council in 2006.
Looking back at progress since the issuance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will celebrate its sixtieth anniversary in December, Mr. Ban said that it had become clear that commitments and accountability are crucial factors in the effort to make those rights a reality for all.
That accountability, in turn, depends on the collective scrutiny of international organizations, governments and civil society, he said, calling it “a duty of the highest order for each individual State, and the raison d’être of the Human Rights Council.”
As for the record of the Council itself, Mr. Ban said that the establishment of its mechanisms and procedures had been on the right track over the nearly two years of its existence.
But he posed the question to Council members of whether they were fully meeting the high expectations of the international community, which included the application of human rights values “without favour, without selectivity, without being impacted by any political machinations around the world.”
“If you meet this benchmark,” he said, “you can count on my fullest support and defence in the face of criticisms and attacks, wherever they may come from.”
The Council’s seventh session, including a high-level portion for the views of government representatives, as well as expert panels and presentations by Special Rapporteurs, will run through 28 March. | https://news.un.org/en/story/2008/03/250962 |
The 61st Grammy Awards nominations will now be announced on Friday, Dec. 7, instead of Wednesday, Dec. 5 as previously planned due to memorial services for former President George H.W. Bush, it was announced on Monday.
Select categories will be announced live on "CBS This Morning" and on Apple Music at 8:30 a.m. ET. Immediately following, at 8:45 a.m. ET, the Recording Academy will announce nominations across all 84 categories via press release, GRAMMY.com, and the Recording Academy's social media platforms.
The former Republican president and Navy fighter pilot Bush died Friday at age 94. Details of his memorial service were later announced on Saturday night.
How George H.W. Bush survived his harrowing brush with death in World War II
Mr. Bush's plane was hit during World War II, forcing him to bail out over the water
An arrival ceremony involving both the House and Senate will be held at 4:45 p.m. ET on Monday at the U.S. Capitol, where Bush will lie in state in the rotunda until Wednesday morning, according to CNN. The public can pay their respects to the 41st president from 7:30 p.m. ET Monday to 8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday.
On Wednesday, family and friends will gather at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, for an 11 a.m. ET memorial service and President Trump has designated that a national day of mourning.
Bush will be laid to rest with his wife Barbara, who died in April, and their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia as a child, on the grounds of the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum in College Station, Texas.
"The 61st Annual Grammy Awards" airs Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at 8/7c on CBS.
Grammy Nominations Give Women the Votes – Except for Those Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Snubs.
The 1976 disco song "More, More, More" wasn't eligible for this year's Grammy Awards, but it might as well have been the Recording Academy's theme song when nominations were announced on Friday morning. There were more nominees in the Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year categories. More Best New Artist contenders. More women in the top categories. And even more high-profile snubs, with longtime Grammy favorites Taylor Swift and Beyoncé passed over in the categories where they once reigned supreme. These are the freshly supersized Grammys, with eight nominees instead of five in the four general categories that are the show's centerpieces.
Topical videos:
President Obama Awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the ... | https://pressfrom.info/us/news/entertainment/-217895-grammy-nominations-bumped-back-this-week-due-to-george-hw-bush-memorial.html |
At the Seventh HIPAA Summit held in Baltimore in mid-September, "Doctor HIPAA" —former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) executive William Braithwaite — said that while Transactions and Code Sets (T&CS) testing should have started in April at the latest, vendors should have provided software to all their clients and completed testing, clearinghouses should have finished testing for all customers, and health plans should have finished testing all transactions with providers and clearinghouses, the reality was that much of the testing still was being done and some entities hadn’t yet started.
Those who haven’t started need to understand the reality of their situation in terms of the law and guidances from CMS, a reasonable definition of "compliance," and the consequences of their failure to comply, he said. "It’s time to prioritize your responses and create and promulgate contingency plans," Braithwaite said. "Establish reasonable compliance targets. Coordinate, cooperate, and push your trading partners to become compliant over time." He reviewed the provisions for civil and criminal penalties and CMS’ initial enforcement approach, noting that the agency intends to focus on obtaining voluntary compliance and will use a complaint-driven approach for enforcement.
If CMS receives a complaint about a covered entity, it will notify the organization that a complaint has been received and provide it an opportunity to demonstrate compliance, document good-faith efforts to comply, and/or submit a corrective action plan.
Braithwaite noted that there is no definition of "compliant" in the CMS guidance and said the agency will consider an organization’s good-faith efforts to comply when assessing individual complaints. "CMS understands that transactions require the participation of two entities," he said, "and CMS will look at both entities’ good-faith efforts to determine whether a reasonable cause for noncompliance exists and the time allowed for curing the noncompliance. CMS says it will not impose penalties on entities that deploy contingencies to ensure the smooth flow of payments if they have made reasonable and diligent efforts to become compliant and, for health plans, have taken reasonable steps to facilitate the compliance of their trading partners. As long as a health plan can demonstrate its active outreach and testing efforts, it can continue processing payments to providers."
He said covered entities might be able to demonstrate good faith, he said, by steps such as increased external testing with trading partners; lack of availability of, or refusal by, trading partners to test transactions with the entity whose compliance is at issue; and concerted efforts by a health plan before Oct. 16, 2003, and continuing efforts after that date to conduct outreach and make testing opportunities available to its provider community.
Braithwaite urged organizations to document that they had exercised good-faith efforts to correct problems and implement changes required to comply in case a complaint is filed. He said that CMS will expect noncompliant covered entities to submit plans to achieve compliance and that CMS flexibility will permit health plans to mitigate unintended adverse effects on covered entities’ cash flow and business operations during the transition to the standards. | https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/25910-hipaa-regulatory-alert-what-to-do-if-you-8217-re-just-getting-started |
Because We’re Asked...
Advocates for Children in Therapy is frequently asked what therapy and/or therapists we recommend. Unfortunately, that is not our mission.
But because we feel some responsibility to provide a bit of guidance, we offer the below information about evidence-based treatment and parenting methods which we hope can be helpful.
Evidence-Based Practices:
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child
Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention
Incredible Years
Tips on Improving Your Chances of Choosing a Therapist Who Uses Evidence-Based Practices:
- The therapist would best be on the staff of a university or hospital-sponsored clinic rather than in private practice.
- The therapist should be able to describe what reflective supervision they get.
- The therapist should present an detailed informed consent document.
- The therapist should be a family therapist, or if the therapist is treating the child alone, he should guide the parent(s) to get at least supportive counseling.
- The therapist should be licensed and have no history of professional disciplinary actions.
- If the child is below school age, the therapist should have had university-based training in infant/preschool mental health issues.
Reading:
- “Evidence-Based Treatment: What is it?” by Jean Mercer, PhD, ChildMyths, 2 May 2016.
- “What Does Evidence-based Therapy for Children Look Like?” by Jean Mercer, PhD, ChildMyths, 2 Jun 2016.
- “The Effectiveness of an Attachment-Based Intervention in Promoting Foster Mothers’ Sensitivity Toward Foster Infants,” Bick J, Dozier, M; Infant Mental Health J, Mar/Apr 2013, 34(2):95-103.Infant Mental Health Journal. Mar/Apr2013, Vol. 34 Issue 2, p95-103. [Abstract]
- "Clinical interventions for children with attachment problems," by Tonya Cornell and Vanya Hamrin, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 2008 Feb 1; 21(1):35-47. [Abstract]
- "Prevention and intervention for the challenging behaviors of toddlers and preschoolers,” D Powell, G Dunlap & L Fox, Infants and Young Children, 2006; 19(1):25-35.
- “Parent-child interaction therapy: new directions in research,” A Herschell, et al, Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 2002; 9:9-16.
- “Parent management training,” L Schoenfield & SM Eyberg, in GP Koocher, JC Norcross & SS Hill, eds., Psychologist’s Desk Reference, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, 2005. [about Kazdin’s model]
- “Effective psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders: 29 years, 82 studies, and 5272 kids,” EV Brestan & SM Eyberg, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 1998; 27:179-188.
- “Parent-child interaction therapy for oppositional children,” M Brinkmeyer & SM Eyberg, in AE Kazdin & JR Weisz, eds., Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents, Guilford (pp. 204-223).
- “Parent-child interaction therapy: A guide for clinicians,” R Foote, E Schuhmann, M Jones & SM Eyberg, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1998; 3:361-373.
- “Treatment acceptability of behavioral interventions for children: an assessment by mothers of children with disruptive behavior disorders,” ML Jones, SM Eyberg, CD Adams & SR Boggs, Children & Family Behavior Therapy, 1998; 20:15-26. | http://childrenintherapy.org/ebt.html |
The power of storytelling—whether through words, images, or figures—unites the artists featured in FOLK & FABLE.
Wisconsin artists Levi Fisher Ames (1843–1923) and Albert Zahn (1864–1953) carved animals out of wood to create wondrous worlds that were both imaginary and instructive.
Ames made hundreds of miniatures of real and mythic creatures that became the “L.F. Ames Museum of Art,” a traveling tent show. He recounted both tall and truthful tales about his “specimens” to the delight of audiences, tapping into the popularity of the circuses and sideshows that were prevalent throughout Wisconsin.
Zahn spent his days carving woodland creatures in the forest surrounding his home in Baileys Harbor. By the early 1930s, hundreds of carvings dotted the house and yard. Zahn’s birds, flora, and fauna were a vivid ode to his love of nature; the many angels and a towering family tree bespoke his dedication to traditional values. Owing to the plethora of winged forms, Zahn’s art environment was named “Birds Park.”
Faythe Levine (TN), who collaborated with the Arts Center in developing the exhibition, connects with Ames and Zahn through her own art and varied curatorial practices. To broaden the collaboration, Levine invited master sign painter Norma Jeanne Maloney (TX) and watercolorist Stacey Rozich (CA) to summon the realms of Ames and Zahn through their own visual language.
Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website. | https://www.artgeek.io/exhibitions/58ed95ab568f63fc372cc19f/58ed95ab568f63fc372cc19e |
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to mortars and more particularly to a method and apparatus for isolating a linear shock while maintaining the alignment of a sensitive electronic pointing device for use on a barrel of mortar or similar device.
2. Background Art
During the firing of a large bore weapon a significant reaction force is imparted to the barrel and support structure. A support structure, which is required to travel a certain distance before absorbing the load, allows the barrel and its attached components to undergo an instantaneous high-g acceleration. A sensitive electronic pointing device, such as inertial measurement unit or inertial navigation unit, and its attachment structure would be, and has been, destroyed by this extreme acceleration and deceleration.
The present invention is an inertial isolation method and apparatus of a pointing device from the mortar barrel recoil travel accomplished effectively through it's mounting assembly. For example, the Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) which is an integral part of Honeywell's Tactical Advanced Land Inertial Navigator (TALIN™) pointing device requires a mortar mount assembly designed to provide a stable and protective cage parallel to the center line of the barrel. The mortar barrel moves approximately twelve inches (12″) under a high acceleration developing energy of approximately five hundred thousand foot pounds (500 k ft-lbs.) and then decelerates to a stop in less than 0.010 seconds when fired from a base plate in a free standing configuration. Most particularly, this mount needs to provide for the repeated firing of the mortar without realignment or mechanical adjustment while maintaining a zero ballistic force vector on the pointing device.
Presently the prior art PDMAs (pointing device mounting assembly) cannot withstand the recoil acceleration force while attached to a 120 mm mortar barrel when fired while mounted on a mortar weapon, such as the M9, base plate in the dismounted configuration. The present prior art PDMA experiences catastrophic failure of the steel mounting plates due to stress in excess of the bending moment of the material of their construction. This force exceeds the isolators travel limit and transfers the shock load into the RLG pointing device and causes internal physical damage.
The pointing device mounting assembly currently in use by the United States Army consists of two separate steel plates mounted to the mortar barrel with a pointing device cage suspended between them on an array of rubber isolators. This design provides a level of shock isolation for the pointing device only when fired from a non-recoiling platform (M-1064 vehicle mounted as opposed to free standing base plate). Problematic with the present design is the fact that plate alignment during attachment to the barrel is not easily indexed and this design cannot be used on the mortar barrel when fired from a base plate dismounted configuration due to the high gravity (g) load caused by the force of acceleration over the seating travel distance. This configuration has in the past bent and broken the steel plates and exceeded the shock isolation limits to the RLG pointing device.
Others have tried to solve the problem by designing a mounting platform for the RLG pointing device which combines the mortar barrel bi-pod support buffers in an assembly which attaches to the barrel and allows the mortar barrel to recoil while separating the RLG pointing device from recoil force through a shaft and bearing assembly on the bi-pod attachment collar.
The attempt in the prior art to design a mechanical force vector isolation system for the RLG pointing device fails to address the requirement for symmetry and even distribution of force throughout its design. The prior art design produces an unsupported moment arm which multiplies the recoil force vector rather than separating it. This causes the shaft and bearing assembly to seize and transfer the recoil force into the bi-pod attachment collar causing it to slip. The increased force applied to the offset design transmits a multiplied force into the RLG pointing device through the unsupported moment arm. The magnitude of the forces has caused the materials of construction in this prior art design to fail.
A prior art device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,917, which does not use guide rails and bearings for linear shock isolation and to maintain position alignment. It uses gas driven pistons and gas accumulator/controllers that are sensor-controlled to maintain position during shock and vibration. Another prior art device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,179, which also does not use guide rails and bearings for linear shock isolation and to maintain position alignment. It uses shock isolators that are comprised of rubber and polyurethane foam to absorb shock and vibration.
The present invention separates the sensitive electronic pointing device from the force vector during the specific impulse of firing by suspending it in inertial space while at the same time maintaining near perfect alignment with the bore axis of the barrel. This invention solves the problem of inertial isolation by providing a support structure which maintains the linear position of the shaft/bearing interface in a parallel plane with the axis of travel of the mortar barrel. The shaft/bearing support structure also distributes the firing loads evenly along the shaft during the recoil action and prevents the weight of the RLG pointing device from deflecting the shaft bearing assembly out of plane during the travel stage of the recoil.
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Chemicals are a part of our everyday life. Although regulations are in place to keep workers and residents safe, spills and releases of chemicals and toxic substances do occur.
Have you considered what might be required of you in the event of a chemical spill or toxic vapour release?
Would you know what to do if you were instructed to take shelter or evacuate?
Shelter-In-Place
In a chemical release, it's often safer for you to stay inside rather than trying to leave. Walking or driving out of an impacted area may leave you exposed to dangerous chemicals in the air.
When an incident involves the release of dangerous chemicals, emergency officials will often instruct you to go indoors and stay indoors or "shelter-in-place".
If you are advised by emergency officials to shelter-in-place please stay inside for your own protection. Most buildings will seal well enough to hold enough air supply for several hours – often long enough for vapours in the air to dissipate.
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Steps to Take When Sheltering-In-Place During a Chemical Emergency or Release
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Schools & Daycares
Schools and daycares have their own internal response procedures for "shelter-in-place" advisories and evacuations. If the incident involves a chemical emergency or release, stay out of the affected area and take shelter (if necessary).
If your child is in school, do not pick them up - schools have procedures to deal with emergency situations like these. Listen to your radio for information. Do not call the school – allow them to keep their telephone lines open.
Be sure that your child's school has up-to-date contact information about how to reach you or a caregiver to arrange for pickup if school buses are not running. Find out ahead of time what type of authorization the school requires to release a child to a designate, if you cannot pickup your child yourself.
The above information has been adapted from guidelines prepared by Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Canada and is intended to provide you with assistance in formulating a home emergency response plan.
Do not evacuate unless you are instructed to do so by radio or by emergency personnel. Remember, in a chemical emergency involving a spill or vapour release, it is often safer to remain indoors where you have protection from toxic air outside.
Updates from Industry
If you ever notice unusual activity at an industry site such as loud noises, alarms, training activities or high flaring, visit LambtonBASES.ca and review the alerts header or call the BASES Hotline at 226-778-4611.
Municipal/Industrial Sirens
In the event of an emergency, safety sirens located in parts of Sarnia, St. Clair, Point Edward and Aamjiwnaang First Nation will sound to alert residents. If you hear these sirens, go indoors and turn on a local radio station for information and instructions.
Evacuation
One of the largest chemical-based, peacetime emergencies happened the night of November 10, 1979 in Mississauga, Ontario. A 106-car freight train derailed and one car, carrying propane, exploded threatening to rupture other tank cars carrying chlorine.
Municipal officials made the decision to evacuate nearly 218,000 residents.
If local authorities advise you to leave your home due to a chemical emergency, it means there is a potential or existing threat to your safety, so please take their advice immediately. An evacuation is often initiated when it is more dangerous to stay in place, than it is to leave. The threat could be a fire or a potential explosion. Listen to your radio and follow the instructions of local emergency or municipal officials, keeping these simple tips in mind:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
- Take your emergency supplies kit.
- Take your pets with you – do not leave them behind (Most evacuation centres will try to accommodate pets, but it is best to make plans ahead of time and find other lodging for them).
- Lock your home.
- Collect family members or go to the place designated in your family plan as a meeting place.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts – certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- If you go to an evacuation centre, sign up at the registration desk so you can be contacted or reunited with family and friends who will be looking for you.
- Contact your out-of-area emergency contact to let them know what has happened, that you are okay, and how to contact you.
- Listen to your radio (1070 AM/103.9 FM) for the most accurate information about your area. Remaining on one station is the best way to monitor for information.
- Leave natural gas service ‘on' unless local officials advise you otherwise. You might need gas for heating and cooking when you return, and you will need to contact your utility company to reconnect appliances or restore gas service in your home once it's been turned off. In a disaster situation, it could take weeks for someone to respond to turn your gas back on.
- If instructed to so do, shut off water and electricity before leaving.
- Sign up to receive MyCNN alerts on your mobile devices.
Railways
All sorts of products and materials - including dangerous goods such as crude oil and hazardous chemicals - are transported across North America by rail.
Transport Canada has regulations and standards in place to help ensure that Canada's rail system is safe, secure and environmentally responsible. To learn more about Canada's rail system, visit the Transport Canada website.
As a member of the public, you too are responsible for ensuring your own safety around trains and tracks. Visit the Operation Lifesaver website to learn more about responsible behaviour around railways.
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Safety tips from CN Rail
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Pipelines
Although pipelines are a proven means of safely transporting petroleum products, pipeline leaks do happen.
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Warning signs of a potential leak
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For pipelines carrying liquid hydrocarbons, each product has individual characteristics. This means that the warning signs can vary depending on the product involved.
You might see:
You might hear:
You might smell:
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What to do in an emergency
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If you see, smell or hear any of the warning signs, please immediately do the following:
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What Not to do in an emergency
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Safety precautions near pipelines
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Registered pipelines are located within strips of land called "right-of ways" that allow pipeline companies to work on their lines and also to keep the area clear of certain activities and development. Pipeline companies don't own the land within a right-of-way.
Damage caused by third party excavation around pipelines is one of the most common causes of leaks and explosions on transmission pipelines in Canada. Even a small nick in the protective coating of a pipeline can result in corrosion of the line and eventual failure or a need for repair, years later.
Never assume that there is only one pipeline within a right-of-way, or that a pipeline is in the centre of the right-of-way. Pipeline companies often share right-of-ways and pipelines can be located anywhere within a right-of-way at varying depths.
By law, anyone doing construction or excavation work on their property must obtain utility locates. For your safety and the safety of others, “Call Before You Dig” to mark the location of gas, hydro, cable, and other underground utilities before starting construction, landscaping or any other excavation project on your property. If there is a pipeline right-of-way where you intend to work, contact the pipeline company before doing any work on site. Once your underground lines have been marked, you will know the approximate location of utility lines and can dig safely.
If you have plans for construction or excavation, contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or visit the Ontario One Call website.
Community Awareness/Emergency Response (CAER)
Sarnia and St. Clair Township host a number of major petrochemical industries and refineries that work together to develop common safety and chemical emergency response protocols to keep workers and residents safe. Nearly 50 industries, contractors, businesses and municipalities (including the County of Lambton) are members of Community Awareness/Emergency Response (CAER). CAER oversees a coordinated response between industry and local government to safety issues arising in Sarnia-Lambton. This collaboration allows response teams to continually improve emergency preparedness procedures, and ensures that emergency resources across the region are available to any member site at any time as needed. CAER members and stakeholders regularly participate in the Sarnia Area Disaster Simulation to test protocols in case of a chemical emergency.
History
Following a major explosion at the former Polystar industrial site in 1951, curious on-lookers made their way to the site to watch the event unfold.
Local industries realized that they needed to work with Sarnia Police to keep the public out of harm's way during industrial emergencies. As a result, the “Chemical Valley Emergency Traffic Control Committee” was formed.
Also formed in 1951 was the Chemical Valley “Industrial Mutual Fire Aid” Organization. Its founding members were the City of Sarnia Fire Department and companies that had their own fire departments. This is believed to be the first industrial mutual aid organization in Ontario.
The traffic control and mutual aid organizations continued as separate entities for 20 years until 1971, when they amalgamated into one body – The Chemical Valley Emergency Control (later "Coordinating") Organization (CVECO).
On the night of December 2/3, 1984, 500,000 people were exposed to toxic vapours released from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India. The deadly vapours entered the towns surrounding the plant, ultimately killing and injuring hundreds of thousands of people. The catastrophe showed the world, the importance of community preparation for a chemical emergency. Early in 1985, the Lambton Industrial Society developed a community awareness program for residents living in proximity to petrochemical companies and oil refining industries.
In 1986, the new Sarnia-Lambton CAER organization (Community Awareness / Emergency Response) was formed. Sarnia became one of the first three municipalities in Canada to be awarded the CAER Achievement Award by the Canadian Chemical Producers Association, signifying integrated industrial-community preparedness for an emergency.
In 2021, the functions of CVECO and CAER were combined under CAER.
Lambton BASES
The Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (BASES) provides a home for an interactive exchange of information in Sarnia-Lambton related to the protection of workers, the public, and the environment. BASES is supported by the members of the Sarnia-Lambton Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER), Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Educational Cooperative (IEC), and Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association (SLEA).
LambtonBASES.ca provides Lambton County residents with information about emergency and non-emergency activity. Visit the website to review active and historical alerts on the site's banner, and consider signing up for MyCNN to receive alerts directly to your cellphone or other medium. | https://www.lambtononline.ca/en/emergencies/chemical-emergencies.aspx |
Another day of COVID-19 statistics in the book. Today's reported total brought in 38 new cases. 0 For Bainbridge Island, 10 for Bremerton, 9 for Central Kitsap, 4 for North Kitsap and 15 for South Kitsap (38 total). The Kitsap County death count stands at 35.
For the 4th day in a row the rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 (over past 14 days) is trending down. Tuesday was 192 and today's number is 184.8. The % positive number is still unavailable due to changes made by the State Department of Health.
Per the State's Coronavirus Response website, Washington's intensive care unit (ICU) room capacity is at 73.6%. There are 899 of a possible 1,221 beds filled. Approximalty 16% (195) of all ICU beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.
If you are looking for a test from now through the beginning of the new year you will have to contact your medical provider or go to one of the open testing sites available in the area.
The City of Bainbridge Island's testing site will be closed "beginning Friday, Dec. 25 and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4". Today was the last available day for those who had scheduled an appointment.
There are also a number of at home COVID-19 test kits like the COVID-19 Active Infection kit from Quest Diagnostics. They have a drive up option for $119 and then the complete mail in option for $129, both have an additional Dr. Fee of $9.30. It states on their website:
"This anterior nares (nasal) swab collection kit, which is authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)*, allows you to collect your sample to be tested at our laboratory. Your test results will be available in your MyQuest™ account in 2-5 business days from the time the sample is received, depending on your test."
Same rules still apply folks!
(per CDC Guidelines)
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid close contact.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect.
- Monitor your health daily.
Gov. Jay Inslee and state public health leaders consider many factors when making decisions related to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. For the most up to date information, always visit the State's website at: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/news.
WASHINGTON STATE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
Stay Tuned & Stay Woke!
- Mo-Minski Team at Charter Real Estate for your home selling and buying needs.
- Millstream Bainbridge for your special gift-giving needs even if the person you are buying the gift for is YOU!
- Proper Fish because it is some of the best in the country. | http://www.wakeupbainbridge.com/bainbridge-kitsap-county-covid-19-report-12-23-2020/ |
You will collaborate with case teams to gather requirements, specify, design, develop, deliver and support analytic solutions serving client needs. You will provide technical support through deeper understanding of relevant data analytics solutions and processes to build high quality and efficient analytic solutions. You will work with global stakeholders such as Project/Case teams and clients and support by working in AP/EU/AM time zones during weekdays or weekends.
YOU’RE GOOD AT
Supporting with case teams
- Supporting and enhancing original analysis and insights to case teams, typically owning the maintenance of all or part of an analytics module post implementation.
- Establishing credibility by thought partnering with case teams on analytics topics; drawing conclusions on a range of external and internal issues related to your module
- Communicating analytical insights through sophisticated synthesis and packaging of results (including PPT slides and charts) with consultants; collecting, synthesizing, analysing case team learning & inputs into new best practices and methodologies
- Ensuring proper sign‐off before uploading materials into internal repository for reference; sanitizing confidential client content in marketing documents
- Developing broad expertise in at least one analytics topic or platform
- Executing analytical approach and creating defined outcome; contributing to approach selection
Technical expertise
- Proficient understanding of distributed computing principles
- Management of Spark clusters, with all included services – various implementations of Spark preferred
- Ability to solve ongoing issues with operating the cluster and optimize for efficiency
- Understanding of prevalent cloud ecosystems and its associated services AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud. Expertise in at least one.
- Experience with building stream-processing systems, using solutions such as Storm or Spark-Streaming
- Good knowledge of Big Data querying tools, such as Pig, Hive, and Impala
- Experience with integration of data from multiple data sources
- Experience with NoSQL databases, such as HBase, Cassandra, MongoDB
- Knowledge of various ETL techniques and frameworks, such as Flume
- Experience with various messaging systems, such as Kafka or RabbitMQ
- Experience with Big Data ML toolkits, such as Mahout, SparkML, or H2O
- Good understanding of Lambda Architecture, along with its advantages and drawbacks
Functional Skills:
- Selecting, integrating & supporting any Big Data tools and frameworks required to provide requested capabilities
- Enhancing/optimizing & maintaining ETL process(s) across on-premise and cloud architectures
- Monitoring performance and advising any necessary infrastructure changes
- You will be a clear and confident communicator, able to deliver messages in a concise manner with strong and effective written and verbal communication.
Thinking Analytically
- You should be strong in analytical solutioning with hands on experience in advanced analytics delivery, through the entire life cycle of analytics. Strong analytics skills with the ability to develop and codify knowledge and provide analytical advice where required. | https://bigdatakb.com/boston-consulting-group-jobs-data-engineergamma-bigdatakb-com-31-01-22-2/ |
Your server response time is a metric that tracks how long it takes your device to receive feedback from the server; this may also be called time to first byte (TTFB). Server response is an important metric to monitor, since many web applications, such as HTML, cannot function or proceed without a response.
Reducing your server’s response time will help deliver quality web site performance for your users, reduce lags and delays, and optimize performance. When you take the amount of traffic your site receives and manage to enhance your server response, you’ll notice an improvement in speed and site usability.
There are several factors that can influence the way your server responds, which means optimizing your response time may require different methods or steps. In this article, we will touch on five different ways to reduce your response times and increase user satisfaction with your content delivery. The methods touched on below include:
• Utilizing a content delivery network,
• Implementing a caching service for your server,
• Choosing an alternative web server,
• Optimizing the database query.
1. Utilize a Content Delivery Network (e.g. Cloudflare, Incapsula, MaxCDN)
Content delivery networks are sometimes called content distribution networks or CDN for short, are a group of servers that are distributed across different data centers that provide for high uptime and high performance. The use of CDNs have grown dramatically, now serving a big portion of the internet and the available content; this includes web objects, downloadable objects, applications, live and on-demand media, and even social networking content.
CDNs often function as a go-between for the content owner and the user. This works with the content owner paying for the CDN service, and the CDN service pays the network operator to host their servers at their data centers. This allows the CDN to deliver the content owner’s data to the user quickly and efficiently.
2. Implement a Caching Service on Your Server (e.g. Nginx, Varnish)
Caching services offer a type of storage for web documents, like a web page or image, to help reduce the bandwidth usage, server load, and any perceived lag. Using a web cache, temporary copies of these data types are stored, allowing for a quicker response when the user loads a page or image; this allows requests for content to be delivered from the cache, if applicable.
Server side caches can function similarly to a CDN, which retains copies of web page content to deliver results faster while reducing strain on the server. Web caches need to fulfill three basic to be controlled accurately, which is freshness, validation, and invalidation.
Freshness means the cached response can be used without the originating server re-checking the response. Validation means the cached response is checked for validity based on its expiration time. Invalidation occurs when a cached response has a request pass through it; this can cause the cached response to be invalidated.
3. Choose an Alternative Web Server (e.g. Nginx, Litespeed)
Alternative web servers provide an option that’s reliable, powerful, and secure. There are some server deployments that may require more than these servers can offer, but if you want a lightweight server, open source server, or a server with a small footprint, these alternatives may be for you.
Nginx has increasingly become one of the more popular and utilized web servers over the last several years. Nginx has gained popularity for the scalable, event-driven architecture, sometimes called asynchronous architecture, which makes it more efficient with memory usage or low-resource deployments.
One way to reduce strain on the server is to combine the files into a small number of related scripts. For instance, combining multiple CSS scripts into one file that manage the site’s background and color scheme is more effective than having multiple CSS files addressing each aspect individually.
Additionally, consider where you load these files into your browser scripts since loading them into the header section can delay your content loading time when the site fetches the files. Unless the content is dependent on the JS or CSS file loading first, you may be able to fetch them at a later point in the page, reducing server strain.
5. Optimize the Database Query
Optimizing your database queries means maximizing the speed and efficiency that your queries are processed and retrieved. A database can store a large amount of information at any given time, which means designing the database to handle the demands of user queries is essential.
Query optimization works to improve your server response times by determining the most effective and efficient way to run a provided query. Query optimization, traditionally, is not an accessible function to the end user but rather a part of a successful database that runs when a user inputs a request for information.
Before engaging in a query optimization method, such as logical optimization or physical optimization, the cost of the method, the processing power of the method, and the overall optimization offered must be assessed. Database searches can become larger over time, especially as the database increases in size, which means one method will not work for every database.
Finding ways to reduce the response time for your server is essential if you want to have a responsive site that’s user-friendly and stable. Delays in accessing content can lead to a loss of user satisfaction and a lack of quality. Ensuring continued monitoring and issue resolution, however, is key to keeping server responses timely and consistent; addressing performance issues when they occur is critical to continued success and user satisfaction.
Here’s the second part of our article “Things To Consider When You Look For A Hosting Company: The Network”, in which we’ll take a look at the company’s aspects you need to consider when choosing your hosting provider.
(more…)
Is your business on the web or are you contemplating an online presence for your business? Studies have shown that more and more prospective buyers are searching the internet before they visit your business or attempt to contact you via phone or email. No company can afford to be ‘offline’ any longer. | https://www.globo.tech/learning-center/blog/dedicated-hosting/ |
Intensive language courses are offered at all levels (elementary through advanced). Students are placed in a course consistent with their previous study of the language and their actual proficiency level.
Elementary Italian – L1
The course introduces students with no prior knowledge of Italian to composition, comprehension, and conversation and quickly equips them with simple communication tools. Basic grammar is applied in oral and written exercises, games, songs, and role-plays. Students write short compositions and lead oral presentations on topics of daily life. They start reading brief descriptive texts, learn to express basic needs in the present tense and communicate in familiar situations.
Elementary Italian – L2test
Elementary Italian – L3
This course builds upon Italian composition and conversation skills developed during previous formal language study. Students develop vocabulary for expressing themselves on topics dealing with every day situations and activities and learn to orate in a more fluid and articulate manner. They practice writing linear narrations of familiar events in the present and the past, and descriptions of personal feelings and wishes. Reading comprehension is expanded through descriptive and argumentative texts on daily subjects and familiar events.
Intermediate Italian – L4
The first intermediate course significantly expands written and oral skills for students who have had the equivalent of one year of formal language study. Argumentative texts, articles and a great variety of authentic materials support the development of all four skills. Using more and more precise terms, students produce descriptive and argumentative texts on various topics. They follow conversations with native speakers and speak with greater fluency on a wider range of subjects. They identify and start debating the fundamental ideas of increasingly complex texts.
Intermediate Italian – L5
An in-depth Italian composition and conversation class for students who have had more than one year of formal language study. Students produce clear and coherent writings on real or abstract subjects and read lengthy and complex texts dealing with current social issues. They write with clarity and precision on several cultural and social topics and provide structured explanations of complex arguments. They understand conversations by native speakers, identify idiomatic and colloquial expressions, and follow discussions of abstract ideas.
Intermediate Italian – L6
An in-depth Italian composition and conversation class for students who have completed several quarters of formal Italian language study. Students develop a specialized language dealing with everyday situations and become acquainted with idiomatic expressions and regional linguistic varieties. They practice writing with accuracy and fluency in different registers and genres and participate in conversations with native speakers on a wide range of topics, including abstract ones. They also make significant progress in listening and reading comprehension.
Advanced Italian: Reading and Composition - L7Syllabus: see level 7 in Intermediate Italian - L6
The advanced Reading and Composition course introduces students with two years of language study to representative works by Italian authors from the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 21st century. Students further their knowledge of the culture and the language through the analysis of literary texts and the social and cultural context in which they were produced. They learn to identify and employ advanced vocabulary and grammar structures both in oral and written form. Advanced composition is supported by frequent assignments and writing workshops. During the course, students read and discuss a contemporary Italian novel.
Advanced Italian: Literature and HistorySyllabus: see level 8 in Intermediate Italian - L6
This advanced course further expands the students’ linguistic and critical skills through weekly readings and compositions on specific topics of Italian literature and culture from the Middle Ages through the nineteenth century. Students conduct guided research on a chosen topic and are required to write an essay and a final research paper in Italian. They also read and comment a narrative work in its entirety. | https://florence.eapitaly.it/info/17 |
One very important job of your hip muscles is to maintain the alignment of your leg when you move. One of the primary hip muscles, the gluteus medius, plays an especially important #stabilizing role when you walk, run, or squat. The gluteus medius attaches your thigh bone to the crest of your hip. When you lift your left leg, your right gluteus medius must contract in order to keep your body from tipping toward the left. And when you are standing on a bent leg, your gluteus medius prevents that knee from diving into a “knock knee” or “valgus” position.
Weakness of the gluteus medius allows your pelvis to drop and your knee to dive inward when you walk or run. This places tremendous strain on your hip and knee and may cause other problems too. When your knee dives inward, your kneecap is forced outward, causing it to rub harder against your thigh bone- creating a painful irritation and eventually arthritis. #Walking and #running with a relative “knock knee” position places tremendous stress on the ligaments around your knee and is a known cause of “sprains”. Downstream, a “knock knee” position puts additional stress on the arch of your foot, leading to other painful problems, like plantar fasciitis. Upstream, weak hips allow your pelvis to roll forward which forces your spine into a “sway back” posture. This is a known cause of lower back pain. Hip muscle weakness seems to be more common in #females, especially #athletes. | https://aberdeenchiropracticblog.com/2017/09/11/one-very-important-job-of-your-hip-muscl-3/ |
The rapid evolution of technology has allowed health professionals to begin to adapt to these changes and deliver healthcare in a modern, remote manner. More recently, mHealth has come into play, which refers to the concept of using mobile devices, such as phones, tablets and smartphones in both medicine and public health. The shift to technology-based practice, especially smartphone-based apps is an extremely relevant area for health professionals to effectively interact with and manage a wide range of patient groups. Therapeutic compliance has been a topic of clinical concern since the 1970’s due to the widespread nature of non-compliance with therapy and rehabilitation programs. It can be proposed that these recent technological advancements could aid in improving therapeutic outcomes.
Specific to physiotherapy home exercise programs, smartphone applications are a new and emerging way to provide physiotherapy that encourages active participation from both the physiotherapist and the patient throughout the course of treatment.
Overview of Telerehabilitation
In recent years, technology has revolutionised all aspects of medical rehabilitation, from developments in the provision of cutting edge treatments to the actual delivery of the specific interventions. Telerehabilitation refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to provide rehabilitation services to people remotely in their home or other environments. Such services include therapeutic interventions, remote monitoring of progress, education, consultation, training and a means of networking for people with disabilities.
The use of technology to provide rehabilitation services has several advantages for both clinicians and patients. It gives the patient a sense of personal autonomy and empowerment, allowing them to take charge of their condition’s management. In other words, instead of being a passive participant in their care, they are becoming an active partner. It facilitates access to care for people who live in remote areas or who have mobility problems due to physical impairment, transportation, or socioeconomic factors. Furthermore, it reduces both the healthcare provider’s and the patient’s travel costs and time spent traveling. Research has found that the rehabilitation needs for individuals with long-term conditions such as stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other neurological disorders are often unmet in the patient’s local community.
As telerehabilitation expands, patient continuity of care improves. It allows clinicians to communicate with patients remotely and provide care outside of the medical setting, removing the problem of distance between the clinician and the patient. The ability to continue rehabilitation in the patient’s own social and occupational environment can result in improved functional outcomes.
The global demographic shift toward an aging population has resulted in an increase in chronic health conditions. This emphasizes the need for improvements in rehabilitation service delivery, including the incorporation of self-management strategies and technology.
Growing numbers of elderly people have an impact on the Healthcare provisions, incurring considerable health costs due to the growing demand for treatments. It is hoped that by integrating telehealth measures, these costs will be reduced.
In general, most systematic reviews of the effectiveness of telerehabilitation report the patient’s perspective on its use as a positive experience with important clinical outcomes. The hope for the future is that new, innovative technologies will be developed and used to transform current practice and make telerehabilitation an integral part of healthcare.
Progression of Technology
Telerehabilitation for physical conditions has only been around for a few years. The challenges that this form of recovery created for so-called “hands-on” treatments, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, were the source of the problems. However, as healthcare technology has advanced, the possibilities for successful telerehabilitation in therapies like these have grown.
Early research into telerehabilitation was introduced with small pilot studies. Clinicians used the telephone to provide follow-up and conduct self-assessment interventions in some of the early projects. Telerehabilitation progressed into the 1980s as a result of this, with pre-recorded video content for client use and interaction.
Eventually, live interactive video conferencing was introduced and commendable results were reported with this rehabilitation method. Patients were satisfied with the telerehabilitation treatment provided.
Consultations, medical tests, and treatment measures can all be delivered by videoconferencing, which also allows for verbal and visual contact between participants. However, the inability to assess a participant’s physical performance, such as range of motion and gait in physiotherapy, was the source of the problem at first. This was quickly solved by assessment instruments that could objectively assess the physical activity of participants. Sensor and remote monitoring technologies like PheeZee for inside the home are taking their charge, enhancing the benefits of these new advanced telerehabilitation technologies. These advances enabled the patient and the rehab professional to control exercise at home while also allowing the professional to track patient compliance with specific exercise programs.
Another emerging innovation in healthcare is virtual worlds. These allow users to interact in real time with computer-generated environments. It allows healthcare professionals to design environments that can be used in a variety of settings, including surgery, physical therapy, and education and training.
In recent years, smartphones have revolutionised communication within the medical setting. This modernisation is allowing the opportunity to provide medical support when and where people need it. Recently, it has been reported that half of smartphone owners use their devices to get health information, with one fifth of smartphone users actually using health related applications (apps). There are a wide range of mobile apps available for healthcare professionals, medical students, patients and the general public.
Applications for Specific Conditions
In the innovation of mobile technology, PheezeeHome in particular is assisting with chronic disease management, encouraging the elderly, reminding people to take their medications on time, exercising on a regular basis, expanding service to underserved areas, and enhancing health outcomes.
There is currently a vast range of mobile apps, interactive tools and podcasts that cater to an array of healthcare conditions and disabilities both formal and informal, recognized and promoted by healthcare. Not only that, but there are also many that function as self assessment, screening and testing tools and symptom checkers, goal setters and treatment/exercise logs and prescribers. Others are collections of support videos or advice. This improves access to healthcare, increases care affordability, and encourages self-management and prevention in routine care, resulting in less unnecessary admissions (and therefore faster treatment of patients who need medical intervention) and lower healthcare costs in an aging population.
Cost Effectiveness
The common occurrence of patients’ failing to attend scheduled appointments results in loss of revenue, underutilization of the healthcare system as well as prolonged waiting lists. A smartphone application is a potential method to prevent cancellations through effective reminder systems.
Each application has a small annual fee that is determined by the number of physiotherapists and/or clinics that need to subscribe. It’s worth noting that clinical non-adherence has been associated with excess urgent care visits, hospitalizations and higher treatment costs.
These apps should be seen as an investment in the clinic or hospital, as they can help improve productivity, minimize cancellations, and deter potential health-care demand. These applications provide an exciting new outlet for physiotherapy to proceed towards in the future.
In the ever-evolving world of technology and mobile healthcare applications, the future generation of physiotherapists must be aware of the changing technological landscape in order to make physiotherapy a more engaging experience for patients. This will help to boost motivation and make it easier to stick to a home workout routine.
Through better communication, target setting, and progress monitoring, the modern face of physiotherapy apps will help patients stick to their treatment plans by developing an immersive workout atmosphere that encourages self-efficacy and behavior improvement. | https://startoonlabs.com/blogs/single_post.php?post-slug=telerehabilitation-and-smartphone-apps-in-physiotherapy |
Is Braking Etiquette Different for Hybrids and EVs?
Dear Car Talk | Oct 21, 2014
Dear Tom and Ray:
I am always irritated by people who have their accelerators pressed right up until the moment they apply the brakes. For example, I might be a half a block from a red light and will start coasting in anticipation of the stop. Someone behind me will swerve into the left lane, accelerate past me, and then I will pull up next to him at the light, having lost the race. This, it seems to me, is a great way to use extra gas. But with the new regenerative brakes on electric and hybrid cars, it may no longer be such a stupid maneuver. What percentage of the energy a car uses to accelerate is gained back via regenerative braking? I'm guessing about half, but if it's 90 percent, it might not make much difference anymore if you drive stupidly, at least from a cost standpoint.
-- John
TOM: Yeah, it's still a stupid way to drive, John.
RAY: Cars that use regenerative braking can capture half, or even a little more than half, of the energy that would otherwise have been lost to heat during braking. That's a wonderful thing, no doubt about it.
TOM: But if you keep spending a dollar and getting back 50 cents, you still will go broke eventually. It'll just take longer.
RAY: "Regenerative braking" is kind of a misleading term, because it doesn't really apply to the brakes, as we think of them.
TOM: What it does is use your car's wheels, which are already turning, to generate electricity. That electricity can then be sent to a battery, where it can be stored for later use.
RAY: When the wheels are powering the generator, the generator provides resistance, so the wheels naturally slow down. That's the "braking" part of all this.
TOM: And what's so clever is how hybrid- and electric-vehicle makers use both that resistance and the traditional brakes to slow and stop the car.
RAY: When you step on the brake pedal, the car's electronic braking controller determines how much braking is needed, how quickly, and how much electricity the battery can accept and store at the moment. Then it figures out whether to get the braking from regeneration, the mechanical braking system or some combination of the two. And if it's done well, with well-designed software, you, as the driver, don't know the difference.
TOM: So, when you race ahead to a stoplight and then hit the brakes at the last minute in a car with regenerative braking, you do recoup some of that energy that would previously have disappeared as heat from the friction of the brakes. But you don't get all of it.
RAY: In fact, the more urgently you need to stop, the more likely the mechanical brakes will have to be called into action, which means you'll get even less recouped through regeneration.
TOM: So we don't recommend this style of driving, even if you have a hybrid or electric car, John.
RAY: Here's the final reason why: Even if you don't waste as much energy as you appear to be wasting, you still feel like a jerk when the guy you annoyingly raced past pulls up next to you at the light with a smug look on his face and smiles at you. | https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/tom-ray/braking-etiquette-different-hybrids-and-evs |
Yoga Anatomy Articles
The yoga anatomy articles are organized into categories such as, Injuries , Postures, Your Questions , Yoga , Anatomy , Yoga Injuries Research , Ashtanga Yoga Research , and even Yoga Adjustments.
They are also broken down more specifically by muscles, bandhas, breathing, sit bone pain, shoulders, psoas, and knee pain.
Should I Hug My Elbows Into The Ribs In Chaturanga?
Learn why you might choose not to hug your elbows into your ribs in chaturanga. Instead, focus on strengthening serratus…
Can Yoga Help Young Adults Manage Stress?
Recent research suggests that yoga can help young adults manage stress by offering a tool to help regulate their autonomic…
Effects Of Tight Hip Flexors On Posture
Anatomy | Lower Limb | Torso
Tight hip flexors affect posture in many ways. They can affect movement in daily activities, sports, and our yoga practice.…
Mental, Emotional, And Spiritual Effects Of Ashtanga Yoga: Survey Project Overview
We surveyed more than 900 practitioners to learn more about the mental, emotional, and spiritual effects of Ashtanga yoga.…
How Is Yoga Different From Meditation?
Learn how yoga is related to meditation. Developing steady concentration in our yoga asana practice is the foundation for meditation.…
Is It Worth It To Screen Yoga Students For Injuries?
Research was inconclusive regarding when it’s most important for yoga teachers to screen new yoga students to help prevent injuries.…
The Rotator Cuff And Yoga
Learn why maintaining the right balance of tension among the rotator cuff muscles can help prevent shoulder pain in yoga.…
How Do I Control My Core In Headstand?
Learn why setting up your foundation correctly is just as important as engaging your core for stability in headstand.…
Are There Psychological Benefits From An Hour Of Yoga?
There seem to be psychological benefits of yoga. Yoga practice may increase some positive emotions and psychological resources. Effects of…
Is Your Pain Really A Shoulder Impingement?
Find out why that pinchy pain is probably not a shoulder impingement. Learn how to modify common yoga postures for…
Yin Yoga And The Myth That Ashtanga is Yang
Learn why yin yoga and Ashtanga are not mutually exclusive. Use your breathing to cultivate different qualities in your Ashtanga…
Can Verbal Cuing In Yoga Influence Its Effects?
Physical versus philosophical verbal cuing in yoga didn’t affect body awareness, mindfulness, positive affect, or spirituality differently.…
Is Locking My Knee In Forward Bends Causing My Knee Pain?
What’s the difference between straight legs and locked knees? There may be an appropriate time to keep your knees straight…
The Psoas Muscle: Ultimate Guide
Anatomy | Lower Limb | Torso
In an in-depth exploration of the psoas muscle, find out how psoas functions and dysfunctions. Learn how to stretch and…
Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series: Is It All About Forward Bending?
Find out why the primary series of Ashtanga is not really about forward bending, but is actually an opportunity to…
Why Can’t I Push Up Into Urdhva Dhanurasana?
Find out what’s restricting your ability to push up into urdhva dhanurasana. The most likely reason is tightness, not lack…
Adjusting Seated Forward Bend
Learn some key techniques for adjusting seated forward bend. Find out how to offer an appropriate adjustment for different situations.…
Over-doing The Abdominals In Yoga Practice
Learn how to tell if you’re over-doing the abdominals in your yoga practice and find out what the common sources…
Can Yoga Increase Altruism Among Business Managers? | https://www.yoganatomy.com/yoga-anatomy-articles/page/2/ |
TAI CHI CHUAN (pronounced Tie-Shee-Shwaan) Tai Chi is a Chinese internal martial art. This means it uses chi (relaxed power) as opposed to external physical strength. To feel chi, and therefore understand how to use it, a person must be relaxed, soft and focused. This is the main reason people learn Tai Chi in the west; to understand how to relax their minds and bodies.
After a period of regular practice enhanced physical, mental and emotional feelings become apparent.
Physically one becomes stronger and more relaxed, balance and posture improve.
Mentally one becomes more focused and can think more clearly.
Emotionally one becomes more relaxed, tolerant and generally happier in all aspects of their life.
Suitable for everyone, especially people recovering from illness or with injuries.
Colin has taught local school children and teachers and holds regular weekly daytime and evening classes in Langley, Maidenhead, and Burnham.
One to one lessons are also available.
Before tai chi's introduction to Western students, the health benefits of tai chi chuan were largely explained through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, which is based on a view of the body and healing mechanisms not always studied or supported by modern science. Today, tai chi is in the process of being subjected to rigorous scientific studies in the West Now that the majority of health studies have displayed a tangible benefit in some areas to the practice of tai chi, health professionals have called for more in-depth studies to determine mitigating factors such as the most beneficial style, suggested duration of practice to show the best results, and whether tai chi is as effective as other forms of exercise.
Researchers have found that intensive tai chi practice shows some favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and has shown to reduce the risk of falls in both healthy elderly patients, and those recovering from chronic stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and fibromyalgia,. Tai chi's gentle, low impact movements burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing.
Tai chi, along with yoga, has reduced levels of LDLs 20–26 milligrams when practiced for 12–14 weeks A thorough review of most of these studies showed limitations or biases that made it difficult to draw firm conclusions on the benefits of tai chi. A later study led by the same researchers conducting the review found that tai chi (compared to regular stretching) showed the ability to greatly reduce pain and improve overall physical and mental health in people over 60 with severe osteoarthritis of the knee. In addition, a pilot study, which has not been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, has found preliminary evidence that tai chi and related qigong may reduce the severity of diabetes. In a randomized trial of 66 patients with fibromyalgia, the tai chi intervention group did significantly better in terms of pain, fatigue, sleeplessness and depression than a comparable group given stretching exercises and wellness education.
A recent study evaluated the effects of two types of behavioral intervention, tai chi and health education, on healthy adults, who, after 16 weeks of the intervention, were vaccinated with VARIVAX, a live attenuated Oka/Merck Varicella zoster virus vaccine. The tai chi group showed higher and more significant levels of cell-mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus than the control group that received only health education. It appears that tai chi augments resting levels of varicella zoster virus-specific cell-mediated immunity and boosts the efficacy of the varicella vaccine. Tai chi alone does not lessen the effects or probability of a shingles attack, but it does improve the effects of the varicella zoster virus vaccine.
A systematic review and meta-analysis, funded in part by the U.S. government, of the current (as of 2010) studies on the effects of practicing Tai Chi found that, "Twenty-one of 33 randomized and nonrandomized trials reported that 1 hour to 1 year of regular Tai Chi significantly increased psychological well-being including reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhanced mood in community-dwelling healthy participants and in patients with chronic conditions. Seven observational studies with relatively large sample sizes reinforced the beneficial association between Tai Chi practice and psychological health."
There have also been indications that tai chi might have some effect on noradrenaline and cortisol production with an effect on mood and heart rate. However, the effect may be no different than those derived from other types of physical exercise. In one study, tai chi has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 13 adolescents. The improvement in symptoms seem to persist after the tai chi sessions were terminated.
In June, 2007 the United States National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine published an independent, peer-reviewed, meta-analysis of the state of meditation research, conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center. The report reviewed 813 studies (88 involving Tai Chi) of five broad categories of meditation: mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. The report concluded that "the therapeutic effects of meditation practices cannot be established based on the current literature," and "firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence. | http://www.bryaar.co.uk/tai-chi.html |
How people overcome their fear? How do they reconnect with their intuition? How do you do it?
Is there power and magic of using your intention? To what extent can you use it to reach the life you want? Who are you? How can experience enlightenment.
In the 17th and 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment emphasized intellectual movement, reason, and individualism. It was a challenge to traditional religious ways. Followers of the movement were seen as the liberals.
Nowadays, the Enlightenment is even more important. We need to connect to ourselves, and find a way to overcome our fears.
This documentary follows meditation and mindfulness teachers, experts of self-aware, founders of enlightening movements, and more. They try to guide you through experiencing enlightenment and reaching your divine identity.
Most of us scroll through Facebook and Instagram on a daily basis. And by doing that, we are guilty for creating a cult we all suffer from.Yes, we create the cult we hate. No...
Classical conditioning is a learning procedure in which a biologically potent stimulus (for example food) is paired with a previously neutral stimulus (for example, a bell).I...
There are hidden messages in every emotion. But how good are you at identifying them? The more you learn to identify the messages and act upon them, the more emotionally matu...
Robert Wadlos is known as the Alton Giant, or the Giant of Illinois. He is still the tallest person in history, measuring at 8 feet 11.1 inches in height (2.72m).He was born ... | http://www.documentarytube.com/videos/enlightenment-documentary |
The Bachelor of Education program is a four year program that prepares high-school graduates with high academic achievement for a career in education. The program provides a cross-curricular core of courses in general education and four specialization tracks that provide the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable students to become effective teachers in Bahraini public schools (Cycle 1 or Cycle 2).
The B.Ed. program offers a range of instructional experiences and activities such as lectures, tutorials, group work, role play, interactive communication technology, project work, micro-teaching, peer-coaching, field work, and self-reflection. Program assessment procedures include examinations, tests/quizzes, research projects, oral and written reports, reflections, production of artifacts, such as teaching-learning aids, unit and lesson plans, student assessment rubrics, as well as an electronic professional portfolio.
Video-taped micro-teaching sessions, in-class student teaching and other activities are required components of ongoing assessment, critique and assessment of practice, and demonstration of best practice. Video-taped materials should be included in the student’s e-portfolio to demonstrate competencies.
The BTC reserves the authority to retain and use video-taped materials for teaching, demonstration and quality assurance purposes.
The Bachelor of Education: Students in the B.Ed. program are streamed into the following specializations:
- Cycle 1 Classroom Teacher (Grades 1 – 3);
- Cycle 2 Specialist Teacher in (Grades 4 - 6) in:
- Arabic Language and Islamic Studies;
- English Language; or
- Mathematics and General Sciences
Detailed Study Plan
Press here to download the Academic Plan of the program - 2015
Program Objectives
Graduate Outcomes
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
The teacher understands how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support a child’s intellectual, social, emotional, moral, and general personal development.
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
The teacher plans instruction based on knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills.
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and multi-media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well being. | http://www.uob.edu.bh/en/index.php/colleges/bahrain-teachers-college/172-bachelor-of-education |
Candidate: The candidate, Stacy M. Fischer, MD, is committed to becoming an independently-funded researcher in the area of cross-cultural end-of-life care. Her background includes previous work with underserved populations, experience in the clinical and research aspects of end-of-life care, with a specific focus on elderly patients, and training in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Currently, Dr. Fischer is supported by the National Brookdale Fellowship Program and an NCI/NIA P20 pilot grant and completing a qualitative and quantitative study of cultural preferences for end-of-life care. The NIA/Beeson K23 Career Development Award will provide her the protected time and the resources to study the efficacy of implementing a cultural navigator intervention designed to improve end-of-life care for elderly Latinos. Environment: The mentorship and institutional resources available to Dr. Fischer are exceptional. Jean Kutner, MD, MSPH, the sponsor, and Andrew Kramer, MD, Al Marcus, PhD, and Angela Sauaia, MD, PhD, ? the co-sponsors, will impart their respective expertise in end-of-life care, geriatrics, health services ? research, patient-navigation interventions, behavioral science, and cross-cultural research. ? ? Research Plan: The overall goal of the proposed study is to improve end-of-life care for seriously ill older. Latinos through a cultural navigator, or guia, delivering a culturally tailored intervention. The first step of the project is to develop, through a multi-step process involving community members and experts in the field, the materials needed for the intervention and to train the guia. The next phase of the project is a vanguard randomized controlled trial of the cultural navigator intervention, targeting Latinos with advanced cancer. ? ? The intervention is designed to assess the feasibility of conducting a fully powered randomized controlled trial of the intervention by determining withdraw rates, and estimating rates of Advance Care Planning, improved pain management, and utilization of hospice care. The proposed study also includes development of a method to assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention versus usual care. ? ? ? | https://grantome.com/grant/NIH/K23-AG028957-01 |
(1) When the moment of the birth of man came, God didn’t form a unique couple on a single continent, but several couples in all countries, under all the latitudes and according to the climate of the moment. We shall understand this with the movements of the Earth which were made after the illumination of the Sun. Because it is at the end of the comings and goings, which is at the end of the eras which first had to happen so that Earth becomes one of the magnificent gardens of the sky, that God finished building the world by mankind whom he created in four colors.
Adam and Eve
(2) On this formation of men which took place in the sixth day, it is written:
God created man in his own image, he created him in the image of God, he created man and woman.
When we evoke man and woman, we evoke all men and all women. Now, it is well said in the Scripture that God created man and woman, and not that he created a single man and a single woman from whom would descend the entire humanity. No, Adam and Eve are by no means this original couple in which you believe, but the name of human male and female since the beginnings until this day, and forever.
(3) It is also written that Eve is the mother of all the living, because the woman is effectively the mother of all men. But no kind of living beings can descend from a single couple, because consanguinity opposes it formally. That is why, when a couple was created at the favourable moment, other couples of the same kind were created likewise, a little farther and at the same time, from similar elements and convenient to their life.
(4) So stop believing that all mankind descend from a single couple. God strongly condemns incest, this immoral act which is one of the biggest factors of degeneration. Why then would he have obliged his children to commit such a sin in the origins? Rather review your judgments on the beginnings of humanity; because, due to religions, your thoughts on creation are not impregnated with dignity.
Adam’s sin
(5) As soon as he had created the world, God forbade man to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because it was not yet the hour when he could discern one from the other. He ordered him this commandment:
You may eat from any tree of the garden; but you shall not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you do eat from it, you will die.
Following this, the snake says to the woman:
You will not die; for God knows that, on the day that you do eat from it, your eyes will open, and you will be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Seduced by these promising words from the snake, the woman ate from fruit of the tree of knowledge. She also gave some to her husband, and he ate it. That put God in anger, and He reprimanded the woman. Then He said to the snake:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your posterity and her posterity: she shall crush your head, and you shall wound her on the heel.
He also reprimanded man. Then God dressed Adam and Eve (today with the knowledge). After which He says:
Behold, man has become like one of us, for the knowledge of good and evil. We must now prevent him from advancing his hand, to take from the tree of life, to eat from it, and to live eternally.
(6) All the history of humanity is expressed in these few words of the book. We also see that God is the immense spirit made up of the spirit of all the angels of the universe, because God says: the man has now become like one of us. We also see that one of man's reason for being is eternal life which he must acquire by spiritual elevation. This is why God says: let us prevent it now... which is not an interdiction, but the reinforcement of the merit from the one who will be victorious of the trial of the instruction. If thus I resuscitate you, you will be victorious and you will not die any more.
(7) The Scripture says that God placed man in the garden to cultivate and guard it. But man destroys it because he transgresses the order that God gave him. He should not have listened to the woman who, after hearing the snake, believed that one lives forever no matter what he does. Therefore, always wanting more, she induced man to eat from the tree of knowledge. And to please her, he did things that he shouldn’t have done, this leading to the end of the world. Such was the sin of Adam, the sin of man! This famous original sin perpetrated till today, because by not yet having the discernment of good and evil, man has practiced everything that should never be practiced again. He acted by being beside the truth and not in the truth. And, today where he learns this truth, he dies; because he sees that his works are bad and that they will fall on him. That is why God says to man: the day when you will eat from the tree of knowledge, you will die. This takes place, because on that day we see that the world is finished and we know exactly why it is finished. This is the ancient man who dies with the world that he has built, to make room to the new man and to the reign of God.
(8) But, because she gives birth like Earth, by thus prolonging the Creator’s work, the woman thought that man would not be chastised if he disobeyed God. She thought on the contrary, and as the serpent told her, that after the six days when the world would learn the truth, all men and women would open their eyes be as gods knowing good and evil. She did not clearly grasp God’s warning and was easily seduced by the promising words from the serpent. This is obviously an allegory here too (because snakes do not speak), to show that, during the darkness, man does not listen to God his Creator. So, the world that he builds is a world that is increasingly painful.
(9) We notice that there was indeed enmity between the offspring of the snake (all that the Earth produces) and the offspring of the woman (men), because these last ones are disrespectful of the creation and destroy everything, by knowing that they condemn their own children. It is thus today that the woman crushes the head of the snake and that she is hurted, because she sees finally that it is because of him that the opprobrium fell on her and that she was put outside the camp (outside the world) for centuries. But, on the evening of the world, her punishment is finished; because God calls her back to deprive her of her opprobrium forever.
(10) The scriptures also says that man will become attached to his wife and that they will become together only one flesh. That, is because when Adam and Eve are tied by the bonds of love, it establishes between them the communion of their being, which is the marriage of their bodies and of their hearts. It is then that they become one. But you that still believe that the original sin is a sin of the flesh, did you read anywhere in the Scripture where God punishes Adam and Eve for having known each other? No, the original sin is not due to the act of flesh, but to the disobedience of man towards his Creator who had forbidden him of eating from the tree of the knowledge.
(11) The form which this sin took in your minds is due to the perverse mind of the religious leaders who can’t stop seeing the woman as corrupted because of Eve who was seduced by the snake. Fearing then of being soiled by women, not only do they denigrate and repel them, but still they’ve managed to make the whole world believe that the original sin was due to the physical union of man a and his wife! They put that lie in your head to make you feel guilty, so they could reign over you; and what results from it is infamous! I tell you, knowing their work, nothing is missing in their words, not even making the Creator detestable for creating woman so she could be a trap for man, whereas she is his reward, his honor and a gift from God. With the scientists, who make you believe that you are the children of chaos and evolving monkeys, these whitewashed tombs are your worst enemies because, them, add that children have always been born from sin.
(12) I see that the vision which you have of Adam and Eve and of the snake, as well as of all the prophecy, doesn’t exceed those of little children whom the religious people educate with images, by making them believe that the Scripture is to be read to the letter. Could you then follow me or will you persist in your insane faiths? Listen! Until God calls man on the evening, man is naked (thas is he knows nothing) and he isn’t ashamed about it. But as soon as he is educated by the Eternal (that his nudity is covered) and that his eyes open, he becomes aware of reality. He sees then what he had not seen, because he is born a second time. That is why, when he gets up, Adam marks at the same moment the completion of the time of the ignorance and the beginning of the time of the knowledge. So, and as the Scripture shows it, we die in Adam and we are reborn in Christ. That is the change of man and the world, as well as the fulfilment of the prophecy.
The midst of birth
(13) It therefore befits today to grasp the science of the Eternal, to have a more exact representation of creation and of its becoming. Otherwise, where could we orient our research to know who we are and how we should live? And what did we expect to find? Undoubtedly, creation is related to the sidereal things, to the celestial bodies. So, since one exists with a body of flesh and a soul amid the universe, one must conclude that this universe from which we descend is thus made. We are truly children of the universe and children of the celestial bodies which are thought of, conceived and created for our arrival.
(14) As for procreation, it is understood by the midst of human beings in which the original birth conditions are recreated allowing progeny. But the original creation (which happens around every star), as well as the procreation which follows, are always made by the Spirit which fills the entire universe, wherever one is in it. It is always the work of the Creator because, contrarily to what it is said, the creature doesn’t give life. It recreates only and involuntarily in its womb the original birth conditions with which children appear in its turn. That is why the creation at first and the procreation afterwards are always the work of the Creator and the same movement of birth.
(15) God didn’t create the world once and for all, because he creates it constantly and continuously. And it will always be so, in every moment which passes. However, to fully represent to oneself this constant movement of creation and birth, think that the womb of the creature is pulled from the womb of the Earth, that the womb of the Earth is pulled from that of the Galaxy which is completely inhabited, and that the womb of this last one is pulled from that of the universe which is also inhabited by myriads of galaxies similar to ours. That is why the Scripture says:
Everything that exists on earth exists in heaven, and everything that exists in heaven exists on the earth.
(16) When we create a tool, it is by need. And when we use it, this need disappears. We don’t thus create it twice. Likewise, the Almighty forms the celestial bodies by his science; then, from the conditions of life which they offer, he creates all the successive species up to man, so that man is his house. On Earth, as on every new earth of the Galaxy, God creates men so that they then multiply themselves, by being responsible for their offspring. To represent that, let’s take these example: as the forest can’t exist without the trees which compose it nor these last ones without the forest where they are, or still: as the celestial body can’t exist without the particles which constitute it neither these last ones without the celestial body where they are formed, God doesn’t exist without men nor these last ones without God. But the forest is bigger than the trees, the celestial body is bigger than the particles, and God is bigger than men who are a house for him everywhere in his universe. These are the dimensions of God and those of men!
The evidences of existence
(17) When we explain to somebody the work which we have just made, we show him why and how we made it. But to be completely fair in the domains of science, it is necessary to explain why man exists such as he is with his spirit from which his work comes. The work of a man shows in itself the one who made it, both being inseparable. Man produces works according to his needs. But in no way he makes the science which made him. I ask you then to notice that what comes out of your hands comes from your spirit, and that you are necessarily the fruit of a greater spirit. This greater spirit is God, the celestial spirit which fills the entire universe in the middle of which celestial bodies evolve.
(18) As the human works aren’t conceived and created by chance (involuntarily) but by pure will, man can’t be in itself the fruit of coincidence, otherwise the coincidence would necessarily end with him! How would you understand that a house is the fruit of the man’s will which built it purposely, and that man, him, is the fruit of a coincidence? But to create a man one needs much more intelligence than to do the works that comes out of his hands. And because it is on purpose that one does a work, we ourselves are then created on purpose. And the Creator’s purpose is to bring men to be His own existence and live the entire path of life, such as it is conceived in the second part of the book. Hear here that the purpose of man is to be able to grasp the science by which he exists, to become eternal.
(19) It is equally indisputable that if we wish to explain the existence of a house, as well as the materials which were necessary for its construction, we will beforehand have to demonstrate the whole universe with all its elements. That is to say that we will have to explain the stars, planets and their satellites which compose the galaxies; that, by demonstrating the electromagnetism by which these celestial bodies exist and evolve. It will be so until the formation of the Earth, of its continents, its water, and the eras necessary for the creation of the successive species until the appearance of men and of ourselves on the day when we contemplate this house. You see it, we must to perceive the whole before coming to the comprehension of ourselves and the work we are doing.
(20) This also means that we can’t understand a thing or a being from what we observe of them. No, we can’t explain the Earth from the Earth, neither the Sun from the Sun, or the man from the man! We can do it only from the elements which bring their existence. In the second part of the book you will understand these words. Because, as a very complex figure can be represented by a much simpler sketch, I shall show to the eyes of everyone the complex figure of the universe with only a few lines. And there you will understand that it is enough to know the essential to be on the path, but which can only be revealed with undeniable evidences, susceptible of any demonstration. The first of these evidences, at the origin of any reasoning, is this one: since we are emerging from this universe and alive, it’s because the universe itself is born. It is obvious that what is alive can’t arise from what is not...
(21) Then we shall say: matter is thus alive? Effectively, matter is alive and celestial bodies are too. But celestial bodies have their life of celestial body. Plants have their life of plant. Animals have the one from their species; and men, who are the whole, have in them God’s life. If I say here that the spirit which animates you is an electromagnetic activity ensuing from celestial bodies and from particles which composes them, as well as living worlds, you still won’t know what I’m talking about. But gradually I shall make you grasp it, by showing you that the entire universe is an electromagnetic activity which is at the same time: force, body and spirit of the Eternal. Then everything will get clearer in you.
The forced existence
(22) In the universe, everything exists by reason. And this reason precedes necessarily the coming of the thing or the being. When the need of a tool is felt, it is the reason which determines it and which acts as a consequence to form it. The reason thus precedes the work which we make. But in order to grasp the universal force with which everything is formed until the thoughts, let’s examine the immediate reality. Let’s begin by noticing that all which exists in small or large, from the particle up to the celestial body, is forced to be as it is, and there where it is in the day when we observe it. It is obviousness, showing that the forced existence of each thing removes the randomness of its coming. Furthermore, there is necessarily a force which forces it to exist. This original and eternal force is the force of God, which is the electromagnetic force with which each body is formed and is moving.
(23) We will show, in the second part that celestial bodies and particles can’t exist without each other. Indeed, it is the existing celestial bodies which give birth to the particles which, in turn, give birth to new celestial bodies by the unique electromagnetism which is none other than the activity of the magnet. Celestial bodies are magnets of which the activity can be pushed to the extreme, as it happens with stars. Don’t doubt it, it will be demonstrated and perceptible by all.
(24) Acknowledge, at the moment, that the coming of any actual thing is forced, obliged to be. We must for example stop saying that it is the leaf of the tree that grows by its own initiative, if only because things and beings which don’t yet exist can’t have a will... But since it is the conditions of life given by the celestial bodies which create the need for existence of the tree with its leaves, we must conclude that everything is obliged to exist such as it is and not otherwise. Say: all that I observe around me is obliged to exist such as I see it, otherwise there would be nothing! It will be one of the first true words which you will pronounce in the reality. By comparison, the no reason of existence for a thing doesn’t allow this thing to exist, because there is nothing that can lead to it. By being obliged to exist, we can’t exist by chance but by will and intention. Refrain then from believing that everything could be different, because if it could be otherwise, it would be otherwise and always such as... We are thus certain that all which offers itself to the eyes is obliged to exist such as we see it.
(25) What is virtual isn't reality, and what is artificial is unnatural. But the obligation of the existence of things can’t be understood alone and separatly, because what exists can find existence only by relation with what was. Now, since everything exists by what was, we conclude that everything exists necessarily for what will be, by thus ensuring continuity. Most certainly, it is about the past the present and the future which we saw on the picture of the progression of the world. However, when we evoke them we explain nothing. But when we notice that everything is obliged to exist (the present) by what was (the past), for what will be (the future), we begin to sense the force of existence which, in addition to removing chance, shows that there is advancement and intention. We inevitably conclude that there is obligation for existence, by relation to what was, for continuity. This indicates that there is a path of life independent from the human will, and more than that, I tell you.
(26) When we will notice how celestial bodies are born, grow, engender and disappear each in turn, then it will clearly show that it isn’t time which passes, but that it is the living being which passes with the celestial bodies which does the same. Because we are matter, on a celestial body of matter, within the matter of the volume of the universe which changes state perpetually. Then, because the future depends on it and not on the human will, and because we can’t influence the future, we have to stop screaming: let’s build our future together! Because it’s as if we would say: let’s direct the work of celestial bodies to our liking, to direct our walk in the direction we want! Can we only speak about the future when we ignore that there is a path of life resulting from the evolution of celestial bodies, and that it is the only path which can be followed by the world? We can’t. That is why men are wrong on everything.
The elements of the universe
(27) When we know that a satellite becomes a planet, then a star under the circumstances, can we say that there are three sorts of celestial bodies? It is impossible, because it is about the same one which changes. It is similar for the particle. Because the particle and the celestial body which is made of particles, are both solid bodies which change through their electromagnetic activity. If a simpleton came to observe a chick in its growth from time to time, he wouldn’t know that it is the same bird which changes, but would believe he looked at another bird every time. Well the scholars have this attitude in front of celestial bodies and particles, because they see them different in their nature and very numerous in their variety. More denuded than branches of which we removed the bark, they don’t realize that it is the same masses which changes, because they can’t conceive that particles and celestial bodies are magnets which are born, develop, engender and pass thanks to the electromagnetic activity of matter. But don’t they say that they know the universe very well?
(28) We shall see that certain planets, like Jupiter Saturn Uranus and Neptune, are solid bodies surrounded with gas which will become stars alternately in the lower third of the Galaxy, towards the edge. Then these stars will travel back up with their celestial bodies towards the center of the Galaxy where they will pass away when they won’t have any more matter to restore to space. We shall thus see what will be the worlds to come which are downstream from the Sun, as are Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter, and the worlds which exist upstream from the Sun, by going towards the center of the Galaxy. These four worlds to come, where there will be men, will arrive in their turn in this singular and dreadful day where we are; and the worlds, upstream from the Sun, which precedes us on the path of life, have already passed through this day.
(29) Although man is still comparable to a faded candle, the book of life will light him up. He will know that being the only creature which can reason and grasp the elements with which everything exists, he is in itself the only being of the universe which can reach the light. Consequently, there can’t be a creature in the galaxies superior to man. Be patient, and you will have this knowledge which will illuminate your face and will reveal to you in addition that the universe is not chaotic but stable and of a deep subtlety. It is because everything is created deliberately, by love, by reason, and in perfect harmony.
(30) It was therefore impossible, to those who proclaim themselves scholars, to teach anything real about celestial bodies and living worlds of the sky to which our world belongs; because they see the universe only composed of matter. They don’t understand that it contains at the same time the spirit, the matter, the soul, the body, the force, the renewal and the eternity which we define as this:
(31) If therefore we don’t notice that the universe is composed of these elements, there is no comprehension and no elevation possible. But when we become conscious that it is so, we can only approach the truth, the ways of distraction being buried. Blended together, these seven parts can’t be separated nor studied separately. And it is in them that I lead you to pull you out from the sojourn of the dead and save you. When you will have eaten at my table, nothing more of this will be foreign to you. It is then that it will appear to you what were the darkness and the madness of men which resulted from it. | https://www.thebookoflife.eu/fulfilment-of-the-scriptures/the-bases-of-knowledge.php |
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Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
The Rock Cycle
Characteristics of magma
Igneous rocks form from molten rock (magma)
Characteristics of magma
Protolith of igneous rocks
Forms from partial melting of rocks
Magma at the surface is called lava
Characteristics of magma
Rocks formed from lava are classified as extrusive, or volcanic rocks
Rocks formed from magma are termed intrusive, or plutonic rocks
The nature of magma
Consists of three components:
A liquid portion, called melt, made of mobile ions
Solids, if any, are crystallized silicate minerals
Volatiles, (dissolved gases), mostly water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Crystallization of magma
Texture = the size and arrangement of mineral grains
Igneous rocks are classified by
Texture
Mineral composition
Igneous textures
Texture describes the size, shape, and arrangement of interlocking minerals
Factors affecting crystal size
Rate of cooling
Slow rate promotes fewer and larger crystals
Fast rate forms many small crystals
Very fast rate forms glass
Types of igneous textures
Aphanitic (fine-grained) texture
Rapid rate of cooling
Microscopic crystals
May contain vesicles
Phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture
Slow cooling
Crystals can be seen
Aphanitic texture
Phaneritic texture
Types of igneous textures
Porphyritic texture
Minerals form at different temperatures as well as differing rates
Large crystals (phenocrysts) embedded in a matrix (groundmass)
Glassy texture
Very rapid cooling
Results in obsidian
Porphyritic texture
Andesite porphyry
Porphyritic Texture
Glassy (vitreous) texture
An obsidian flow in Oregon
Types of igneous textures
Pyroclastic texture
Fragments ejected from violent volcanic eruption
Textures similar to sedimentary rocks
Pegmatitic texture
Exceptionally coarse grained
Late crystallization stages of granitic magmas
Igneous Compositions
Igneous rocks are primarily silicate minerals
Dark (ferromagnesian or mafic) silicates
Olivine
Pyroxene
Amphibole
Biotite mica
Igneous rocks are primarily silicate minerals
Light (felsic) silicates
Feldspars
Muscovite mica
Quartz
Granitic versus basaltic compositions
Granitic composition
Composed of light-colored silicates
Felsic composition
High silica (SiO2)
Major constituents of continental crust
Granitic versus basaltic compositions
Basaltic composition
Composed of dark silicates and calcium-rich feldspar
Mafic composition
More dense than granitic rocks
Comprise the ocean floor as well as many volcanic islands – the most common volcanic rock
Gabbro
Basalt
Other compositional groups
Intermediate (or andesitic) composition
At least 25% dark silicate minerals
Associated with explosive volcanic activity
Ultramafic composition
Rare composition, very high in magnesium and iron
Composed entirely of ferromagnesian silicates
Mineralogy of common igneous rocks
Silica content influences a magma’s behavior
Granitic magma (high silica)
Extremely viscous
Higher temperatures Molten as low as 700oC
Basaltic magma (low silica)
Fluid-like behavior
Pyroclastic rocks
Eruptive fragments
Varieties
Tuff – ash-sized fragments
Welded tuff – ejected hot, “welds” on landing
Volcanic breccia – particles larger than ash (similar to sedimentary breccia)
Ash and pumice layers
Classification of igneous rocks
Origin of Magma
Several Factors Involved
Generating magma from solid rock
Partial melting crust and upper mantle
Role of heat
Temperature increases with depth in the upper crust (called the geothermal gradient, ~ 20oC to 30oC per km)
Estimated temperatures in the crust and mantle
Role of heat
Rocks in lower crust and upper mantle near melting points
Additional heat (from descending rocks or rising heat from the mantle) may induce melting
Role of pressure
Increase in confining pressure increases rock melting temperature and reducing the pressure lowers the melting temperature
When confining pressures drop, de-compression melting occurs
Heat and Pressure Affect Melting
Decompression melting
Role of volatiles
Volatiles (primarily water) lower rock melting temperatures
Particularly important with descending oceanic lithosphere
Evolution of magmas
A single volcano may extrude lavas exhibiting very different compositions
Bowen’s reaction series and the composition of igneous rocks
N.L. Bowen demonstrated that as a magma cools, minerals crystallize in order based on their melting points
Bowen’s reaction series
During crystallization, the composition of the liquid portion of the magma continually changes
Composition changes due to removal of elements by earlier-forming minerals
The silica component of the melt becomes enriched as crystallization proceeds
Minerals in the melt can chemically react and change
Processes responsible for changing a magma’s composition
Magmatic differentiation
Separation of crystals from melt forms a different magma composition
Assimilation
Incorporation of foreign matter (surrounding rock bodies)
Magma mixing
Involves two magmas intruding one another
Two distinct magmas may produce a composition quite different the originals
Assimilation and magmatic differentiation
Partial melting and magma formation
Incomplete melting of rocks is known as partial melting (silica rich minerals melt first)
Formation of basaltic magmas
Most originate from partial melting of ultramafic rock in the mantle
Basaltic magmas form at mid-ocean ridges by decompression melting or at subduction zones
Decompression melting
Formation of basaltic magmas
As basaltic magmas migrate upward, confining pressure decreases which reduces the melting temperature
Large outpourings of basaltic magma are common at Earth’s surface
Formation of andesitic magmas
Interactions between mantle-derived basaltic magmas and more silica-rich rocks in the crust generate magma of andesitic composition (assimilation)
Andesitic magma may also evolve by magmatic differentiation (loss of early olivine and pyroxene)
Partial melting and magma formation
Formation of granitic magmas
Most likely the end product of an andesitic magma
Granitic magmas are higher in silica and therefore more viscous
Because of viscosity, mobility lost before reaching surface (rhyolite rarer than basalt)
Tend to produce large plutonic structures
Magmatic Differentiation
Mineral resources and igneous processes
Many important sources of metals are produced by igneous processes
Igneous mineral resources can form from
Magmatic segregation – separation of heavy minerals in a magma chamber
Hydrothermal solutions - Originate from hot, metal-rich fluids that are remnants of the late-stage magmatic process
Origin of hydrothermal deposits
The Nature of Volcanic Eruptions
Factors determining the “violence” or explosiveness of a volcanic eruption
Composition of the magma
Temperature of the magma
Dissolved gases in the magma
The above three factors actually control the viscosity of a given magma which in turn controls the nature of an eruption
Viscosity is a measure of a material’s resistance to flow (e.g., Higher viscosity materials flow with great difficulty)
Factors affecting viscosity
Temperature - Hotter magmas are less viscous
Composition - Silica (SiO2) content
Higher silica content = higher viscosity
(e.g., felsic lava such as rhyolite)
Factors affecting viscosity continued
Lower silica content = lower viscosity or more fluid-like behavior (e.g., mafic lava such as basalt)
Dissolved Gases
Gas content affects magma mobility
Gases expand within a magma as it nears the Earth’s surface due to decreasing pressure
The violence of an eruption is related to how easily gases escape from magma
Factors affecting viscosity continued
In Summary
Fluid basaltic lavas generally produce quiet eruptions
Highly viscous lavas (rhyolite or andesite) produce more explosive eruptions
Materials extruded from a volcano
Lava Flows
Basaltic lavas are much more fluid
Types of basaltic flows
Pahoehoe lava (resembles a twisted or ropey texture)
Aa lava (rough, jagged blocky texture)
Dissolved Gases
One to six percent of a magma by weight
Mainly water vapor and carbon dioxide
A Pahoehoe lava flow
A typical aa flow
Pyroclastic materials – “Fire fragments”
Types of pyroclastic debris
Ash and dust - fine, glassy fragments (<2 mm)
Pumice - porous rock from “frothy” lava
Lapilli - walnut-sized material (2-64 mm)
Cinders - pea-sized material
Particles larger than lapilli (>64 mm)
Blocks - hardened or cooled lava
Bombs - ejected as hot lava
A volcanic bomb
Global Volcanic Effects
Volcanoes
General Features
Opening at the summit of a volcano
Crater - steep-walled depression at the summit, generally less than 1 km in diameter
Caldera - a summit depression typically greater than 1 km in diameter, produced by collapse following a massive eruption
Vent – opening connected to the magma chamber via a pipe
Types of Volcanoes
Shield volcano
Broad, slightly domed-shaped
Composed primarily of basaltic lava
Generally cover large areas
Produced by mild eruptions of large volumes of lava
Mauna Loa on Hawaii is a good example
Shield Volcano
Types of Volcanoes continued
Cinder cone
Built from ejected lava (mainly cinder-sized) fragments
Steep slope angle
Rather small size
Frequently occur in groups
Sunset Crater – a cinder cone near Flagstaff, Arizona
Paricutin
Types of volcanoes continued
Composite cone (Stratovolcano)
Most are located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean (e.g., Fujiyama, Mt. St. Helens)
Large, classic-shaped volcano (1000’s of ft. high & several miles wide at base)
Composed of interbedded lava flows and layers of pyroclastic debris
A composite volcano
Mt. St. Helens – a typical composite volcano
Mt. St. Helens following the 1980 eruption
Composite cones continued
Most violent type of activity (e.g., Mt. Vesuvius)
Often produce a nueé ardente
Fiery pyroclastic flow made of hot gases infused with ash and other debris
Move down the slopes of a volcano at speeds up to 200 km per hour
May produce a lahar, which is a volcanic mudflow
A size comparison of the three types of volcanoes
A nueé ardente on Mt. St. Helens
St. Pierre after Pelee’s Eruption
Other volcanic landforms
Pyroclastic flows
Associated with felsic & intermediate magma
Consists of ash, pumice, and other fragmental debris
Material is ejected a high velocity
e.g., Yellowstone Plateau
Calderas
Steep walled, roughly circular, depressions at the summit of a volcano
Size generally exceeds 1 km in diameter
Formed by the collapse of the structure
Caldera Formation
Type 1 Empty magma chamber under volcano leads to collapse (like Crater Lake)
Type 2 Magma chamber empties laterally through lava tubes (like Mauna Loa)
Type3 Magma chamber produces ring fractures and empties with explosive eruption producing silica-rich deposits and very large caldera (like Yellowstone, and Long Valley)
Crater Lake, Oregon is a good example of a caldera
Long Valley Caldera
Eruptions from 3.8 to 0.8 Ma (from basalt to rhyolite) ended with Glass Mountain eruption (0.76 Ma) that formed ring-structure caldera and produced the Bishop Tuff
More recent Mono-Inyo Crater system (0.4 to present, also from basalt to rhyolite) includes Mammoth Mountain (made of a series of lava domes and flows)
Currently active, probably reflecting smaller magma bodies
Long Valley Caldera
Bishop Tuff
Mono-Inyo Craters Activity
Explanation of Mono-Inyo Craters Trend
Fissure eruptions and lava plateaus
Fluid basaltic lava extruded from crustal fractures called fissures
May travel as much as 90 km from source
e.g., Columbia River Plateau individual flows accumulate to more than a km thick
Fissure Eruptions
The Columbia River basalts
Lava Domes
Bulbous mass of congealed lava formed post eruption
Most are associated with explosive eruptions of gas-rich magma
Volcanic pipes and necks
Pipes are conduits that connect a magma chamber to the surface
A lava dome on Mt. St. Helens
Kimberlite Pipe
Volcanic pipes and necks continued
Volcanic necks (e.g., Ship Rock, New Mexico) are resistant vents left standing after erosion has removed the volcanic cone
Formation of a volcanic neck
Shiprock, New Mexico – a volcanic neck
Volcanic Neck
Plutonic igneous activity
Most magma is emplaced at depth in the Earth
An underground igneous body, once cooled and solidified, is called a pluton
Classification of plutons
Shape
Tabular (sheetlike)
Massive (massive refers to shape, not size)
Classification of plutons continued
Orientation with respect to the host (surrounding) rock
Discordant – cuts across sedimentary rock units
Concordant – parallel to sedimentary rock units
Types of intrusive igneous features
Dike – a tabular, discordant pluton
Sill – a tabular, concordant pluton (e.g., Palisades Sill in New York), uplifts overlying rock, so must be a shallow feature
Laccolith
Similar to a sill
Lens or mushroom-shaped mass
Arches overlying strata upward
A sill in the Salt River Canyon, Arizona
Intrusive igneous features continued
Batholith
Largest intrusive body
Discordant and massive
Surface exposure of 100+ square kilometers (smaller bodies are termed stocks)
Frequently form the cores of mountains like our Sierra Nevada Batholith
Intrusive Igneous Structures
Batholith Distribution
Plate tectonics and igneous activity
Global distribution of igneous activity is not random
Most volcanoes are located within or near ocean basins (e.g. circum-Pacific “Ring of Fire”)
Basaltic rocks are common in both oceanic and continental settings, whereas granitic rocks are rarely found in the oceans
Distribution of some of the world’s major volcanoes
Igneous activity along plate margins
Spreading centers
The greatest volume of volcanic rock is produced along the oceanic ridge system
Mechanism of spreading
Lithosphere pulls apart
Less pressure on underlying rocks
Results in partial melting of mantle
Large quantities of basaltic magma are produced
Igneous activity along plate margins
Subduction zones
Occur in conjunction with deep oceanic trenches
Descending plate partially melts (fluxed with water)
Magma slowly moves upward
Rising magma can form either
An island arc if in the ocean
A volcanic arc if on a continental margin
Subduction zones
Associated with the Pacific Ocean Basin
Region around the margin is known as the “Ring of Fire”
Most of the world’s explosive volcanoes are found here
Intraplate volcanism
Activity within a tectonic plate
Intraplate volcanism continued
Associated with plumes of heat in the mantle (perhaps from the core-mantle boundary, de-compression melting after rise)
Form localized volcanic regions in the overriding plate called a hot spot
Produces basaltic magma sources in oceanic crust (e.g., Hawaii)
Volcanic Activity
Volcanic Activity
A hot spot affecting a tectonic plate
Key Terms Chapter 6
Volcano (shield, stratovolcano, composite cone, cinder cone)
Lava
Magma
Pyroclastic
Pyroclastic flows
Viscosity
Fractional melt, fractionation, fractional crystallalization
Crystallization
Volcanic and plutonic rocks
Pluton (batholith, stock, laccolith, sill, dike)
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Athletes and coaches in most professional sports make use of high-tech equipment to analyze and, subsequently, improve the athlete's performance. High-speed video cameras are employed, for instance, to record the swing of a golf club or a tennis racket, the movement of the feet while running, and the body motion in apparatus gymnastics. High-tech and high-speed equipment, however, usually implies high-cost as well. In this paper, we present a passive optical approach to capture high-speed motion using multi-exposure images obtained with low-cost commodity still cameras and a stroboscope. The recorded motion remains completely undisturbed by the motion capture process.
We apply our approach to capture the motion of hand and ball for a variety of baseball pitches and present algorithms to automatically track the position, velocity, rotation axis, and spin of the ball along its trajectory. To demonstrate the validity of our setup and algorithms, we analyze the consistency of our measurements with a physically based model that predicts the trajectory of a spinning baseball. We found our measurements to coincide with the predicted positions to within an average error of less than a quarter of the baseball's diameter over the entire flight path.
Our approach can be applied to capture a wide variety of other high-speed objects and activities such as golfing, bowling, or tennis for visualization as well as analysis purposes. | https://people.mpi-inf.mpg.de/~theobalt/Baseball/index.html |
Zoe Cramoysan is an English and Creative Writing student from the UK, who aspires to become a novelist. She is due to start her second year at Royal Holloway, University of London this fall, and is particularly interested in gothic literature, queer theory and writing fiction. Her other passions include theatre, overanalysing YouTube videos, and her dog Luna.
Literature, television, and film all have academic disciplines devoted to their study, with investigation into authorial and directorial choices being common practice. The potential consequences of these more traditional media forms may never be fully understood but are widely explored. Cultivation theory is particularly useful as a means to investigate the impact of media on consumers, and it states that television can distort a viewer’s ideology and perception of reality. But the influence of YouTube has been largely overlooked. With over one billion users and reaching more 18-34 year olds than any US cable network, the platform has been influencing purchasing decisions, electoral outcomes, and pop culture since its creation in 2005 (YouTube.com, 2018) (Lewis, 2018). The breadth of the site’s audience has made it increasingly attractive to businesses, that either run adverts on the site, or create their own YouTube channels. This has a huge influence over the types of videos created, as creators are incentivised to make shocking or divisive content both to stay relevant, to compete with corporate channels, and to gain views. This is problematic, especially given that YouTube videos are commonly perceived to be representations of reality. Many of YouTube’s star ‘vloggers’ (video bloggers) and ‘YouTubers’ share intimate details of their personal lives, blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality. This makes the YouTube video particularly powerful, in contrast with television and film, where the line is usually clearer (i.e. the actor is clearly cast in a role). This belief in the realism of YouTube only strengthens what I will be referring to for this article as ‘the cultivation effect’, as the messages subconsciously taken in by the viewer are deemed to be more ‘true’. Though a certain level of the cultivation effect is inevitable, the competitive nature of YouTube has created an environment in which increasingly dangerous messages are being spread, putting the viewer at risk. All parties involved need to modify their behaviour to increase the quality of the site’s content, whilst balancing this need with the necessity of free speech. This includes YouTubers, corporate channels, advertisers, viewers, journalists, and YouTube itself. As Robert Gehl summarises in YouTube as Archive, “This tension between democratic storage and display for profit is the most troubling aspect of YouTube” (Gehl, 2009, 48).
The increase in the number of corporate channels has led to YouTube becoming a more competitive environment. This is not inherently negative but has contributed to an increase in the amount of provocative content on the site, as some smaller creators find this to be an easier way to compete. Access to resources is a major factor in a creator’s success. As Michael Wesch points out in YouTube and You: Experiences of Self-awareness in the Context Collapse of the Recording Webcam, the ability to create videos is “predicated on affluence that affords webcams, personal computers, and privatised spaces” (Wesch, 2009, 31). The necessity of access to resources is problematic on two levels. Firstly, it ensures that wealthier individuals have a greater opportunity to use YouTube as a means of political or creative expression. But secondly (and more relevantly for this essay) this gives companies a significant advantage, as their larger income gives them access to more resources, that are of a higher quality than an individual creator would have.
One important resource that Wesch fails to mention are employees. A business with many employees is likely to have a greater video output than an individual can achieve, because the tasks required to create a video can be divided up—there can be a separate actor, camera-man, producer, director, and editor, as well as researchers and writers. This saves time, and multiple videos can be in production simultaneously. A typical YouTuber will either perform these roles alone or have only a few employees. This is in dramatic contrast with companies such as Buzzfeed, which has 1300 employees globally (Buzzfeed, 2018). Channels that produce a higher volume of videos are favoured by the YouTube algorithm, which according to Paul Covington, Jay Adams, and Emre Sargin, in Deep Neural Networks for YouTube Recommendations, places a high value on the ‘freshness’ of a video. These software engineers state that “recommending this recently uploaded (‘fresh’) content is extremely important for YouTube as a product” (Covington, Adams, Sargin, 2016, 3). As larger companies can produce a higher quantity of ‘fresh’ content daily than an individual could, they have a higher chance of being recommended to viewers (providing the content is relevant), and therefore will attract a greater number of views. This can lead to the video being added to the trending page, which increases the audience even further. The larger audience means that the company is will earn more advert revenue. More advert revenue means more access to resources, perpetuating a cycle in which small creators will struggle to compete. A wider audience also means that more people are likely to be impacted by the cultivation effect, gradually adopting the reality presented by these corporate channels. The ability to post multiple videos daily means that an individual viewer is likely to spend more watch time viewing a corporate channel’s content, in contrast with smaller creators, who may struggle to upload videos more than once a week.
Like the corporate channels, advertisers are not directly creating disturbing content. However, their money funds the production of future, similar videos. The appearance of a reputable company before a video could even have the potential to legitimise the video’s content, as to a viewer, this may appear to be an endorsement. Advertising on a controversial video has the potential to be beneficial for the advertiser, as it means their advert is also likely to reach a wider audience. They too can cultivate new ideas in a viewer’s mind.
YouTube’s algorithm has also contributed to this situation. Creating shocking and divisive content is one of the most successful ways for small channels to compete with larger video-production companies for views. These higher view counts mean that the YouTuber will receive more adverts to their channel and will make more ad revenue. In his article for The Guardian, “‘Fiction Is Outperforming Reality’: How YouTube’s Algorithm Distorts Truth,” Paul Lewis provides useful examples: “The algorithm has been found to be promoting conspiracy theories about the Las Vegas mass shooting and incentivising through recommendations, a thriving subculture that targets children with disturbing content such as cartoons in which the British children’s character Peppa Pig eats her father or drinks bleach” (Lewis, 2018). The reasons these videos appear on the recommendation system is that the algorithm makes no distinction between ‘popular’ content, and ‘scandalous’. Essentially, it assumes that if a video is widely discussed and shared, it must be of a high quality, and should be promoted to more viewers. In “Crying on YouTube,” Rachel Berryman and Misha Kavka propose that “The value of attention in turn drives the monetization potential not only of social media platforms but of individual posters” (Berryman, Kavka, 2018, 86). Scandalous or controversial videos receive more of this attention. This boosts the revenue of the creator, and increases traffic to the website more broadly, which is profitable for YouTube as a company. If one accepts cultivation theory, then this recommendation of disturbing content to viewers could lead to the normalisation of extreme violence, with videos depicting suicide being particularly problematic.
Berryman and Kavka explored the impact of ‘negative affect vlogs’ and found that “the more negative the personal material exposed, the more ‘real’ it is taken to be” (Berryman, Kavka, 2018, 90). Emotional displays make the viewer more likely to become invested in the YouTuber, “in turn increasing the likelihood they will return to watch [the YouTuber’s] future videos” (Berryman, Kavka, 2018, 95). The ‘negative affect vlogs’ they focus on cover sensitive emotional subjects, and usually are not offensive or controversial. However, a similar principle can be applied to scandalous content. The more negative and shocking the content is, the more ‘real’ it is taken to be, as gruesome details are deemed a sign of authenticity. This in turn causes viewers to become more invested in the creator of the content, even if they disagree with the creator’s morals. Unlike with negative affect vlogs, this isn’t emotional investment. Instead it is investment in a storyline. The audience continues to watch, because they want to know what the creator will do next. This explains why YouTubers have often gained subscribers in the wake of scandals.
Because of this investment from audiences, reprimands from YouTube have failed to have a lasting impact. One of the most popular YouTubers on the platform, Logan Paul (of Logan Paul Vlogs) currently has over 17 million subscribers, despite being the centre of a huge controversy in January 2018. On the 31st of December 2017, Paul uploaded a video of himself and his friends exploring Aokigahara forest in Japan and discovering the body of a suicide victim. For much of January, he featured heavily in news headlines, and the ethics of his actions were debated by other YouTubers. In response, YouTube took several actions to punish Paul. BBC news reported that “Paul’s channels were removed from YouTube’s Google Preferred programme, where brands sell ads on the platform’s top 5% of content creators” and that YouTube “put on hold original projects with the US vlogger” (these projects being for YouTube Red) (BBC News, 2018). The video was removed by Paul in response to criticism and was never monetized by him in the first place, so taking the video down, or demonetizing it, were not options for punishment.
Despite the action taken against him, Paul’s channel has not only survived, but he has profited from the scandal. Business Insider UK reported that Paul “gained 300,000 subscribers” within a week of the video’s upload (Kaplan, 2018). These subscribers, initially attracted by the controversy, would create views on Paul’s remaining monetized videos and would follow Paul’s future videos. Though his earnings per view would have been reduced by exclusion from the Google Preferred Programme, his number of views would have increased, as the BBC noted that “his apology video alone has racked up nearly 40 million views” (BBC News 2018). These new viewers and subscribers could also be potential customers for his merchandise line. The Telegraph stated that “Paul also hinted that the scandal had not dented his multi-million-dollar commercial empire too badly. When asked how he was making money now his YouTube revenue had been reduced he pointed to the hoodie he was wearing, which is from his own-brand Maverick Apparel range” (Wright, 2018). A Childwise study found that Paul was more popular with children than Zoe Sugg (of Zoella), who is known for her family-friendly content. Jane Wakefield quotes Simon Leggett, the research director for Childwise as saying, “Zoella losing her top YouTuber slot to Logan Paul shows that we could be moving into a new era with a change in the kind of vloggers that are popular with children” (Wakefield, 2018). This rise in his popularity amongst children occurred after the release of his suicide video. Leggett explained that “Prior to this year , Logan had not been chosen by children at all…His growing audience, which starts as young as age nine, were potentially exposed to shocking content over new year after Logan’s ill-considered decision to upload a widely criticised video of his visit to Aokigahara, Japan’s ‘suicide forest’” (Wakefield,2018). Given the sheer volume of disturbing content on the site, which has been recommended to children on the YouTube Kids app, it is likely that these young subscribers are already desensitised, perhaps explaining why the scandal did not impact Paul’s popularity.
Due to the cultivation effect, videos such as Paul’s have the potential to be hugely detrimental by normalising suicide. Exposure to content depicting suicide, especially repeatedly, can increase a viewer’s likelihood of self-harm. Paul’s video violates several of the suicide prevention guidelines for media professionals that are set by the World Health Organisation. They explain that “reporting the method [of suicide] may trigger other people to use this means”—yet in Paul’s video, it is clear the man hung himself (World Health Organisation, 2008,8). The organisation also recommends that “particular care should be taken by media professionals not to promote locations as suicide sites,” yet Paul names the forest, films the site, and even describes the distance between the car park and the location where he found the body (World Health Organisation, 2008,9). Most significantly, the organisation advises that “Photographs or video footage of the scene of a given suicide should not be used, particularly if doing so makes the location or method clear to the reader or viewer. In addition, pictures of an individual who has died by suicide should not be used. If visual images are used, explicit permission must be given by family members” (World Health Organisation, 2008,9). Paul filmed both the site and the body and did not have permission from the man’s family. The World Health Organisation will not release any suicide statistics for 2018 until the end of the year, and when they do, it will be almost impossible to prove a correlation or causation between suicides and the video. However, any video that doesn’t conform to these guidelines is likely to encourage suicide. Paul’s video is likely to encourage the method of hanging, and the use of the Aokigahara forest as a suicide site. It is worth noting that although the video was removed from YouTube by Paul, it is available elsewhere online, and was viewed over 5 million times prior to it being taken down (BBC News, 2018). Many vulnerable people were likely to have seen the video, and the continued circulation on other websites has the potential to create further damage.
The promotion of shocking and disturbing videos often comes at the expense of videos that address important, if somewhat sensitive, topics of discussion. Since the Logan Paul scandal, YouTube has been accused of demonetizing videos that address LGBT+ issues, body positivity, and mental health. Sam Levin reported for The Guardian that some vloggers “said it seemed that YouTube’s system was automatically deeming them unsuitable to advertisers simply because of their identities and placing the burden on them to appeal their case” (Levin,2018). An example of this came from creator Gaby Dunn (of Gaby Dunn and Just Between Us), who claimed that “sketches in which she makes out with men and appears in her underwear were deemed ad-friendly while videos where she kisses women or discusses queer dating were restricted” (Levin, 2018). Though the evidence for this is only anecdotal, many YouTubers have made similar allegations. This is concerning, especially for a platform that claims, “Our mission is to give everyone a voice and to show them the world” and lists “Freedom of expression”, “Freedom of information”, “Freedom of opportunity”, and “Freedom to belong” as their core values (YouTube.com, 2018). If these accusations are true, then it will become harder to produce LGBT+ content for the website, impacting the reality cultivated by viewers.
This is not the only consequence of Paul’s video. YouTube has introduced a new policy to make it more difficult for channels to qualify for monetization, a decision resulting from Paul’s video. To qualify, a channel must have “4,000 hours of views within the past year and 1,000 subscribers” (Levin, 2018). This could drive niche, small and minority creators off the platform, and would not have prevented Logan Paul from uploading the suicide forest vlog.
The increase of extreme content on YouTube is self-perpetuating. Ultimately, individual YouTubers are responsible for the content they choose to create, and the messages they wish to send to their fans. But it is difficult to compete with corporate channels without resorting to creating controversy. This is further incentivised by the potential gains of ad revenue, subscribers, and publicity. The algorithm itself works in favour of shocking content, as viewers are shown these videos through the recommendation system or through news websites. YouTubers themselves are not solely responsible for this situation.
YouTube has little reason to stop recommending disturbing videos to viewers, or to seriously punish creators for inappropriate content, as the greater traffic to their website generates a larger profit. Businesses are motivated to advertise on YouTube by the increased website traffic and are often unaware, or unconcerned, about the types of videos their advertisements might be appearing next to. Recent ad boycotts have only taken place after journalistic investigations have raised awareness of this practice and had the potential to cause PR damage. Ad boycotts are not an ideal solution, as this could have the effect of discouraging free speech on YouTube. Boycotts of the entire platform would also punish innocent creators. Demonetization of individual videos is clearly not very effective either, doing little to damage the controversial creators, who are likely to gain subscribers as well as views to their remaining monetized videos. However, creators of offensive videos should not be banned from the site (unless they are directly inciting violence) as free speech must be protected. But to raise the quality of videos on the site, and protect audiences, each party involved needs to change their practices.
YouTube needs to be more transparent about its algorithm and advertising practice, in line with its value of freedom of information. The company should offer advertisers more specific options (for example, individualised whitelists and blacklists) to best match videos to their brand. It may also be useful to introduce a means by which a creator could approve or disprove of an advertiser, so that their brand is also protected. There needs to be a means by which the algorithm can distinguish between offensive videos (i.e. Logan Paul’s suicide vlog) and those which discuss loaded issues sensitively and maturely (i.e. suicide prevention videos, which follow guidelines for reporting on suicide). Whether a video violates community guidelines should be given as much consideration as ad-friendliness, when determining if content should be monetized.
Advertisers need to work to better understand how YouTube operates, and need to be more selective about the content on which they advertise. Though it is unlikely that businesses that have run campaigns on YouTube are intentionally contributing towards offensive content, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse, and they must take responsibility for their brands.
Journalists have played and should continue to play an important role in holding creators, advertisers and YouTube itself accountable. They should continue to use any future scandals as an opportunity to raise public awareness of how YouTube operates, so that audiences can be more aware of the kinds of content they choose to consume.
Creators should be more aware of the potential harm that they could do to their subscribers, and should encourage their audiences to be mindful of what they watch. Increasing the number of collaborations between corporate channels and small creators could be mutually beneficial for both parties, helping to diversify YouTube’s content and giving smaller creators a greater opportunity.
Finally, as I mentioned in my opening paragraph, YouTube videos have largely been neglected in academic discourse. This is despite the fact they have an influence over the population comparable to that of books, films, and television—all of which have entire disciplines dedicated to studying them. Due to the perceived ‘reality’ of YouTube, a YouTube video’s power to cultivate a viewer’s ideology may even be greater than the power more traditional media exerts. To understand how viewers are impacted, further awareness and research surrounding this issue is needed.
References
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BBC News. (2018). YouTube punishes star over suicide video. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42644321 [Accessed 7 Jun. 2018].
Berryman, R. and Kavka, M. (2018). Crying on YouTube. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 24(1), pp.85-98.
BuzzFeed. (2018). About BuzzFeed. [online] Available at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/about [Accessed 9 Jun. 2018].
Covington, P., Adams, J. and Sargin, E. (2016). Deep Neural Networks for YouTube Recommendations. YouTube.
Gehl, R. (2009). YouTube as archive. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 12(1), pp.43-60.
Kaplan, J. (2018). Logan Paul actually gained 300,000 more subscribers following his controversial video showing a dead body in Japan's 'Suicide Forest'. [online] Business Insider UK. Available at: http://uk.businessinsider.com/logan-paul-gained-subscribers-after-japan-video-2018-1 [Accessed 10 Jun. 2018].
Lange, P. (2007). Commenting on comments: Investigating responses to antagonism on YouTube. Annenberg Center for Communication.
Levin, S. (2018). YouTube's small creators pay price of policy changes after Logan Paul scandal. The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/18/youtube-creators-vloggers-ads-logan-paul [Accessed 10 Jun. 2018].
Lewis, P. (2018). 'Fiction is outperforming reality': hHow YouTube's algorithm distorts truth. The Guardian [online]. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/02/how-youtubes-algorithm-distorts-truth [Accessed 9 Jun. 2018].
Moylan, B. (2015). A Decade of YouTube Has Changed the Future of Television. Time. [online] Available at: http://time.com/3828217/youtube-decade/ [Accessed 6 Jun. 2018].
Wakefield, J. (2018). Logan Paul 'more popular' than Zoella. [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology42872606?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cwm19wg3l15t/logan-paul&link_location=live-reporting-story [Accessed 10 Jun. 2018].
Wesch, M. (2009). YouTube and you: Experiences of self-awareness in the context collapse of the recording webcam. Explorations in Media Ecology, [online] 8(2), pp.19-34. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/2097/6302 [Accessed 8 Jun. 2018].
World Health Organisation (2008). Preventing Suicide, A Resource for Media Professionals. Geneva: WHO Press, pp.8-9.
Wright, M. (2018). Logan Paul says ‘everyone deserves second chances’ in first public comments since ‘suicide forest’ video apology. The Telegraph. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/16/logan-paul-says-everyone-deserves-second-chances-first-public/ [Accessed 10 Jun. 2018].
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Youtube.com. (2018). Press - YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/intl/en-GB/yt/about/press/ [Accessed 6 Jun. 2018]. | https://www.processjmus.org/cultivationtheory |
Each individual will be affected differently by a traumatic event. Each individual will also processes the trauma differently. Traumatic experiences make us question our beliefs about safety and can destroy our assumptions of trust. A traumatic event involves a single experience. Enduring event(s) have the potential to completely overwhelm us rendering us unable to cope with or understand the ideas and emotions involved with that experience. These experiences are so far removed from what we expect that the events provoke reactions that feel strange to us – these reactions may be unusual and disturbing but they are ‘normal’ and expected responses to abnormal events.
This implies that the counsellor has to be non-directive, probing, encouraging the client to express what is important to him/her in the order and way he or she feels comfortable with. Questions like “Where will you like to start?” or “How are you?” will generally give more opportunity for an open responses than bluntly asking “What happened?”
Symptoms of trauma can be numerous and varied and differ from person to person – a traumatised individual may suffer from one or several of the following symptoms:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. It is most commonly used to describe symptoms arising from emotionally traumatic experience(s). However, not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Any overwhelming life experience can trigger PTSD, especially if the event feels unpredictable and uncontrollable. If symptoms persist for weeks or months, this is when professional help should be sought. Avoidance is often used to help cope with the trauma, but postponing professional help for a time could make the situation much worse. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those who witness it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including emergency workers and law enforcement officers. It can even occur in friends or family members of those who went through the actual trauma. | https://www.carecounselling.co.nz/trauma.html |
When someone has experienced trauma in their life, the implications of traumatic stress can be devastating.
Trauma symptoms
When emotional trauma remains unresolved, it can lead to mental health issues and often produces many psychological and physical symptoms that may involve:
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- PTSD symptoms
- Substance abuse
- Disruption to your normal routine
- Emotional distress
- Intrusive thoughts and flashbacks (often symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder)
- Other mental illness disorders such as anxiety and depression
What is trauma?
For most people, the terms ”trauma” or post traumatic stress disorder often get attributed to veterans who have served in the war or people who have survived natural disasters or victims of sexual assault.
Common reactions
Most common reactions to psychological disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder often get dismissed in the broader context, but even going to the doctor for a pap test or visiting the dentist can induce feelings of trauma!
Emotional reactions to trauma often get overlooked by society in general, leaving trauma survivors feeling as though their trauma symptoms don’t matter as much. It can often feel as though the way they think isn’t valid enough to warrant a discussion.
Traumatic event
Trauma expert Peter Levine explains the effects of psychological trauma and the risk factors a traumatic event can have on a person’s life.
”Trauma can affect our interpersonal relationships and family life,” Levine explains, ” it can also induce real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. Trauma can also lead to a whole range of self-destructive behaviours.”
What causes someone to develop PTSD?
Traumatic stress reactions vary from person to person. What one individual deems as traumatic may be an entirely different experience to the person next to them.
Nobody has the right to tell you what is traumatic and what isn’t since we all react differently to what is happening within our environments.
Emotional and physical reactions
Trauma reactions can be anything that stems from an event, a situation, or a person that leaves you feeling uneasy, uncomfortable, violated, physically hurt, or utterly out of control.
You are the only person who can interpret your experience.
Traumatic experience
Traumatic events tend to follow a typical narrative with a sense of actual or perceived danger. As a result, the individual feels they cannot respond well or cope with the situation or event.
After a traumatic event has subsided, the person develops a series of physical and psychological symptoms.
Unresolved trauma
Within the mental health space, trauma often gets misdiagnosed or missed entirely. Unfortunately, many mental health experts believe that trauma is the only accurate diagnosis, and addictions and mental disorders are the effects of trauma.
Research suggests that many mental health specialists believe that mental illnesses such as complex PTSD have gotten misdiagnosed as having other mental health problems such as anxiety and depressive disorders.
All this is true for other mental disorders classified within the diagnostic and statistical manual, such as Bipolar, Narcissism, Borderline and Codependent disorders.
Five telltale signs that you are suffering from emotional trauma
There are several ways a person can tell whether they are suffering from traumatic stress and acute stress disorder. PTSD symptoms like the ones mentioned above can vary, but typically a person with trauma symptoms often experience the following:
#1. Sleep disorders
Symptoms of a sleep disorder can range from not falling asleep to being unable to stay asleep. Some people may also experience nightmares because of their traumatic memories.
If the traumatic events occurred while you were sleeping, you are likely to experience anxiety around bedtime or nighttime in general.
#2. Flashbacks
Flashbacks are perhaps one of the most challenging trauma symptoms since they can significantly interrupt a person’s daily life.
Flashbacks are distressing and intrusive images that are pervasive and play over in your mind. The images people experience are often associated with their traumatic experiences or events.
Physical and emotional flashbacks can be distressing mainly because the person feels as though they are re-experiencing the event all over again. However, flashbacks can also produce physical and emotional reactions.
#3. Feelings of shame and lack of self-worth
Trauma survivors, particularly those who have experienced childhood trauma, violence, or abuse by people they once trusted (such as close relatives or family members), can experience overwhelming feelings of shame.
Getting betrayed by those we trust can be devastating and often does a lot of damage to a person’s self-worth.
Shame is one of the main symptoms that people develop after trauma, and those experiencing symptoms of PTSD often believe they are ”bad” or that they are ”going crazy”.
Statistics show that feelings of hopelessness and isolation can lead to suicide.
Physical sensations, physical distress, and other mental health problems are some of the common reactions to trauma.
Unfortunately, trauma is often overlooked in society, sometimes even glamorized, which means that many people suffer in silence, while others may not even know that they are suffering from trauma.
#4. Substance abuse and addiction
Those who have endured traumatic experiences often adopt unhealthy coping strategies to help numb their feelings.
Whether a person has endured childhood trauma or other traumatic experience, they are likely suffering from some form of posttraumatic stress disorder to some degree.
Addiction is often at the heart of all trauma and is usually a symptom of an underlying problem.
Many people say that their substance abuse addiction helps to ”numb the pain” or helps them to forget their problems and traumatic experiences.
Whether a person has experienced a physical injury or severe injury, suffers mental health problems, or experienced a sexual violation, alcohol and drugs are often the go-to for people.
#5. Depression and anxiety
Most people with a background of trauma often experience panic attacks and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
They may also be prone to physical complaints about their health, experience anger difficulty, low mood symptoms, and intrusive thoughts, to name just a few. People with these symptoms usually benefit by learning appropriate coping strategies to help them manage.
Depression is often the cause of chronic trauma and repeated trauma, as with childhood abuse or domestic violence.
Depression and anxiety can also result from a loss of safety and security, particularly if the people involved in a traumatic event such as a car accident or natural disaster died.
Treatment
Trauma survivors usually benefit from having psychological treatment such as therapy and trauma treatment.
Mental health professionals can help people cope with their trauma symptoms by looking at their traumatic stress reactions and PTSD symptoms in a more helpful way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people understand their trauma and any destructive tendencies that may have arisen because of these experiences. CBT allows people to talk through their issues and helps people to reframe the way they think and behave.
CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression. However, it can also get used for other mental health disorders.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy)
EMDR therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps people process and recover from difficult life experiences affecting a person’s emotional and physical well-being.
Using side-to-side eye movements and talk therapy in a structured format by a licensed mental health professional, EMDR helps to process any negative beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that get linked to traumatic memories that appear to be stuck.
Equally, EMDR helps people view their experiences from a different perspective, relieves the symptoms they are experiencing, and instils more positive emotions for the future.
Emotional support
People must be aware that symptoms of trauma-related to a traumatic experience or event are all normal reactions.
These intense feelings mustn’t get ignored or overlooked as they can create many mental and physical problems later.
Developing high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse often result in unpleasant symptoms such as mood swings, muscle tension, low mood symptoms, and a whole range of stress reactions.
PTSD Treatment
People with trauma symptoms must reach out to family, friends, and a mental health professional for help and emotional support.
PTSD treatment is an option for people wanting to explore and treat their trauma symptoms, and at our centre, support and guidance are always available. Get in touch with one of our specialists today, who will be able to guide you further.
Contact us
Contact one of our specialists at Camino Recovery today and find out how we can help guide you on the path of healing and transformation. | https://www.caminorecovery.com/blog/five-ways-to-identify-if-you-are-suffering-from-emotional-trauma/ |
Driverless cars: Who gets protected?
Study shows inconsistent public opinion on safety of driverless cars.
Driverless cars pose a quandary when it comes to safety. These autonomous vehicles are programmed with a set of safety rules, and it is not hard to construct a scenario in which those rules come into conflict with each other. Suppose a driverless car must either hit a pedestrian or swerve in such a way that it crashes and harms its passengers. What should it be instructed to do?
A newly published study co-authored by an MIT professor shows that the public is conflicted over such scenarios, taking a notably inconsistent approach to the safety of autonomous vehicles, should they become a reality on the roads.
In a series of surveys taken last year, the researchers found that people generally take a utilitarian approach to safety ethics: They would prefer autonomous vehicles to minimize casualties in situations of extreme danger. That would mean, say, having a car with one rider swerve off the road and crash to avoid a crowd of 10 pedestrians. At the same time, the survey’s respondents said, they would be much less likely to use a vehicle programmed that way.
Essentially, people want driverless cars that are as pedestrian-friendly as possible — except for the vehicles they would be riding in.
The result is what the researchers call a “social dilemma,” in which people could end up making conditions less safe for everyone by acting in their own self-interest.
“If everybody does that, then we would end up in a tragedy … whereby the cars will not minimize casualties,” Rahwan adds.
The paper, “The social dilemma of autonomous vehicles,” is being published today in the journal Science. The authors are Jean-Francois Bonnefon of the Toulouse School of Economics; Azim Shariff, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Oregon; and Rahwan, the AT&T Career Development Professor and an associate professor of media arts and sciences at the MIT Media Lab.
The researchers conducted six surveys, using the online Mechanical Turk public-opinion tool, between June 2015 and November 2015.
The results consistently showed that people will take a utilitarian approach to the ethics of autonomous vehicles, one emphasizing the sheer number of lives that could be saved. For instance, 76 percent of respondents believe it is more moral for an autonomous vehicle, should such a circumstance arise, to sacrifice one passenger rather than 10 pedestrians.
But the surveys also revealed a lack of enthusiasm for buying or using a driverless car programmed to avoid pedestrians at the expense of its own passengers. One question asked respondents to rate the morality of an autonomous vehicle programmed to crash and kill its own passenger to save 10 pedestrians; the rating dropped by a third when respondents considered the possibility of riding in such a car.
Similarly, people were strongly opposed to the idea of the government regulating driverless cars to ensure they would be programmed with utilitarian principles. In the survey, respondents said they were only one-third as likely to purchase a vehicle regulated this way, as opposed to an unregulated vehicle, which could presumably be programmed in any fashion.
The aggregate performance of autonomous vehicles on a mass scale is, of course, yet to be determined. For now, ethicists say the survey offers interesting and novel data in an area of emerging moral interest.
The researchers, for their part, acknowledge that public-opinion polling on this issue is at a very early stage, which means any current findings “are not guaranteed to persist,” as they write in the paper, if the landscape of driverless cars evolves.
Prof. Iyad Rahwan speaks with the AP about the moral dilemmas posed by driverless cars. "There is a real risk that if we don't understand those psychological barriers and address them through regulation and public outreach, we may undermine the entire enterprise," Rahwan explains. “It would stifle what I think will be a very good thing for humanity."
Ian Sample of The Guardian writes that a new study co-authored by Prof. Iyad Rahwan highlights forthcoming issues for autonomous vehicles. “[D]riverless cars that occasionally sacrificed their drivers for the greater good were a fine idea, but only for other people,” says Sample.
A study by Prof. Iyad Rahwan of the Media Lab finds that while people want autonomous vehicles that minimize casualties, they ultimately want the car they’re driving in to prioritize passengers over pedestrians, writes Amy Dockser Marcus of The Wall Street Journal. | http://news.mit.edu/2016/driverless-cars-safety-issues-0623 |
This Tuesday in London, BSR held a workshop to explore the intersections of women and business in emerging economies and the resulting opportunities and responsibilities for business. As companies expand their operations, improve their supply chains, and grow their markets around the world, sustainable growth will require investments in and recognition of women as consumers, employees, supply chain workforces, and community members.
By integrating women and gender considerations into their sustainability strategy, companies can improve working conditions, increase employment and professional advancement opportunities, expand their customer base, and deepen community engagement.
Enormous opportunities exist for cross-sector collaboration on investments in women, and BSR can help foster these partnerships. For example, during the workshop, lessons were shared between Vodafone’s mobile banking programs in Kenya and Primark’s partnership with the Bank of India to provide bank accounts and financial literacy trainings to female factory workers.
Programs targeting women represent an opportunity to link disparate investments under a shared strategic theme. Companies can link community investment strategies to compliance efforts by targeting a key workforce demographic that also represents a group of vulnerable community members.
Supply chain and stakeholder engagement strategies, codes of conduct, and compliance teams need to become more gender sensitive. Laws, working conditions, and life outside of work have disproportionate impacts on women in the developing world. Issues such as health, sexual harassment, and contract status (permanent or temporary) require a gender-sensitive examination, and may warrant modifications to compliance codes and additional staff trainings.
There is a need to explore the links among female customer engagement, sustainable consumption, and female “producers” of consumable products around the world. BSR will continue to investigate how these areas overlap to identify strategies and opportunities for business.
The concept of women and sustainability is new: To date, the majority of companies’ sustainability efforts have been gender neutral. However, this neutrality ignores the low status of women, the restrictions placed upon them, and the unique risks that they face in the developing world. We will continue to explore this topic at the upcoming BSR Conference 2010 in New York during the session “The Gender Lens” on Wednesday, November 3, and in a forthcoming research series in 2011. | https://www.bsr.org/en/our-insights/blog-view/when-business-works-with-women |
How we care for our watershed now will determine the health of rivers and streams for future generations to enjoy. Sustainability describes the long-term success and vitality of our communities by implementing practices and policies today that provide benefit today, without jeopardizing future generations.
Sustainable practices do not only benefit the environment. In fact, the environment is only one of three major considerations the BRWM engages in sustainable planning. By balancing environmental interests with the interests of the economy and people, the BRWM partners can plan for future growth, without burdening the community’s well-being and without placing undue stress on our natural treasures. Overtime, sustainable planning and development will save taxpayer money through reduced stormwater infrastructure costs. It will also improve quality of life in our watershed through increased green space and landscape beautification.
When developing plans and projects to improve the communities throughout Bexar County, the BRWM Partners ask three fundamental questions before making any decisions. Each is core to the sustainability of our watersheds and communities. These considerations are integrated and often mutually benefit each other.
3 Principles of Sustainable Development
Does it protect our environment?
In the context of watershed management, the BRWM partners place a premium on environmental considerations in the development of new projects and plans. This may include optimizing land development through practices and behaviors that balance environmental quality, economics, and quality of life. Some examples of environmentally sensitive practices include low impact development (LID) techniques, green infrastructure, conservation development and natural channel design.
Together with the City of San Antonio, BRWM partners identified opportunities to incorporate LID techniques into the City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code (UDC). The City of San Antonio’s UDC now mandates LID on RIO District properties abutting the river, and elsewhere in the city and in its extraterritorial jurisdiction LID is a voluntary option.
To further incentivize LID practices and to help educate our communities, the San Antonio River Authority has created an LID rebate and school grant program. SARA also created an LID training program for the construction inspection and maintenance of LID stormwater infrastructure to further educate the development and public sector professions.
The BRWM partners are committed to environmentally healthy watersheds.
Is it economically responsible?
Many factors may be considered in deciding whether a project is an economically responsible path forward. When it comes to watershed management, the benefit must justify the cost. Simply put, a project that meets both the environmental needs and the people needs, but which would undermine a future generation’s capacity to generate wealth, is likely not financially responsible. Such a project would have to be modified or replaced with a more economically sustainable option under the sustainability model of development.
The BRWM partners are committed to economic responsibility.
Does it benefit the health and safety of people?
When it comes to watershed management, the health and safety of people is often the very reason the project is being considered. This could mean removing properties from the floodplain or protecting the quality of water that flows through our watershed. But sustainability also means that projects provide a benefit to the health and vibrancy of our communities. Green spaces, parks, and trails for hiking and biking provide ample opportunity for families to get outside and enjoy our natural treasures in a safe and healthy environment.
The BRWM partners are committed to the health and safety of our communities and our watersheds.
Learn more about how the BRWM partners approach sustainability: | https://www.brwm-tx.org/sustainability/ |
Physicians interact with the police in a variety of clinical settings involving investigations and inquiries relating not only to patients, but perhaps directed toward the physician personally.
While it may be natural to want to cooperate with the police, generally physicians should refrain from disclosing patient information to the police or any other third party unless there is patient consent or the disclosure is required by law.
The physician's duty of confidentiality is both an ethical and a legal obligation. As described in the Canadian Medical Association's Code of Ethics and Professionalism, to promote a relationship of confidence and trust, physicians have traditionally protected their patients' personal health information.
The legal duty to keep patient health information confidential originates from this fiduciary (trust) relationship between doctors and patients. Privacy legislation, which applies in all provinces and territories, reinforces this duty and requires an individual's consent before his or her personal information can be collected, used, or disclosed. Some provinces also have health-specific privacy legislation.
There are a few exceptions when the disclosure of patient information is permitted without express patient consent. These exceptions can include when the physician receives requests from the police in the course of certain investigations or when the physician receives a subpoena, court order, or search warrant. Physicians may also disclose patient information without consent when the law requires the disclosure, which includes a mandatory duty to report, such as when a child is in need of protection or when there are other important interests at stake that justify breaching patient confidentiality. For example, the Supreme Court in Smith v. Jones recognized that a physician may be authorized to disclose patient information to the police in circumstances when he or she has reason to believe there is an imminent risk of serious bodily harm or death to an identifiable person or group.
A search warrant grants the police broad legal authority to search for and seize evidence.
Before disclosing or permitting the police access to any patient information, physicians should ask to inspect the warrant. When faced with a valid search warrant that specifies the seizure of a patient's records or information, a physician must release the information to the police. Only the patient information listed in the warrant should be disclosed.
The police may contact the physician before a search warrant is issued. Physicians should be aware that this may be an attempt to gather the necessary grounds for obtaining the search warrant and that patient information should not be disclosed.
Physicians should also be mindful of the distinction between a search warrant and a subpoena. A subpoena alone is not sufficient reason for a physician to breach patient confidentiality. In most jurisdictions, a subpoena or summons is only a command for the physician to attend a criminal or other court proceeding. The subpoena may direct the physician to bring "any documents or materials which are relevant to the action," but it typically does not require the physician to speak to anyone, even the police, about the contents of those records or any aspect of a patient's health before being ordered to do so by the presiding judicial body (e.g. judge) in the hearing room. Unless the patient has given the physician specific authority to disclose the records in advance, the physician should take them in a sealed envelope to the location and at the time indicated in the subpoena. They should be released only when the court or tribunal so orders.
Treating a patient who is under arrest or the subject of a police investigation can be challenging.
The Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that confidentiality obligations apply even when a patient is under arrest or otherwise being detained. Without this protection, these individuals may be deterred from seeking necessary medical care if they perceive healthcare providers as agents of the police.
Unless required by law (including a legislative provision, search warrant, or other court order) or given consent by the patient, a physician cannot be required to perform an invasive service on a patient (such as taking blood from a suspected impaired driver for the purpose of confirming his or her blood alcohol content) or to provide any other information or evidence about a patient.
Physicians may find themselves pressured by police to provide information about a patient who is deceased, unconscious, or otherwise impaired beyond having the capacity to consent. In any of these circumstances, a physician's duty to maintain the confidentiality of a patient's personal health information persists.
Physicians may also receive a request from the police for information about a patient who is suspected of criminal activity, such as prescription fraud (double doctoring) or dangerous behaviour toward others. Physicians do not have a duty to provide information to the police concerning cases of suspected prescription fraud. As a result, physicians may respond to questions about the patient's health only if presented with valid legal authority compelling disclosure (e.g. legislative provision, search warrant, or court order) or in the rare event that the police have the patient's consent. That said, some police questions may not require that the physician disclose the patient's personal health information. For example, a physician can verify whether a specific prescription in the possession of the police is authentic (i.e. whether the handwriting and the signature are those of the physician).
In some jurisdictions, privacy legislation may require that physicians disclose personal health information when police are conducting a criminal investigation. In other jurisdictions, privacy legislation may give physicians discretion on whether or not to disclose patient information without consent. When a physician has discretion, he or she should make a decision bearing in mind the duty of confidentiality and the facts of the case. Any disclosure made to the police should be documented by the physician in the patient's medical record. The documentation should include the information the physician relied on to make the disclosure.
In some common situations, reports must be made directly to the police.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities in some provinces (currently British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories) must report gunshot wounds to the police. Although the reporting obligation in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories also includes stab wounds, the legislation in all these provinces is similar. The obligation to report typically falls to the institution or facility, not the individual physician. In some jurisdictions, the obligation placed on facilities to report could also include physicians' private medical offices and walk-in clinics.
Legislation in all provinces and territories requires anyone (including physicians) to report suspected child abuse to a designated agency or person when there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that a child has been or is being abused, or is at risk of abuse. Most legislation requires the report to be made to a child protection agency; however, several jurisdictions allow the report to be made to the police. While the child protection legislation generally requires that an initial report be made, it does not typically permit or require physicians to provide additional information to the designated agency or police without consent, or a court order or search warrant. Some jurisdictions have similar mandatory reporting obligations related to the suspected abuse of elders and vulnerable persons.
Physicians may also choose to report to the police in circumstances where they have reason to believe there is an imminent risk of serious bodily harm or death to an individual. In light of the potentially serious consequences of reporting and not reporting, physicians should carefully consider the obligations in their province and territory.
All provinces and territories have legislation that requires anyone (including physicians) to report certain deaths, including those that the person has reason to believe are violent, suspicious, or unexplained. In some jurisdictions, physicians who receive a written request from a patient for medical assistance in dying or who medically assist a patient to die may be required to report information to the coroner or another authority. The nature and circumstances of the deaths that must be reported varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. While most legislation requires the report to be made to the chief coroner, several provinces allow the report to be made to the police. The police may attempt to solicit additional information from a physician in accordance with his or her duty to report. Physicians in these circumstances must carefully consider whether they are under a duty to report and, if so, what information must be provided to the police.
In the course of their medical practices, physicians may become the subject of police investigations. CMPA experience has included situations such as allegations of sexual assault, assisting in a patient's suicide, narcotic fraud, or billing issues.
In these situations, any statements or documents provided by the physician to the police can be tendered as evidence in subsequent proceedings. When receiving a request from the police, physicians should decline to make any statement or respond to any questions until they have received advice from the CMPA or appropriate legal advice.
Physicians may be tempted or intimidated into providing information or a statement in the hopes of averting any further proceedings. In fact, a spontaneous voluntary statement or disclosure of information may have the opposite effect and could seriously compromise a physician's future defence.
As well, in these situations physicians are still subject to their obligation to maintain patient confidentiality.
The CMPA has articles with more detailed information on subpoenas ("Subpoenas — What are a physician's responsibilities?"), and on assisting police with investigations of prescription fraud and double doctoring ("Suspect unlawful activity with prescriptions or medications? Here’s how to respond").
CMPA members uncertain about their obligations to provide information to the police are encouraged to contact the Association. | https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2011/physician-interactions-with-police |
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Berman’s Accessibility Practices Featured at Conference
March 19, 2013
Susan Shifrin, Associate Director for Education at the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, will speak on best practices in museum accessibility at the PA Museums Annual Statewide Museums Conference in April in Doylestown, Pa. The theme is Authenticity and Relevance. The session will address “how the Berman Museum of Art developed an accessible exhibition of art from their collection for enjoyment by blind and visually impaired patrons, groups of elderly visitors with Alzheimers, and visitors who use wheelchairs. This session will also review Disability Awareness Training Days, hosted by the Berman Museum of Art with educators from Art Beyond Sight as well as from ARTZ, a community inclusion program with people with dementia.”
PA Museums represents the interests of the over 1,000 museums and related organizations throughout the Commonwealth. PA Museums increases public awareness of the essential roles of museums to enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvania residents and to attract visitors.
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In the 2005 Gleneagels Plan of Action, the G8 + 5 (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Afica) agreed to launch a Global Bioenergy Partnership to support wider, cost effective, biomass and biofuels deployment, particularly in developing countries. Following a consultation process among developing and developed countries, international agencies and the private sector, the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) was launched at the 14th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14) in New York on 11 May 2006.
Who are the GPEP’s Partners?
GBEP brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders. EUBIA is a partner of the Global Bioenergy Partnership, along with Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States of America, FAO, IEA, The Netherlands, UNCTAD, UN/DESA, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UN Foundation and the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE).
Purpose and functions of GBEP
The purpose of the Global Bioenergy Partnership is to provide a mechanism for Partners to organize, coordinate and implement targeted international research, development, demonstration and commercial activities related to production, delivery, conversion and use of biomass for energy, with a focus on developing countries.
GBEP’s main functions are to:
- Promote global high-level policy dialogue on bioenergy and facilitate international cooperation;
- Support national and regional bioenergy policy-making and market development;
- Favour efficient and sustainable uses of biomass and develop project activities in the bioenergy field;
- Foster exchange of information, skills and technologies through bilateral and multilateral collaboration;
- Facilitate bioenergy integration into energy markets by tackling specific barriers in the supply chain;
- Act as a cross-cutting initiative, working in synergy with other relevant activities, avoiding duplications.??
GBEP Secretariat
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)?
Environment, Climate Change and Bioenergy Division
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00153 Rome, ITALY
Tel: +39 06 57056147
Fax: +39 06 57053369
Email: [email protected]
www.globalbioenergy.org
To download a background information note on the GBEP click here.
To download the GBEP leaflet click here.
The Global Bioenergy Partnership is registered as an Official Partnership of the UN Commission on Sustainable Devleopment, to view the entry of GBEP on the Partners for Sustainable Development database, please follow this link. | https://www.eubia.org/cms/about-eubia/international-recognition/global-bioenergy-partnership/ |
We were dismayed to read a news article about guidelines on pain medication use by a company that we have seen in many of our litigated cases. Equally disturbing was the fact that this particular group is now owned by an insurance company that we actually respect. Yes, there are insurance companies who stand by their contracts and do the right thing for their claimants – we don’t write about them here because frankly, we don’t see them in our practice often.
The company we are troubled by is The Reed Group, publisher of a tome known as the MDA – a resource book created and edited by a non-practising doctor, whose core business is to conduct disability management for insurers and administrators. The book purports to be edited by a large group of medical specialists – but unlike most medical books we know, it does not include any medical references, citations or studies that are typically included in most, if not all, medical texts.
Just as candidates hire ghost writers and PR agencies to release their biographies around the time that political picks are being made, this organization publishes guidelines as a means of keeping the lid on disability claims. They pander to the employer/insurer marketplace, as a means to keeping costs low for “absence management”. In fact, the book itself does nothing to hide its intentions. The text is a pretext for establishing limits on disability benefits payments which is clearly expressed in the foreword to the book which states:
“Increasingly, employers recognize the connection between healthy workers and company productivity. One manifestation of this new awareness is employer focus on minimizing disability. To have effective partnerships around disability management and return to work goals, there must be tools that assist employers, providers, and other participants in the disability process to be successful in their efforts to minimize disability impact on the workplace. The disability duration guidelines provided in The Medical Advisor are an excellent example of such tools. These guidelines help assure a consistent approach to determining disability duration for the purposes of benefits decisions.
The Medical Advisor has been used by managed care companies, insurance carriers, physicians, disability determination companies, and third party administrators. This effort is an important contribution by providing a common basis for various stakeholders in the disability management process to discuss disability duration assessments as one component of a disability management program. (p. xv at 424) (emphasis added)
Thus, it’s no surprise that their findings concerning limiting the use of opioids – strong medications that include morphine – to help manage pain. It’s ironic that the analysts include in the report that 80 to 94 percent of the studies about opioid use involve funding from the opioid industry itself. We aren’t surprised by that, most drug studies are conducted with the funds from Big Pharma, the pet name for one of the top three largest lobbying groups in Washington. Another massive lobbying group – the insurance industry.
This book and its readers have one unified focus – to control the cost of disability insurance providers and other participants in the disability process. The introduction of the book makes it very clear that this is its purpose, along with enough corporate speak to wear out any normal person suffering from a disability.
Call us crazy, but we think that the there is one person who is the best judge of what type of medicine an ill or injured person should be taking – their primary care physician or specialist providing care and treatment. If they are working with a pain management expert or a pharmacologist who has been brought into their case to ensure the proper use of pain medicine, then that makes two, or three. But we don’t believe most people need the services of an insurance company owned purported medical publisher to get involved in their day to day health care. And we really, truly, don’t think that most of us will be on the road to better health if our healthcare decisions are made by bean counters, and not real practicing medical doctors.
Has your disability insurance company denied or terminated your benefits, claiming that you have no claim? Call our office today at 1-877-LTD-CLAIM (877-583-2524) to learn how we can help. | https://www.frankelnewfield.com/blog/we-were-dismayed-to-read.shtml |
Do you love making use of every ingredient at your disposal? Real sustainable cooking comes when you are able to use every bit as much as possible, especially when it comes to butchering your own meat or poultry. Bones go to stock and all of the other things get thrown away other than the usual meats. This Chicken Gizzard recipe will show you how to cook spicy, flavourful gizzards which everybody can enjoy.
If you have made any sort of stir-fry dish, this recipe is just like that. Sweat the onions, dd your bell peppers, tomato, tomato paste, spices and gizzards and you have a bowl of joy on the way. Gizzards might not be everybody’s favourite dish but these Chicken Gizzards taste fantastic with spice from paprika and freshness from thyme. Add some lemon juice to the dish as it simmers for some extra freshness. You can easily use leftover rice or make some fresh and fluffy rice for the special occasion.
Cook sustainably and use everything you’ve got. These spicy Chicken Gizzards on a bed of rice is the way to go for a quick meal this week. | |
The Betazoids are a telepathic humanoid civilization originating from the planet Betazed, and are members of the United Federation of Planets.
History
Betazoids broke the warp drive barrier in the 22nd Century.
Betazed joined the Federation in 2273.
Betazed had enjoyed a relatively untroubled history for the last few centuries. This peaceful existence came to a halt in 2374, when the Dominion invaded and occupied the planet.
Physiology
Betazoids appear nearly indistinguishable from Humans except for the eyes: the iris of a Betazoid eye is entirely black.
It is possible for a Betazoid to cross-breed with other humanoid species such as Humans or Klingons. A half Betazoid retains the black iris however a child who is 1/4 Betazoid is likely to have more typical human eye colouration. A typical Betazoid pregnancy lasts 10 months.
Telepathy
Betazoids are natural telepaths, an ability which is usually developed during adolescence. A few individuals are born with their telepathic abilities active and they are almost always extremely talented and powerful in telepathic terms, but also unable to screen out the noise of other people's minds, so they generally suffered mental problems of varying severity depending mostly on when the problem was diagnosed. Conversely, some Betazoids are born with a very low level of psionic abilities, being barely able to sense strong emotion.
The common psionic abilities of Betazoids extended from sensing thoughts and/or emotions, over projecting thoughts and/or emotions, to manipulating the minds of others. The extent of each ability is somewhat dependant on an individuals genetic psionic strength, training, their familiarity with the subject, their general mental and physical condition and the species of the scanned individual.
Betazoids are at times able to sense the thoughts, emotions or general intention of non-corporeal beings. In the case of the Q, they are only able to get a sense of the mental prowess and presence of a particular Q.
Inter-species reproduction involving Betazoids often affected the psionic abilities of the offspring – most commonly the children of such a union develop empathic abilities as their primary psionic talent, while their telepathic abilities, though existing, were rather below average for Betazoids. Usually the telepathy of these half-breeds, without extensive training, was limited to communication with other empaths or telepaths and full telepathic contact with emotionally very close persons. All full Betazoids are unable to read the thoughts of Ferengi, Breen, Ullians, or Dopterians.
Betazoids, and people with some Betazoid background can also communicate telepathically with people who are very close to them who are not usually capable of telepathy. And in some rare cases involving a close personal bond, a Betazoid can teach a non-telepath to communicate with them using their mind.
It is also possible, with some specialized training, to unlock latent telekinetic talents in some Betazoids.
Culture
Due to their telepathy, Betazoid culture embraced honesty almost to a point considered rude by other cultures.
Betazed had a complex hereditary nobility and traditionally had children genetically bonded to a future spouse.
In the Betazoid wedding ceremony, all participants are traditionally nude, not only the bride and groom, but the guests as well.
Civilization
Betazoids have a pseudo-religious, semi-matriarchal society. Ruling houses, descended from various legendary figures, make up a planetary council that speaks for all citizens; each house broadly encompasses the interests of millions of people, in rough geographic locations (and along certain familial lines). The system of representation can be complicated by the fact that Betazoids can petition along their matrilineal lines in order to be heard, in much the same way that a citizen might write a letter to a representative in a representative democracy. Each house claims its mandate from its legendary founder, an acolyte of the Betazed mythic hero Krystaros.
Fortunately for them, the Betazoid telepathy and empathy meant that warfare was a largely foreign concept for much of Betazed history. The earliest records of conflict in Betazoid history indicate a spiritual war with non-corporeal entities—described as demons in ancient religious texts. Betazoids presumably evolved their telepathic abilities to combat such beings, and in the process created a society whereby honesty and compassion were paramount: Few Betazoids could bear to feel the pain or discomfort of fellow citizens, especially on a large scale.
Betazed wholeheartedly contributes to and partakes in Federation science and technology projects, and this shows. Their cities are built with large mushroom-shaped structures that rise up on thin spires, leaving more of the ground open for natural growth. Betazed contributes its telepathic expertise, psychological experience and philosophical developments to Federation civilization, and in return the Federation's strongly technical members help with advanced replication technology, engineering, and land reclamation. The result is that the average Betazoid has a very high and enjoyable standard of living, while the citizenry have little fear of discontent; an unhappy Betazoid is often quickly discovered and counseled by friends, neighbors, and family, all of whom want to re-establish the pleasant environs. | http://lcars.ucip.org/index.php?title=Betazoid |
Nor, K.M. and Mokhlis, Hazlie and Suyono, H. and Abdel-Akher, M. and Rashid, A.H.A. and Gani, T.A. (2005) Development of power system analysis software using object components. In: TENCON 2005 2005 IEEE Region 10, 2005.
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Abstract
This paper presents experiences of developing a power system analysis software using a combination of object oriented programming (OOP) and component based development (CBD) methodologies. In this development, various power system analyses are developed into software components. These components are integrated with graphical user interface components to build up a power system analysis application. By using both OOP and CBD methodologies, updating or adding new algorithm can be done to any specific component without affecting other components inside the software. The component also can be replaced with any other better component whenever necessary. Hence, the software can be maintained and updated continuously with minimum resources. The performance of the components is described in comparison with the non-component applications in terms of reuse as well as execution time. | https://eprints.um.edu.my/7916/ |
I am trying to perform clustering on my customer files with about 80K customers and 50 variables.
Instead of using either just hierarchical or non-hierarchical methods in SAS, I first tried to determine the "OPTIMAL" number of clusters and their seeds using PROC CLUSTER.
Next, I will feed this information/seeds into PROC FASTCLUS to refine the clusters. This was the recommendation that someone gave to me: use hierarchical method first to get the seeds and feed the seeds to non-hierarchical methods to fine tune the clusters.
However, it took forever for PROC CLUSTER to even create clusters for my 80K customers. I had to abandoned it before it returned any result.
Can anyone suggest a way to deal with big data set like mine? Thanks.
Try reducing the number of variables via factor analysis.
Use FASTCLUS to produce X clusters, and then feed the results to PROC CLUSTER.
Thanks. It makes sense to do factor analysis to reduce the number of variables. How about the number of observations?
The reason that I want to use PROC CLUSTER first to produce initial seeds that got fed into FASTCLUS was that FASTCLUS is quite sensitive to the initial seeds. At least, PROC CLUSTER can give me a reasonable starting point (initial seeds) for FASTCLUS to refine it.
Can you please elaborate on what you mean by feeding Centroid values from Fastclus into Proc cluster? For ex: let us suppose I get 1000 centroids for 1000 clusters that I generated using Fastclus. Do you want me to feed just 1000 centroids into Proc Cluster.
I have question regarding your suggestion on initial seeds generation. I belive that you should get the initial seeds as a result of running PROC CLUSTER and then feed them into PROC FASTCLUS to further refine the clusters, not the other way around. Am I missing something here?
Thanks. It is the first time I heard of this way of clustering. It may be worth trying. From what people recommended me to do was the other way around: determine the optimal number of clusters using PROC CLUSTER first and then feed the resulting seeds into PROC FASTCLUST to further refine the clusters.
The reason is that, first of all, non-hierarchical clustering algorithms are very sensitive to the initial partition, in general. Secondly, since a number of starting partitions can be used, the final solution could result in local optimization of the objective function.
According to some results of simulation studies, nonhierarchical algorithms perform poorly when random initial partitions are used. On the other hands, their performance is much superior when the results from hierarchical methods are used to form the initial partition.
I believe you are right but what if i have say some 200k records. Then Proc Cluster cannot be run as i think there a maximum limit of around 80,000 records in Proc Cluster (though i guess we may use wong's method to cluster. I am not sure about this though). So maybe in this case we could follow the procedure what Kumud has said above.
One more doubt i had was Can we use Age,Gender as variables for clustering or should they be purely used as profiling variables after clustering.
Also if I have categorical variables (nominal scale), I may not be able to use Proc Fastclus as it doesn't take Distance matrix as input unlike Proc Cluster in which I can specify it as a distance matrix.
I need some clarification. I know that clustering can be used with binary transformation using distance matric but can fastclust be used in the same fashion. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Getting initial seed is your first objective, then take sample size and using factors run the PROC CLUSTER. It will give you the initial seeds.
The only requirement is that the data is that it be at least interval scale. I think you are talking about another kind of scale. If you would do a correlation analysis between these two variables, then you should be able to do a factor analysis.
Yes, but you are better off standardizing the variable to mean= 0, and sd=1. When you normalize to a 0,1 scale, there is no guarantee that the variance will be full range since you bound your space, and thus it will be more difficult to perform statistical inference. | https://www.analyticbridge.datasciencecentral.com/forum/topics/cluster-analysis |
Workplace opportunities for women in Australia have changed dramatically over the last half century. In 1966, 31 percent of Australian women between the ages of 30 and 34 were employed. In 2016 that number was nearly 72 percent.1 Today Australia boasts the top rank in women’s education according to the World Economic Forum and a 71 percent labor participation rate for women overall.2 While opportunities for women in the workplace have grown, Australia still reports some highly segregated industries and a stagnated gender gap. Like many countries around the world, Australia continues to move towards gender parity in many areas of the economy through shifts in cultural norms and legal policies.
Education
Australia’s female literacy and education rates are among the highest in the world. As of 2016, literacy and primary education rates were nearly 100 percent with women outpacing men in many areas of education. In 2016, the Australian Government Department of Education and Training reported that women made up 58 percent of enrolled college students and about 51 percent of higher-degree (masters and doctorate) students.3
Although women are more likely to get a bachelor’s degree than men, they are not necessarily studying the same subjects or disciplines. Women are more likely to get degrees in management, culture, health, and education, while men are more likely to have completed qualifications in engineering, architecture, and information technology. Women were three times more likely to have degrees or certifications in health and four times more likely in education. Men on the other hand, were ten times more likely to study architecture and construction, with only 1 percent of women graduating in this field.4 These differences in education choices in turn affect career choices, which can be seen clearly through the trends in the workforce.
Labor Force Participation
More women of all ages have entered the labor force in the last half century. However the nature of the work women perform continues to vary significantly from the type of work men do. Women are more likely than men to work part time, hold casual jobs (jobs without paid leave entitlements), and work in certain professions, especially if they have young children.
Of employed women, 44 percent hold part-time jobs. When considering only employed mothers with children under six, this number rises to 61 percent. For men, only 16 percent of employed men work part time, and 8 percent of employed fathers with children under six work part time. Women who do hold full-time positions also report working fewer hours than men in full-time positions. For families with children in 2017, about 25 percent have both parents working full time. For about 35 percent of families with children, one parent is employed full time and the other is employed part time.5 About a third of employed women work in casual jobs, compared to about a quarter of employed men. Both men and women are more likely to hold casual positions when they are younger (under 34) and hold more formal positions when they are older.
For many industries in Australia, the workforce is fairly evenly divided, but some industries have remained noticeably gender segregated. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the four largest industries for women are retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, education and training, and accommodation and food service. Women dominated some of these areas, the most significant being aged care services, where women make up 84 percent of the workforce. In contrast, men made up more than 70 percent of the workforce for construction, mining, manufacturing, and public utilities.6 Other industries were much more even, with financial and insurance services being the closest at about 50 percent for each gender.
Men and women have nearly equal unemployment rates (4.8 and 4.6 percent, respectively), but women are nearly twice as likely to be underemployed (9.4 and 5.8 percent, respectively).7 These trends, especially when considering the labor participation rates and underemployment rates, shed some light on the gender wage gap that still exists in Australia.
Wage Gap
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency reports that the current national gender pay gap is 14.6 percent. Over the last few decades, it has hovered between 15 and 19 percent without major change. The causes of gender pay gaps are often complicated and hotly debated. One of these is occupational segregation, where women generally work in lower paying industries. However, every industry has an unfavorable pay gap for women, even in female-dominated industries. Another factor is a lack of women in leadership. Fewer women hold higher-paying jobs, in part because senior positions often offer little flexibility. Part-time workers, the majority of which are female, also often have fewer opportunities for additional training and promotion.
Discrimination and bias are also factors, although the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act) strengthened legislation promoting gender equality in the workplace. The Act requires businesses employing more than 100 people to submit a report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The aim of the Act is to eliminate barriers to workforce participation equality, reduce gender and family discrimination in employment, and promote the productivity and competitiveness of Australian businesses through gender equality in the workforce.8 The Workplace Gender Equality Agency provides businesses with resources to promote workplace equality, including recommended best practices. As new laws take effect and business practices shift, it is likely that the existing pay gap will continue to decline.
As business traditions change and more women enter the workforce, the nature of and compensation for the work women do will continue to change. More educated women are entering the workforce, and for Australian women, flexibility is a must. New laws are promoting flexible options for employees, which will likely improve female participation rates across many industries and reduce the national gender wage gap. These continuing changes will shape the Australian economy and help Australian businesses compete in the global marketplace.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Employment Data Summary. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- World Economic Forum. (n.d.). Australia Gender Gap Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Main Features – Education. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Main Features – Education. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Employment Data Summary. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics – Economic Security. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Australian Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.) Employment Data Summary. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Workplace Gender Equality Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2018. | https://internationalhub.org/women-in-the-workplace/women-in-the-workplace-australia/ |
In Part One of “Who Oversees Flood Control for Montgomery County?” we noted that unfortunately there’s not a single entity that is in charge of flood planning and flood management for all of Montgomery County. Just as significant—there’s no dedicated funding to pay for regional projects that benefit the county as a whole.
We also discussed how, throughout its existence, in addition to providing water supply and other similar services, the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) has engaged in planning efforts related to flooding in its home base of Montgomery County. However, county-wide flood mitigation plans have not been realized for a number of reasons including a lack of a dedicated funding source and no broad consensus to implement county-wide flood mitigation plans. Part Two of our blog series looks at some of the early historical flood planning efforts of SJRA.
Assessing Risk Since the 1940s
Beginning at its creation in 1937 and continuing through more than eight decades of dedicated and professional leadership, SJRA has quietly, but diligently, pursued its goals of long term water planning and providing water-related services.
Figure 1 – Proposed Alternatives Graphic from 1957 San Jacinto River Master Plan Report
Beginning in 1943, in response to flood damage to property and agricultural lands in the San Jacinto River watershed, several historical drainage studies were performed. These studies analyzed existing conditions, identified flood risks, and evaluated mitigation alternatives in order to reduce flood risk, manage water supply in the region, and determine sedimentation impacts.
The initial 1943 San Jacinto River master plan report called attention to the need for comprehensive flood risk assessment within the service area. The ultimate goal of the master plan was the conservation, reclamation, and utilization of the natural resources of the entire watershed while accounting for sustainable growth and development within the area. A prime objective of the plan was to address flooding issues, resulting in several projects being considered to reduce the area’s flood risk: the creation of dams and reservoirs, channel improvements, and levee construction. A total of 14 dams with approximately 886,000 acre-feet of storage for water supply and flood mitigation were considered in the Plan. The estimated cost of these projects at the time was approximately $22.2 million for dam/reservoir construction and $1 million for channel improvements.
In the 1957 San Jacinto River master plan report update, the Authority again discussed the importance of flood risk reduction measures as well as the implementation of drainage improvements to reduce inundation and destructive run-off, and minimize future loss of land productivity. Similar alternatives to those outlined in the 1943 master plan were discussed, and a detailed list of alternatives and estimated costs was again provided.
A San Jacinto Upper Watershed Drainage Improvement and Flood Control Planning Study developed in 1985 was the first study that focused on detailed evaluation of proposed alternatives and incorporated hydraulic modeling to evaluate their feasibility and flood risk reduction effectiveness. Several alternatives, both structural and non-structural, were considered and evaluated, including:
- Total channelization
- Selective channelization
- Vegetation clearing
- Bridge modifications
- Property buyouts
- Lake/reservoir creation
The report concluded that total channelization, bridge modification, and most vegetation clearing appeared to be less feasible based on benefit/cost ratios, and that property buyouts and reservoir construction appeared to be most cost effective.
Figure 2-Alternatives from 1985 Planning Study
Figure 3-Benefit Cost Ratios for Alternatives 1985 Study
In 1989, a Comprehensive Flood Protection Plan for Southern Montgomery County, Texas was created. This plan determined existing flood problems, proposed flood reduction alternatives, and recommended improvements for a small portion of south Montgomery County. The analyzed and recommended alternatives addressed localized flooding as opposed to regional issues.
SJRA, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, studied the possibility of building a reservoir on the lower portion of Lake Creek and developed a report in 1997. The proposed reservoir would have been roughly 80% of the size of Lake Conroe. The reservoir was proposed to increase surface water supply (approximate yield of 60% of Lake Conroe water supply), with no floodplain mitigation. Plans for the reservoir were not further pursued due to a lack of federal and state funding and minimal interest in water sales from the proposed reservoir.
So, who oversees flood control for Montgomery County? Dedicated funding and a dedicated governing body, such as a flood control district, could have made mitigation projects easier to devise, implement, and monitor. It could have also improved oversight and provided a coordinated effort to improve the entire county. A number of studies and plans were prepared over the years, but they were not implemented due to lack of funding. Voters had the chance to change that when the creation of a Montgomery County Flood Control District was presented to them in the 1980s.
In our next blog post we will look at the attempts by a local legislator and the SJRA to establish a Montgomery County Flood Control District to address flood planning. These efforts ultimately failed when the Montgomery County voters defeated the establishment of the district and its recommended funding mechanism. Check back for additional posts. | https://www.sjra.net/2019/11/who-oversees-flood-control-for-montgomery-county-part-two-historical-planning-efforts/ |
On Sept. 23–24, 2020, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) joined forces with the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN) to host a high-power electric vehicle charging connector test event.
Vehicle and electrical equipment manufacturers gathered to evaluate several prototype connectors and inlet hardware as part of an industry effort to develop the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a new charging standard for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. Results from the tests will help inform the development of interoperable connector and inlet designs. An industry standard for megawatt chargers will streamline the introduction of commercial electric vehicles by providing fleets with stability and certainty in accessing infrastructure globally.
The unique capabilities at NREL’s Electric Vehicle Research Infrastructure (EVRI) in the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) enabled seven vehicle inlets and 11 charger connectors to test their designs together. NREL’s facilities offer a convening location to compare components across the seven different manufacturers represented by prototypes in the hardware evaluations with another six manufacturers participating virtually. In addition, NREL boasts an extensive history of novel advanced thermal systems for power electronics, providing valuable feedback on the performance and thermal characterization of the hardware designs. NREL scientists are leading experts in the realms of 1+MW charging and extreme fast charging for electric vehicles.
“NREL’s industry-leading capabilities and experience in electric vehicle charging and commercial vehicle electrification provided the perfect backdrop to assemble multiple companies for the review of charging designs,” said Andrew Meintz, the NREL researcher in charge of organizing this event.
Event attendees first took note of the fit and ergonomics of the connector designs, providing feedback on how easily they could connect and disconnect the connector from the inlet itself. Attendees also considered how to keep connectors from getting damaged over time. Event takeaways include suggestions for cable retention or overhanging connectors to prevent connector drops and cables from dragging on the ground. The high-current nature of this system presents unique challenges to minimize cable length to improve efficiency and reduce thermal cooling requirements while maintaining a light and easy to use connector.
The event also included a functional evaluation of the thermal performance of the connectors and inlets. Before the event, NREL provided virtual component inspections to review hardware with individual suppliers. Researchers performed a functional precheck with all supplied hardware at the event to confirm function before an in-depth evaluation test matrix covering all connector and inlet combinations. The results from this review are shared with the hardware developers to facilitate improvement to the designs to ensure consistent performance across connector and inlet designs. The event was followed by a virtual task force meeting to review the evaluations.
CharIN is a non-profit association that brings together industry experts to develop international charging standards. The CharIN group has identified a list of priority requirements for a new high-power bidirectional charging system, including compatibility with up to 1,500 volts and 3,000 amps. This event was sponsored by the Department of Energy; the California Energy Commission; the South Coast Air Quality Management District; Daimler Trucks North America; Gladstein, Neandross & Associates; and CharIN. The association’s goal is to rethink existing systems and incorporate various international standards to evolve charging standards for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles.
Learn more about NREL’s transportation research and electric vehicle grid integration work. | https://cleantechnica.com/2020/10/13/nrel-charin-test-out-megawatt-charging-system-in-usa/ |
Kidnapping Part IV: Avoidance – 10 Tips
In our last three articles on kidnapping, we covered the types, geography, and targets of the crime. In this piece, we will present practical information on how to avoid becoming a victim of abduction. While the past few articles should help individuals assess their risk, this piece will identify clear steps to protect people from this crime. The following are ten tips that can be taken in order to reduce the risk of kidnapping.
Tip 1: Establish Residential Security
One of the first steps towards comprehensive personal security is ensuring proper residential security. This starts with basic things such as keeping windows and doors secured at all times and ensuring that all locks are of good quality. Individuals should also consider where they choose to live. For some people, an apartment complex may provide more security than a standalone home, as criminals are reluctant to target places where there are a lot of potential witnesses. At-risk persons should also consider installing a security system or working with a security service in order to safeguard their residence. In some cases, high-profile individuals may even need to hire armed guards and/or contract with expert security consultants.
Tip 2: Utilize Cell Phones and Itineraries
There are other simple steps individuals should take that can drastically increase their security. For example, it is generally a good idea to carry a cell phone at all times. Cell phones are perhaps the most versatile safety tool that an individual can employ, as they prove helpful in almost every circumstance. In addition to carrying a cell phone, it is wise for people to ensure that others know about their daily comings and goings. During formal business travel, or travel to hazardous places, individuals should provide a comprehensive itinerary to a trusted associate. Emergencies can be resolved much more quickly when law enforcement has an idea of approximately when and where a person went missing.
Tip 3: Act, Dress, and Drive Modestly
One of the chief motivating factors for kidnapping operations is the prospect of a large ransom. As such, it is best to avoid ostentatious displays of wealth. Valuable items such as jewelry and expensive electronic devices should be kept from view. People should also carefully consider the type of automobile they drive, as this is often the most conspicuous indication of income. Additionally, individuals should try to avoid wearing clothing that will make them stand out, since an atypical or lavish wardrobe can also signify a person’s wealth.
Tip 4: Secure Your Data
As with almost everything in the digital age, properly securing data is necessary to protect oneself. However, such information is not limited to passwords, identity information and credit cards. It also includes addresses, phone numbers, travel plans, and information about family members. The amount of people who have access to this sort of data should be limited as much as possible. Data protection is particularly important for firms and organizations. These groups should establish systems to protect the information of their employees. Additionally, background checks should be run on employees who have access to sensitive material or anyone who will be familiarized with the security system of an organization, including often overlooked personnel such as janitors, maids and gardeners.
Tip 5: Vary Your Routine
While data protection is important, individuals should also vary their routines in order to ensure that others garner as little information about them as possible. After all, most kidnapping for ransom operations involve extensive surveillance in the early stages. This surveillance is conducted to discern a target’s routine so that an operational plan can be formulated. If criminals cannot detect any distinct pattern, they will be hesitant to carry out the act. That is why it is imperative for at-risk persons to change their routine as much as possible. This means varying travel times and routes, especially during the daily commute to and from work.
Tip 6: Know Your Area
Many kidnappings occur while individuals are en route. Therefore, several precautions should be taken while on the move. Firstly, it is advisable to be as familiar as possible with the vicinity of travel. Individuals should be aware of the chokepoints and traffic patterns in the areas they are in. It is also a good idea for people to identify safe havens around the places they live, work, and travel. Save havens can be places such as hospitals, police stations, high-security establishments, or simply areas that are more crowded. These havens can be invaluable if a person finds himself in trouble or being pursued.
Tip 7: Drive Deliberately
When driving, at-risk persons should always drive with the windows up and the doors locked. Individuals should avoid getting too close to the car ahead of them and drive in lanes that prevent them from being boxed in. Such tactics can help drivers utilize routes of escape if they are attacked. If a person is ambushed, he should remember that the car is both a shield and a weapon. If possible, it is best to stay in the vehicle and drive away as soon as the situation permits¹. Furthermore, individuals should remember that they can, and should, drive through or over their attackers if their life is in jeopardy and there is no other safe route of egress.
Tip 8: Use Your Shoes
While an automobile provides some advantages, individuals may find that walking on foot can be safe as well. After all, traveling on foot in a large city often means being surrounded constantly by people. There are some advantages to walking as well. For example, it may be easier for pedestrians to avoid chokepoints, vary their routines, and spot surveillance. However, if people choose to walk they should try to walk during daylight hours in crowded areas. Traveling by foot at night or through areas with light pedestrian traffic is considerably less safe than driving.
Tip 9: Meet in a Secure Location
Individuals should also use caution when they are meeting with someone they are not familiar with. After all, there have been many kidnappings where the criminal has passed himself off as a potential business prospect in order to get the target to a place of his choosing. That is why it is generally a good idea to do some background research on potential prospects before deciding on a meeting place. Not only is this good business sense, it is good security sense as well. At-risk individuals should also remember to conduct meetings in public spaces or establishments with good security.
Tip 10: Remain Alert and Vigilant
Of all the strategies that individuals can take in order to protect themselves from kidnapping, the most important is simply remaining alert. Giving the appearance of confidence and vigilance will deter many criminals, who generally prefer easier prey. Remaining alert can also help individuals spot surveillance, anticipate an attack, and quickly identify routes of escape. Furthermore, a vigilant attitude can also provide piece of mind to an at-risk person and a sense of control over their situation.
Individuals who feel that they are at increased risk of kidnapping should consult with security professionals for more in-depth advice. However, the following set of articles can help many people formulate a basic strategy for abduction avoidance. Yet, perhaps the most important security tool that anyone can have is to adopt the right psychological mindset. After all, many consider security precautions to be tedious and a waste of time.
However, at-risk persons should try to avoid becoming complacent and remain vigilant. In some cases, such precautions may mean the difference between life and death
¹Obviously, a person should not attempt to escape in all case. If the attackers have the victim cornered, have heavy weapons, or have set up a roadblock this strategy is not advisable, and it is probably best for individuals and simply comply with the attackers’ demands. | https://www.imgsecurity.net/kidnapping-part-iv-avoidance-10-tips/ |
*SOCI 101. Introductory Sociology. 3 credits.
Provides students with an understanding of the structure and processes of modern societies and their historical antecedents. Explores the universality of the social experience by addressing such topics as culture, socialization, social interaction, bureaucracy, norms and diversity, social inequality, social institutions, modernization, technology and social change, world views, values and behavior.
*SOCI 102. Social Problems. 3 credits.
Introduces students to the study of problems of social value (e.g., environment, inequality, injustice, militarism, alienation) facing individuals and groups in complex societies. Examines problems inherent in social structure concerning the balance between individual freedom and social control.
SOCI 214. Social Deviance. 3 credits.
Course offers students a wide range of explanations of deviance. Topics considered are the functions, social definitions, societal reactions and the political aspects of deviance as characteristic of all societies. Deviant attributes as well as acts are considered.
SOCI/ANTH 236. Race and Ethnic Relations. 3 credits.
Comparative study of the causes and consequences of racial and ethnic inequality in the United States and around the world. Black/white relations in the United States and South Africa, native American rights and other ethnic and racial issues are discussed.
*SOCI 240. Individual in Society. 3 credits.
Explores the relationship between ourselves, as individuals, and society. Examines major contributors to the social science tradition including Freud, Marx, Hegel and Mead. Issues of personal and family relations, occupational aspirations, political organization, personal discipline, and religious commitment are examined.
SOCI 265. Sociology of the Community. 3 credits.
Survey of community studies with special emphasis on definitions, development and modern community research.
SOCI 276. Sociology of the Family. 3 credits.
Covers the basic concepts and theories in marriage and the family; looks at basic issues in modern family life; examines changes in family functions and in the various stages of the family life cycle and discusses the future of the family in contemporary society.
SOCI 301. Social Gerontology. 3 credits.
Introduction to social gerontology as a field of study which emphasizes the societal aspects of aging. The course provides an overview of problems unique to the aged, related to age grading as it shapes social roles, status, needs as a worker, retiree or family member. Programmatic and policy implications will also be discussed.
SOCI 302. Business in American Society. 3 credits.
A sociological analysis of the American business corporation, interrelationships among businesses, and the interplay between business, public opinion and government policy.
SOCI 303. Sociology of Death and Dying. 3 credits.
Investigation of current American orientations toward death and dying with emphasis also given to the social organization of death and dying.
*SOCI/ANTH 313. Processes of Social and Cultural Change. 3 credits.
Investigates the procedures through which a society operates and the manner in which it introduces and incorporates changes. Issues considered include belief, innovation, directed change, coercive change, revitalization and revolution.
SOCI 315. Technology and Society. 3 credits.
An analysis of the social role of technology in contemporary society with special attention given to the impact of the computer on social organization and change.
SOCI 321. Politics in Society. 3 credits.
An examination of politics in American society from a sociological perspective. The relationship between society and politics, the nature and distribution of social power, political participation, political thought and politics as a vehicle for social change are explored.
SOCI/REL 322. Sociology of Religion. 3 credits.
A sociological analysis of religion. How it influences and is influenced by social existence.
SOCI 325. Criminology. 3 credits.
Study of the extent, causes and possible deterrents to crime including murder, assault, white-collar offenses and organized crime, with attention to the role of the victim and policy implications.
SOCI 327. Juvenile Delinquency. 3 credits.
Study of youth gangs, deviation and youth culture standards as well as the treatment used. Recent research reports will be emphasized.
SOCI/SOWK 330. Corrections. 3 credits.
The history, philosophy, policies and problems of the treatment of violators by the police, courts and correctional institutions.
SOCI 331. Introduction to Sociological Analysis. 3 credits.
Introduction to the techniques for collecting, describing, analyzing and presenting sociological data.
SOCI 334. Socialization and Society. 3 credits.
Sociological analysis of processes by which persons acquire roles and identities.
SOCI 337. Male and Female Sex Roles. 3 credits.
Examination of theories of sex role development and the roles of men and women in society.
SOCI 344. Sociology of Work and Industry. 3 credits.
Examination of the problem of work in industrial societies, meanings and outcomes for individuals. This course will explore major industrial structures, the role of the individual in the work group and issues and policies affecting work and industry in contemporary society.
SOCI 345. Sociology of Occupations and Professions. 3 credits.
Examines work roles in American society with a focus on medicine, law and business. Topics include: occupational organizations and professionalization; occupational ideology and community; occupational commitment and social character and ways in which occupational careers impact and are impacted by society.
SOCI 346. Leisure in Contemporary Society. 3 credits .
Sociological analysis of leisure or non-work in contemporary society with particular emphasis upon conceptual and human problems and the potentials of leisure in a context of social change.
*SOCI/ANTH/SOWK 348. Third World Societies: An Introduction. 3 credits.
This course will provide a critical examination of Third World societies within the global system. The course will address theoretical frameworks used to analyze Third World problems. Special attention will be given to persistent problems in the areas of population, poverty, health care, housing and social welfare.
SOCI 352. Introduction to Population Studies. 3 credits.
Introduction to basic population concepts, issues and data. Age, sex, marital status, religion, social class and other population characteristics will be used to identify groups which differ significantly in their demographic behavior. Includes a review of some contemporary population concerns such as zero population growth, family planning and abortion.
SOCI 354. Social Stratification. 3 credits.
Study of the class, caste and power structure of the American society. Stratification studies will be analyzed and compared.
SOCI 360. Modern Social Movements. 3 credits.
Introduction to the study and analysis of social movements in the United States as agents of social and ideological change. Emphasis is given to movements which have goals of extending and/or protecting rights of individuals and groups in the face of increasing industrialization, urbanization and centralization of power.
SOCI 361. Bureaucracy and Society. 3 credits.
Study of organizations primarily in contemporary society such as corporations, prisons, hospitals, social and government agencies, trade unions, etc., their internal structures and processes, impact on individuals and relation to other social units in society.
*SOCI/ANTH 368. Modern American Culture. 3 credits.
Analysis of American society as reflected in popular cultural forms. Cultural expressions such as music, literature, theater, films and sports will be examined as they reflect the values, quality of contemporary life and social structure of the United States.
SOCI 369. Law and Society. 3 credits.
The history and functions of law as a form of social control; the social forces in the creation and practice of the law. The nature of law as a catalyst for and the product of social change.
SOCI 375. Medical Sociology. 3 credits.
An introduction to the field of medical sociology that examines the salient issues in the field and related theoretical perspectives. These two focuses are important in understanding the ability of humans to live to capacity. Attention is given to health-care programs in developing countries as well as modern industrial societies.
SOCI 377. Lifestyles. 3 credits.
Examination of alternatives to the traditional nuclear family with analysis of relations to other societal institutions and of policy implications.
SOCI 380. Critical Analysis. 3 credits.
An examination of the historical context and current status of the critical paradigm within sociology, including issues involved in critical understanding of and participation in modern society.
SOCI 382. Interpretive Analysis. 3 credits.
A systematic introduction to the interpretive paradigm in sociology, including symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology, phenomenology, existentialism and action theory.
SOCI 384. Naturalistic Analysis. 3 credits.
Study of social life through the traditional paradigm of naturalistic science, including exploration of the role of values in science, the logic of scientific procedure and ethical questions surrounding scientific inquiry.
SOCI/PSYC/KIN 396. Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Sport. 3 credits.
Study of the psychological and sociological implications of sport and the effect of sport on the United States and other cultures.
SOCI/EDUC 412. The Study of the Future: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 3 credits.
Introduces students to a multidisciplinary study of the future. Various topic areas such as population, science/technology, lifestyle, international relations, energy and religion will be explored in terms of future trends and impacts.
SOCI 480. Senior Seminar in Sociology. 3 credits.
The integration of previous class experience the student has had during the undergraduate years. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of the department head.
SOCI 490. Special Studies in Sociology. 1-3 credits
Designed to give capable students in sociology an opportunity to complete independent study under supervision. Prerequisite: Recommendation of the instructor and permission of the department head.
SOCI 492. Sociology Field Practicum. 1-3 credits.
Provides the student with practical experience in employing and refining sociological skills in a public or private agency, under faculty supervision.
SOCI 495. Special Topics in Sociology. 3 credits.
Examination of selected topics which are of current importance in sociology. May be repeated for credit when course content changes.
SOCI 499. Honors. 6 credits. Year course.
Catalog Table of Contents
JMU Home Page
Last reviewed: Sept. 10, 1994
Information Publisher: | https://www.jmu.edu/catalog/94/soci.html |
Welcome to Ziro!
Ziro located at an altitude of 1569m is a nice place to visit in Arunachal Pradesh. It's popular for its mountains, backpacking and trekking. Ziro is visited by most people in the months of September and October. It's somewhat offbeat. You won't find the place crowded.
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Background {#sec1-1}
==========
In the context of the growing interest in the regulation of professional conduct, involving an increasing number of professional categories ([@ref1]), medicine is the profession in which ethical codification dates back furthest and is most intense. The codification of medical ethics presents aspects of particular significance, owing to the moral principles and fundamental rights involved, and the potentially detrimental effect that professional medical activity may have on patients' constitutionally guaranteed values and freedom ([@ref2]). Indeed, although the Code of Medical Deontology (CMD) was originally created with the primary aim of regulating intra-professional conduct and promoting the interests of the medical category, today it largely focuses on the relationship with patients, in the light of the cultural and moral evolution of society and of the ethically sensitive implications of biomedical and biotechnological progress. Thus, in its current form, the CMD is increasingly devoted to disciplining relationships with peoples' private lives, in which legislative intervention is called upon to assume the characteristics of "lightness", "sobriety" and "elasticity" ([@ref3]).
The value and role of the CMD are, however, closely related to its qualification in both the moral-philosophical and legal fields. Is the CDM a medical ethics document or is it just inspired by one? Can it be considered an original source of law or does it simply reflect one? In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to probe the relationships of professional ethics with the ethical and legal dimensions, and to highlight their continuous and complex interweaving.
Discussion {#sec1-2}
==========
Historical evolution and ethical issues {#sec2-1}
---------------------------------------
The term "deontology" was coined by the English utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham ([@ref4]). However, while Bentham referred in general to behaviors that individuals must implement in order to achieve happiness for the greatest number of subjects, the association of deontology to medicine is attribuatable to the French physician Maximilien Simon ([@ref5]).
Medical deontology, as a discipline, studies the behaviors that physicians must observe in their clinical practice. This reflection aims at translating the fundamental principles of medical ethics recognized by the professional category into rules of conduct, thus creating a CMD, a document of self-government that lists physicians' duties and prohibitions, elaborated by professional associations ([@ref6]).
The need to collect and identify the duties to which physicians are called upon to adhere in their profession has ancient roots ([@ref7]). The form of the Physician's Oaths, such as the famous Hippocratic Oath (Vth century BC), can be interpreted as one of the first attempts to do so. In more modern times, a further example is the Physician's Medical Etiquettes (XVIII-XIXth centuries). These, however, are not the result of a representative group of the category, but of individual and authoritative physicians, nor do they envision sanctions: both of these characteristics distinguish, at least in the Italian context, the subsequent Codes of Medical Deontology. In Italy, the first documents classifiable as Codes of Medical Deontology emerged at a provincial level as documents issued by local medical Orders or Chambers, to which physicians voluntarily adhered (late 19th to early 20th century). As a result of the trend toward forming associations in the medical profession, the Codes of Medical Deontology became a sort of "identity document" of the profession, in which physicians recognized and united in their common claim to the exclusivity of their scientific skills and in their attempts to reaffirm and protect their social image, too often tarnished by quacks and charlatans ([@ref8]-[@ref10]). Thus, the Italian CMD, from its first national form (1924) assumed the role of a real political and trade-union manifesto. Following many editions of the text, at present the National Federation of Physicians' and Dentists' Orders (FNOMCeO) approved the current version (2014) ([@ref11], [@ref12]).
These numerous revisions stemmed on the one hand from the need to adapt to innovations in medical science and technology, and on the other hand from the evolution of ethical and juridical thought in the interest not only of professionals themselves, but also of patients ([@ref13]). Thus, in its present form, the CMD embraces a new conception of the care relationship, in which patients acquire a central position and are endowed with a subjective and personal vision of the concepts of health, well-being, illness and care .
Particularly important is the choice of the ethical, deontological or consequentialist theory on which the CMD is founded. While deontological ethics, such as Kant's theory of ethics, is based on the assumption that duties and prohibitions are valid *ex ante*, i.e. *before* the action, regardless of its consequences, the consequentialist theory states that duties and prohibitions apply *ex post*, i.e. *after* the action and its consequences. If the deontological theory is adopted, good physicians are those who, in their intentions, respect the deontological rules, regardless of the actual consequences of their actions. In this case, the virtue of physicians will be testified by their ethical rigor and consistency, and only on the basis of that moral probity will they be judged positively by colleagues and society alike. A Code based on deontological theory will include many articles, in order to regulate the greatest number of situations in which physicians may find themselves. These will be meticulously expounded in the most diverse operational situations, and the behaviors considered appropriate will be specified. This is, for example, the case of the Italian and Spanish Codes of medical deontology. Conversely, if the CMD is based on the consequentialist theory, physicians will be deemed to be "good" according to the direct consequences of their action, regardless of their intentions. The related Code will be synthetic, offering a set of general moral guidelines directing the conscience of physicians', who will then be called upon to implement them in their clinical practice. This is the case of the English Code. From a European perspective aimed at collecting and harmonizing the common ethical rules into a single Code, also in relation to the free movement of physicians and patients across Europe, the consequentialist theory seems to better ensure the ethical pluralism of each single country and the opportunity to articulate the rules of behavior in a situational framework ([@ref14]).
The identification of fundamental ethical principles on which ethical rules are based is, however, a critical element ([@ref15]). The medical community is mostly oriented towards synthesizing these in four fundamental principles that, as is well known, derive from the Anglo-Saxon movement of Principlism and, from a view of protection of human subjects, from the famous "Belmont Report": Principles of Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Justice and Autonomy. The most recent international document to lay out the principles of medical ethics is the Kos Charter (2011); issued by the European Council of Medical Orders (ECMO-CEOM) ([@ref16]), this includes 15 basic principles formulated descriptively. However, these principles of medical ethics, which have been debated at length in the literature, should perhaps be drawn together, in order to highlight specific concepts that have by now assumed an independent connotation within the ethical debate. A proposal of these principles could include the concepts of the dignity, well-being and autonomy of patients, justice, confidentiality and the independence of physicians. Moreover, the most recent reflection concerns the possibility of adding principles regarding the preservation of the environment as a determinant of individual and collective health, and the protection of animal welfare ([@ref17]).
Translating the principles of medical ethics into rules of medical conduct, and hence moving from the principles of medical ethics to the rules of medical deontology, is a complex task ([@ref18]). For example, while the medical profession may theoretically endorse the principles of patients' autonomy or dignity, determining what these actually mean and, above all, how they should be incorporated into clinical practice, can prompt dilemmas and conflicts. Indeed, the subjective aspect that today characterizes the health dimension and the care relationship itself creates a major obstacle to reaching unanimous agreement on the enunciation of broad and undefined concepts underlying the principles of medical ethics. Even from this perspective, the consequentialist theory seems able to better allow a more general (but not generic) Code to be applied in a more opportune and flexible way to individual clinical cases.
The issue of the relationship between medical ethics and medical deontology, not least with regard to the current placement of these topics within the academic medical sphere in Italy ([@ref19]), also exacerbates discussion on the descriptive or normative nature of the CMD. Descriptive medical deontology, on the one hand, detects and describes the most common behaviors of physicians and those that they "believe" or perceive to be correct. Normative medical deontology, on the other hand, scrutinizes those behaviors in terms of their rational justification. That is to say, through the application of some methods of investigation (such as deductivism, inductivism or coherence), it tests whether, from a moral and philosophical perspective, they are really the most correct. In the former case, the CMD will be a descriptive document that only records the most common medical behaviors, without asking too many questions about their intrinsic correctness; the risk here is that these behaviors will be the result of self-referential corporate intentions. In the latter case, the committees responsible for drafting the Code should include experts in ethics and moral philosophy, with the task of coordinating the rational examination of the deontological rules. In this way, these rules can be modified or replaced by others, even if these new rules are not in keeping with the ethical sentiment most widespread in the medical community. In general, it is believed that the Italian CMD, like the other European Codes of medical deontology, has a descriptive character, as it stems almost exclusively from the work of medical members.
In the relationship between ethics and deontology, another critical point is the possible distinction between physicians' professional and private ethics. Does adherence to the deontological rules make a physician a "good" professional or a "good" person? In other words, do the deontological rules apply to physicians when they practice their profession or are they also to be extended to the private sphere? Let us consider the hypothetical case of physicians who comply with the deontological rules governing correct behavior towards patients, but are selfish and overbearing in their private lives. Could they still be considered "good" doctors? If physicians steal from their patients, they certainly are not. If, however, the victim of such conduct is not a patient or a colleague, the doubt arises as to whether the conduct is improper in exquisitely deontological terms. In short, the question is whether the CMD disciplines medical morality by identifying common rules of conduct for all physicians, not only as professionals but also as individuals, or whether it is to be understood as a special institution of the medical community which identifies rules of conduct that are shared because of they *can be* shared by the professional category within the exclusive performance of their activity. As in the case of other intellectual professions, such as those of teachers or judges, it is undoubted that physicians have a moral responsibility for their behavior that transcends their specific professional practice, not least because they can be seen as models for society. However, it seems questionable that such moral responsibility can be discerned in a physician's mere compliance with the specific deontological rules of the CMD. Thus, the Medical Association should also guarantee the behavior of physicians as private citizens, thereby bridging the gap between personal morality and public ethics that is a feature of our modern secular democratic societies. In this respect, perplexity is aroused by the degree of discretionality conferred by the breadth of the clause contained in the third paragraph of Article 1 of the Italian CMD, which extends its scope of application to the behavior of physicians outside their professional practice (particularly when these behaviors impact on professional *decorum*).
A final question is whether the CMD can be regarded as a veritable text of moral philosophy. At present, it probably does not have the necessary features to identify it as such: the ethical theory on which it is grounded is unclear, the debate on the concrete definition of the ethical principles that inspire it seems far from concluded and the discussion of its descriptive or normative nature and of its sphere of application has been insufficient.
The Code of Medical Deontology. Legal aspects {#sec2-2}
---------------------------------------------
The question of deontology has elicited some attention on the part of Italian jurisprudence, prompting a recent debate in the legal literature on the nature and value of the CMD's rules ([@ref20], [@ref21]).
It is particularly significant that Italian statute law does not expressly oblige Medical Associations to draw up a deontological code, much less to discipline this instrument, which (albeit in forms other than the present) has very ancient origins; nor does it assign to the code the value of a legal source. However, despite this lack of regulatory provision, the intrinsic cogency of a deontological code may, albeit indirectly, be deduced from the disciplinary power that is expressly attributed to Medical Associations by a specific source of law ([@ref22]). Indeed, Medical Associations are invested by the law with the power to initiate administrative proceedings in order to guarantee the proper exercise of the profession (and to protect the integrity of the category), which may lead to the imposition of disciplinary sanctions. Indeed, the exercise of disciplinary authority is not only in line with the public nature of the Professional Associations; it also extends to the "indispensable requirements for the protection of the community", whereby professionals are subject to a disciplinary liability regime of the professional community, which is "obligedly constituted and represented by specific orders and colleges subject to state supervision" ([@ref23]). Moreover, the law merely provides general clauses concerning "abuses or shortcomings in the exercise of the profession or (\...) acts prejudicial to professional *decorum*" which indicate possible infringements of the code; it does not specify single behaviors that may fall within the instances outlined by statutory law, and which must be derived from the articles included in the CMD.
The formulation of the Code is, however, an exclusive prerogative of the "sensitivity of the professional class and its organs", and no form of collaboration or intervention by the State is envisioned, either in the elaboration phase or in its subsequent publication, which is left to the FNOMCeO. But is the Medical Association really free to establish its own deontological rules, or does this freedom have limits? If the freedom that is granted to the professional category is seen as full autonomy, the CMD may disregard those evaluations and norms that are adopted by the general legal order, considering them inappropriate to the ethics of the profession. From this point of view, the CMD could be interpreted as a "manifesto" of the professional category, through which it can announce to society its beliefs, even if they are outdated and conflict with statute law, and play a propulsive and innovative role ([@ref24]). That the CMD constantly refers to compliance with the legal system, its "framework", "boundaries" and "procedures", unequivocally reflects the total harmony between the deontological rules and constitutional principles, and the adherence of the current CMD to the dictates of the law. The ability of deontology to affect various aspects of social life has, however, conferred upon the codicist discipline (alongside the traditional function of regulating the profession) a concrete regulatory role within unexplored areas of the law that give rise to thorny issues, such as, in Italy, medically assisted reproduction and, more recently, the so-called "living will" ([@ref25]).
Despite the lack of attention by state law, the increasingly widespread and penetrating role assumed by deontology in organizing social relations and in protecting individual rights raises the question of the nature of deontological rules. The very fact that there is no explicit legislative provision devoted to the CMD, unlike the forensic field ([@ref26]), makes it difficult to discern the relationships between the state and the medical professional, and to place the CMD among the sources of law.
In the doctrine, deontological rules have traditionally been regarded as "extra-jurisdictional rules" or "internal rules for the medical category", and not as norms of the general legal system. In this perspective, the professional and non-statutory source of the CMD's rules excludes their legal nature. In addition, this orientation highlights the fact that the legal system - with few exceptions - neither mandates nor regulates the issuing of deontological rules by professional associations, nor does it in any way equate them to its own sources. By excluding the legal value of deontological rules, this conception also excludes the arbitration of the Supreme Court on their interpretation and correct application within disciplinary proceedings.
From a substantially opposite perspective (27,28), another doctrine argues that deontological rules do have legal value, precisely because they are the product of a professional system that is qualified as a body in the strict sense, recognized by the state, and to which a disciplinary power is legally attributed. It therefore follows that these rules, or at least those that affect the public domain, have an "external" relevance, in that they prescribe duties and rules of conduct for physicians with regard to both the general and supreme protection of patients' health and the integrity of the profession. Regarding this latter aspect, recognition of the external relevance of the CMD can be inferred from the recent decision of the Authority for the Safeguard of Competition, which imposed on the FNOMCeO an administrative sanction (subsequently annulled under the statute of limitations), on the grounds that the CMD restricted competition in advertising among professionals.
In jurisprudence, the new doctrinal guidelines were embraced by Cass S.U. N. 8225/2002, which completely overthrew the traditional approach, defining deontological rules - in that particular instance, forensic rules - as "genuine legal rules binding within the regulation of the category", which "are grounded in the principles established by professional law and by statutory provision (through a state law) of disciplinary proceedings in the event of their violation".
After the alternation of opposing pronouncements, the true turning point was marked by the Supreme Court's judgment no. 26810/20 of December 2007, although this was formulated with specific reference to the deontological code of the National Forensic Council. In this judgment, which drew on the foregoing considerations that the legal provision of disciplinary proceedings has, at least in part, a legal nature, the Supreme Court explicitly recognized the legal nature of the deontological rules, consequently upholding the legitimacy of the Court's intervention, also with regard to the different perspectives that may form in the Professional Association. Indeed, as pointed out by the Supreme Court, the traditional approach would inevitably deprive the Court of its function as guarantor of the uniform interpretation of the law, and thus "does not appear admissible in the presence of a deontological code which may affect - as, for example, in the case of expulsion from the Professional Registry - individual rights based on statutory laws".
This line of argument, albeit developed with reference to the forensic code of deontology, can also be applied to the field of medical deontology, which has the same structural features, particularly with regard to the regulation of disciplinary proceedings in the event of its violation. The above perspective undoubtedly enhances the public's perception of the professional activity of the physician, who is called upon to safeguard the patient's health as a constitutionally protected right, and supersedes the old narrow vision of the protection of corporate interests.
In the field of penal law, the legal relevance of deontological rules, especially those aimed at defining due professional conduct, lies mainly in the use of deontological parameters to assess specific guilt and professional medical liability. Alongside the traditional function of self-regulation, the role of quality control of the service provided is growing, as is the need to provide behavioral criteria that can serve to protect the rights and interests involved in the exercise of the medical profession. In accordance with this position, Italian Presidential Decree n. 137 of 2012 provided a regulation reforming Italian professional associations, with the aim of protecting both individual subjects and society as a whole ([@ref29]). Obviously, the strength of that protective function is closely dependent on whether the deontological rule is deemed legal or non-legal.
In sum, there is no specific legislation that defines the legal nature of deontological codification. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the Italian CMD does not possess provisions that are directly binding on medical practitioners -- provisions that are intended to supplement the general rules laid down by the legal system and to take on an external value in assigning specific professional liability (in both civil and criminal proceedings) to the physician who does not observe them.
Conclusions {#sec1-3}
===========
From an ethical point of view, the choice of the ethical theory underlying the CMD seems, as yet, to be the result of unawareness rather than of a practical philosophical process of identification. Nonetheless, and not least in the face of the increasing legitimacy of humanistic reflection on the medical world, a rigorous debate on the possible theoretical systems of medical ethics in its deontological translation is indispensable. Among the approaches analyzed, consequentialism seems to be the one that can best be harmonized with ethical pluralism and with the distinction between private morality and public ethics. In addition, without surrendering some fixed points and without risking an anarchist drift, medical ethics. Consequently, the CMD requires a strictly secular revision in order to ensure that its ethical principles are capable of reflecting the many nuances of a subjective interpretation of what are perhaps our most precious possessions: life and health. The reasoned development of medical ethics requires both an intellectual investment in the matter and the direct participation of experts in moral philosophy, medical ethics and bioethics in the committees responsible for updating the CMD. Moreover, this participation will stave off the risk that this document may be the mere result of self-regulation in a corporatist sense. In summary, if the CMD is to open up to the outside world, a trend which has already been manifested by its ever-increasing attention to the person as the center of medical activity, a rational analysis of its rules will be necessary. This commitment will be devoted to correcting any descriptive aspects, in order to give this fundamental document the concrete opportunity to stand as a moral normative work.
In the light of the doctrinal and jurisprudential reconstructions outlined above, it also emerges that, although the Italian Code has not been incorporated into legislation, several rulings concerning professional liability have considered these provisions as rules of law with which members of professional associations must comply. It therefore seems that we can detect some inconsistency within a legal system that does not take into account the CMD at the legislative level, either in terms of its value or with regard to its regulatory process, but which then attributes to the violation of its rules a significant importance only in terms of professional responsibility. Finally, one of the greatest weaknesses of the Italian deontological dimension is seen in its disciplinary proceedings. Indeed, on the one hand, deontological regulation has significantly evolved to protect the patient's fundamental rights, thereby opening up to a dimension that is no longer tied only to the interests of the professional category; on the other hand, however, the disciplinary procedure still remains, in its essential lines, in the 1950s, its structure being firmly anchored to the corporatist dimension. In addition, there is a possible contradiction between the CMD's significant protection of fundamental rights and a level of effectiveness of the disciplinary instrument that may not be adequate.
Authors' contributions {#sec1-4}
======================
Sara Patuzzo conceived the study and wrote the historical and ethical analysis. Francesco De Stefano wrote the legal analysis. Rosagemma Ciliberti coordinated the study.
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Kaela Vance is a mental health counselor who has been invited to present to Dublin City Schools' counselors next week on strategies to help students experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and/or trauma. As a seasoned professional in the field, Kaela will be sharing valuable insights and practical tips that the counselors can use to support their students' mental health and wellbeing.
One of the first things Kaela will address is the importance of recognizing the signs of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma in students. She will provide the counselors with a list of common symptoms that they can look out for, such as changes in behavior, appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. By being able to identify these warning signs, the counselors will be better equipped to intervene early and provide support before the student's mental health worsens.
Another key point that Kaela will emphasize is the need for a multi-faceted approach to supporting students experiencing mental health challenges. This may involve a combination of individual counseling sessions, group therapy, psychoeducation, and referrals to outside resources, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or community mental health services. Kaela will highlight the importance of tailoring the approach to each student's unique needs and circumstances, and of involving parents and teachers in the process as appropriate.
Kaela will also provide the counselors with specific strategies and techniques that they can use to help students manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. For example, she may suggest mindfulness exercises, deep breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques such as reframing negative thoughts or problem-solving skills. She may also recommend specific resources, such as online support groups, apps, or podcasts, that students can access on their own time.
In addition to these practical strategies, Kaela will stress the importance of creating a safe and supportive school environment for all students, regardless of their mental health status. She will encourage the counselors to foster a culture of empathy, inclusivity, and understanding, and to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to create a positive and welcoming school climate. By creating a sense of belonging and support, students may be more likely to feel comfortable seeking help when they need it.
Finally, Kaela will provide the counselors with some guidance on self-care, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their own mental health and wellbeing in order to better support their students. She may suggest strategies such as regular exercise, healthy eating habits, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices. She may also encourage the counselors to seek out their own counseling or support as needed, and to develop a network of colleagues or peers who can offer emotional support and guidance.
If other school counselors are looking for assistance and resources on how to recognize and address signs of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma in students, they can reach out to my office for support. I offer workshops that can provide valuable information and strategies to help school counselors and educators identify the signs of emotional and psychological difficulties in students, as well as effective interventions and resources to support them. By providing this workshop, my goal is to empower school counselors and educators to better understand and respond to the needs of their students, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes and overall well-being. Call 614-647-HELP to schedule a short phone consult to see how we can collaborate! | https://www.kaelaraevance.com/post/empowering-school-counselors-strategies-for-supporting-students-mental-health-and-wellbeing |
The Feed Your Family Tonight system for planning meals is built on one important concept: weeknight dinners are about time management.
This is the heart of my 3-step process, which is the first thing I teach about meal planning. I call it my weeknight dinner public service announcement or PSA:
P – Plan and prep
When you use my weekly meal plan sheet, you start by looking at your schedule for the week. You write in activities and time commitments so you can see what each day will look like. Based on this schedule, you decide what time dinner will be each night. And even though you have a great strategy for the week, you need to have a few quick meal ideas for the days that don’t go as planned.
As I put this system into practice, I find myself categorizing recipes by how much time they require. These categories are not about ingredients, so they can organize any type of diet. In Episode 131, I identified six types of recipes:
- Long Prep Project Cooking
- Long Prep Bulk or Freezer Prep
- Short Prep Long Hands Off Cooking
- Short Prep Moderate Hands On Cooking
- Short Prep and Short Hands Off Cooking
- Freezer Revival Meals
Weeknight dinners are much more about time management than they are about recipes. Often people think having the right recipes are the key to successful dinners, but if you don’t factor in time, even the best recipe is not going to help you. Be honest with yourself about your time and choose meals that work with your schedule.
Spend some time this week thinking about how your favorite recipes fit into these six categories and how much time you usually have for cooking during the week. I’d love for you to share your thoughts over in the Feed Your Family Tonight Facebook group. Join me there or on Instagram at FeedYourFamilyTonight.
You can find a transcript here. | https://feedyourfamilytonight.com/episode-137-weeknight-dinner-is-about-time-management/ |
The present invention relates to methods, devices, and systems for unobtrusive user recognition and user authentication of mobile devices.
User authentication is an important component for providing secure access to a computerized system. Authentication allows a computerized system to know who the user is and to determine that the user is not impersonating the identity of an authorized user. Typically, passwords have been used to implement authentication of users to computerized systems, though other methods including biometric identification, one time tokens and digital signatures are also used.
A common drawback to such methods is that they are obtrusive to the user, requiring the user to remember and enter a sequence of characters, interact with a biometric device or be in possession of a device that generates one-time tokens each time that he wishes to access the computerized system.
In order to prevent secure information from being compromised by brute force attacks and searches, secure passwords need to be long, difficult to guess and frequently generated a fresh. These aspects of maintaining protection increase the intrusive and cumbersome nature of passwords.
A mobile device is typically accessed multiple times daily and typically requires spontaneous and immediate access. The intrusive nature of current authentication techniques impedes their adoption on mobile devices, forcing users to forgo security in favor of usability. Currently available authentication methods have a low adoption rate among users of mobile devices as their obtrusive nature is not suited to the frequent and immediate usage patterns mandated by mobile device usage.
It would be desirable to have an unobtrusive method for authenticating a user to a mobile device that can also be exploited to provide authentication for accessing other computerized systems, performing secure payments or for unlocking physical barriers.
Modern mobile devices are equipped with multiple sensors which can be used for tracking Human Computer Interface (HCI) behavior patterns.
Prior art has suggested the use of various user behavior metrics generated by keyboard, mouse or haptic events to identify and authenticate authorized users to a computer terminal or network. In a paper titled “Direct and Indirect Human Computer Interaction Based Biometrics”, Yampolskiy et al. (journal of Computers (JCP), Vol. 2(10), 2007, pp. 76-88) surveys the state of the art in direct and indirect human computer interaction based biometrics. Yampolskiy distinguishes between “Direct HCI biometrics” based on abilities, style, preference, knowledge, or strategy used by people while working with a computer and “indirect HCI-based biometrics” based on events that can be obtained by monitoring a user's HCI behavior indirectly via observable low-level actions of computer software.
Behavioral traits such as, voice, gait and keystroke have been suggested in the prior art for user identification. Although these behavioral traits can be used unobtrusively, there currently does not exist an economical and accurate method of user authentication using such traits.
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Reliable user authentication is becoming an increasingly important task in the Web-enabled world. The consequences of an insecure authentication system in a corporate or enterprise environment can be catastrophic, and may include loss of confidential information, denial of service, and compromised data integrity.
The value of reliable user authentication is not limited to just computer or network access. Many other applications in everyday life also require user authentication, such as banking, e- commerce, and physical access control to computer resources, and could benefit from enhanced security.
The prevailing techniques of user authentication, which involve the use of either passwords and user IDs (identifiers), or identification cards and PINs (personal identification numbers), suffer from several limitations. Passwords and PINs can be illicitly acquired by direct covert observation. Once an intruder acquires the user ID and the password, the intruder has total access to the user's resources.
In addition, there is no way to positively link the usage of the system or service to the actual user, that is, there isno protection against repudiation by the user ID owner. For example, when a user ID and password is shared with a colleague there is no way for the system to know who the actual user is. A similar situation arises when a transaction involving a credit card number is conducted on the Web. Even though the data are sent over the Web using secure encryption methods, current systems are not capable of assuring that the rightful owner of the credit card initiated the transaction.
In the modern distributed systems environment, the traditional authentication policy based on a simple combination of user ID and password has become inadequate. Fortunately, automated biometrics in general, and fingerprint technology in particular, can provide a much more accurate and reliable user authentication method. Biometrics is a rapidly advancing field that is concerned with identifying a person based on his or her physiological or behavioral characteristics.
Examples of automated biometrics include fingerprint, face, iris, and speech recognition. User authentication methods can be broadly classified into three categories as shown in Table 1.1. Because a biometric property is an intrinsic property of an individual, it is difficult to surreptitiously duplicate and nearly impossible to share. Additionally, a biometric property of an individual can be lost only in case of serious accident.
Biometric readings, which range from several hundred bytes to over a megabyte, have the advantage that their information content is usually higher than that of a password or a pass phrase. Simply extending the length of passwords to get equivalent bit strength presents significant usability problems. It is nearly impossible to remember a 2K phrase, and it would take an annoyingly long time to type such a phrase (especially without errors). Fortunately, automated biometrics can provide the security advantages of long passwords while retaining the speed and characteristic simplicity of short passwords.
Even though automated biometrics can help alleviate the problems associated with the existing methods of user authentication, hackers will still find there are weak points in the system, vulnerable to attack. Password systems are prone to brute force dictionary attacks. Biometric systems, on the other hand, require substantially more effort for mounting such an attack. Yet there are several new types of attacks possible in the biometrics domain.
This may not apply if biometrics is used as a supervised authentication tool. But in remote, unattended applications, such as Web-based e-commerce applications, hackers may have the opportunity and enough time to make several attempts, or even physically violate the integrity of a remote client, before detection. | https://www.seminarsonly.com/IT/Biometrics%20Based%20Authentication%20Problem.php |
When people define teamwork, they usually describe a group of people working efficiently and effectively towards a common goal. The term itself has no negative connotations — bad teamwork is simply a lack of teamwork.
However you define teamwork, there’s little doubt working as a team in the workplace is advantageous. Teamwork is key to the culture at EDAM, its woven into the way we operate and #oneteam is one of our core values and all our people are measured against these values as part of our GTi (Grow, Thrive, improve) appraisal programme. It’s should be key to any organisation because it brings multiple benefits, including:
- Increased Creativity
Teamwork brings together people with diverse experiences, skills, and work histories, creating the perfect environment for generating ideas and creative problem-solving. When employees work alone, there’s always the risk they’ll fall into established routines, stagnating rather than moving forward. Teamwork encourages employees to share experiences and learn from each other.
- More Enthusiasm
Collaboration builds excitement for a project, as members of a team feed off each other’s enthusiasm. It’s difficult to remain unengaged when your teammates are excited about a project. Positive attitudes are infectious.
- Complementary Skills
Being able to access other people’s skill sets is one of the great benefits of teamwork. You may shine in the area of conceptual thinking, while another team member may be the planning guru, and another thrives when giving presentations. Working with each other’s strengths makes your team more effective than when you work alone.
- Trust Building
Trust naturally develops when team members rely on each other. Increased trust builds and strengthens working relationships, creating an environment in which people can open up about concerns, offer new ideas, and encourage each other. A culture of trust drives productivity, as each person can focus on their own role in a project confident their teammates are fulfilling their obligations.
- Conflict Resolution
Part of the importance of teamwork is the fostering of healthy conflict resolution skills.
Working as a team doesn’t mean never having a disagreement — far from it. Team members may disagree regularly. A strong team, however, can disagree respectfully, listening to each other’s concerns and working together toward a mutually agreeable solution.
- Employee Ownership
Working towards a team goal gives employees a sense of accomplishment and ownership of their role in the team’s success. Your people will feel connected to their teams, and by extension, to the company as a whole. This sense of ownership encourages greater job satisfaction, company loyalty, and higher retention rates.
- Willingness to Take Risks
Team members who work alone are understandably concerned about taking risks: if an idea implodes, they take all the blame. This reticence could prevent your people from sharing potentially ground-breaking ideas.
A team shares its successes and failures. Any praise or blame is spread out among team members. This sense of a shared goal increases internal communication while giving employees a safe space in which to promote out-of-the-box thinking.
- Teams Attract Talent
Over the next decade, millennials and Gen-Z employees will make up the majority of the workplace. A generation known to value collaboration over competition, millennials understand and value the importance of teamwork and are attracted to companies that build teamwork into their corporate cultures. At EDAM, we know that by focusing on teamwork now we will attract new talent in the future. | https://edamgroup.co.uk/news/teamwork-makes-the-dream-work/ |
What is V LxWxH?
embed_code=1. Use multiplication (V = l x w x h) to seek out the amount of a solid figure. In this lesson you are going to find the volume of a forged determine by multiplying dimensions and connecting this to the volume formulation. Created through Jacqueline Cooke.
What is the method for LxWxH?
Multiply the length (L) occasions the width (W) instances the height (H). The method looks like this: LxWxH For this example, to calculate the quantity of the thing the formula can be 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 cubic inches.
What comes first duration or width?
The Graphics’ industry usual is width by height (width x top). Meaning that when you write your measurements, you write them out of your perspective, beginning with the width. That’s important. When you give us instructions to create an 8×Four foot banner, we’ll design a banner for you that is extensive, no longer tall.
How do you calculate Lwh?
Units of Measure
- Volume = length x width x height.
- You simplest wish to know one side to determine the amount of a dice.
- The devices of measure for quantity are cubic devices.
- Volume is in three-dimensions.
- You can multiply the perimeters in any order.
- Which side you call length, width, or height doesn’t matter.
Is duration a peak?
Difference between length and height is very exact, as duration denotes how lengthy shape is and height denotes how tall it is. Length is the horizontal dimension in a airplane whereas top is the vertical dimension.
Which is bigger duration or top?
Height refers to how tall an object is whilst duration is how long. Height can also seek advice from how top up an object is with respect to the ground degree. 3. Length is usually considered because the longest facet or line of an object in particular amongst rectangle-shaped objects.
What is distinction between length and width?
Length refers to the distance between two ends of an object. Width refers back to the measuring the breadth or how large the item is. Length may also be measured in geometry via considering the most important aspect of the thing.
Which is larger duration or width?
1. Length is describing how long something is whilst width is describing how large an object is. 2.In geometry, length relates to the longest aspect of the rectangle while width is the shorter aspect.
Is duration all the time the longest?
Length is in most cases the longer of the rest dimensions, but exceptions exist. Sometimes the phrase “period” isn’t used at all. Some exceptions: If subject matter is offered or lower from a roll, the width is all the time the width of the roll and length is whatever piece you chop, whether or not better or smaller than width.
Is width and height the similar?
Length, width, and peak are measurements that let us to signify the amount of geometric bodies. The length (20 cm) and the width (10 cm) correspond to the horizontal measurement. On the other hand, the height (15 cm) refers back to the vertical measurement.
What is the duration in a rectangular prism?
A rectangular prism is a 3-d figure with 6 oblong faces. To to find the amount of an oblong prism, multiply its Three dimensions: length x width x top. The volume is expressed in cubic units.
What is the peak of a rectangular prism?
The components for the quantity of an oblong prism is given as: Volume of a rectangular prism = (duration x width x height) cubic gadgets. Let’s check out the formula through working out a few example problems. The period, width, and peak of a rectangular prism are 15 cm, 10 cm, and 5 cm, respectively.
How do you in finding the height of a cone with out the amount?
Square the radius, then divide the radius squared to three times the volume. In this case, the radius 2. The sq. is 2 4, and three hundred divided by way of Four 75. To calculate the peak of the cone, divide the height of the cone into the columns 2 and 3.
How do you in finding the width and quantity of a rectangular prism?
Let’s have a look at the oblong prism quantity formula: volume = h * w * l the place h is prism height, w is its width and l its duration….Right rectangular prism calc – to find V
- Find the field period.
- Determine its width.
- Find out the rectangular prism top.
- Calculate the cuboid volume.
What is the peak of a triangular prism?
Height of a Triangular Prism Formula in Terms of Volume Finds the peak of a triangular prism by solving the Volume Formula for peak. Height, h, is calculated from quantity, V, and side lengths a, b and c. h=4V√(a+b+c)(b+c−a)(c+a−b)(a+b−c) h=4V÷[√(c+a−b)(a+b−c)×√(a+b+c)(b+c−a)]
How do you find the peak of a base?
Plug your values into the equation A=1/2bh and do the math. First multiply the base (b) by 1/2, then divide the realm (A) via the product. The ensuing value would be the height of your triangle!
How do you find the realm of a triangular prism without top?
If you don’t know the height of the triangle, you’ll additionally calculate the world using the length of the triangle’s 3 aspects. You best need to to find the realm of one base, because the two bases of a prism are congruent, and can subsequently have the similar house.
What is the overall surface house of a rectangular prism?
The surface house of a rectangular prism calculator offers us the solution: A = 2 * l * w + 2 * l * h + 2 * w * h = 2 * Eight feet * 6 feet + 2 * 8 toes * 5 ft + 2 * 6 ft * Five toes = 236 ft² . But that is the skin area of all the prism, and we don’t want to tile it throughout. | https://www.paynut.org/what-is-v-lxwxh/ |
Michael Jordan is an all around Renaissance man. Following a lucrative and highly successful career as a basketball player for the Chicago Bulls, he became an entrepreneur, celebrity, style icon, role model, and, in 2010, owner of the Charlotte Hornets. During the 1980s and 1990s, Michael Jordan took the basketball world by storm, gaining popularity and the nickname “Air Jordan” for his unique ability to leap far distances and slam dunk on a regular basis.
Born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York, Michael Jordan was a middle child with four siblings. His mother was a banker and his father was an equipment supervisor. In the late 1960s, his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. It was at Emsley A. Laney High School that Michael Jordan found his passion for sports. In college, he majored in Cultural Geography and was offered a scholarship to play basketball in North Carolina.
Michael Jordan Body Measurements
Michael Jordan has gone through a number of physical changes in his life. As a sophomore in high school, he thought that he might not be able to play basketball successfully because he stood at only five feet and eleven inches. However, he went through a massive growth spurt during his junior year, gaining another four inches of height. Michael continued to grow over the course of his senior year of high school and ultimately achieved an overall height of six feet and six inches and a shoe size of U.S. thirteen. Michael has always trained hard and kept lean muscle. His limbs are long, and his overall body type is ectomorphic, suggesting he is prone to grow sinuous muscles with ease due to his naturally robust metabolism. In spite of numerous injuries throughout his career, Michael continues to maintain a fit and active physique. In the prime of his basketball career, Michael maintained a weight of 205 pounds. In his rookie days, Michael started off at a weight of 195 pounds, and by his comeback in the early 2000s with the Washington Wizards, he carried a weight of 223 pounds. These days, at age 52, retired from professional sports and working full-time as an entrepreneur and owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael weighs in at 216 pounds.
Measurement Summary:
Body Shape: Inverted Triangle (T Shape)
Body Type: Ectomorph
Build: Athletic
Height: 6 ft. 6 inches
Weight: 216 lbs.Shoulders: 20 inches
Chest: 44 inches
Hips Size: 36 inches
Waist Size: 36 inches
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black/Bald
Shoe Size: US 13, UK12
Fun Interesting Facts
– Over the course of his career, Michael Jordan received a variety of nicknames including MJ, Sir Air, His Airness, Money, and Air Jordan. However, Air Jordan was the nickname that became widely popular during the mid-1990s and, eventually, led to the production of a personalized line of basketball shoes by the same name. So many of Michael’s nicknames have the word “air” in them because he was known for his ability to leap high into the air and far across the basketball court thanks, largely, to his unusually long arms and legs.
– In 1996, Michael Jordan starred in Warner Brothers’ popular film “Space Jam”, a story about Looney Tunes characters who aspire to basketball stardom. | http://heightandweights.com/michael-jordan/ |
The State’s ‘Namma Toilet’ model shows public involvement is crucial in building user-friendly sanitation facilities
In December 2011, the Government of Tamil Nadu declared that it would take steps to provide safe sanitation to all its residents by 2015. This ambitious goal led to sanitation being recognised as a priority “State” issue. In pursuit of improving sanitation services, a multidisciplinary team was formed to look into various aspects of urban sanitation. The lessons learnt in the early stages of this exercise can help in better planning and implementation of sanitation services in other States as well.
Observations from field visits indicated that while sanitation facilities were insufficient, a bigger problem was the condition of existing facilities. Public and community toilets could have been designed better. Problems such as unplanned spaces, selection of construction material, leaking taps, broken toilet pans, inaccessible toilets, lack of ventilation, clogged networks and insufficient water and electricity, figured prominently. Most facilities were found to be unfit for use by the dependent population like children, the elderly and the differently-abled. It was clear that the expansion of facilities could not take place with the existing design of toilets.
Overcoming resistance
However, the striking observation during these visits was the lack of public responsibility towards existing sanitation facilities. After several public meetings, it was apparent that sanitation problems were further complicated by disunited communities, vandalism of public utilities, and lack of public ownership. Communities were divided when it came to deciding a location for public toilets. Families with toilets at home resisted the construction of community toilets, even if the majority in their locality did not have access to toilets at home. Once built, the facilities were subjected to vandalism and theft of fittings and fixtures. While residents kept the toilets within their household clean, the responsibility to take care of public utilities as their own was completely missing. This behaviour suggested that the current facilities did not meet user needs, leading to frustration among users and abandonment or misuse of these facilities.
Reflecting on these findings, a decision was taken to change the overall look and feel of city toilets. In order to encourage usage and ownership, it was recognised that the toilet facility had to meet people’s needs and aspirations. A collective effort was required to create a user-friendly, universal design, which would cater to the needs of all kinds of users — men and women, children, the elderly, and residents with special needs.
A redesign
As a first step, a study of cultural appropriateness in Tamil Nadu was undertaken by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. The study highlighted preferences of urban residents and also shed light on how existing designs have failed to meet user needs. This was followed by six months of brainstorming sessions with a team of sanitation experts, architects, industrial designers, branding and communication specialists, and material experts.
The result was a universal toilet, where every element was designed keeping in mind the user. It was named “Namma Toilet” to inculcate a feeling of ownership and pride in users. “Namma Toilets” are prefabricated modular stalls and can be assembled at the site within a short period. Based on local needs and availability of space, the toilet can be put up as a standalone unit shared by a family, assembled together to form a row of toilets serving a group of families or the floating population, and even an entire complex for the community. The toilets have louvres on all four sides and a sunroof to allow for optimal ventilation, natural light and a feeling of openness without compromising user privacy. The fittings and fixtures are vandal resistant, durable and user-friendly. Each toilet stall is powered by a solar panel installed on the roof. During the day, the toilets get sunlight while the solar panels charge the battery, and when it is dark, the stalls are lit with motion sensor lighting. Most importantly, the toilet stalls do not have sharp corners that often accumulate dust and dirt. The interiors are seamless and can be easily cleaned with the help of a water jet. For treating the waste water, it has been proposed to provide a range of options to suit site specific conditions. The usage of recycled flush water is also being emphasised.
Pilot project
After design validation by IIT Bombay’s Industrial Design Centre, the first set was installed at the Tambaram bus station, Chennai, as a pilot in February 2013. The three free-to-use toilets stalls installed at the site get an average of 600-700 users daily. In addition to the unique design of these toilets, their success has also depended on the involvement of the local municipality and toilet caretakers. Communication has played a key role as well. Before the formal opening, a public meeting with the local self-help groups (SHG) was held to familiarise them with the features of these new toilets. Post-inauguration, a walk was organised with the SHGs to the toilet stalls to gather user inputs. Alterations to the design take place periodically based on user inputs.
“Namma Toilets” will be provided on a need-based approach after consultation with the local stakeholders. Community-based organisations will be encouraged to create their own “Namma Toilets” through locally available materials. The success will, however, depend on the collective effort of authorities as well as communities who will have to eventually own these toilets.
At a time when several efforts to improve sanitation are not yielding the desired results, it is imperative for States to adopt a bottom-up approach, particularly in lower income pockets. An equal emphasis on hardware and user awareness is needed in the planning stages. In each location where a new toilet is planned, solutions will have to be customised keeping in mind local conditions, needs and preferences. Most importantly, the effort has to be collective, involving everyone who has a stake in improving access to sanitation services.
(Somya Sethuraman is the sanitation specialist for the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, Government of Tamil Nadu. The opinions expressed are personal. E-mail: [email protected] )
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Faced with a trend of rising street violence in their neighborhood, residents and local business owners around 16th Street and Bethany Home Road in Central Phoenix sought ways to make their community safer through a more vibrant public streetscape. Shared spaces in the public realm like street furniture—typically mundane, utilitarian elements—could be reimagined to inspire the community through public art.
Using the modest budget provided by a city neighborhood grant program, Jones Studio worked with community leaders as well as the City of Phoenix’s Public Transit and Neighborhood Services departments, the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Federal Highway Administration to create bus shelters integrated with patterns tied to the neighborhood’s history. Through this focus on community identity and placemaking, the new streetscape instills a sense of communal ownership of the public realm.
The design draws inspiration from the geometric patterns of the neighborhood’s unique mid-century modern homes. These diverse, iconic patterns—seen in fashion, textiles, and industrial design of the era—found their way into the neighborhood through the homes designed by local architect Ralph Haver and his contemporaries of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
These patterns were morphed, layered, and reinterpreted into a new set of patterns wrapping the bus shelters to have an immediate visual impact. Painted a vibrant blue, the shelters are instantly recognizable to transit riders and a point of pride for neighborhood residents and local businesses, with symbolism rooted in the history of their place.
From dawn to dusk, the bus shelters and street furniture are animated by the changing light of the day. Light shimmers softly through the layered patterns while sheltering users from the desert sun. They cast the shadow of the compiled patterns across the sidewalks and streets, weaving together the streetscape of the neighborhood with the iconography of its history. | https://jonesstudioinc.com/project/sew-cial-16th-street-bethany-home-road-public-art-bus-shelters/ |
What is historical truth example
The word “truth” is false in the historical sense because all “truth” is a matter of perception and personal bias, and the truth is so untouchable that historical truth cannot be taken literally. The most poignant example of this, in my opinion, is the myth of Anne Boleyns sixth finger.
What is historical truth and historical facts
A historical fact is a fact about the past that answers the question, “What happened?” However, historians go further than simply listing the events in chronological order to try to understand why they occurred, what factors contributed to their cause, what effects they had afterward, and how they were perceived.
What is a historical interpretation
The process by which we describe, examine, assess, and develop an explanation of past events is known as historical interpretation. We base our interpretation on primary [firsthand] and secondary [scholarly] historical sources.
Does truth exist in history
Truth exists on a spectrum, according to Jenkins and other like-minded historians, and there is no TRUTH in history, only perspective, movement, and numerous positions of power and interpretation.
What makes history a valid source of the truth
In order to interpret existing written texts historically validly, historians use tools and methods created by professional historians as well as contextual analysis of the texts in relation to other texts.
Are there historical facts in the Bible
There have been thousands of archaeological finds over the past century that support every book of the Bible, showing that the Bible is historically accurate down to the smallest of details.
Is history not the same as truth
An examination of two radically different historians, the Roman Tacitus and the Byzantine Procopius, demonstrates the complexity and challenge inherent in the study of the past. History is not simply what-really-happened-in-the-past, but a complex intersection of truths, bias, and hopes.
What is a scientific truth
A Definition of Scientific Truth Certain religious truths are held to be true regardless of the circumstances. However, scientific truths are based on precise observations of physical reality and can be verified through observation.
How is history verified
Historians, of course, cross-check certain claims with contemporary sources, including archaeological evidence, and then proceed to create their account of the concerned historic event, just as scientists use the scientific method to prove or refute scientific theories and hypotheses.
Why is internal criticism important
Because many writers will not have sufficient knowledge of the given situation, and some will write on the situation with motivation or prejudice, internal criticism is used to assess the credibility of the document and determine whether the contents are believable or not.
How do historians determine the truth about past events
Historical evidence is not always straightforward, and sometimes what historians believed to be true turns out to be false. Historians use evidence from primary and secondary sources, oral histories, and other sources to answer their questions.
What is meant by historical method
A topic is first considered in terms of its earliest stages, and then it is followed historically through its subsequent evolution and development. This technique is known as the historical method, and it can be used to present information (as in teaching or criticism).
Is there absolute truth in history
In a nutshell, history is made by people, and if this has any meaning, it must allude to the idea that there is no such thing as an unquestionable fact.
Is truth the goal of all historical inquiry
Inquiry aims not just for more truth, but for significant or important truth. is superficially similar, which takes as a premise that some truths are not worth knowing at all. is not the goal of inquiry, and not the only thing of epistemic value.
What is history and why it is important to study our history
Learning from the past not only helps us understand who we are and how we came to be, but it also helps us avoid mistakes and forge better paths for our societies. Studying history helps us understand how historical events shaped things the way they are today.
What is the meaning of historical truth
According to Sigmund Freud, historical truth is a fragment of the subjects lived experience that can only be found through construction work.
What is the difference between facts and truth
Truth is different from fact; it may include fact, but it can also include belief. A fact is something that is undeniable, supported by empirical research and quantifiable measures, or it may be something that unquestionably happened in the past. Facts are proven through calculation and experience. Truth is also something that may include theories.
What is an example of a historical fact
Historical facts include: The Union won the Civil War; Flappers were popular in the 1920s; the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand precipitated the outbreak of World War I. | https://shotsbypriiincesss.com/qa/what-is-a-historical-truth.html |
The importance of languages and the communication in different languages has increased drastically in the XXI century, due to globalization and companies starting to operate in different markets worldwide. Nowadays, we are able to communicate effectively with people from other countries by using English or even other languages. But sometimes we meet difficulties to properly understand each other, simply because of different meanings in our native language. So, how does language shape the way we see the world? The linguistic area got revolutionized by Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf with the introduction of the theory of linguistic relativism. Based on a comparative study of the American Indian language from the tribe Hopi and Indo-European languages, many differences between them were noticed. Thus, according to the Sapir-Whorf-theory, language is more than just a communication tool — it determines our perception of reality and influences our behavior.
That puts a lot of emphasis on the power of language and culture. To some experts, language is considered a technology , perhaps the most powerful one of all. Eminent explainer of Zen Alan Watts said that in our culture, we often mistake words for the phenomenon they represent. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society. For centuries, linguists have more or less been split into two camps on the subject. One argues that language shapes thought , while the other claims that it is impossible for language to do so.
Does an English speaker perceive reality differently from say, a Swahili speaker? Does language shape our thoughts and change the way we.
how long is the play wicked in seattle
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Does an English speaker perceive reality differently from say, a Swahili speaker? Does language shape our thoughts and change the way we think? The idea that the words, grammar, and metaphors we use result in our differing perceptions of experiences have long been a point of contention for linguists. But just how much impact language has on the way we think is challenging to determine, says Betty Birner, a professor of linguistics and cognitive science at Northern Illinois University. Other factors, like culture, meaning the traditions and habits we pick up from those around us, also shape the way we talk, the things we talk about, and hence, changes the way we think or even how we remember things. Would having a word for light blue and another for dark blue lead Russian speakers to think of the two as different colors?
Embedded in the realist, positivist and some but not all social sciences is the idea that language merely reflects an objective reality. Critical theorists, in a variety of fields, have argued the opposite. That our language actively shapes our reality and there is no objective reality which exists independent of language. For instance, that explosive diarrhea may be a psychosomatic reaction to your racist conceptions of Mexican food. John Mearsheimer, in a criticism of the language-makes-reality tradition in international relations , argued :.
for
2 thoughts on “Perception Quotes (1340 quotes)”
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Depending on your interpretation of this statement, you could say that our comprehension of a situation is inextricably linked with language, or that limits on thought are drawn by our mother tongue and the way in which we therefore perceive the world around us.
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It seems like a clip out of the Matrix. | https://upprevention.org/and/3514-language-and-perception-of-reality-532-112.php |
Archive : Month
When you have to make a decision about something, how do you think and react to that particular situation? Do you take the time to analyze why you made that exact decision afterwards? Are you a quick decision maker and do not take the time to think things through carefully and then wish you had? I have always found that making decisions based on emotions is not a good way to approach problems. One of the things most people are guilty of is having difficulty understanding how to solve their own problems.
The truth is all decisions have consequences, whether good or bad, but how you think, react, solve your problems, and make decisions is what transcends into a more positive outcome. With that said, a good plan to help you make better decisions in life is learn to play chess. There are three main reasons why playing chess is so important in making better decisions. First, chess requires you to utilize particular cognitive skills, which specifically relate to thinking, analyzing and planning. Second, chess provides the foundation in which to focus, memorize, recognize patterns and learn to strategize your next moves. Third, chess teaches you to learn from making mistakes or making wrong moves, yet learning to lose with grace and dignity.
If we compare playing chess and making decisions in life, those same skills you utilize in playing chess are exactly the same skills you use in everyday activities. Chess emphatically helps you to develop your analytical reasoning, critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. For instance, when you have a problem and you need to make a decision, you should first:
Analyze your opponent’s move (Note: An opponent can be a person or thing.)
Think about what your opponent is threatening
Consider if this threat is important to you
Consider what options you have in making your next move
Anticipate your opponent’s next move after your move
Consider if the move or decision you are about to make will benefit you
The key in making better decisions and solving your problems is to prepare for unexpected situations and develop your cognitive skills by playing chess. Recognizing the problem at hand and identifying an element of change, weighing your options, and then making your best decision to make your next move is what matters the most.
Learning to think, react, and make better decisions in life takes practice – just like in playing chess. Practice helps you to stay focused and keep your intellectual weaponry sharp. The bottom line is sometimes we make good decisions and sometimes we make bad ones, but that is acceptable. Nothing or no one is perfect. Just learn from your mistakes and then move on from there! – Wendy Oliveras
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) has increasingly become a very popular therapeutic model, and for good reason: it has proven effective at addressing the root causes of particular issues, and in developing strategies to deal with those issues as they arise in the future.
CBT is, in the most basic terms, a form of “talk therapy;” that is, a method whereby an individual works through challenges and problems verbally with the help of a therapist. It was initially developed as a method of addressing depression, but has since been taken up to deal with other mental health conditions.
The fundamental idea behind CBT is quite simple, and one that most people would likely agree with: our thoughts and perceptions strongly influence our behavior. Change thoughts and perceptions, and you change behavior.
In undergoing CBT, an individual works with their therapist to identify patterns of thought that may be linked with harmful, destructive, or otherwise negative behaviors. They work out what the source of those patterns might be, and whether or not they represent an accurate depiction of reality. If they do not, the therapist then works together with the individual to bring those patterns in line with reality.
The idea here is that the harmful states of mind associated with conditions like depression and anxiety do not reflect reality, but are a kind of cognitive distortion of reality. When we proceed to make decisions and take actions based on this distorted version of reality, we are not acting in our best interest.
An enormous amount of research has gone into developing the theory and method of CBT, and it has proven effective against numerous mental health conditions, particularly depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
That is because these conditions involve cycles of negative and self-destructive thinking that result from distorted perceptions or evaluations of ourselves and the world around us.
We can see this even from a relatively banal example like studying for an important test. How we study for that test, and how we perform while actually taking it, are directly informed by the patterns of thought we develop surrounding the test and ourselves in relation to it. If we convince ourselves that we are stupid, that no amount of studying will allow us to pass, we may put off studying altogether. If we become overly anxious about the test, we may study haphazardly and ineffectively.
Of course, both of these are likely to result in precisely the result that we were afraid of: failing the test. In a very concrete way, developing negative patterns of thought about the test resulted in negative outcomes. If we’d developed positive and healthy thinking that reflected the reality of the situation — which, in this case, is that a good study plan and putting the time in are likely to result in a good grade — our behavior would have shifted to reflect that.
Easier said than done, of course, especially for those with conditions like depression and anxiety. That’s where CBT comes in; not only can a therapist help the individual to identify the problematic patterns of thought that are leading to negative or destructive behaviors, but they can help develop the individual’s ability to do so in the future.
CBT Therapy serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Oxnard and Ventura areas. | https://www.lorikansteinerlmft.com/services/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/ |
Before beginning therapy, we conduct a thorough assessment of your goals and values, as well as your history and the current difficulties you are encountering. This helps us together form a conceptualization or hypothesis about why you are stuck, and a treatment plan as to how we can effectively work together to achieve the client’s goals. Some type of progress monitoring is used, and if the desired changes are not occurring, the conceptualization and plan are revised. Therapy sessions are typically structured, involve active collaboration, and includes homework (between-session practice of skills, experimenting and developing new behaviors). We integrate a number of evidence-based therapy approaches and techniques, including CBT, ACT and DBT (see below). Therapy also involves intense emotional work; a warm, safe, collaborative client-therapist relationship is foundational for this process. See Home for "What is Evidence-based Psychotherapy?"
CBT is an approach to treatment that focuses on identifying current problems that a client is having, examining the historic causes and current beliefs and behaviors that maintain these difficulties, and generating alternative strategies to break unhelpful cycles. CBT tends to be short-term, active and collaborative, and focused on specific goals. The “cognitive” part of CBT is focused on identifying your automatic thoughts (and underlying beliefs) that may be driving emotional distress and problematic behavior (for example, the tendency to overpredict negative outcomes, creating anxiety and avoidance). Techniques are taught to gather evidence in order to challenge these beliefs and replace them with more adaptive, helpful ways of seeing yourself, others and the world. Behaviorally, CBT seeks to identify and change maladaptive behaviors (often avoidance, acting out, controlling or self-defeating behaviors) in order to develop new, more adaptive choices and skills. New behaviors are not only the goal; they also create new experiences (data), which can help change old beliefs and feelings.
DBT weds Zen philosophy and behavioral science to create a central "dialectic" of acceptance and change. This is an active, skill-based therapy developed and researched by Dr. Marsha Linehan and her colleagues. DBT strives to decrease interpersonal chaos, unpredictable moods, and impulsive behavior. One foundational element is mindfulness--the ability to observe in an open and non-judgmental way our internal experience, and thus to focus our attention where we choose. DBT also teaches skills related to distress tolerance (how to manage anxiety and get through crises without making things worse); emotion regulation (how to identify and manage powerful emotional states while reducing vulnerability); and interpersonal effectiveness (how to maintain strong bonds with others, preserve self-respect, and achieve one's own needs).
ACT uses mindfulness techniques to help clients accept what is out of their control (both internal experiences and external circumstances) in order to focus on what we do control: taking committed action to create a rich and meaningful life. Like CBT, ACT helps clients become aware of the negative self-talk and painful feelings that keep them stuck in old patterns; but, instead of battling, buying in or obeying them, it uses mindfulness to “defuse” or disengage from the negative stories. Mindfulness is similarly used to make peace with unpleasant emotions and frustrating situations in our lives, so that we can free up energy from worrying and ruminating about them. Instead, we can focus on our core values – the parts of ourselves we want to bring alive and express more in the world (such as being creative, generous, open-minded, kind, playful, loving, etc.). ACT teaches skills for clarifying values and skills for effectively putting them into action. Thus ACT challenges a common notion of “happiness” in our society: Instead of chasing after the illusory idea of “happy” as some state to be achieved in the future (once we lose weight, make more money, and find the love of our life), ACT is about bringing yourself alive in the present, and each day doing what is most meaningful to you. | http://www.sfpsychology.com/approach/ |
Determinants of Health Essay
1. Discuss economic, political, and social structures as determinants of health. Each of these concepts should be addressed in your response.
Determinants of Health
Economic, Political, and Social structures as determinants of health
Determinants of health refer to a variety of ecological, political, cultural economic, personal, and social factors that determine the health status of populations of individuals. The political structure is a determinant of health because the majority of the determinants of health depend on the action of international, national, and local laws and legislation. According to Slusser et al. (2018), policies at the federal, state, and local levels influence population and individual health. Political health promotion entails the development and sustenance of an environment conducive to the adoption and maintenance of a healthy personal lifestyle. For example, government policies such as increasing taxation of alcohol and tobacco can improve population health by lessening the rate of consumption of alcoholic and tobacco products among individuals. Determinants of Health Essay
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The social structure reflects the social factors as well as the environmental conditions in which individuals are born, live, brought up, age, work as well as the systems that influence a variety of quality of life, functioning, and health outcomes and risks. Social determinants include social attitudes and norms, such as discrimination; availability or accessibility of resources to meet everyday needs, such as educational and employment opportunities, healthy foods, or living wages; social interactions and social support; residential segregation, transportation options; and socioeconomic conditions like concentrated poverty. Individuals at the bottom of the social ladder have a high risk of serious diseases and premature deaths (Nathial, 2020).
The economic circumstances into which an individual is born or grow essentially shape health all through their health. Poor economic circumstances influence health throughout life. People with different levels of education, income, and occupation have very different access to physical activity opportunities, healthy food, and medical care. According to Nathial (2020), limited economic resources/ finances contribute to limited or lack of access to health services which have significant impacts on the health status of an individual. For instance, when people lack health insurance, there is a high likelihood that they will delay medical treatments and a less likelihood of them participating in preventive care. Determinants of Health Essay
References
Nathial, M. S. (2020). High Education and Environmental Studies. Friends Publications. | https://www.bestnursingwritingservices.com/determinants-of-health-essay-2/ |
Stress and depression are two common conditions that affect millions of individuals around the world. While stress is a natural response to certain situations, chronic stress can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Understanding the link between stress and depression is important in order to effectively manage and prevent these conditions. This article will explore the physiology of stress and depression, common signs and symptoms of each, the impact they have on mental health, coping strategies, and seeking professional help.
Stress and Depression: Understanding the Link
Stress and depression are often linked, with chronic stress being a major risk factor for developing depression. While stress is a normal response to certain situations, such as a deadline or a challenging task, chronic stress can lead to feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, and hopelessness, which are common symptoms of depression.
The Physiology of Stress and Depression
Stress and depression both involve changes in brain chemistry and hormone levels. Chronic stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, a hormone that regulates the body’s response to stress. This can lead to a decrease in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, and an increase in inflammation, which has been linked to depression.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress
Common signs and symptoms of stress include irritability, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. Chronic stress can also lead to digestive issues and increased susceptibility to illness.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Common signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Other symptoms may include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
The Impact of Stress on Mental Health
Chronic stress can have a significant impact on mental health, increasing the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It can also lead to physical health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and digestive disorders.
The Impact of Depression on Mental Health
Depression can have a serious impact on mental health, affecting mood, behavior, and cognition. It can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness and can interfere with daily activities, including work, school, and relationships.
Coping with Stress and Depression
Coping with stress and depression involves developing healthy habits and strategies to manage symptoms. These may include exercise, healthy eating, practicing mindfulness, and seeking social support.
Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Reduction
Mindfulness can be an effective tool for reducing stress and managing symptoms of depression. Techniques may include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and visualization.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and developing coping strategies. It has been shown to be effective in treating depression and other mental health issues.
Medications for Stress and Depression
Medications, such as antidepressants, can be effective in managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, these medications may have side effects and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Lifestyle Changes for Stress and Depression
Making lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and improving sleep habits, can also be beneficial in managing stress and depression.
Seeking Professional Help for Stress and Depression
If symptoms of stress or depression persist, it is important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide guidance and support in managing symptoms and developing healthy coping strategies.
Stress and depression are common conditions that can have a significant impact on mental and physical health. Understanding the link between the two and implementing healthy coping strategies can help manage symptoms and prevent the long-term effects of chronic stress and depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress or depression, seek professional help and support. | https://drdonsprofits.com/stress-depression/ |
Energy stocks declined 1.3% on Wall Street on Monday.
More broadly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was steady, the Nasdaq increased 0.3% and the S&P 500 stayed the same.
Only one stock in the energy sectors showed gains:
- National-Oilwell (NOV): NOV stock is up 0.3% today.
Some of the biggest losers among energy stocks include:
- Synergy Resources Cp (SYRG): SYRG stock is down 6.3%, marking the fourth consecutive day the stock has decreased.
- Chesapeake Energy Corp (CHK): CHK stock is down 6.1% today.
- Pengrowth Energy Corp (PGH): PGH stock is down 5.9% today and down 20.5% in the last month.
- Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR.A): PBR.A stock is down 5.4% today.
- Encana Corp (ECA): ECA stock is down 5.2% today and down 22.1% in the last month.
- Ngl Energy Partners LP (NGL): NGL stock is down 5.1% today.
- Sunoco L.P. (SUN): SUN stock is down 5.0% today on 5 times normal volume.
- Cobalt International Energy (CIE): CIE stock is down 4.8% today and down 25.6% in the last month.
- Kosmos Energy Ltd (KOS): KOS stock is down 4.7% today.
- Petrobras Argentina S.A. (PZE): PZE stock is down 4.7% today.
For more information on the best stocks to buy right now, check out the latest commentary on InvestorPlace.com.
And for more on the hot stocks moving most on Wall Street right now, check out our archive of daily market movers by sector here.
Editor’s Note: Returns for the fastest-moving stocks listed here are based on share prices 20 minutes prior to publication of this story. | https://investorplace.com/2015/07/biggest-movers-in-energy-stocks-now-nov-pgh-pbr-a-nov-syrg-chk/ |
Q:
Determine probability from input data (Hypergeometric distribution?)
I appologize for not being very specific in the title as I don't really understand if this is the correct way to solve the following problem.
I've stumbled upon this:
While playing a Lottery 6/49 game, you have the following three categories:
1) Category 1 -> 6 numbers
2) Category 2 -> 5 numbers
3) Category 3 -> 4 numbers
Given a total number of marbles, number of extracted marbles and category (one of the above), determine the probability of winning the game.
Example:
For 40 marbles, 5 extracted marbles and category II : 0.0002659542
From what I've found so far, one way to solve it would be using the hypergeometric distribution formula, but I can't seem to find a way to get a result near close using this example. Could someone tell me if this is right at all?
Thank you!
A:
You´re right that the question can be solved by using the hypergeometric distribution. You have $40$ marbles. You draw $5$ marbles. From the result I´ve conclude that $4$ marbles are right and one marble is wrong. You have $K=5, N-K=40-5, k=4$ and $n-k=5-4$. We use this formula and plug in the numbers:
$$P(X = k)
=\frac{\binom{K}{k}\cdot \binom{N - K}{n-k}}{\binom{N}{n}}= \frac{\binom{5}{4} \cdot \binom{35}{1}}{\binom{40}{5}}=\frac{5\cdot 35 }{\frac{40\cdot 39\cdot 38\cdot 37\cdot 36}{1\cdot 2\cdot 3\cdot 4\cdot 5}}=0.0002659542$$
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What are the 2 methods for working out the circumference of a circle?
Finding The Circumference Video
The two ways to work out the circumference of a circle are C = 2πr or C = πd. The reason that these formulas are the same is because the diameter is double the radius, so if you replace d with 2r in C = πd you get the formula C = 2πr.
Example 1
Work out the circumference of this circle. Use both formulas C = 2πr and C = πd.
In this circle the radius of the circle is given as 8m (since you have the distance halfway across the centre).
First use C = 2πr.
Since you have the radius already then this can be plugged directly into C = 2πr:
C = 2 × π × 8
C = 50.3m to 1 decimal place.
Let’s see if you get the same answer with C = πd. With this formula you need the diameter of the circle (the distance all the way across) so double the radius (2 × 8 = 16). Now plug in d = 16 into the formula:
C = πd
C = π × 16
C = 50.3m to 1 decimal place.
As you can see both formulas give the same answer for the circumference of the circle.
Example 2
A circular shaped table has a diameter of 5 foot. Work out the circumference of the table using C = 2πr and C = πd.
First use C = 2πr. This formula uses the radius so you need to halve the diameter of the circle (5 ÷ 2 = 2.5m). Now plug in the radius of 2.5 into the formula:
C = 2 × π × 2.5
C = 15.7 foot to the nearest tenth.
Let’s compare this with C = πd. Just plug in d = 5 into this formula:
C = π × d
= π × 5
= 15.7 foot to the nearest tenth.
Like example 1, both formulas give the same answer for perimeter of the circular table.
So to summarise both methods C = 2πr and C = πd give exactly the same answers.
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A network security system is provided that receives information from various sensors and can analyse the received information. In one embodiment of the present invention, such a system receives a security event from a software agent. The received security event includes a target address and an event...http://www.google.cl/patents/US7260844?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7260844 - Threat detection in a network security system
A network security system is provided that receives information from various sensors and can analyse the received information. In one embodiment of the present invention, such a system receives a security event from a software agent. The received security event includes a target address and an event signature, as generated by the software agent. The event signature can be used to determine a set of vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event, and the target address can be used to identify a target asset within the network. By accessing a model of the target asset, a set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset can be retrieved. Then, a threat can be detected by comparing the set of vulnerabilities exploited by the security event to the set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset.
Images(3)
Claims(21)
1. A method performed by a manager module of a network security system being used to monitor a network, the manager module collecting information from a plurality of distributed software agents that monitor network devices, the method comprising:
receiving a security event from a software agent, the security event including at least a target address and an event signature generated by the software agent;
determining a set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event using the event signature;
identifying a target asset within the network having the target address;
accessing a model of the target asset to retrieve a set of one or more vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset; and
detecting a threat by comparing the set of vulnerabilities exploited by the security event to the set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising prioritizing the detected threat.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the reliability of the model of the target asset.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the relevance of the security event based on the operation of the target asset.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the danger inherent in the security event.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the importance of the target asset.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event comprises mapping each exploited vulnerability to related vulnerabilities according to other vulnerability organizational schemes.
8. A manager module configured to collecting information from a plurality of distributed software agents that monitor network devices, the manager module comprising:
an input collector to receive a security event from a software agent, the security event including at least a target address and an event signature generated by the software agent;
a vulnerability mapper coupled to the input collector to determine a set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event using the event signature;
a asset model retriever coupled to the input collector to identify a target asset within the network having the target address, and to retrieve a set of one or more vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset from an asset model database; and
a threat detector coupled to the asset model retriever and the vulnerability mapper to detect a threat by comparing the set of vulnerabilities exploited by the security event to the set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset.
9. The manager module of claim 8, further comprising a threat prioritizer to prioritize the detected threat.
10. The manager module of claim 9, wherein the threat prioritizer prioritizes the detected threat by evaluating the reliability of the model of the target asset.
11. The manager module of claim 9, wherein the threat prioritizer prioritizes the detected threat by evaluating the relevance of the security event based on the operation of the target asset.
12. The manager module of claim 9, wherein the threat prioritizer prioritizes the detected threat by evaluating the danger inherent in the security event.
13. The manager module of claim 9, wherein the threat prioritizer prioritizes the detected threat by evaluating the importance of the target asset.
14. The manager module of claim 8, wherein the vulnerability mapper determines the set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event by mapping each vulnerability to related vulnerabilities according to other vulnerability organizational schemes.
15. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving a security event, the security event including at least a target address and an event signature;
determining a set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event using the event signature;
identifying a target asset within a network having the target address;
accessing a model of the target asset to retrieve a set of one or more vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset; and
detecting a threat by comparing the set of vulnerabilities exploited by the security event to the set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset.
16. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to perform operation comprising prioritizing the detected threat.
17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the reliability of the model of the target asset.
18. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the relevance of the security event based on the operation of the target asset within the network.
20. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein prioritizing the detected threat comprises evaluating the importance of the target asset.
21. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining the set of one or more vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event comprises mapping each exploited vulnerability to related vulnerabilities according to other vulnerability organizational schemes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network security system, and, in particular, to analysing security events.
BACKGROUND
Computer networks and systems have become indispensable tools for modern business. Today terabits of information on virtually every subject imaginable are stored in and accessed across such networks by users throughout the world. Much of this information is, to some degree, confidential and its protection is required. Not surprisingly then, various network security monitor devices have been developed to help uncover attempts by unauthorized persons and/or devices to gain access to computer networks and the information stored therein.
Network security products largely include Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), which can be Network or Host based (NIDS and HIDS respectively). Other network security products include firewalls, router logs, and various other event reporting devices. Due to the size of their networks, many enterprises deploy hundreds, or thousands of these products thoughts their networks. Thus, network security personnel are bombarded alarms representing possible security threats. Most enterprises do not have the resources or the qualified personnel to individually attend to all of the received alarms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A network security system is provided that receives information from various sensors and can analyse the received information. In one embodiment of the present invention, such a system receives a security event from a software agent. The received security event includes a target address and an event signature, as generated by the software agent. The event signature can be used to determine a set of vulnerabilities exploited by the received security event, and the target address can be used to identify a target asset within the network. By accessing a model of the target assets a set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset can be retrieved. Then, a threat can be detected by comparing the set of vulnerabilities exploited by the security event to the set of vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a manager module configured in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating security event processing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Described herein is a network security system that can analyse security events being reported on a network.
Although the present system will be discussed with reference to various illustrated examples, these examples should not be read to limit the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the examples presented herein describe distributed agents, managers and various network devices, which are but one embodiment of the present invention. The general concepts and reach of the present invention are much broader and may extend to any computer-based or network-based security system.
Some portions of the detailed description that follows are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the computer science arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, it will be appreciated that throughout the description of the present invention, use of terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
As indicated above, one embodiment of the present invention is instantiated in computer software, that is, computer readable instructions, which, when executed by one or more computer processors/systems, instruct the processors/systems to perform the designated actions. Such computer software may be resident in one or more computer readable media, such as hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, read-only memory, read-write memory and so on. Such software may be distributed on one or more of these media, or may be made available for download across one or more computer networks (e.g., the Internet). Regardless of the format, the computer programming, rendering and processing techniques discussed herein are simply examples of the types of programming, rendering and processing techniques that may be used to implement aspects of the present invention. These examples should in no way limit the present invention, which is best understood with reference to the claims that follow this description.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an example of a manager module of a network security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The manager 100 receives security events 102 (also referred to as “events”) from various sources. For example, the manager 100 can receive an event 102 from a distributed software agent 104 associated with an IDS, or from the agent 104 associated with a firewall. In one embodiment, the IDS's alarms are normalized by the software agent 104 before being reported as an event 102 to the manager 100.
In formal security terminology, an “event” is an actual physical occurrence—such as a packet traversing the network, or a file being deleted—and an “alarm” is a representation of the “event.” As used in this application, however, a security event 102 (or just “event”) refers to a representation of a physical phenomenon, thus being an “alarm” according to strict formal terminology. In this application, alarms are produced by a network security device associated with an agent 104—such as an RIDS, a NIDS, or a firewall—and an event 102 refers to the output of the agent 104 after the agent 104 processed, e.g. aggregated, batched, or normalized, the alarms. Furthermore, an unprocessed alarm directly from a sensor device is also considered to be an “event” for the purposes of this application.
An event 102 can have various fields that contain information about the event 102. In one embodiment, the event 102 received by the manager 100 includes the address of the network device—such as a printer, a server, or a terminal—to which the event is directed. This target address 108 can be an Internet Protocol (IP) address, or some other representation of the target device's identity according to some other addressing scheme. In this application, the network devices are also referred to as “assets.”
In one embodiment, the event 102 also includes an event signature 110 generated by the agent responsible for the event 102, such as the agent 104 associated with the IDS. Among other information, the event signature 110 can include a field describing the type of the event 102. For example, the event signature 110 can indicate that the event 102 represents a CodeRed attack. The event signature 110 can also have various other fields, including the name and vendor of the security sensor product (e.g. the IDS or firewall).
The target address 108 is then input for an asset model retriever 112 of the manager module 100. The asset model retriever 112 accesses an asset model database 114 to retrieve a model of the target asset being identified by the target address. The model can include various pieces of information about the target asset, such as its IP address, its host name, the network it belongs to, its function in the network, and its exposed vulnerabilities 116. These models of the assets of the enterprise can be generated by hand, or they can be generated automatically, for example, by using vulnerability scanner software such as Nessus.
The exposed vulnerabilities 116 can be a set or list of known vulnerabilities of the target asset. A vulnerability can be generally defined as a configuration or condition of a software or a system that can be exploited to cause an effect other that than that intended by the manufacturer. For example, CodeRed exploits a buffer overflow weakness in Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS) software. While some skilled in the art distinguish between a “vulnerability” and an “exposure”—an exposure being remedied by reconfiguring the product, and vulnerability being remedied only by revising (e.g., recoding) the product—in this application, “vulnerability” is defined broadly to encompass both of these categories of exploitable weakness.
The event signature 110 is likewise input for a vulnerability mapper 118 of the manager module 100. The vulnerability mapper 118 uses the event type identified in the event signature 110 to identify the various known vulnerabilities that the event 102 can exploit. Furthermore, the vulnerability mapper 118 then maps these identified vulnerabilities to other vulnerabilities that as the same or similar as recognized according to other vulnerability classification and organizational schemes. These correspondences can be accessed from a vulnerability database 128 available to the manager 100. This list of possible vulnerabilities is the exploited vulnerabilities 120, which include all representations of the vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the event 102 across several classification schemes.
These vulnerability organization schemes include the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Project (CVE), BugTraq, and ArachNIDS, among others. Yet others may be developed in the future. While their approaches differ, each scheme identifies many of the same or similar vulnerabilities. Some may be more specific than others in describing a class of vulnerabilities. Some of the vulnerabilities are completely identical in nature, but are known by different names according to each scheme. The maps used by the vulnerability mapper 118 can be constructed by hand, or the process can be automated, for example, by scraping information published by the various schemes on the Internet about vulnerability similarities.
The set of exposed vulnerabilities 116 and the set of exploited vulnerabilities 120 are input for a threat detector 122 of the manager module 100. The threat detector 122 compares the exposed vulnerabilities 116 of the target asset gathered by the asset model retriever 112 to the vulnerabilities 120 exploited by the event 102. In one embodiment, a threat to the target asset is detected when any of the exposed vulnerabilities 116 of the target asset are found among the exploited vulnerabilities 120.
In one embodiment, if the event 102 is determined to be a threat by the threat detector 122, then the event 102 is prioritised by a threat prioritizer 124 of the manager module 100. The threat prioritizer 124 can attach a priority according to a scale—e.g., a scale of zero to ten—based on various factors. Prioritising events 102 can aid busy network security professionals in selecting which security events 102 they should spend their time addressing, in what chronological order, and with what amount of resources.
In one embodiment, the threat prioritizer 124 determines the appropriate priority based, at least in part, on the reliability of the model of the target asset retrieved from the asset model database 114. This quantity, sometimes referred to as model confidence, can be based on the completeness of the model, the method used to create the model, and the age of the model. The age of the model refers to the time that has elapsed since the model was created or last updated.
In one embodiment, the threat prioritizer 124 determines the appropriate priority based, at least in part, on the relevance of the event 102 to the actual target asset. To do this, the existence and presence on the network, the actual operation, and the configuration of the target asset are all observed and taken into account. For example, if the target asset—or a target port on the target asset—is turned off or is otherwise unavailable, the event 102 is not relevant, even if it is detected to be a threat based on the asset model.
In one embodiment, the threat prioritizer 124 determines the appropriate priority based, at least in part, on the danger inherent in the event 102. For example, an unauthorized access might have lower inherent danger to a network than events indicating file deletion or data compromise. In one embodiment, the inherent dangers of each known event signature 110 are programmable by the user of the network security system.
In one embodiment, the threat prioritizer 124 determines the appropriate priority based, at least in part, on the importance of the target asset to the enterprise or the network. For example, a revenue generating asset—such as a server that serves content in lieu of payment—is more important that an administrative printer. This measure of asset criticality may also be programmable by the user of the security system, or it may be automatically measured based on various rules and inferences.
After the threat has been prioritised, the event 102 can go through further processing 126 by the manager, before being sent on to some other module, such as a display or storage module. In one embodiment, events 102 representing threats are displayed along with their priority ranking and stored in a mass storage unit for further analysis.
FIG. 2 provides a flow-chart of event processing according to one embodiment of the invention. In block 202, a security event is received by the manager module. For example, event received may be “Enterasys, Dragon, IIS:CODE-RED-II-ROOT.EXE, 10.10.10.1” indicating that the Dragon sensor software by Enterasys (sensor product manufacturer and sensor product) has detected a version of the CodeRed attack (event type) aimed at a device with IP address “10.10.10.1” (target address). The first three fields can be referred to collectively as the event signature.
Next, in block 204, the vulnerabilities exploited by the event are determined. In the specific example above, for example, it can be determined that the CodeRed event can exploit the vulnerability CA-2001-19, as identified by the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) standard. This vulnerability, according to the vulnerability database, can also be mapped to CVE-2001-0500, as identified by the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) standard. Thus, in this example, both of these vulnerabilities are included in the set of exploited vulnerabilities.
In block 206, the target asset is identified. In the specific example, the target IP address 10.10.10.1 can be used to identify the target asset as a server running the IIS software. After the target asset is identified, in block 208, the vulnerabilities exposed by the target asset are determined. For example, the asset model for the server may indicate that it is vulnerable to CVE-2001-0500.
One reason that the vulnerability initially associated with the event had a CA number and the exposed vulnerability in the asset model has a CVE number can be that the sensor product—where the event/exploited vulnerability pair is determined from—may be by a different manufacturer that uses a different standard than the scanner used to populate the asset model. Vulnerability mapping across organizational standards can overcome this nomenclature problem. In one embodiment, the mapping does not aim to map all vulnerabilities to a common standard or scheme. Rather, the mapping are across multiple standards to include the most names for a given vulnerability.
When both the exploited and exposed vulnerabilities are determined, a threat is detected, in block 210, by comparing the two sets of vulnerabilities and looking for overlaps. In the example above, the event exploits vulnerability CVE-2001-0500, which is also exposed by targeted server. Therefore, the event received in block 202 would be classified as a threat in block 210.
In one embodiment, the event representing the threat is also prioritised. For example, in the case of the target server, it may be determined that it is currently turned off, that the asset model is out of date, or that it is of little value to the enterprise. Based on such information, the event received in block 202 can be considered a low priority threat. If, on the other hand, the target server were a revenue-generating server that is in operation, the priority of the received event would be much higher.
Thus, a manager module of a network security system, and event processing by the manager modules has been described. In the foregoing description, various specific intermediary values were given names, such as “event signature,” and various specific modules, such as the “asset model retriever,” have been described. However, these names are merely to describe and illustrate various aspects of the present invention, and in no way limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various modules, such as the manager module 100 and the vulnerability mapper 118 in FIG. 1, can be implemented as software or hardware modules, or without dividing their functionalities into modules at all. The present invention is not limited to any modular architecture, whether described above or not.
In the foregoing description, the various examples and embodiments were meant to be illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive in terms of their scope. Accordingly, the invention should be measured only in terms of the claims, which follow.
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A correlation describes a relationship between two variables. Unlike descriptive statistics in previous sections, correlations require two or more distributions and are called bivariate (for two) or multivariate (for more than two) statistics. There are different types of correlations that correspond to different levels of measurement. The first correlation you'll study requires that the two variables be measured at the interval or ratio level. The full name of this statistic is the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and it is denoted by the letter, r. In research reports, you'll see references to Pearson r, correlation, correlation coefficient, or just r.
The formula for calculating r is one of the most complex that you will see. Correlation coefficients can be calculated by hand, but most people use a spreadsheet or statistics program. Two important aspects of this formula are that both an X distribution and a Y distribution are involved in the formula and that in addition to squaring and taking the square root of quantities, X and Y are multiplied together in the numerator (upper half) of the formula. The result of multiplying two numbers is called the product, which is why "product" is part of the full name of the correlation coefficient. Visit this site: http://allpsych.com/stats/unit2/14.html if you want to learn about evaluating the formula.
Before you can interpret the numerical value of r, you need to determine if it was appropriate to calculate r to begin with. The Pearson correlation coefficient, r, describes the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. The first step in exploring a linear relationship is to generate the scatterplot, which you learned about in the previous section. By inspecting the scatterplot, you can assess whether a line describes the pattern or if some other curve might provide a better description. Similar to the mean, the accuracy of a correlation coefficient can also be compromised by outliers in either distribution.Visually inspect the scatterplot can identify these cases.
As mentioned, Pearson r's describe both strength and direction of a relationship. The sign of r, either + or -, indicates the direction of he relationship. A positive r indicates a direct relationship, as X increases so does Y and as X decreases so does Y. A negative r indicates an indirect relationship, as X increases, Y decreases and as X decreases Y increases. The absolute value of r indicates the strength of the relationship. Pearson r's range from -1 to +1. Values close to -1 or +1 indicate a strong linear relationship - the associated scatterplot displays the pattern of dots in a nearly straight line. A positive Pearson r isn't necessarily better (i.e., stronger) than a negative r - you need to compare the values while ignoring the signs.
Here are some websites where you can explore the meaning of the strength and direction of the correlation coefficient: http://www.stattucino.com/berrie/dsl/correlation.html, http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/~stark/Java/Html/Correlation.htm, and http://www.stat.uiuc.edu/courses/stat100/java/GCApplet/GCAppletFrame.html.
Returning to our previous example involving age and years of work experience, here is the scatterplot that was generated earlier.
The Pearson correlation coefficient associated with these two variables is shown in the following SPSS output.
This output is an example of the simplest form of a correlation matrix. This matrix has two rows and two columns, resulting in four cells. The upper left cell contains the correlation of AGE with AGE, which is always 1. The lower right cell is similar. The upper right and lower left cells are copies of each other - both contain the correlation of AGE with EXPERIENCE. The Pearson r is reported first - in this case, r = .834, which is based on 50 pairs of numbers (N). You will learn the meaning of the middle number later in the course.
An even more precise measure of strength is to use the Coefficient of Determination, r2, which represents the amount of variation both variables share - an indication of some underlying characteristic that they have in common. In this example, AGE and EXPERIENCE share .8342 or about 70% of their variation. The other 30% of unshared variation (also called unexplained variance) is due to the points that fall far from the straight line.
Often when studying correlations between two variables, you might begin to attribute a cause-and-effect relationship between the two variables. The existence of a meaningful correlation coefficient does not indicate causation. Foot size and reading ability are correlated, but neither causes the other.
The Pearson correlation coefficient applies to pairs of interval or ratio-level variables. Here are some other types of correlations for different measurement levels.
The concepts of reliability and validity refer to properties of the instruments used in quantitative research to operationally define important variables. In more general ways, these concepts relate to the overall quality of a research study, including how uniformly, or consistently, the procedures are carried out (reliability), how well the collected data and their analysis support the results or findings (internal validity), and whether the results or findings extend to other contexts, or generalize (external validity).
It is quite appropriate for these topics to be addressed just after correlations have been explained, because most of the ways in which researchers estimate the reliability and validity of measurement instruments, procedures, or the use of their results involve the use of correlations. Furthermore, embedded in the process of quantitative research is the process of converting educational constructs into numerical values (i.e., operational definitions), which must be continually scrutinized for its legitimacy.
Whenever you hear or read the word, reliability, think of the synonym, consistency. Don't confuse reliability with validity. I'm sure that you know someone who is very reliable but always late or always wrong. Their response or behavior is always the same, but that doesn't mean it is appropriate. Reliability is necessary, but not sufficient, for validity.
Test-retest Use this type of reliability estimate whenever you are measuring a trait over a period of time.
Parallel forms Use this type of reliability estimate whenever you need different forms of the same test to measure the same trait.
Internal consistency Use this type of reliability estimate whenever you need to summarize scores on individual items by an overall score.
Interrater Use this type of reliability estimate whenever you involve multiple raters in scoring tests.
Validity is described as a unitary concept or property that can have multiple forms of evidence. Whether a test is valid or invalid does not depend on the test itself, but rather, validity depends on how the test results are used. For example, a statistics quiz may be a valid way to measure understanding of a statistical concept, but the same quiz is not valid if you intend to assign grades in English composition based on it. This situation may seem to be quite far fetched, but educators and politicians who do not carefully investigate the properties of a quantitative measurement may be making serious mistakes when basing decisions on the data. Here are some of the forms of evidence of validity that are presented in the text - there are others that you may encounter.
Content Use this type of validity estimate whenever you are comparing test items with a larger domain of knowledge.
Criterion Use this type of validity estimate whenever you are comparing a new test with an established standard.
Construct Use this type of validity estimate whenever you are comparing a test with the elements of a theoretical definition of a trait.
With the exception of interrater reliability and content validity, all other estimates usually involve the calculation of a type of correlation. Multiple estimates may be used to evaluate the properties of an instrument in certain situations. One form of validity, namely predictive validity, relates a test score to some future event or condition. In the following section, you'll see how prediction and correlation can be related to help make decisions or analyze patterns.
Linear regression is a mathematical routine that links two related variables by attempting to predict one variable using the other variable. The variable upon which the prediction is based (i.e., the predictor) is called the independent variable, which is plotted on the x-axis. The variable that is being predicted is called the dependent variable, and it is plotted on the y-axis. In our previous example, AGE was used as the independent variable and EXPERIENCE as the dependent variable. Think of it this way: Y depends on X - X precedes/predicts Y. Just because regression uses one variable to predict another does not mean that the two variables are causally related. Remember that correlation is not causation - the two variables are associated/related but not necessarily as a cause and an effect.
The process of applying linear regression techniques assumes that there is a basis of historically observed data on which to base future predictions. One example of this situation is the school admissions process, where data on applicants are compared with data from previously successful and unsuccessful students. Another example is actuarial work (e.g., life insurance rate-setting), where historical data about longevity is used to predict lifespan. Regression models for these examples are much more complicated than the straight line model that is used in linear regression. Here is the regression line for the age and experience example.
Many lines can be drawn through the scatterplot of points, but one line provides the best fit, where best is defined as having a minimum of error. What is error? Whenever you use a theoretical model to make a prediction, and then check that prediction against historical data, the predicted results can either match the data or not. In the scatterplot shown above, the prediction matches the data where the line goes right through a point. Whenever the line misses a point, error occurs. The amount of error could be small (i.e., the line is near the point), or it could be large (i.e., the line is far from the point). Notice how the three lower points to the right generate quite a bit of error. One method for determining the line's location is called the method of least squares, where the vertical distance between a potential line and each point is squared and these squares are summed, and the line with the least sum of squares is selected as the best fit. The mathematics involves calculus and is beyond the scope of this introduction. The average amount by which the line misses the points is called the standard error of the estimate, which you can think of as similar to a standard deviation.
a is called the y-intercept.
Excel uses a function named LINEST (for linear regression estimate). Please read the help notes in Excel about how to use this function.
SPSS provides the following table, among others that we'll see later.
Unfortunately, the values are not labeled consistently between statistical programs and statistics texts. The value for the y-intercept (a in the equation of the line) is found in the B column of the SPSS output within the (Constant) row. The value for the slope (b in the equation of the line) is also found in the B column within the AGE row. Remember that the slope (b) is paired with X in the equation, and, because X is the AGE variable, the slope is in the AGE row. The resulting equation is the following.
What does this equation tells us? It provides a way to estimate the likely years of work experience for a person if you already know the person's age. For example. a 42-year-old would be predicted to have almost 13 years of work experience (.627 X 42 - 13.374 = 12.96). [Do the multiplication first and then the subtraction.] Another way to interpret the equation is that for every 10 years of age, the years of work experience increases by about 6.3 years.
One word of caution about predicting these values - notice that the range of age values started at 22 years old and ended at 66. The equation is only valid to use where there were data points in the original set of data for the independent variable, age. In other words, the prediction equation generates meaningless numbers for people younger than 22 or older than 66. Try calculating the predicted years of work experience for a 15-year-old. When employing prediction equations, the range of legitimate values for the independent variable must be known.
Here's another example to consider, let's say you are determining grade-level reading ability based on reading test scores. The test publisher includes a regression equation for calculating the reading ability levels. The regression equation was derived from the data of third grade students who were moderately good readers. You have a student who tested very, very high and the regression formula places her reading ability at that of a sophomore in college. Because the regression equation was not developed with high-scoring readers, the predicted reading ability is not valid to use. | http://benbaab.com/salkind/Correlations.html |
Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin were painters who went against the norm of western art. Paul Gaugin was an experimenter who even traveled to Tahiti to have a new perspective and try new art styles (Artble, 2017). However, Van Gogh worked with a sense of urgency which caused him a significant amount of turmoil. This is illustrated by his paintings where he used deep strokes of paint and painted straight from the tube (impasto), depicting his emotions and turmoil while painting. The life of Van Gogh is similar to that of Paul Gaugin as depicted in their different works.
Van Gogh’s most famous painting, The Starry Night, totally depicts his life; he was an emotional person suffering at most times from depression. At times he was so lost in his feelings that he cut off a chunk of his ear and presented it to a brothel (Rutherford, 2019). After this incident, he had to go to a mental hospital where he painted the starry night. From his window, at the asylum at Saint-Remy, he envisioned the nightly view in a painting. The swirl and spiral patterns of light colors depict hope in the night view, which is usually dark. In this painting, Van Gogh experimented a lot by doing a landscape painting contrary to his typical style and, from memory, a practice he copied from his friend Gaugin (Chernick, 2018). From his pattern, one can notice how conflicted he was on the inside.
Gaugin’s most famous painting is the Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?. This painting was created when he was in his Tahiti stay, and he depicted the Maori Mythology of birth, life, and eventual death with a spin that Adam and Eve are present. He traveled to Tahiti to experience solitude and silence, while there he did some painting and this notion he shared with Van Gogh, who then moved from Paris to Arles (Chernick, 2018). In a little 63-day stint, the two artists shared living quarters where they exchanged art styles and experimented with each other’s techniques, and from this, Gaugin created 21 canvases. Van Gogh had 36, but this short-lived made Gaugin leave after Van Gogh’s emotions caught up, and he journeyed back to Tahiti. One was an emotional contemporary color artist, while the other was a symbolic landscape painter.
References
Artble. (2017). Starry night. Web.
Chernick, K. (2018). How Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin inspired and infuriated each other. Artsy. Web.
Rutherford, T. (2019). Escape to the southern seas. C&N. Web. | https://papersgeeks.com/vincent-van-gogh-and-amp-paul-gauguin-painters-similarities/ |
2176089 Alberta Ltd.
Job requirements
Languages
English
Education
Secondary (high) school graduation certificate
Experience
1 to less than 7 months
- Specific Skills
Train staff in preparation, cooking and handling of food
Supervise kitchen staff and helpers
Manage kitchen operations
Inspect kitchens and food service areas
Clean kitchen and work areas
Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
Prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
- Cook Categories
- Work Setting
- Transportation/Travel Information
- Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities
Cook (general)
Restaurant
Public transportation is available;
Fast-paced environment;
Work under pressure;
Attention to detail;
Standing for extended periods;
Who can apply to this job?
Only apply to this job if:
You are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.You have a valid Canadian work permit.
If you are not authorized to work in Canada, do not apply. The employer will not respond to your application. | https://www.kanadajobs.ca/jobs/calgary/cook-calgary-ab-job-posting-99-46735/ |
We’ve all heard stories about children and adults with autism who are extraordinarily gifted in some way. It turns out that there may be a genetic explanation for this. Recent research has demonstrated a genetic link between confirmed child prodigies and autism. While research is continuing to uncover answers about this relationship, it provides some evidence of what we’ve suspected all along, from our own experiences. Many autistic children have extraordinary talents waiting to be uncovered.
Child prodigies demonstrate exceptional skills at a very tender age. These skills are often concentrated in mathematics, science, art, or music. Music is the most commonly reported, because it is the easiest to detect. It is more difficult to discover a knack for theoretical mathematics in a two year old than it is to notice an uncanny sense of rhythm. Because of the challenges presented by raising a child on the autism spectrum, some parents might not notice such gifts. Nonetheless, opportunities should be provided to tease out any of these latent talents as young as possible.
For example, at our music school, one dad noticed his four-year-old autistic child seemed interested in music because he would play around on the piano at home for hours. He brought his child in for lessons, and the youngster was soon singing and playing Beatles songs with both hands and full chords within months.The student had extraordinary talent with the piano and music in general. He became so good, so fast, that we made an exception to let him into our summer Rock Camp with the older kids.
It’s very fortunate that his parents had a piano, took note of his interest and provided their child an opportunity to take music lessons. For prodigal skills in music to develop to their fullest potential, early detection is vital. Studies have shown that when a child begins musical training at a young age, the parts of their brain that enhance their musical appreciation and abilities will be larger than children who start later or those that are not musically gifted.
Even past the page of seven, children can still be extraordinarily talented in music. With dedication, persistence and longevity, these skills can flourish and even exceed someone with more innate talent. Even for gifted children, these traits are essential for long-term success. Plus, music lessons aren’t just about talent, they provide a number of benefits for the brain, regardless of the child’s age.
Prodigal or not, many autistic children benefit from hearing, learning and playing music. In fact, music lessons are known to increase brain fibre connections in all children. Many more demonstrate uncanny knack for their chosen instruments. We don’t need a label of “prodigy” to see these extraordinary talents come to light. With encouraging parents and the right music teacher, amazing things can happen.
If you have a child with autism, consider putting them in music lessons. If nothing else, you’ll offer them a chance to grow and explore the world around them, but you might just uncover a talent you didn’t know they had.
Source: Ruthsatz J, Petrill SA, Li N. Molecular Genetic Evidence for Shared Etiology of Autism and Prodigy. Human Heredity. 2015. | https://elitemusic.ca/autistic-children-child-prodigies/ |
FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK SURVEY
100 employees were surveyed to find out how they feel about a four-day workweek.
- Popular choice: The four-day workweek was wildly popular with workers, with 92% wanting their employees to make the shift.
- Mental Health: 79% of employees surveyed thought a 4-day workweek would improve their mental health.
- Productivity: 3/4 of workers felt they could complete their work responsibilities in four days instead of five days.
- Stress: 88% of workers surveyed said a four-day workweek would improve work-life balance.
- What’s in it for the company?: 82% said it would make them more productive, and it would be the number one thing that would cause them to stay in the company longer. | https://www.abelpersonnel.com/four-day-workweek-survey/ |
- Crime against business costing €1.83b annually.
- 31% of businesses impacted by crime in the past 12 months.
- SMEs have little faith in legal system as 98% see it as ineffective.
- Business Crime not separately measured by State.
- Government must prioritise the issue of business crime.
ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, issued the results of its National Crime Survey today (15th August). The survey found that 31% of businesses have been the victim of crime in the past twelve months, with 45% experiencing more than two incidents. More than one in five crimes go unreported, as a result of 98% reporting a lack of faith in the legal system.
According to ISME CEO, Mark Fielding, “The reduction of business crime is fundamental to business prosperity and is not being prioritised by government. The business community has the right to expect that, when found guilty; a perpetrator of crime against business will be dealt with appropriately within the legal system. This survey clearly shows that there is a total lack of faith in the justice system, as 98% of respondents feel that it is ineffective in dealing with business crime”.
“In order to tackle crime against business, the Garda need to know the scale and scope of the situation. It is essential that we record incidents against business separately from other types of crime, to allow for the allocation of proper resources to deal with business crime. Until this issue is taken more seriously at official level, business owners will remain fatalistic about the legal system and not put in the time and money into reporting a crime unless they are convinced of adequate action being taken against the perpetrators of crime in their businesses.”
The fact is that there is no classification for ‘Commercial or Business Crime’ – it is either ‘domestic’ or ‘non-domestic’ and therefore, there are no ‘official’ statistics. What isn’t measured isn’t managed. The Government has a responsibility to act now to ensure that the detrimental impact of crime against business; the economy, local communities and employment is reduced.
With modern technology, it must be at least feasible to log and classify all crimes by their type. Key Performance Indicators could then be set to determine the effectiveness of any steps taken to decrease business crime. This is important to ensure that actual progress is made in the area and to avoid the risk of a strategy being set that simply pays lip service to the problem but does not effectively address it.
The survey respondents were unambiguous in their calls for more visible policing, increased CCTV surveillance and tougher court sentences. The Government will argue that we simply do not have the financial resources to invest in these actions. However, it is imperative that funds are allocated to tackle this growing problem.
ISME has eleven recommendations for reducing the level of crimes perpetrated against businesses:
- Introduction of a single, national definition for business crime in Ireland to enable these offences to be properly ‘tagged’, measured, analysed and ultimately solved by the Garda. Business crime must be measured and recorded so that the extent, nature and scope of the issue can be properly assessed.
- The Annual Report of the Garda Commissioner should contain a specific section concerning business crime, backed by figures on the number of business crimes reported and detected, in the same way as other crime statistics and specific recommendations.
- Set ambitious targets for Key Performance Indicators in this area to gauge the effectiveness of the efforts being made to reduce business crime.
- A National Forum on Crime should be created to analyse this problem and propose solutions. The Forum should include representatives from law enforcement agencies and the business community, to build closer partnership work between business, government, law enforcement and others to fully utilise the sector’s data, knowledge and expertise.
- Provide training to Community Police Officers to improve their understanding of how local businesses operate and the impact and extent of business crime.
- Reassess the sentences handed out by the judiciary when dealing with business crime to ensure that they are an adequate deterrent.
- Increase levels of CCTV surveillance, particularly in town centres, and increase the number of Gardai on patrol by outsourcing administrative duties to the private sector.
- Allow for sharing of CCTV data among business under Data Protection legislation.
- Conduct an awareness campaign to educate businesses about the existence of the Crime Prevention Office and its benefits.
- Develop and implement business watch initiatives and ensure that they are advertised effectively to businesses.
- Launch and promote a ‘Mind your Business’ website which outlines best practice methods and tools for business crime prevention.
“Crime against business is often seen as victimless but it has a very real impact on SMEs and their employees. SMEs are particularly vulnerable to business crime as they lack scale and therefore, they experience greater difficulty in absorbing the direct and indirect costs of crime. The €1.83bn that is being drained from the economy through business crime could be better used in creating jobs and developing businesses”, concluded Fielding.
ENDS.
For further information contact:
Mark Fielding
Chief Executive
Tel: 01 6622755
Mobile: 087 2519675
Note to Editors:
KEY FINDINGS OF ISME CRIME SURVEY 2016.
- 31% of companies have been the target of criminal activity in the last 12 months; this is a 5 point decrease on the 2015 figures.
- The direct cost of crime per enterprise has risen to €6,570 per annum and the annual cost of prevention is €5,428 per enterprise. This gives a total average cost of €11,998 per company annually.
- The total cost of crime against businesses nationally is €1.83 billion.
- 98% of SME business owners see the judicial system as ineffective in the fight against crime.
- On a regional basis the highest incidence of crime was reported in Dublin City (47%), followed by Dublin County 36%. Munster showed the least at 19%.
- The Retail sector was the area of the business community most affected at 45%. It was followed by Construction and Distribution at 36% and 31% respectively.
- The most common crime reported was 'theft by outsiders' by 32% of respondents, closely followed by 'burglary' 29%, ‘attempted burglary’ 24% and ‘vandalism' 27%.
- The number of businesses experiencing more than two instances of crime stood at 45%, down from 48% in 2015.
- There was a reduction in the number of respondents being victims of theft by members of staff; down from 21% to11% this year.
- 47% reported that they felt that the general level of crime has increased in the last 12 months, down from 54% in 2016.
- 28% of respondents said they believe that crime in their locality is ‘getting worse’, down from 33% in 2015. This is an improvement of 15 points in two years. (43% in 2014)
- The survey results confirm that 12% of SME owner/managers are confident that if they were the victim of a crime that the criminal would be apprehended (an improvement from 7% in 2015).
- After the direct cost of crime, increased security costs at 52% are the biggest impact of crime on business (down from 56% in 2015). This is followed by ‘disruptions to trading’ as reported by 30% of respondents.
- The indirect costs of crime cannot be underestimated; of SMEs who suffered from criminal activity 16% indicated ‘poor staff morale’ and 13% identified ‘reputation damage’ as being a particular problem.
- Alarms and CCTV are the primary crime prevention methods at 69% and 63% respectively. This is followed by the use of monitored alarm response rates at 61%.
- There has been a marginal increase in the non-reporting of crime to the Gardai. This has gone from 20% non-reporting rate in 2015 to a 21% rate in 2016.
- No change is Garda satisfaction ratings. 69% of those who reported a criminal incident to the Gardai were satisfied with the response it received. This is on par with the 2015 figure.
- Of those who did not report the criminal incidents, 56% stated that it was because they believed it was ‘too trivial’ (up from 43% in 2015), while 39% stated they had ‘no faith that the criminal would be charged’.
- 62% of respondents were not covered by insurance for their loss due to crime, a small decrease on the 67% who suffered this fate last year.
- 40% of companies have never requested crime reduction advice. Of those who did, 22% received their advice from a security company and 22% received it from the Gardai.
- 22% of companies have liaised with the Gardai on crime prevention strategies, up 3% from 2015.
- Of the 67% of respondents who were aware of the Crime Prevention Office, only 19% had used the service. Dublin City businesses use this service the most at 28%.
- SME owner-managers rate an increase in Garda numbers as the most effective deterrent against crime at 81%. Tougher sentencing follows closely behind on 72% and 60% would like to see more CCTV in town centres.
- Interestingly, 58% of respondents favoured the concept of sharing CCTV data among businesses to combat crime.
The national cost of crime is based on the average cost multiplied by the incident rate multiplied by the number of business entities in Ireland. Our estimates are 245,000 SMEs trading.
(According to the latest CSO figures there were 237,753 SME’s in 2014.)
Direct cost of crime per company is €6,570. There are 245,000 SMEs in Ireland of which 31% are affected by crime.
- 245,000 x 0.31 x €6,570 = €499m.
The cost of security is based on the average cost of security multiplied by the number of business entities in Ireland.
Crime prevention cost €5,428 per company.
- 245,000 x 5,428= €1.33bn. | https://www.isme.ie/smes-voice-concern-over-crime |
Panelists:
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Historians in the Twittersphere: Crafting Social Media Identities and History Publics
With virtual audiences that range in the thousands, historians well known as public intellectuals in various social media platforms come together to discuss and demonstrate their approach to building online identities based on their professional work. How did they do it? How has it impacted their professional work? How has it changed their notion of what it means to be a historian? What implications or possibilities might social media yield for our profession?
Chair: Keisha N. Blain, University of Pittsburgh
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Teaching Historical Thinking Skills Part One: An Approach to Teaching with Secondary Sources
This workshop focuses on teaching Analyzing Secondary Sources as one key aspect of Disciplinary Practices and Reasoning Skills in the AP US History course. Addressing the unique challenges of implementing this practice, the workshop explores the mechanics of locating appropriate secondary sources, editing them, and framing them for classroom inquiry. The presentation provides concrete examples of the ways that historians’ conflicting interpretations hinge on disagreements about issues like the significance of varied causes and/or effects, the context that best explains a specific development, the relative similarity between specific historical phenomena, or the significance of particular developments in relation to larger historical patterns. In introducing their students to major historiographical debates, then, teachers can also help them grapple with Reasoning Skills like Causation, Contextualization, Comparison, and Continuity and Change. Tackling multiple issues simultaneously allows teachers to stay on track as they guide their students through the course’s complex curriculum.
Presenter:
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Historians Writing for the Public
Newspaper op-ed pages, magazines, and digital publications are eager to publish work from scholars; many scholars are eager to be published in such outlets. This workshop is designed to help historians learn the mechanics of that process. We'll look at identifying a subject for an essay, matching it to the right outlet, writing a compelling pitch, and mastering the craft of rendering the past accessible to popular audiences.
Panelists:
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Bringing History Back to Life—Augmented Reality at Historic Sites
The National Park Service and its partners have begun using augmented reality technology to enhance the visitor experience at historical sites. These projects represent an innovative model for interpreting historical sites that have traditionally been difficult to interpret, particularly when there is an absence of remaining artifacts. The App challenges the notion of what kind of historical site is worth interpreting and what visitor experience is possible when there seems to be little that visually remains. This workshop will explore the type of research and collaboration required to produce such applications.
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Animating History
The Animating History workshop will bring together animation industry experts in various areas of story development and production and American historians to conduct a storyboarding session. Industry participants include directors, producers, writers, animators, art department staff, sound, story board, and effects areas alike. We will consider how and why historians might participate in producing high quality animated histories for wide audiences. First, working in teams as a design studio, we will develop a draft animation based on a selected historical event or person. Participants in the workshop will rapidly develop a storyboard and script introducing historians to the world of animation production. Participants will receive a packet on a specific event and will have some time to develop their ideas before coming to work with our industry professionals. After collaborating on these sketches, we will hold a final discussion on how a story is developed for film, television, and the web, and what design principles historians should consider in producing an animation.
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Family History for Historians, Historians for Family History
With the popularity of online family history, DNA testing, and social media, historians have new tools and opportunities to enrich their research methods and to “make history come alive” for their audiences. This interactive workshop will provide approaches, resources, and examples of life-changing family history projects that engage students with acquisition and analysis of primary sources. Historians’ own research will benefit from techniques that provide and organize research materials to enliven biography, develop social history context, and expand cultural diversity. Learn the latest genealogical detective work to support students and others who are searching for their families. Discover new ways to work “hands-on” with material culture artifacts. Explore crossover writing approaches utilizing scholarship, historical inference, and creative nonfiction techniques. Family history provides a way to better articulate the value of history and humanities to people’s lives.
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Digital Storytelling in Teaching History
This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the ways in which digital storytelling can be utilized in the undergraduate classroom to engage students in historical thinking, archival exploration, and the process of constructing historical knowledge. We will explain key elements of effective digital storytelling and will provide specific examples of how digital storytelling can be effectively incorporated into the undergraduate history classroom as an integrative or creative project. Participants will leave with sample assignments, rubrics, and other teaching resources. Please come with questions and ideas about how you might integrate digital tools into your own classrooms and curriculums.
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Teaching Historical Thinking Skills Part Two: An Approach to Teaching with Primary Sources
This workshop will focus on how to approach Advanced Placement Historical Thinking Skills (Analyzing Historical Sources and Evidence, Making Historical Connections, Chronological Reasoning, and Creating and Supporting a Historical Argument) when teaching with primary sources. The presenter offers a structure for deciding which historical thinking skill to highlight depending upon the source and task. For example, before answering a historical question or identifying the significance of a source, students need specific instruction around Making Historical Connections or Chronological Reasoning. After modeling how to identify teaching points, the group will construct a set of tasks to develop students’ ability to Analyze Historical Sources and Evidence. Then, she will take the features of complexity identified in the source to model a writing task that scaffolds the Creation and Support of a Historical Argument. After modeling a lesson, participants work together to identify possible teaching points in an additional document. To close the presentation, participants will share ideas about teaching students to think like historians and discuss points for clarification.
Presenter: | https://www.oah.org/meetings-events/2018/dohist-workshops/ |
Marketers that successfully bring together customer data captured through offline (in-store) and digital (e.g. web and social media) channels excel in optimizing marketing campaign results. This report introduces insights-driven marketers and illustrates the activities and technology enablers that they use to establish and nurture a data-driven marketing infrastructure.
70% of marketers are using seven channels to target customers in cross-channel campaigns.
Successful cross-channel marketers integrate digital and offline data across multiple systems.
Marketers that segment the customer base enjoy 6 times great NPS than those that don't. | http://www.bizreport.com/whitepapers/customer_analytics_making_big_data.html |
The results of the present investigation suggested the antioxidant effects of the JDEE against the oxidative stress induced with CCl4 in testes of male rates. Silymarin co-treatment showed marked protection in terms of morphology of the seminiferous tubules and the density of germ cells. Decomposition of NADPH was measured spectrophotometrically at 340nm (25C).
Ahmad KH, Habib S: Indigenous knowledge of some medicinal plants of Himalaya region, Dawarian Village, Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.
Also uncertain is the molecular mechanism by which reductions in GSH and other antioxidant molecules in Leydig cells, and thus increased oxidative stress, elicit reduced sensitivity to LH and thus reduced steroid formation. CCl4 treatment resulted in rupturing, displacement and alteration in shapes of seminiferous tubules. & K. Krause) from Nigeria. Development of spermatozoa from spermatogonial stem cells is regulated by various hormones and this whole process in controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Diminished level of CAT, POD, SOD, GPx, GST, GR and GSH while enhanced level of TBARS, nitrite and H2O2 in testes samples of male rats was reversed back to the control, dose dependently, by the co-administration of JDEE. Prakash KC. Glutathione is one of them.
2009;47:13939. Annals of Biochemistry. Administration of silymarin in combination with CCl4 ameliorated the toxic effect of CCl4 and increased the activity level of CAT, POD, SOD in testes samples and nonsignificant difference with the control was recorded.
Treatment of CCl4 causes hypogonadism and decrease the level of testosterone in serum of rat [3, 4]. Earlier we have reported in vitro antioxidant and DNA protection ability of the methanol extract and its derived fractions. Clin Nutr.
Differential distribution of glutathione and glutathione-related enzymes in rabbit kidney: possible implications in analgesic nephropathy.
The project was funded by the Department of Biochemistry Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan. To 50l of tissue homogenate, 25l of 1mM oxidized glutathione, 50l of 0.1mM NADPH, 50l of 0.5mM EDTA and 825l of 0.1M sodium phosphate buffer (pH7.6) were added. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.
Nor did treatment of the cells with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH, 2 hours), an oxidant.
International Journal of Life-Sciences and Scientific Research.
Various reports revealed that carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) a well-established hepatotoxin also causes injuries in testes [2, 3].
Comparative study of the assay of Artemia salina L. and the estimate of the medium lethal dose (LD50 value) in mice, to determine oral acute toxicity of plant extracts. Group III were treated (i.p.) 1982;126:1318. activity of glutathione-S-transferase was based on the formation of conjugate between GSH and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). It is a prostrate perennial herb with a thick terminal group of large flower heads and a rosette of long spreading lobed leaves with purple mid veins, root long, tuberous.
Medical treatment to improve sperm quality. Free radical scavenging capability of JDEE may be the reason in defensive impact against CCl4 harmfulness. Increase in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and increase in germinal thickness has been demonstrated in rat with pomegranate juice and alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds [27, 28]. Nitrite concentration was calculated in the tissue samples by using standard curve of sodium nitrite. Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ. 1975;250(14):547580.
Al-Sa'aidi JAA, Al-Khuzai ALD, Al-Zobaydi NFH. Animals were screened for mortality and morbidity for 14days .
To cope with such reactive species and the clinical disorders, it is essential to obtain dietary antioxidants which counter measure the excessive generation of free radicals [3, 4]. For acute toxicity study 18 SpragueDawley male rats of good health were randomly divided into six groups (3 rats in each).
It is suggested that the enhanced level of testosterone with JDEE in male rats might be beneficial to increase libido and sexual function of human being.
JDEE co-treatment to rats ameliorated the toxic effects of CCl4 in testes samples. The experiment was performed according to the instruction. Protective influence of Ficus asperifolia Miq leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
method. Chemical and Process Engineering Research. Privacy These results suggest that, as in aging, exposure to an increasingly pro-oxidant environment, over time, can have a negative impact on Leydig cell steroidogenic function, and that, indeed, increases in oxidative stress contribute to or cause the reduced testosterone production that characterizes Leydig cells aging. With the help of the Griess reagent nitrite assay was carried out according to the method of Green et al. After collection, roots were shade dried till the complete removal of moisture and samples were made to mesh sized powder by using plant grinder and powder (5kg) was soaked in crude methanol (10L) for extraction for 72h. The extraction was repeated two times with above procedure.
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Male infertility is a major clinical problem affecting 30% of the world population . Testes were excised from each animal and placed in saline solution. The reaction mixture was prepared by the addition of 1ml of 0.28nM phenol red, 2.0ml of sample homogenate, 5.5nM dextrose, 0.05M phosphate buffer (pH7) and horseradish peroxidase (8.5units) and incubated for 60min at 37C. Most aging men and many young men have reduced circulating testosterone levels, referred to as hypogonadism. 2006;2:27. Reprod BioMed Online. Exposure of rats to CCl4 prompted significant reduction in CAT, POD, SOD and GPx profile, exhausted the GSH level and elevated TBARS in testes .
In this regard we have assessed the activity level of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in testes samples whereas the concentration of testosterone in serum of rat. At 412nm absorbance was immediately read and the GSH activity was presented by M GSH/g tissue. The homogenate was treated with an equal volume of (100l) of 0.3M NaOH and 5% ZnSO4. Root of Jurenia dolomiaea is used traditionally in various disorders involving oxidative injuries i.e. Increase of glutathione, testosterone and antioxidant effects of, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1718-z, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/.
2).
Bars with different letters indicate significant difference (P<0.05). To determine the difference among various treatments one way analysis of variance was estimated by using the Statistix 8.1. Plants of J. dolomiaea were collected in 2011 from Nazar zera area of Kohistan, Pakistan.
The supernatant was collected which was used for further analyses. Animals were off feed but had open access to water 15h prior of test samples. Sensitivity of the kit is 0.2nmol/L 50nmol/L. (1) Control, (2) Vehicle control, (3) CCl4 treated control, (4) CCl4+Silymarin (200mg/kg), (5) CCl4+JDEE (200mg/kg), (6) CCl4+JDEE (400mg/kg), (7) JDEE (400mg/kg).
40 ; Microphotographs of testes histology of different groups after J. dolomiaea ethyl acetate fraction (JDEE) treatment (H & E staining). alone, CCl4 (I ml/kg; 1:10v/v in olive oil) alone, JDEE (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg) with CCl4, and silymarin (200mg/kg) with CCl4 on alternate days for 60days.
2006;12:70414. Roots are cooked with maize flour and used for the treatment of bone fractures. Similar histopathological alterations were recorded while assessing the defensive impact of various extracts of plants on testes against CCl4 induced toxicity [3, 4]. Oxidative Med Cell Longev.
Indian Journal of Biochemical Biophysics. Like many antioxidants, glutathione can play an important role in reducing inflammation in the body, particularly the lungs.
2022 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Co-treatment of silymarin and the JDEE (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg) lessened the toxic effects of CCl4 and reversed the level of these parameters towards the control group.
The method of Ohkawa et al. with 1ml/kg of CCl4 (1:10; v/v) after dissolving in olive oil and DMSO (1:1; v/v). This study makes use of rats and the experimental protocol for the use of animal was approved (Bch#0248) by the ethical board of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Pakistan. Some features of this site may not work without it. Protective role of glutathione and evidence for 3, 4-bromobenzene oxide as the hepatotoxic metabolite. Biochem Pharmacol. As yet, cause-effect relationships have not been established, however. The reaction mixture consisted of 100l of tissue homogenate, 10l of 100mM FeCl3, 100l of 100mM ascorbic acid and 290l of sodium phosphate buffer (pH7.4).
Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and mustang districts of Nepal. By using molar extinction coefficient (6.22103/M/cm) activity of GPx was assessed and expressed as nM of NADPH oxidized/min/mg protein. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Bars with different letters indicate significant difference (P<0.05). Glutathione-S-transferases: the first enzymatic step in mercapturic acid formation. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the J. dolomiaea plant have also been evaluated . Green LC, Wagner DA, Glogowski J, Skipper PL, Wishnok JS, Tannenbaum SR. Cite this article. Food Chem Toxicol. However, the administration of JDEE (400mg/kg) alone to rats significantly enhanced the level of testosterone in serum as compared to the control group. was followed to measure GSH activity in the testes samples. Concentration of TBARS, H2O2 and nitrite was diminished, dose dependently, and at higher dose of JDEE (400mg/kg) co-administered with CCl4 similar level of these parameters to that of the control group was observed. Absorbance change of 0.01 as units/min defines one unit CAT activity . General behavior of animals was noted after 120min of treatment. Absorbance of the reaction mixture was recorded at 560nm. To test the effect of decreased GSH on steroid formation, we first cultured MA-10 Leydig cells with BSO short-term (24 hours). Pick A, Keisari Y. Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production by chemically elicited peritoneal macrophages-induction by multiple nonphagocytic stimuli. 2010;9:18794. 1984;33(11):18017. In vivo evaluation of the plant was needed to ensure its protective effects against CCl4 induced toxicity in testes of rat. 1. Further, administration of JDEE (400mg/kg) alone to rats significantly (P<0.05) increased the level of GSH as compared to the control group. As JDEE interfere with the oxidation process by scavenging, reducing and chelation of free radical that is reflected in decrease of TBARS and increase in total antioxidant capacity. Hypogonadism is estimated to affect about 5 million American men, including both aged and young. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine However, an admirable effect of JDEE alone to male rats was the enhanced level of GSH in testes and testosterone in serum samples.
Rats when orally treated with JDEE (400mg/kg) alone did not alter the activity level of these enzymes as compared to the control group. Treatment of JDEE (400mg/kg) alone to rats did not change the level of protein as compared to the control group. , NADPH was used as substrate in order to determine GPx activity.
Jurinea macrocephala Royle) has a place with Family Asteraceae (Compositae).
The designed protocol (Bch#248) was then approved by the Ethical Committee of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. The activity level of GST, GPx and GR in testes samples treated with CCl4 decreased (P<0.05) as comparison to the control group. We make it easy to stay informed about the latest trends in mens health to help you perform at the top of your game.
Protective effect of plants against the CCl4 induced testicular toxicity have been reported [3, 4]. with JDEE (200mg/kg; 400mg/kg, respectively).
2009;23:1238. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science.
JDEE hold the constituents (flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins) which directly or indirectly ameliorate the oxidative harm to distinctive cells and organs.
However, when the GSH-depleted cells subsequently were exposed acutely to t-BuOOH, intracellular reactive oxygen species concentration was significantly increased, and this was accompanied by reductions in steroid production. Tissues after becoming clear were embedded in paraplast. Deterioration of seminiferous tubules and germ cells, interstitial in part was vanished and replaced by fibroblast and inflammatory cells were recorded in testes of CCl4 treated group of this study. The mixture was then centrifuged at 6400g for 20min to get the protein free supernatant.
1 filter was used and methanol was evaporated on a rotary evaporator at 40C under reduced pressure to get the viscous material and fractionated on escalating polarity basis. For this the reaction mixture contained 25l of tissue homogenate, 25l of 20mM guaiacol, 75l of 40mM H2O2 and 625l of 50mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH5.0). Protein measurement with Folin phenol reagent. The protocol of Pick and Keisari was followed to assess the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the testes samples. Trk G, Snmez M, Aydin M, Yce A, Gr S, Yksel M, Aksu EH, Aksoy H. Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on sperm quality, spermatogenic cell density, antioxidant activity and testosterone level in male rats. Food and water were given ad libitum. Higher testosterone level with pomegranate juice and alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds has been determined in rat [27, 28]. MRK has made substantial contribution to designing, analyzing and drafting of the manuscript. The control group orally received 15% DMSO in olive oil. Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan, You can also search for this author in
Briefly, 500l of testes supernatant was mixed with 500l of sulfosalicylic (4%) to carry out precipitation. Histopathological observation of testes samples endorsed the alterations induced with different treatments. Increase in GSH level with juice and methanol extract of pomegranate peel has been determined in rat . Ojo OA, Ojo AB, Ajiboye B, Fadaka A, Imiere OB, Adeyonu O, Olayide I. Additionally, it is recognized cordial and is given in puerperal fevers. The higher dose of JDEE (400mg/kg) produced similar protective effects (P>0.05) for these enzymes to that of the silymarin co-treated group. These results suggested the evaluation of JDEE for sexual behavior. 1951;193:26575. JDEE constituted significant amount of total flavonoids 807.07.2mg rutin equivalent/g of JDEE. Testes samples were investigated for antioxidant enzymes, biochemical markers and histopathology while the serum samples were analyzed for the testosterone level. 2016;6(06):03741. (1) Control, (2) Vehicle control, (3) CCl4 treated control, (4) CCl4+Silymarin (200mg/kg), (5) CCl4+JDEE (200mg/kg), (6) CCl4+JDEE (400mg/kg), (7) JDEE (400mg/kg). Dwivedi SD, Wagay SA.
Roots are also used by the local population for loose bowels and stomachache .
Presence of saponins in the JDEE might be responsible for the release of pituitary LH while the flavonoids might have been implicated in the synthesis of androgens. EXCLI J. Tissue homogenates were first centrifuged at 1500g for 10min and then for 15min at 10000g. From the supernatant obtained a volume of 150l was added to the reaction mixture containing 50l of 186M phenazine methosulphate and 600l of 0.052mM sodium pyrophosphate buffer (pH7.0). In another study use of pomegranate juice increased the GSH in testis of rat . Over time, at times after GSH was reduced, steroid synthesis decreased, reminiscent of natural aging of primary Leydig cells. At 340nm absorbance of the reaction mixture was recorded and with molar extinction coefficient of 9.6103/M/cm, GST activity was determined, expressed as nM CDNB conjugate formed/min/mg protein. alone with 400mg/kg of JDEE.
The concentration of testosterone in serum was estimated through Astra Biotech kit purchased from Immunotech Company. Earlier we have investigated in vitro antioxidant and DNA protective ability. Antioxidant potential, DNA protection, and HPLC-DAD analysis of neglected medicinal Jurinea dolomiaea roots.
Sprague Dawley male rats (42) were equally divided in to 7 groups: control, vehicle control, JDEE (400mg/kg; p.o.) On testis against oxidative stress of carbon tetrachloride in rat. The altered histopathological changes induced with CCl4 were also diminished with co-treatment of JDEE. SOD activity was determined by Kakkar et al. It is apparent from Fig.
Enhanced level of GSH, thickness of germinal layers in testes and testosterone in serum with JDEE (400mg/kg) treatment alone to rats demanded the evaluation of JDEE for sexual behavior. The reaction mixture was incubated for 1h at 37C in a shaking water bath at 37C.
Effect of different treatments of J. dolomiaea ethyl acetate fraction (JDEE) on (a) catalase (b) peroxidase (c) superoxide dismutase (d) glutathione-S-transferase (e) glutathione peroxidase (f) glutathione reductase in testes of rat.
was used to measure the TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in testes samples. This treatment reduced intracellular levels of GSH somewhat but had no effect on progesterone production by these cells at this early time. 1974;11(3):15169. The results indicated that administration of CCl4 to rats cause toxicity and depleted the level of GSH in testes as compared to the control group. 2014;2014:726241.
However, the activity level of CAT, POD, SOD in testes of rat with JDEE (400mg/kg) treatment alone was not changed as compared to the control group. Given the abundance of GSH in Leydig cells, we hypothesized that the experimental depletion of GSH would result in an increasingly pro-oxidant intracellular environment, and that this would cause reduced steroidogenic function. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. However, co-administration of JDEE at higher dose of 400mg/kg showed more protection in terms of nitrite content than the reference silymarin treated group. | http://littlestarsdaycare.ca/emulsified83dc/12000747b6eed29204ab7a2 |
Child and Adolescent Mental Health helps readers provide mental health care to children with varying emotional problems.
Child and Adolescent and Mental Health tackles the challenge of spanning disciplines in the helping professions—chapters address the perspectives of psychologists, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, educators, recreation specialists, families, and others.
The text covers themes such as creating genuine partnerships among family members and professionals, developing culturally sensitive community resources, and building on the strengths of the community, the consumer, the student, and the professional to best meet the complex needs of families. The text goes on to discuss the integration of the system of care philosophy and approach, and the core value of providing services that are community-based, child-centered, family-focused, and culturally appropriate. | https://www.ovid.com/product-details.4747.html |
Ethnographic examine is prime to the self-discipline of anthropology. in spite of the fact that, modern debate on issues equivalent to modernism/postmodernism, subjectivity/objectivity and self/other positioned the worth of fieldwork into query. Reflexive Ethnography presents a pragmatic and accomplished advisor to ethnographic study tools which absolutely engages with those major matters.
Cosmologies in the Making: A Generative Approach to Cultural Variation in Inner New Guinea
In studying the adjustments that experience taken position within the mystery cosmological lore transmitted in male initiation ceremonies one of the Mountain okay of internal New Guinea, this ebook bargains a brand new means of explaining how cultural switch happens. Professor Barth makes a speciality of accounting for the neighborhood adaptations in cosmological traditions that exist one of the okay humans, who in a different way proportion mostly comparable cultures.
Spirits in Transcultural Skies: Auspicious and Protective Spirits in Artefacts and Architecture Between East and West
The amount investigates the visualization of either ritual and ornamental elements of auspiciousness and security within the type of celestial characters in artwork and structure. In doing so, it covers greater than and a part millennia and a vast geographical quarter, documenting a convention present in approximately each nook of the area.
Cultural Networks in Migrating Heritage: Intersecting Theories and Practices across Europe
This booklet is a research of the position of cultural and historical past networks and the way they could aid associations and their host societies deal with the tensions and comprehend the possibilities coming up from migration. In earlier and rising demanding situations of social inclusion and cultural discussion, hybrid types of cultural id, citizenship and nationwide belonging, the learn additionally units out to reply to the questions 'how'.
- Anthropology in the Public Arena: Historical and Contemporary Contexts
- Naked Science: Anthropological Inquiry into Boundaries, Power, and Knowledge
- Why Leather?: The Material and Cultural Dimensions of Leather
- Northeast Migrants in Delhi: Race, Refuge and Retail (IIAS Publications)
Extra info for Assessing the Values of Cultural Heritage
Example text
In order for heritage to remain relevant to contemporary society, some things have to be continually valorized and added to the heritage, while other things are devalorized and, in effect, destroyed. Therefore, heritage implies destruction, just as it implies conservation. See Lowenthal in Avrami, Mason, and de la Torre (). . There is an extensive literature on indicators used in sustainable ecological development. Bell and Morse () and Hart () are excellent sources on this. References Australia .
The terms market and nonmarket are used here as synonyms for use and nonuse. I believe that this association makes these categories more understandable and accepted among noneconomists, and it follows directly from the clear description David Throsby gives in his paper herein. of methods for gauging heritage values. Positivist methods assume a value-free, objective perspective. They exchange scientific certainty for value sensitivity. Phenomenological or postpositivist methods, by contrast, embrace the values and politics surrounding any epistemological effort.
Because these values and stakeholders can play a significant role in decisions about a site, ecological values may in some instances warrant classification as a separate category of heritage value. A deeper exploration of the ecological values of heritage sites is beyond the scope of this paper’s argument. . Similar breakdowns have been made in Frey (), Throsby (), and a World Bank report (Serageldin and Steer ). . Externalities are a third important kind of economic value; they are a spin-off of the other types of economic values. | http://fartinawindstorm.johnhawkinsgordon.com/epub/assessing-the-values-of-cultural-heritage |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a rear wheel steering device for a vehicle.
Conventionally, a four-wheel steering device which steers rear wheels, as well as front wheels, has been known in the art, as disclosed by the Japanese Patent Application Laying Open Gazette No. 59-26365, for example.
Such a device as mentioned above is provided with a rear wheel steering shaft which steers rear wheels by its displacement, neutrally holding means which constantly biases the rear wheel steering shaft to the neutral position, a motor which is linked with the rear wheel steering shaft and changes a steering angle ratio (ratio of the rear wheel steering angle to the front wheel steering angle) by displacing the rear wheel steering shaft, and oil pressure assist means which assists displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft by the motor by oil pressure force.
In the above device, in the case of four-wheel steering device of vehicle speed sensing, it is so controlled that the rear wheels are steered in the reverse phase (direction) at a low speed and in the same phase (direction) at a high speed in relation to the front wheels and at the vehicle speed=0, the steering angle ratio shows the maximum value in reverse phase (direction).
However, when a vehicle stops, due to delay in working of the motor which changes a steering angle ratio it sometimes occurs that the motor stops before a standard position where the steering angle ratio of the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) is attained and in the case where the engine stops in such fashion, oil pressure of the oil pressure means is relieved.
In the above case, when control is resumed by engine driving it is necessary in the first place to work the motor to attain the standard position even at the initial check which precedes the start of the rear wheel steering control.
At the above stage, however, oil pressure is not yet supplied to the oil pressure assist means which assists driving of the motor. Moreover, since a buffer mechanism comprising a spring which absorbs and buffers steering force to be transmitted to the rear wheel steering shaft at fail- safe, etc. is provided at the midway part of the system by which steering force is transmitted to the rear wheel steering shaft so that at the time of usual fail-safe two-wheel steering (only front wheels are steered) is made possible without transmitting handle steering force to the rear wheels, the above-mentioned standard position must be attained only by the force of the motor against the spring force, etc. of the buffer mechanism, without getting assist force by oil pressure. In order to enable us to carry out such operation of the motor accurately at any place including a cold district (-40° C., for example), it is required to make the capacity of a motor extremely large. This raises the problem of requirement of large size motors. On the other hand, if it is so designed that the rear wheel steering control can be resumed immediately without working the motor to attain the standard position, there is a danger that a big disagreement is caused between the controlled steering angle ratio by the control system and the actual steering angle ratio.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a rear wheel steering device for a vehicle which has a small size motor for changing a steering angle ratio and prevents the steering angle ratio from turning the reverse phase (direction) side inadvertently, without impairing driveability.
In order to attain the above object, the device of the present invention is provided with a rear wheel steering shaft which steers rear wheels by its displacement, neutrally holding means which constantly biases the rear wheel steering shaft to the neutral position, a motor which is linked with the rear wheel steering shaft and changes the steering angle ratio (the ratio of rear wheel steered angle to the front wheel steered angle) by replacing the rear wheel steering shaft, oil pressure assist means which assists displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft by the motor by oil pressure force, oil pressure supply means which supplies oil pressure to the oil pressure assist means and oil pressure control means which controls the oil pressure supply means prior to working of the motor when working the motor at the initial check and supplies oil pressure to the oil pressure assist means.
With the above arrangement, when a motor which changes the steered angle ratio (the ratio of rear wheel steered angle to the front wheel steered angle) is worked at the initial check (from the system start to the starting of rear wheel steering operation control), oil pressure is supplied by the oil pressure supply means to the oil pressure assist means before the motor works. Thus, it is so designed that when the motor is worked at the initial check preceding the rear wheel steering control, oil pressure is supplied by the oil pressure supply means before the motor works and therefore the motor is oil pressure- assisted by oil pressure force and is put in the fixed state.
The present invention comprises further vehicle speed calculating means which calculates a vehicle speed, rear wheel steering control means which receives output of the vehicle speed calculating means and controls the motor so that a two-wheel steering position with a two- wheel steering angle ratio is attained according to judgment of "vehicle speed exists" at the initial check and a standard position with a steering angle ratio of the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) is attained according to judgment of "vehicle speed does not exist" at the initial check and first correcting means which receives outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means and the rear wheel steering control means and when controlling the motor to the two-wheel steering position according to judgment of "vehicle speed exists" at the initial check, controls the oil pressure control means so as to make the oil pressure supply means supply oil pressure to the oil pressure assist means.
The oil pressure supply means is a pair of electromagnetic normal open valves which are arranged in parallel at a drain passage through which oil exhausted from an oil pressure pump is returned to a tank and are kept open while not electrified. The rear wheel steering control means receives a signal from the oil pressure control means and control of the motor to the standard position where the steering angle ratio becomes the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) according to judgment of "vehicle speed does not exist" is performed after the lapse of the fixed hours following electric supply to a pair of electromagnetic normal open valves. The rear wheel steering control means changes the steering angle ratio according to the vehicle speed in reverse phase (direction) at a low speed and in the same phase (direction) at a high speed.
The present invention further comprises second correcting means which receives outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means and the rear wheel steering means and at the initial check makes the rear wheel steering control means start a rear wheel steering control with a new present position which is by the fixed degree toward the same phase side from the present position according to judgment of "vehicle speed exists" after start of movement control to the standard position.
The present invention further comprises a steering angle ratio detecting means which detects a steering angle ratio which is the ratio of the rear wheel steering angle to the front wheel steering angle, fail- safe means which receives outputs of the steering angle detecting means and the vehicle speed calculating means and performs fail-safe upon judging the disagreement between the vehicle speed and the steering angle ratio as fail and prohibiting means which is linked with the fail- safe means and prohibits fail-safe by the fail-safe means on the basis of disagreement between the vehicle speed and the steering angle ratio until the two-wheel steering position is attained, when controlling the motor to the two-wheel steering position according to judgment of "vehicle speed exists" at the initial check.
The present invention further comprises steering angle ratio varying means which is stroke-displaced in vehicle width direction according to the rear wheel steering angle and has an output shaft which displaces the rear wheel steering shaft in vehicle width direction through the medium of a displacement transmitting means, wherein the ratio of displacement quantity of the output shaft to the front wheel steering angle varies according to the quantity of rotation of the motor and a power steering means which generates steering force by utilizing oil pressure, wherein the oil pressure assist means is an oil pressure change valve having a valve member displaceable in axial direction in parallel with the axis of the output shaft. The valve member is linked with the output shaft and the rear wheel steering shaft through the medium of the displacement transmitting means and by displacement of the valve member, oil pressure supply to the power steering means is controlled.
The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view of an overall construction of a rear wheel steering device of a vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a cross section of a steering angle ratio varying means;
FIG. 3 is a cross section of an output displacement member;
FIG. 4 is a rough perspective view of a steering device;
FIG. 5 shows an example of the control pattern of the steering angle ratio;
FIG. 6 through FIG. 8 are explanatory drawings, each showing the operation of a displacement transmitting means, an output shaft, an oil pressure change valve and a rear wheel steering shaft.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a flow of the control; and
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Description is made below of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1 showing the overall construction of the rear wheel steering device of the present invention, a four-wheel steering device is provided with a front wheel steering device 2 which steers left and right front wheels 1L, 1R and a rear wheel steering device 4 which steers left and right rear wheels 3L, 3R.
The front wheel steering device 2 comprises a front wheel steering shaft 7 connected to a pair of (left and right) front wheels 1L, 1R through the medium of a pair of (left and right) tie rods 5L, 5R and a pair of (left and right) knuckle arms 6L, 6R and a steering wheel shaft 11 having at one end thereof a pinion 9 which meshes with a rack part 8 formed on the front wheel steering shaft 7 and at the other end thereof a steering wheel 10. Front wheels 1L, 1R are steered by displacing the front wheel steering shaft 7 in vehicle width direction by manipulation of the steering wheel 10.
The rear wheel steering device 4 steers rear wheels in accordance with the specified steering angle ratio, namely, in accordance with the steered angle of the front wheel and also changes the steering angle ratio according to the vehicle speed.
The rear wheel steering device 4 is provided with a steering angle ratio varying means 12, a power steering means 13, a rear wheel steering shaft 14, a neutrally holding means 15, a displacement transmitting means 46 and an oil pressure change valve 61 as an oil pressure assist means (refer to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4).
The rear wheel steering shaft 14 extends in a vehicle width direction and is connected, at both ends thereof, with a pair of (left and right) rear wheels 3L, 3R through the medium of a pair of (left and right) tie rods 21L, 21R and a pair of (left and right) knuckle arms 22L, 22R. The rear wheels 3L, 3R are steered by stroke displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft 14 in a vehicle width direction.
The neutrally holding means 15 is provided with a centering spring 16 in compressed state as shown in FIG. 4. The centering spring 16 constantly biases the rear wheel steering shaft 14 to the neutral position (straight advancing position of the rear wheels 3L, 3R).
The stroke displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft 14 in a vehicle width direction is performed by the steering angle ratio varying means 12 and the power steering means 13.
The steering angle ratio varying means 12 varies the steering angle ratio when steering the rear wheels 3L, 3R. This means 12 has an output shaft 17. A front wheel steering angle is inputted to the steering angle ratio varying means 12 through the medium of a rack part 23 formed on the front wheel steering shaft 7, a pinion 24 which meshes with the rack part 23 and a transmitting shaft 25 which rotates with the pinion 24. In accordance with the front wheel steering angle inputted, the output shaft 17 is stroke-displaced in a vehicle width direction.
It is so designed that the ration of displacement amount of the output shaft 17 to the inputted front wheel steering angle (corresponding to the steering angle ratio) varies with the amount of rotation of a stepping motor 26. The amount of rotation of the stepping motor 26 is controlled properly by a control means 28 on the basis of a vehicle speed signal to be outputted from a vehicle speed sensor 27. The actual amount of rotation of the stepping motor 26 is detected by a steering angle ratio sensor 29 and by a detection signal of the sensor 29, feedback control is performed.
Steering of the rear wheels 3L, 3R is performed by the power steering means 13 in accordance with the amount of displacement of the output shaft 17 in the steering angle ratio varying means 12.
The rear wheel steering device 4 is provided with the power steering means 13 which generates steering force by utilizing oil pressure. This power steering means 13 is equipped with a valve means 30 as an oil pressure supply means which extinguishes the rear wheel steering force (oil pressure in the power cylinder) in the power steering means 13 by draining from an oil pressure pump 31.
The valve means 30 is provided on a drain passage 33 which makes the part between the discharge side of the oil pressure pump 31 and an oil pressure change valve 61 (to be described later) communicate with a tank 32 so as to return oil discharged from the oil pressure pump 31 to the tank 32. The valve means 30 is composed of electromagnetic normal open valves 34, 35 (to be kept open while electrified). Reference numeral 37 designates a filter.
Both valves 34, 35 are controlled by the control means 28 to which various informations (not shown in the drawing) necessary for controlling the valves 34, 35 are inputted. More specifically, at the time of normal rear wheel steering both normal open valves 34, 35 are electrified, whereby solenoids 34a, 35a are excited and both valves 34, 35 are closed. Then, rear wheel steering force is generated on the basis of oil pressure discharged from the oil pressure pump 31 and by this steering force the rear wheels 3L, 3R are steered.
In the case where the specified abnormality took place at the rear wheel steering device 4, electric supply to both normal open valves 34, 35 is stopped so as to demagnetize solenoids 34a, 35a, open both valves 34, 35 and discharge oil pressure from the oil pressure pump 31 directly into the tank 32 via the drain passage 33. By this operation the rear wheel steering force in the power steering means 13 is extinguished, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is returned to the neutral position by biassing force of the centering spring 16 (the neutrally holding means 15) and the fail-safe control (to put in the 2WS state) is performed. In the case where both valves 34, 35 are opened, oil discharged from the oil pressure pump 31 is discharged into the tank 32 via the valves 34, 35 due to high resistance at the part of the oil pressure change valve 61.
When an ignition switch is turned OFF, if terminal voltage of the output terminal of an alternator lowers below the fixed value, electric supply to both valves 34, 35 is stopped and as a result, both valves 34, 35 are opened.
As shown in FIG. 2, the steering angle ratio varying means 12 is provided with a bevel gear 41, a rocking shaft member 42, a pendulum arm 43 and a connecting rod 44, all of which are provided in a case 45.
The output shaft 17 of the steering angle ratio varying means 12 is supported in the case 45 slidably in its axis direction. By stroke displacement of the output shaft 17 in its axis direction, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced in the axis direction (vehicle width direction) through the medium of a displacement transmitting means 46, whereby the rear wheels 3L, 3R linked with both end portions of the rear wheel steering shaft 14 are steered.
The bevel gear 41 is supported in the case 45 rotatably around the axis which is coaxial with the output shaft 17. With the rotation of a pinion 47 (at a rear end portion of the transmitting shaft 25) meshing with the bevel gear 41 by manipulating a steering wheel, the bevel gear 41 rotates around the above axis.
The rocking axis member 42 has an axis which can be coaxial with the output shaft 17 (position shown in FIG. 2) and is fixed to a rocking gear 48. The rocking gear 48 meshes with a worm 49 which is rotated by driving of the stepping motor 26 and rotates around the axis (perpendicular in the drawing) which intersects the axis l1 of the rocking shaft member 42. By this rotation of the rocking gear 48, the rocking shaft member 42 is also rotated.
The pendulum arm 43 is connected, rockably around the axis l1 of the rocking axis member 42, with the rocking axis member 42. The position at which the pendulum arm 43 is connected with the rocking axis member 42 is so determined that the axis l2 of the pendulum arm 43 passes the intersecting point of the rotation axis and the axis l1 of the rocking axis member 42.
The connecting rod 44 has an axis in parallel with the axis l3 of the output shaft 17 and is connected with the output shaft 17, the bevel gear 41 and the pendulum arm 43. The connecting rod 44 is connected with the output shaft 17 by screwing an end portion of the connecting rod 44 into a lever 17A fixed to an end portion of the output shaft 17, is connected with the bevel gear 41 by putting the other end portion of the connecting rod 44 through a hole 41a made in the bevel gear 41 (at the distance of r from the axis of the bevel gear 41), and is connected with the pendulum arm 43 by putting the pendulum arm 43 through a hole 50a of a ball joint (ball-and-socket joint) member 50 which is provided rotatably in all directions at the intermediate part of the connecting rod 44. Therefore, the connecting rod 44 is fixed to the output shaft 17 but is slidable in the axis l4 direction in relation to the bevel gear 41 and is also slidable in the axis l2 direction in relation to the pendulum arm 43. The axis l2 of the pendulum arm 43 slants in the direction intersecting rectangularly to the axis l3 by rotation of the rocking axis member 42 and the pendulum arm 43 slides in such slant direction. Even in this case, the change of the included angle between the axis l2 and the axis l4 is absorbed and therefore component in the direction intersecting rectangularly to the axis l3 of the output shaft 17 (out of the force transmitted to the connecting rod 44 from the pendulum arm 43) is absorbed at the connecting point between the pendulum arm 43 and the connecting rod 44 and thus relative movement in the direction intersecting rectangularly to each other is made possible.
Thus, connection of the connecting rod 44 with the pendulum arm 43 in the steering angle ratio varying means 12 is made in such a fashion that both are relatively movable in the direction intersecting rectangularly to the axis l3 and therefore the locus of the connecting point between the pendulum arm 43 and the connecting rod 44 when the pendulum arm 43 rotates, is a circular locus or an ellptical locus on the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder having the radius r with the axis l3 as center.
As stated above, since the connection between the pendulum arm 43 and the connecting rod 44 is made in such a fashion that both are relatively movable in the direction intersecting rectangularly to the axis l3, the angle made by the axis l4 of the connecting rod 44 and the axis l3 of the output shaft 17 can be fixed. Thus, it can be prevented that right and left deviation occurs at the displacement of the output shaft 17.
FIG. 3 shows an output displacement member 51 interposed between the steering angle ratio varying means 12 and the displacement transmitting means 46. The output displacement member 51 is composed of a tubular member 52 and the output shaft 17, one end portion of which being connected with the connecting rod 44 and the other end of which being fitted in the tubular member 52 displaceably in the direction of the axis l3. End portions of the output shaft 17 and the tubular member 52 are supported by supporting members 14a which are integral with the case 45. The tubular member 52 comprises a first tubular part 52b having an engaging part 52a which engages with an engaging end portion A (refer to FIG. 4) of the displacement transmitting means 46, a second tubular part 52c which meshes with the first tubular part 52b and locknut 52d. A hole part of larger diameter 52e is made inside the tubular member 52. At this hole part of larger diameter 52e, spring seats 17a, 17b and a spring 17c which is compressed between both spring seats 17a, 17b are provided, whereby both spring seats 17a, 17b are biassed to the outer side of the axial direction by the spring 17c and contact a retainer 17d and a shoulder part 17e of the output shaft 17 and also contact shoulder parts 52f, 52g at both ends in axial direction of the hole part of larger diameter.
Therefore, in the case where displacement in axis l3 direction is transmitted to the output shaft 17 by the connecting rod 44, such displacement is usually transmitted to the tubular member 52 via the shoulder parts 52f, 52g of the hole part of larger diameter 52e of the tubular member 52 and is further transmitted to the engaging end portion A of the displacement transmitting means 46 from the tubular member 52. However, if movement of the engaging end portion A of the displacement transmitting means 46 controlled and load which is larger than the force of the spring 17c (set at the fixed value) acts on the tubular member 52 at the time of displacement of the output shaft 17, displacement of the output shaft 17 is not transmitted to the tubular member because it is absorbed by contraction of the spring 17c.
The oil pressure change valve 61 comprises a valve housing 62 and a spool 63 which is a valve member provided in the housing 62 in such a fashion that it is displaceable in the direction of axis l5 which is in parallel with the axis l3 of the output shaft 17. The spool 63 is displaced by the output shaft 17 and the rear wheel steering shaft 14 through the medium of the displacement transmitting means 46 (to be described later). By the displacement of the spool 63, supply of oil pressure to the power steering means 13 is controlled. More particularly, if the spool 63 is displaced in the right direction from the neutral position in relation to the valve housing 62, oil pressure is supplied to the right oil room 65 (one side of the cylinder of the power steering means 13) and if the spool 63 is displaced in the left direction, oil pressure is supplied to the left oil room 66 (the other side of the cylinder).
The rear wheel steering shaft 14 extends in vehicle width direction which is in parallel with the axis l3 of the output shaft 17 and steers rear wheels 3R, 3L connected with both ends thereof by its displacement in that direction via the tie rods 21L, 21R and knuckle arms 22L, 22R. Displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft 17 is performed by oil pressure force of the power steering means 13. The rear wheel steering shaft 14 is provided with the centering spring 16. In the case where oil pressure in the oil pressure change valve 61 and the power steering means 13 was extinguished or in the case where damage or trouble occurred at the mechanical system of the rear wheel steering device, for which oil pressure at the cylinder of the power steering means 13 was extinguished by drain-opening the oil pressure system, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is put in the neutral position (the position at which rear wheels are not steered but are in straight advancing state), namely, the so-called fail-safe is performed.
The cylinder of the power steering means 13 is for displacing the rear wheel steering shaft 14 in vehicle width direction by oil pressure force. A piston 68 is fixed directly to the rear wheel steering shaft 14. Seal members 70, 71 which form the left and right oil rooms 66, 65 are provided on the left and right sides of the piston 68. These seal members 70, 71 are fixed to a housing 72 of the cylinder of the power steering means 13 and are slidable in relation to the rear wheel steering shaft 14.
The displacement transmitting means 46 engages with the output shaft 17, the spool 63, the rear wheel steering shaft 14, as well as the output member 51. This means 46 is operated in such direction that it displaces the spool 63 in the fixed direction by displacement of the output shaft 17 and also in such direction that it displaces the spool 63 in the direction contrary to the above.
Concretely, the displacement transmitting means 46 has a cross lever 46a comprising a vertical lever and a horizontal lever. The vertical lever is engaged at one end portion thereof (the engaging end portion A) with the tubular member 52 of the output displacement member 51 and at the other end portion thereof (the engaging end portion B) with the rear wheel steering shaft 14. The horizontal lever is engaged at one end portion thereof (the engaging end portion C) with the case of the rear wheel steering device 4 fixed to a vehicle body and at the other end portion thereof (the engaging end portion D) with the spool 63. The engaging end portion A, B, D are immovable in axial direction in relation to the tubular member 52 of the output displacement member 51, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 and the spool 63 but are movable and rotatable in other directions. The engaging end portion C is rotatable but is immovable due to a ball point (not shown in the drawing).
An explanation is made below about the principle of operation of this steering device, with reference to FIG. 6 through FIG. 8.
FIG. 6 is a cross section showing the state in which both the spool 63 and the rear wheel steering shaft 14 are in neutral position, as shown FIG. 4. Suppose the output shaft 17 is displaced in the right direction from this state, the engaging end portion A of the cross lever 46a is displaced in the right direction with the tubular member 52. When the engaging end portion A is displaced, tire reaction and reaction by the centering spring 16 acts on the rear wheel steering shaft 14 and therefore the engaging end portion B is immovable in axial direction. The engaging end portion C is also immovable because it is fitted to the case. Thus, the cross lever 46a slants, with a straight line connecting the engaging end portion C to the engaging end portion B as center as shown in FIG. 7, namely, the cross lever 46a is operated in such direction that it displaces the spool 63 in the fixed direction (the right direction) and displaces the spool 63 in the right direction by the engaging end portion D.
In the neutral state shown in FIG. 6, a tank returning oil passage gap or a gap between the valve housing 62 and the spool 63 is LO at both of the left side oil room 66 and the right side oil room 65. However, when the spool 63 is displaced in the right direction from the neutral position, while the tank returning oil passage gap on the right oil room 65 side narrows, that on the left oil room 66 side widens. Accordingly, while oil pressure of the right oil room 65 increases, that of the left oil room 66 decreases and oil pressure force which pushes the rear wheel steering shaft 14 in the left direction is generated at the power steering means 13. This oil pressure force to push the rear wheel steering shaft 14 in the left direction increases with the increase of displacement in right direction of the spool 63.
When the spool 63 is displaced from the neutral position shown in FIG. 6 up to the balanced position shown in FIG. 7 (in the right direction by L1), the tank returning oil passage gap on the right oil room 65 side narrows to L2=L0-L1 and the above oil pressure force of the power steering means 13 generated balances with external force (force of the centering spring, tire reaction, etc.).
When the spool 63 is displaced further in the right direction from the state shown in FIG. 7, while the tank returning oil passage gap on the right oil room 65 side becomes narrower than L2, that on the left oil room 66 side becomes wider than L3, whereby oil pressure force to be generated at the power steering means 13 becomes larger than external force which acts on the rear wheel steering shaft 14 and accordingly the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced in the left direction by such oil pressure force.
When the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaces in the left direction, the engaging end portion B of the cross lever 46a is displaced, along with the rear wheel steering shaft 14, in the left direction. At this time, the engaging end portion A is immovable because handle steering force, tire reaction of front wheels, etc. are acting on the output displacement member 51 and also the engaging end portion C is immovable. Therefore, when the cross lever 46a returns to the balanced position as shown in FIG. 8 with a straight line connecting the engaging end portion A to the engaging end portion C as center, displacement of the rear wheel steering shaft 14 stops.
When the output shaft 17 is displaced further in the right direction from the above state and the spool 63 is displaced in the right direction, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced in the left direction but displacement stops when the spool 63 returns to the balanced position. By repeating this operation, the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced by the quantity corresponding to the quantity of displacement of the output shaft 17 and according to that quantity, the rear wheels 3L, 3R are steered. The balanced position varies with the magnitude of external force, for example, when the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced in the left direction as described above, the centering spring 16 bends according to such displacement and the force (external force) by the centering spring 16 becomes larger, whereby the balanced position moves in the right direction from the position shown in FIG. 7. However, movement of the balanced position is very slight (for example, in this embodiment the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced by +10 mm left and right at the maximum from the neutral position) and the balanced position when the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is displaced at the maximum is only about +1 mm away from the neutral position shown in FIG. 6.
In the case where the output shaft is displaced in the left direction, movement of the cross lever 46a, the spool 63 and the rear wheel steering shaft 14 is merely contrary to the above case and the principle of operation is the same as the above case. Therefore, an explanation is omitted.
Control on the change of steering angle ratio by the steering angle ratio varying means 12 can be performed on the basis of various factors and various change control patterns are available. In this embodiment, control is performed by the pattern shown in FIG. 5 so that at a low speed area, improvement of cornering capacity can be planned by steering the rear wheels 3L, 3R in reverse direction to the handle steering and the front wheels 1L, 1R and at a high speed area, improvement of running stability can be planned by steering in the same direction. In this case, handle steering and the front wheel steering are always in the same direction.
In order to perform the above control, the control means 28 stores the steering angle ratio control pattern and a vehicle speed signal is inputted from the vehicle speed sensor 27. In order to realize the steering angle ratio to be obtained by the vehicle speed signal and the steering angle ratio control pattern (FIG. 5), the control means 28 has a rear wheel steering control means 28a. The rear wheel steering control means 28a detects the actual steering angle ratio from the angle of rotation of the central axis of a rocking gear 48 and feedback controls it to the steering angle ratio set by the rotation of the stepping motor 26. The control means 28 receives an output pulse of the vehicle speed sensor 27 and has a vehicle speed calculating means 28g which calculates a vehicle speed on the basis of the cycle between pulses in the state of initial check but in other states, calculates on the basis of the number of pulses outputted within the fixed hours.
The rear wheel steering control means 28a receives outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means 28g and controls the stepping motor 26 so that the two wheel steering position (2WS position) where the steering angle ratio is zero is attained when judgment at initial check is "vehicle speed exists" but the standard position where the steering angle ratio becomes the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) is attained when judgment at initial check is "vehicle speed does not exist".
As shown in FIG. 10, the control means 28 has an oil pressure control means 28b which, when working the stepping motor 26 by initial check, controls the valve means 30 (oil pressure supply means) before the motor is worked to make it supply oil repressure to the oil pressure change valve (as oil pressure assist means), a first corrective means 28c which receives the outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means 28g and the rear wheel steering control means 28a and when controlling the stepping motor 26 to the two-wheel steering position, controls the oil pressure control means 28b after attainment of the two-wheel steering position and makes the valve means 30 supply oil pressure to the oil pressure change valve, and a second correcting means 28d which receives outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means 28g and the rear wheel steering control means 28a and after the start of control to the standard position, makes the rear wheel steering control means 28a start the rear wheel steering control, with the point which is away from the present position by the fixed quantity toward the same phase (direction) as a new present position when judgment is "vehicle speed exists", after the start of control to the standard position. The control means 28 further has a fail- safe means 28e which receives outputs of the vehicle speed calculating means 28g and the steering angle ratio sensor 29 and performs fail-safe when it judges the disagreement between the vehicle speed and the steering angle ratio as "fail" and a prohibiting means 28f which is linked with the fail-safe means 28e and prohibits fail-safe by the fail- safe means 28e on the basis of the disagreement between the vehicle speed and the steering angle ratio when judgment at the initial check is "vehicle speed exists" and control to the two-wheel steering position is performed.
The flow of control by the control means 28 is described below, with reference to FIG. 9.
Upon starting with the ignition switch ON, system start, start from the engine stop, etc., at first CPU of the control means 28 is initialized (step S.sub.1) and the initial check is started. The reason why the initial check is necessary for the engine stop is that since the electric source of the stepping motor 26 is taken from L-terminal of the alternator, voltage lowers at the engine stop and "system down" occurs.
At first, in order to judge whether or not a vehicle is running, vehicle speed judgment (whether the vehicle speed is 0) is made on the basis of the signal from the vehicle speed sensor (step S.sub.2).
If the vehicle speed is 0, the vehicle is standing and the steering angle ratio (ratio of the rear wheel steering angle to the front wheel steering angle) should be the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) or the standard position (refer to FIG. 5). Therefore, in order to supply oil pressure solenoids 34a, 35a of the normal open valves 34, 35 are turned ON for excitation (step S.sub.3), both valves 34, 35 are closed and it is judged whether or not the fixed hours have elapsed (step S.sub. 4).
Then, after the lapse of the fixed hours, standard positioning is performed so that the stepping motor 26 (for example, motor speed 380 pps) attains the standard position where the steering angle ratio becomes the maximum valve in reverse phase (direction) (step S.sub.5). If the fixed hours have not elapsed, standard positioning is withheld until the fixed hours have elapsed.
Then, it is judged whether or not the standard positioning has ended (step S.sub.6). If the standard positioning has ended, the process progresses to the step S.sub.7 where usual rear wheel steering control or steering of rear wheels 3L, 3R according to the vehicle speed is performed. On the other hand, if the standard positioning has not ended, it is judged again whether or not the vehicle speed is 0 (step S.sub.8). If the vehicle speed is 0, the vehicle is in a standstill state and the process reverts to the step S.sub.5 and the standard positioning is resumed. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is not 0, the vehicle has been changed to the running state from the standstill state and it is undesirable from safety point of view to carry out the standard positioning whereby the maximum value in reverse phase (direction) when the vehicle speed is zero is obtained. Therefore, the present number of steps of the stepping motor is obtained from the steering angle ratio sensor 29 and the steering control on the rear wheels 3L, 3R is started at the position which is by the fixed angle (for example, 1.6°) toward the same direction (more safe side) (step S.sub.9) and then the process progresses to step S.sub.7.
If the vehicle speed is not zero according to the judgment at step S. sub.2, the vehicle is running. In order to eliminate possibility of the rear wheels 3L, 3R being steered to more reverse phase (direction) side than the steering angle ratio to which they should primarily be controlled, solenoids 34a, 35a of the normal open valves 34, 35 are turned OFF for demagnetization (step S.sub.10) and both valves 34, 35 are opened. Then, at step S.sub.11 fail-safe which is caused by disagreement between the steering angle ratio and the vehicle speed is prohibited. Importance is attached to driving force, while rotating the stepping motor 26 at a low speed (for example, motor speed 95 pps) and 2WS positioning (steering angle ratio of two-wheel steering) is carried out (step S.sub.12).
The reason why the fail-safe is prohibited is that rotation of the stepping motor 26 at a low speed gets rid of the corresponding relation between the vehicle speed and the steering angle ratio, which can cause disagreement between them and consequent fail-safe control.
Then, it is judged whether or not 2WS positioning has ended (step S. sub.13). If 2WS positioning has not ended, the process reverts to step S. sub.12 where 2WS positioning is resumed. On the other hand, if 2WS positioning has ended, it is judged whether or not 2WS position is really attained (step S.sub.14). If 2WS position is really attained, the solenoids 34a, 35a of the normal close valves 34, 35 are turned ON because the rear wheels 3L, 3R are not steered even if oil pressure is supplied (step S.sub.15) and prohibition of fail-safe is released (step S. sub.16). Then, the process progresses to the usual rear wheel steering control of vehicle speed sensing (step S.sub.7). If 2WS position is not attained, it is judged whether or not 2WS positioning is carried out 5 times (step S.sub.17). If it has not been carried out 5 times, the process reverts to step S.sub.11 where 2WS positioning is carried out. If it has been carried out 5 times, it is judged that 2WS position is not attained and decision of "fail" is made. Thus, control is regarded as "system dead" (step S.sub.18). The reason why 2WS positioning is carried out 5 times is that there are cases where it is difficult to attaind 2WS position due to shortage of driving force, although the motor 26 is rotating at a low speed with importance attached to driving force and if 2WS position is not attained even by 5 times, positioning, it is almost impossible to attain 2WS position for lack of driving force.
As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meets and bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims. | |
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Symbols indicating mining-related features digitized from historical USGS topographic maps in the western part of the conterminous US. Includes prospect pits, mine shafts and adits, quarries, open-pit mines, tailings piles and ponds, gravel and borrow pits, and other features. Data from USGS Data Release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F78W3CHG.
Data to accompany U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1099: Petrographic, geochemical and geochronologic data for Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Tonopah, Divide, and Goldfield Mining Districts, Nevada
This dataset is the assembled analytical results of geochemical, petrographic, and geochronologic data for samples, principally those of unmineralized Tertiary volcanic rocks, from the Tonopah, Divide, and Goldfield mining districts of west-central Nevada. Much of the data presented here for the Tonopah and Divide districts are for samples collected by Bonham and Garside (1979) du
Petrophysical data collected on outcrops and rock samples from the eastern Adirondack Highlands, New York
Petrophysical data were collected in the eastern Adirondack Highlands during several field campaigns in 2016-2017. This data release provides magnetic susceptibility, gamma spectrometry, and density measurements on rock outcrops, hand samples, and during walking surveys. Rock types for the outcrops and samples were identified using standard field methods. Locations of the outcrops or sam
Electron microprobe geochemistry of apatite crystals in the iron oxide-apatite ores of the Adirondack Mountains, New York, 2016-2017
The iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits near Mineville in the Adirondack Mountains, New York, have been of interest for their rich magnetite ore since the mid-1700s but have attracted renewed attention due to their potential as rare earth element (REE) resources (McKeown and Klemic, 1956; Lupulescu and others, 2016; Taylor and others, 2018). Apatite is the main REE-host a
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, Stillwater Complex, Montana, May 2000 (ver. 2.0, June 2020)
A helicopter-borne electromagnetic/magnetic survey was flown over the Stillwater area, southwest Montana from May 5 to May 16, 2000. The survey was conducted over the Stillwater Igneous Complex, a Precambrian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion which is characterized by igneous layering. Electromagnetic data were acquired using DIGHEM helicopter-borne electromagnetic system. Magnetic data
U-Pb data for: U-Pb geochronology of tin deposits associated with the Cornubian Batholith of southwest England: Direct dating of cassiterite by in situ LA-ICPMS
Cassiterite (SnO2) samples were collected throughout Devon and Cornwall Counties in southwest England, United Kingdom. Samples were prepared and analyzed for direct age dating on a laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS) system at the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado in February and April 2018. This data release accompanies the publication, | https://www.usgs.gov/energy-and-minerals/mineral-resources-program/data-tools?page=8 |
Mediation is one type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that is available to parties in a legal dispute. Essentially, mediation is a negotiation of the matter facilitated by a third-party neutral that is also an attorney but not involved in the case outside of mediation. Unlike arbitration, which is a method of ADR that is similar to trial, mediation does not involve any decision making by the mediator. Instead, he or she helps the parties come to a reasonable agreement on the matter. ADR procedures can be initiated by the parties involved in the case or, alternatively, may be compelled by the courts, legislation or the terms of the contract in dispute.
Why Mediate Your Case?
Mediation is typically a voluntary process that is used when opposing parties of a case cannot (or will not) resolve the dispute. Mediation is generally a short-term, structured, and hands-on process to try to amicably resolve the dispute.
The process of mediation is often considered faster, less expensive, and procedurally simpler than formal litigation. Mediation gives the parties the opportunity to focus on the underlying factors of the case at hand, including what caused the dispute, rather than just the legal issues. Mediation does not focus on fault or the facts. Rather, the focus of mediation is to figure out how to resolve the issue. For this reason, a party seeking vindication or a determination of liability will not be satisfied with the process. A party that is hopeful in resolving the matter and moving on can greatly benefit from mediation.
Things to Consider
There are several things that need to be considered if you are engaging in mediation on behalf of your client:
- Prepare Your Legal Strategy: Remember that during mediation you are not speaking to the neutral but, rather, to the other side. Be prepared to present your case in a forceful yet respectful manner as well as to respond to objections and questions about the case. Ensure all key points are included in your opening statement;
- Make Sure All Parties With Authority are Present: It can be extremely frustrating and inefficient to conduct mediation to only discover a key person vital to settlement is not present. Key people include attorneys for both parties, the clients themselves, and a representative of any liable company that has adequate authority to settle all claims and interests;
- Keep a Positive Attitude: Do not be self-defeating but, rather, have a studied judgment as to a reasonable range of settlement values based on the facts and law applicable to the case. Remember, your aim is to get the best possible result for your client which sometimes, but not always, may mean settling the matter;
- Allow for More Time than You Think You Need: The attorneys involved should not have to leave mediation early due to another commitment. The rule of thumb is for counsel to set aside the entirety of the day for more serious cases. Counsel and mediator should stay as long as necessary to reach a full agreement;
- Address All Present and Future Issues in the Agreement: If and when you do reach a settlement, make sure the agreement, which may already be pre-drafted by one side, addresses all of your clients issues. These should include present and future ones that may directly or indirectly be affected by the settlement at hand.
Contact a Skilled Attorney
If you or someone you know is in a legal dispute or is about to get involved in one, contact a skilled attorney to handle your matter. If you are interested in alternative dispute resolution methods, consider mediation with an attorney and find a knowledgeable mediator in your area. | https://www.georgiareporting.com/mediation-right-georgia-case/ |
Many different types of light emitting or generating devices utilize optically luminescent materials or ‘phosphors’ to produce a desired light output. Opto-luminescent phosphors may be excited in response to an optical input energy, and in response will re-emit light, although typically the spectral characteristic of the output light is somewhat different than the spectral characteristic of the input light. Phosphors tend to degrade over time due to exposure to heat. However, many applications for phosphor subject the phosphors to heat during device operation.
Consider a solid state lighting device, for a general lighting application, by way of an example. The solid state light sources typically produce light of specific limited spectral characteristics. To change or enhance the spectral characteristic of a solid state light source, for example, to obtain white light of a desired characteristic, one approach currently favored by LED (light emitting diode) manufacturers, utilizes a semiconductor emitter to pump phosphors within the device package (on or in close proximity to the actual semiconductor chip). Another approach uses one or more semiconductor emitters, but the phosphor materials are provided remotely (e.g. on or in association with a macro optical processing element such as a diffuser or reflector outside the semiconductor package). At least some opto-luminescent phosphors that produce desirable output light characteristics degrade quickly if heated, particularly if heated above a characteristic temperature limit of the phosphor material.
Hence, phosphor thermal degradation can be an issue of concern in many lighting systems. Thermal degradation of some types of phosphors may occur at temperatures as low as 85° C. Device performance may be degraded by 10-20% or more. The lifecycle of the phosphor may also be adversely affected by temperature.
At least some of the recently developed semiconductor nanophosphors and/or doped semiconductor nanophosphors may have an upper temperature limit somewhere in the range of 60-80° C. The light conversion output of these materials degrades quickly if the phosphor material is heated to or above the limit, particularly if the high temperature lasts for a protracted period.
Maintaining performance of the phosphors therefore creates a need for efficient dissipation of any heat produced during light generation. A current mitigation technique for phosphor thermal degradation is to maintain separation of the phosphor from the heat source and maximize unit area of phosphor to minimize flux density. However, the need for more lumens in an output using the phosphor requires larger phosphor unit area, and any limits placed on the flux density to reduce thermal impact on the phosphor constrains the overall device design.
For equipment utilizing phosphors, there is a continuing need for ever more effective dissipation of heat. Improved heat dissipation may provide a longer operating life for the apparatus or device using the phosphor(s). Improved heat dissipation may allow a device to drive the phosphor harder, to emit more light, for a particular application.
Many thermal strategies have been tried to dissipate heat from and cool active optical elements, including those that have or are combined with phosphors. Many systems or devices use a heat sink to receive and dissipate heat from the hot system component(s) during operation. A heat sink is a component or assembly that transfers generated heat to a lower temperature medium. Although the lower temperature medium may be a liquid, the lower temperature medium often is air.
A larger heat sink with more surface area dissipates more heat to the ambient atmosphere. However, there is often a tension or trade off between the size and effectiveness of the heat sink versus the commercially viable size of the device that must incorporate the sink. For example, if a solid state lamp must conform to the standard form factor of an A-lamp to be a commercially viable product, then that form factor limits the size of the heat sink. To improve thermal performance for some applications, an active cooling element may be used, to dissipate heat from a heat sink or from another thermal element that receives heat from the active system element(s) generating the heat. Examples of active cooling elements include fans, Peltier devices, membronic cooling elements and the like.
Other thermal strategies for equipment have utilized heat pipes or other devices based on principles of a thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism. A heat pipe or the like may be used alone or in combination with a heat sink and/or an active cooling element.
A device such as a heat pipe relies on thermal conductivity and phase transition of a working fluid between evaporation and condensation to transfer heat between two interfaces. Such a device includes a vapor chamber and working fluid within the chamber, typically at a pressure somewhat lower than atmospheric pressure. The working fluid, in its liquid state, contacts the hot interface where the device receives heat input. As the liquid absorbs the heat, it vaporizes. The vapor fills the otherwise empty volume of the chamber. Where the chamber wall is cool enough (the cold interface), the vapor releases heat to the wall of the chamber and condenses back into a liquid. Thermal conductivity at the cold interface allows heat transfer away from the mechanism, e.g. to a heat sink or to ambient air. By gravity or a wicking structure, the liquid form of the fluid flows back to the hot interface. In operation, the working fluid goes through this evaporation, condensation and return flow to form a repeating thermal cycle that effectively transfers the heat from the hot interface to the cold interface. Devices like heat pipes can be more effective than passive elements like heat sinks, and they do not require power and/or mechanical moving parts as do active cooling elements. It is best to get the heat away from the active optical element and any other sensitive components such as a phosphor as fast as possible, and the heat pipe improves heat transfer away from the active optical element, even where transferring the heat to other heat dissipation elements.
Although these prior technologies do address the thermal issues somewhat, there is still room for further improvement, particularly with regard to thermal issues effecting the phosphor or phosphors in light emitting systems.
For example, passive cooling elements, active cooling elements and heat transfer mechanisms that rely on thermal conductivity and phase transition have been implemented outside of the devices that incorporate active optical elements and separate and apart from any phosphor that may be included in the light emitting system. A light processing device may include one or more elements coupled to the actual system element that generates the heat, to transfer heat to the external thermal processing device. Of note, these devices, cooling elements and related thermal mitigation strategies have not been specifically adapted to the cooling of phosphors.
There is an increasing desire for higher, more efficient operation (light output or response to light input) in ever smaller packages. As outlined above, thermal capacity may require control of heat at the phosphor level. Hence, it may be advantageous to improve technologies to more effectively dissipate heat from and/or around phosphor materials.
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More than 1/3 of Europe is covered by forests, providing a wealth of natural resources, delivering important economic, environmental and social values for the benefit of all Europeans and an enormous potential to mitigate climate change. Up to 1/3 of Europe’s forests are owned by States, which means that they belong to the citizens of Europe! State Forest Management Organizations look after Europe’s forests and practice multifunctional and sustainable forest management of the highest standards for the benefits of all.
State Forests Deliver
European State Forest Management Organisations adhere to the principles of sustainable forest management based on the following triple bottom line of sustainability:
Economic Value
- Acting as a cornerstone of Europe’s bioeconomy by producing over 1/3 of the EU’s timber harvest
- Creating and maintaining economic prosperity and jobs, especially in Europe’s rural areas
- Serving as reliable partners for research and innovation in the forest-based sector
- Leading the way in providing the necessary conditions for Europe to move towards a bio-based green economy
Environmental Value
- Acting as forerunners in the use and development of ecologically sound silvicultural methods of sustainable forest management that allow forest ecosystems to adapt to climate change
- Maintaining a home for biodiversity and protecting endangered species through the management of most of Europe’s Natura 2000 network and other protected areas
- Helping to regulate and control changes in the climate by providing carbon sinks and carbon-neutral raw materials
- Supporting fundamental natural processes such as nutrient and water cycles and protecting the soil
- Maintaining forest infrastructures to make them resilient to diseases, flooding, erosion, and fire hazards
Social Value
- Offering a significant number of ecosystem services and other non-material benefits for the general well-being of all Europeans
- Provisioning of clean air and water supplies
- Creating and maintaining recreational areas open to the general public for hiking, wildlife observation and other outdoor activities
- Maintaining scenic and natural heritage areas of cultural value
- Provisioning of wild food and game
Sustainable Forest Management – a Pan-European Story
Managing forests sustainably means to manage and use the forests in such a way that future generations will benefit from forests as much as, and possibly even more than, we do now. Their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity and vitality are maintained while leaving all interconnected ecosystems intact. Forests that are managed sustainably will maintain their potential to fulfill relevant ecological, economic and social functions.
Young elk in a Polish state forest. Source: Karol Zalewski
The European Ministers responsible for forests have defined Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through the following six pan-European criteria:
- Maintenance and appropriate enhancement of forest resources and their contribution to global carbon cycles
- Maintenance of forest ecosystems’ health and vitality
- Maintenance and encouragement of productive functions of forests (wood and non-wood)
- Maintenance, conservation and appropriate enhancement of biological diversity in forest ecosystems
- Maintenance, conservation and appropriate enhancement of protective functions in forest management (notably soil and water)
- Maintenance of other socioeconomic functions and conditions
Multifunctional Forestry
The functions of forests are manifold and often the same forest area needs to provide a mix of functions simultaneously. Forests are habitats for many plants and animals and they provide a very high degree of biodiversity. At the same time, they are beautiful places for recreation, such as hiking and jogging, for observing nature and for children to play and explore. They deliver oxygen and filter the air, their roots store and filter water. Growing trees absorb CO2 and thereby mitigate climate change. The forest is a working place for many people. The harvesting, processing and use of the wood from forests contribute to rural development and jobs. The above are just some examples of the many functions our forests provide and why sustainable forest management is an essential part of achieving Europe’s economic, environmental and social objectives.
Forest management practices are adapted to diverse policy goals and social expectations. These vary from one forest to another. In forests close to cities, for example, forest managers will pay special attention to the need for recreation areas whereas in forests with very high diversity and rare species, conservation is especially important. Other forests are valued for their high productivity or the role they play in controlling erosion. The main focus of a forest’s function does not mean that other essential functions are neglected. Sustainable multifunctional forest management, as applied in European state forests, aims to balance the complex and sometimes conflicting sets of demands on forests, for the benefit of all.
Use Wood! Mitigate Climate Change!
Forests play a key role in the mitigation of carbon emissions. It is estimated that EU forests and the forest sector currently contribute with an overall climate change mitigation impact that amounts to about 13% of total EU emissions. Forests and good forest management are the most cost-effective options to reduce emissions and contribute to the goals of the ambitious Paris Agreement that aims to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
In the thick of the forest, Poland. Source: Krzysztof Pawlowski
Growing trees take up carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis and store carbon in their woody structure during the growth period of their life cycle. As a tree matures, its rate of growth slows down, and the amount of CO2 sequestration decreases until the rotting wood of a dead tree releases CO2 back into the atmosphere.
The ideal time for harvesting varies mainly in function of the intended use of the wood and the lifetime of a tree which can range between approximately 50 years for fast growing species such as birch to more than 200 years for slow growing species such as oak. Forest managers are able to regulate the harvesting and the regeneration of trees through adjusting appropriate silvicultural techniques, boosting the CO2 sequestration rate of forests while maintaining the many other social, cultural, economic and environmental services they are expected to provide. They contribute to reducing fossil emissions and strengthening low-carbon economic growth. As long as forests are managed sustainably, the overall CO2 balance on a landscape scale will be positive.
In addition to being a renewable raw material, wood has a great potential to store carbon in numerous wood-based products that can replace energy-intensive materials. After a tree is harvested, it continues to act as a carbon store when it is used in such traditional industries as construction, furniture, pulp and paper, as well as the many new bio-based industries which have emerged in recent years. According to scientifically proven estimates, every cubic meter of wood used as a substitute for other building materials reduces CO2 emissions to the atmosphere by an average of 1.9 tons of CO2 equivalent.
Woody biomass from forests and residues is the largest source of renewables in Europe. Bioenergy currently represents 60% of the EU’s total consumption of renewables. Using modern wood-based energy carriers (liquid, gas, wood chips or pellets) made from harvesting and industrial residues from sustainably managed forests is climate smart compared to the use of fossil energy. The majority of bioenergy is generated from biomass that originates from sustainably managed forests. It can be used for heating, electricity generation and transport fuels. Wood for use as an energy source comes not only in the form of residues from final tree harvesting but also from thinning and other sustainable forestry practices. Wood for energy use can also be derived as a by-product from the downstream processing of wood by manufacturing, for example in the form of off-cuts, trimmings, sawdust, shavings, wood chips or by-products of the pulp industry. End-of-life wood and paper products can also be used as a source of energy.
A Boost to the Bioeconomy
Managing forests, harvesting trees, processing timber and manufacturing wood products provide jobs to many people thereby playing an important role in the economic development, employment and prosperity of Europe, particularly in rural areas.
Hut in mountain spruce forest in the winter, Austria. Source: ÖBf/S. Gamsjäger
EUSTAFOR members harvest around 1/3 of the 400 million m³ timber logged annually in the EU. But more than 800 million m3 of wood is used in the EU every year. European state forests have a significant unused resource since only approximately 60-70% of the annual growth in state forests is made available for wood supply. They therefore have a great potential to contribute towards building a resource efficient and green European economy.
Increasing the use of domestically produced biomass can help diversify Europe’s energy supply, providing energy security, create economic growth and jobs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. A wise, sustainable utilization of Europe’s forests is key to finding solutions to major issues within the EU and worldwide. European forests have a role to play in working towards achieving the goals set out by the European Commission in its Bioeconomy Strategy (2012) and 2050 Low-Carbon Economy Roadmap.
A Haven for Biodiversity
Apart from a few rare exceptions, forests in Europe have, throughout the centuries, been influenced by human activity. Sustainably managing these semi-natural forests can provide an even higher degree of biodiversity than natural forests at times. In most cases, forest management is not only compatible with the conservation of biodiversity, but actually actively contributes to its maintenance and enhancement.
Harvesting and thinning operations open up the forest canopy, allowing more light to reach down through the lower levels of the forest, encouraging dormant seeds to germinate, providing light for plants to grow and flower and warmth for cold-blooded animals. This type of forest management mimics natural dynamics and promotes tree species that would otherwise not have a chance to thrive. There are always some trees that are excluded from harvesting because they serve as habitat trees for birds, beetles and other animals that live in their holes. Some trees are allowed to decay in order to provide the rotten wood necessary for the survival of wood pickers and stag beetles.
It cannot be overstated how important Europe’s forests are for biodiversity. European state foresters have a wide experience of integrating biodiversity conservation into their forestry practices. This is reflected in the fact that around half of the total area of the European Natura 2000 network – the largest network of protected areas in the world – consists of forests, most of them in state forests. The Natura 2000 network protects Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats and almost 40% of European state forests are protected and protective forests. | https://eustafor.eu/managing-european-forests-responsibly-article/ |
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women in business. This is especially true in the corporate world, where women have made great strides in achieving leadership positions.
In the tech industry, women are also making their presence felt as entrepreneurs and leaders. And on boards of directors, women are increasingly being appointed to positions of power. And while there’s still room for improvement, this is good news for businesses, as studies have shown that companies with female leaders tend to be more successful.
These trends are having a positive impact on the business world, as more companies are beginning to recognize the value of diversity in the workplace.
Reasons for this Uptick in Female Representation in Business
Women in Entrepreneurship
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women who are starting their own businesses. In fact, according to the latest statistics, nearly one-third of all businesses in the United States are now owned by women.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to this growth in female entrepreneurship. One is the increasing number of women who are working in corporate America. As more women have risen through the ranks of corporate America, they have gained the skills and confidence needed to start their own companies.
Another factor is the growing acceptance of women in traditionally male-dominated industries such as tech. As more women have entered the tech industry, they have proven that they can be successful entrepreneurs in this sector.
Finally, there is a growing trend of young women who are choosing to pursue entrepreneurship instead of traditional careers. As a female entrepreneur, it’s important to build yourself a great team to support the mission and vision of your company and that all starts with developing a strong foundation through your business strategy.
Women Owned Businesses in the Tech Industry
Despite making up a significant portion of the workforce in the tech industry, women have long been underrepresented in leadership and ownership roles. However, that is starting to change, with more and more women launching their own tech-based businesses. These female entrepreneurs are not only making their mark in the corporate world, but they are also helping to pave the way for other women to do the same.
There are many reasons why women are choosing to start their own businesses, but one of the most common is that they want to create an environment that is more conducive to their success. In a male-dominated industry like tech, it can be difficult for women to advance into leadership positions and get the recognition they deserve.
Women in Leadership Positions
As society progresses, more women are taking on leadership positions in both the corporate and tech worlds. This is due in part to the increased push for equality and diversity in the workplace.
While there is still a long way to go before true equality is reached, having more women in leadership positions is a step in the right direction. Women leaders bring a different perspective to the table and help create a more well-rounded workforce.
Having more women in leadership roles also helps to foster a more supportive environment for other women employees. Having role models in upper management can inspire other women to aim high and achieve their goals. Networking is key.
Quit Losing Talent
In efforts to continue progressing forward, more changes need to be made. Reducing female employee turnover has been a challenge for corporate America. Despite progress in recent years, businesses have yet to close the equality gap between men and women in the workforce.
There are many reasons why women leave their jobs at a higher rate than men. One reason is that they often face more obstacles in the workplace, such as discrimination and sexual harassment. Additionally, women are more likely to be caregivers for children or elderly relatives. This can make it difficult to balance work and home life.
However, there are things that businesses can do to reduce female employee turnover.
- Create a more diverse, supportive and inclusive environment.
This means creating policies that support working mothers, such as flexible hours, telecommuting, health and wellness benefits, compressed work weeks and paid family leave.
- Address gender pay inequality.
Another way to reduce turnover is to address pay inequality. Studies have shown that women are paid less than men for doing the same job. Women often report feeling under-valued, and over-worked in their efforts to compete with their male counterparts. In the United States, women earn about 79 percent of what men earn. The gender pay gap exists in almost every country and every industry. According CAP, the wage gap has only closed by 4 cents in the past decade. Citing “At the current pace, women are not estimated to reach pay parity with men until 2059.”
- Address gender obstacles and harassment immediately.
Unfortunately women across all industries still experience sexual harassment in the workplace. Human resources and upper management need to be approachable and take measures to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace.
If your company needs support in HR, consider hiring an HR consultant to implement a strategy for retaining the female employees your organization currently employs and establish a plan for company diversity, equality and inclusion.
The Future of Women in Business
As the world progresses, so does the role of women in business. In the past, women have been commonly known as homemakers and caregivers. Yet, recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of women taking on leadership roles in both the corporate and tech sectors, among others. This is an encouraging sign for the future of women in business.
There are many reasons why this trend is occurring. First, there is a greater push for gender diversity in boardrooms and executive teams. Studies have shown that companies with a more diverse management team tend to perform better than those who don’t. Secondly, more and more women are getting degrees in business and economics. They are also pursuing careers in fields such as technology, which were once dominated by men.
Thirdly, women in leadership roles, both knowingly and unknowingly, serve as role models for women aspiring to scale their own career. Women networking and connecting with each other to support the mission of equality in corporate culture is essential to the future of women in business.
This shift is likely to continue in the coming years. | https://www.cansulta.com/the-rise-of-women-in-business/ |
Another aspect of memory that is important in formal learning would be the declarative (or conceptual) and procedural distinction. Declarative memory is made up of information that you can describe or talk about, whereas, procedural memory is made up of the information that allows you to do things (carry out procedures). Declarative tells you what, when, where, and why, with procedural memory telling you how. Neither of these memory distinctions can be said to be more important than the other.
Traditional formal education prioritizes conceptual memory, leaving procedural memory behind in an effort to explain the facts (what, when, where, and – occasionally – why). This is for purely pragmatic reasons. Measuring memorization, which has become paramount in today’s educational world, is easier done with questions about what, where and when. These are all declarative aspects of memory, and this narrow focus is what most former students remember about their formal education (if they remember anything at all). Long term, they don’t usually remember the actual information that they were tasked to learn, but the tedium of learning it.
I have heard many lecturers and professors in higher education tell me that they remember quite a bit from some of the classes they took years earlier. We need to remember that most of us became professional memorizers or we wouldn’t be where we are today. Research tells us that the average university student will be able to correctly answer about 10% more test items a year after having taken a class than someone who has not taken the class (or a class of related material).
The why’s of declarative memory are important but tend to be glossed over because of the difficulty of measurement. These tend to be the “good” questions that educators talk about because this is where some understanding is assessed. Can be done, but is often not assessed – at any level.
Procedural memory is how things are done. There are some procedural skills taught, and conservative educators would like to have a return to focus on some of these core skills: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Others would have new skills introduced – life skills like balancing finances, computer programming, or other “useful (read money-making)” skills. Too often skills are taught within such constrained settings that transference is all but impossible. The desirable flexibility that is needed, and provided by a broad representation of the skill, is often missing, and an exact skill necessary to pass some standardized test is what is learned.
Some procedural skills tend to be relatively easy to teach and assess (basic math, reading, and writing). More advanced levels of skills get more difficult to teach and assess. Skills, by their very nature, never really have an end goal. When do you ever finish learning to maneuver a vehicle? or to write? Skills can use endless improvement, and so it is difficult to explicitly describe skill levels (I’ve seen it tried). As a result, educators are not really comfortable with teaching and assessing anything beyond the most rudimentary skill sets, constrained by rigid situational barriers (time, institutional, curricular etc). | https://socelor.com/science-of-learning-declarative-procedural-memory/ |
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Published byColleen Chapman Modified over 6 years ago
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Jane Austen An explorative journey through literature By Srijan Kushwaha An explorative journey through literature By Srijan Kushwaha
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Author Jane Austen ( 1775-1817) Jane Austen ( 1775-1817)
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Jane Austen Born in Hampshire, England in 1775 Received an education superior to that generally given to girls of her time Began her first novel at age 14 Moved with family to Bath where she lived until her death, unmarried Published novels anonymously Writes about everyday lives of English gentry like herself, focuses a great deal on marriage Played the piano Died at age 42
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Austen’s works Sense and Sensibility, 1811 Pride and Prejudice, 1813 Mansfield Park, 1814 Emma, 1815 Persuasion,1817 Northanger Abbey, 1817
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Biography Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature. Her realism and biting social commentary has gained her historical importance among scholars and critics. Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. She was educated primarily by her father and older brothers as well as through her own reading. The steadfast support of her family was critical to her development as a professional writer. Her artistic apprenticeship lasted from her teenage years into her thirties. During this period, she experimented with various literary forms, including the epistolary novel which she tried then abandoned, and wrote and extensively revised three major novels and began a fourth. She wrote two additional novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, which was eventually titled Sanditon, but died before completing it. Austen's works critique the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century realism. Her plots, though fundamentally comic, highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social standing and economic security. Biographical information concerning Jane Austen is "famously scarce", according to one biographer. Only some personal and family letters remain (by one estimate only 160 out of Austen's 3,000 letters are extant), and her sister Cassandra (to whom most of the letters were originally addressed) burned "the greater part" of the ones she kept and censored those she did not destroy. Other letters were destroyed by the heirs of Admiral Francis Austen, Jane's brother. Most of the biographical material produced for fifty years after Austen's death was written by her relatives and reflects the family's biases in favour of "good quiet Aunt Jane ".
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Family Austen's parents, George Austen (1731–1805), and his wife Cassandra (1739–1827), were members of substantial gentry families. George was descended from a family of woollen manufacturers, which had risen through the professions to the lower ranks of the landed gentry. Cassandra was a member of the prominent Leigh family; they married on 26 April 1764 at Walcot Church in Bath. From 1765 until 1801, that is, for much of Jane's life, George Austen served as the rector of the Anglican parishes at Steventon, Hampshire, and a nearby village. Austen's immediate family was large: six brothers—James (1765–1819), George (1766–1838), Edward (1767–1852), Henry Thomas (1771–1850), Francis William (Frank) (1774–1865), Charles John (1779–1852)—and one sister, Cassandra Elizabeth (Steventon, Hampshire, 9 January 1773–1845), who, like Jane, died unmarried. Cassandra was Austen's closest friend and confidante throughout her life. Of her brothers, Austen felt closest to Henry, who became a banker and, after his bank failed, an Anglican clergyman. Henry was also his sister's literary agent. His large circle of friends and acquaintances in London included bankers, merchants, publishers, painters, and actors: he provided Austen with a view of social worlds not normally visible from a small parish in rural Hampshire.
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I've a Pain in my Head 'I've a pain in my head' Said the suffering Beckford; To her Doctor so dread. 'Oh! what shall I take for't?' Said this Doctor so dread Whose name it was Newnham. 'For this pain in your head Ah! What can you do Ma'am?' Said Miss Beckford, 'Suppose If you think there's no risk, I take a good Dose Of calomel brisk.'-- 'What a praise worthy Notion.' Replied Mr. Newnham. 'You shall have such a potion And so will I too Ma'am.‘ - Jane austin
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Jane Austin House “
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Writing Style Jane austin was known for her ability to use sarcasm and humor to portray important issues such as social etiquitte,romance,and even politics. Her writing style was a mix of “neoclassicism and romanticism.
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Quotations ''What fine weather this is! Not very becoming perhaps early in the morning, but very pleasant out of doors at noon, and very wholesome—at least everybody fancies so, and imagination is everything.'' ''You are now collecting your People delightfully, getting them exactly into such as spot as is the delight of my life; 3 or 4 Families in a Country Village is the very thing to work on.'‘ ''Nothing is to be compared to the misery of being bound without Love, bound to one, & preferring another. That is a Punishment which you do not deserve.'' -all by Jane Austen 'An artist cannot do anything slovenly.'‘ -by Jane Austen
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Sense and Sensibility Characters: Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Edward Ferrars, Colonel Brandon, John Willoughby, Lucy Steele Setting: English countryside and London Plot: When the Dashwood women are forced to move into a small cottage in the country they become acquainted with a few new men who eventually move permanently into their lives. Style: Formal diction, comedy of manners, told mostly from Elinor’s point of view Tone: Ironic Imagery: music, art, poetry, flowers, money Themes: A balance of sense and sensibility will lead one to success. Disregard for propriety will endanger one’s reputation and even life. Overly passionate feelings can lead one to have misperceptions of the world. Rash sensibility leads one to moral danger. Idleness leads to bad decisions. Austen’s works
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Emma Characters: Emma Woodhouse, George Knightley, Harriet Smith, Frank Churchill, Miss Bates, Jane Fairfax, Mr. Elton, Robert Martin, the Coles, and the Westons Setting: Highbury, England Plot: Bored after her governess left to be married, Emma Woodhouse takes on the self proclaimed role of Matchmaker in Highbury. Having no success at all, the last thing she had in mind but which comes true is her own marriage. Style: Comedy of Manners, formal diction, told in the perspective of Emma Tone: Ironic Imagery: riddles, music, musical instruments, dancing, letters Themes: Meddling in the lives of others is foolish and will only have negative consequences. Boredom leads people to make foolish decisions. Thinking too highly of ones self leads one to be insensitive to others. It is dangerous to indulge in speculation. Austen’s works
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Irony and Marriages in Austen’s works “Her irony, her delicate, ruthless irony, is of the very substance of her style. It never obtrudes itself; sometimes it only glints out in a turn of phrase. But it is never absent for more than a paragraph; and her most straightforward piece of exposition is tart with its perfume.” -Elizabeth Bowen on Emma Elizabeth and Darcy Marianne and Brandon Emma and Knightley Salisbury Cathedral, from the Bishop's Grounds. 1823
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Music Music imagery is key in Austen’s works. Characters reveal significant aspects of their personalities by their attitudes towards music. The pianoforte is a central plot device in Emma. The pieces that women or men would be typically playing for entertainment and leisure would be those of Cramer and composers with a similar style.
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The End Thanks for listening! I hope you are inspired to read Jane Austen!
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Trinity Lutheran School’s preschool program is about creating a safe and loving environment where our youngest students can thrive individually and academically.
Through dynamic hands-on activities and one-on-one interactions with our experienced teachers, students will build a foundation for future educational success.
Our planned curriculum includes engaging activities that promote cognitive development, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. We include Spanish, Music, and P.E. to develop a strong foundation for their elementary school years.
Daily devotions during “Jesus Time” and weekly chapel services provide a Christ-filled environment that children thrive in.
Our Programs
Preschool
(Students have the option of a two or three-day program.)
Two Day Tue/Thu 8:30 – 11:15 am
Three Day Mon/Wed/Fri 8:30 – 11:15 am
- Start Age – 30 months (must be potty trained)
JR. Kindergarten (JK)
Mon-Fri 8:30 – 11:15 am
Start Age – 4 years by September 1st
Learning Objectives
Faith Development
The life of Jesus
God’s love for us
How we show God’s love to others (through kindness and helping others)
Daily devotions in class and weekly chapel attendance
Celebrations for Christmas and Easter
Lower Grade Chapel Video
Language and Literacy
Early writing skills (holding a pencil, drawing shapes, tracing, creative drawing, names, and numbers)
Print awareness
Listening to and telling stories, retelling stories read to class using sequencing
Phonemic awareness
Vocabulary development
Verbally expressing ideas and feelings through drawing and writing
Name recognition
Mathematics
Counting
Grouping by similar attribute
Matching
Number recognition
Sequencing
Size and shape recognition
Pattern recognition and development
Physical Education and Health
Hand-Eye coordination
Gross motor skills (spatial awareness, running, jumping, skipping, manipulating large objects)
Safety and personal care
Basic nutrition
Science
Making observations, comparisons, predictions
Using tools such as magnifying glass, magnets, scales
Animal, insect and plant life cycles
Exploring cause and effect
Weather and Seasons
Sensory exploration (taste, smell, hear, see, & touch, as well as hard/soft, smooth/rough/bumpy, heavy/light)
Social-Emotional Development
Self control
Healthy expression of feelings
Cooperation with peers and adults
Knowledge of family and community relationships
Arts
Expressing ideas through drawing, painting, clay and other mediums.
Music (rhythm, beat, loud/soft, instrument sound recognition)
Movement (gross motor – spatial awareness, jumping, walking, rolling, hopping; fine motor – manipulating small objects)
Dramatic Play
Fine motor skills (cutting, writing, gluing, manipulating small objects)
Theme Days
Each year Preschool will have special events such as theme days. Events coordinate with the material we are learning at the time. Pajama and Pancake Breakfast with homemade applesauce is an example of a fun event we have in October. Preschoolers also enjoy Grandparent’s Day festivities, a Christmas Sing-A-Long performance for Preschool parents, and participate in a Spring Field Day. Additional special events are at times added throughout the year. | http://www.saints.org/preschool/ |
This week we will sew together the complete Baby Bricks quilt top. Kits are available if you would like to quilt-along, or scroll down to the end for a link to the supply list.
I am making two quilts at the same time so it’s double the fun! I finished the boy version just before we left on our vacation and it literally took me 2 hours to sew the whole top. We were just in time to catch our flight! (I’ll finish the girl version when I get back!)
Step 1 – Sewing the Rows
The quilt consists of 7 rows of bricks with alternating 1/2 bricks at either end. There are solid strips in between each of the rows. Watch your fabric placement if you are using directional fabrics. I used cotton thread, size 50 and a new needle, size 80/12 for piecing.
It’s easiest to sew together 14 pairs of two bricks first. I grabbed them at random.
Next, double up your pairs so that you have 7 rows of 4 bricks each.
Add 1 full brick and 1/2 brick to the top and bottom of each row, alternating placement. (The half bricks are slightly longer than 1/2 of a brick to account for seam allowances.)
Each row has a total of 6 pieces.
Step 2 – Adding the Background Strips
Measure the length of your rows. Mathematically they should measure 44 1/2″ at this point.
Fold a row in half to make it easier to measure. The half-measurement is 22 1/4.”
Trim up 8 of your background strips to this measurement. Pin one strip to the right side of each row and sew. The first row will have a strip on the left side, too. Because the strips were cut parallel to the selvedge, they will have less give and there is less chance for distortion.
After the background strips are sewn on, sew the top into wider rows, joining 2 at a time. This time, sew with the bricks on the top side and the background strips underneath. This will help ease any distortion that occurs when sewing long strips together. Again, pin well.
Once all the rows are joined, measure across the width of your quilt.
Mathematically it should be around 44 1/2″ wide (the same as the length of each row).
Trim your last two background strips this length and join to the top and bottom.
Give it a nice press and your top is done! This quilt will be a nice canvas for some fun geometric machine quilting. I can’t wait to get to that step in 2 weeks.
Be sure to email me pictures of your progress and any questions you have!
The full tutorial schedule is shown below, with links to each completed step as I finish: | https://christaquilts.com/2012/09/12/diy-quilts-2-3-sewing-your-baby-bricks-together/?replytocom=1076 |
The staff at Hughes McArthur Mortuary are here to facilitate meaningful and respectful ways for families to celebrate the memories of their loved ones.
Our goal is to provide the best and honest information, options, and guidance with the highest level of compassion and courtesy possible. Our honest service and commitment to excellence have served our community well. You can rest and be comforted that we will assist you in your time of bereavement. We will provide the most respectful and affordable funeral, cremation and memorialization your loved ones deserve, regardless of social, cultural or economic background. We are here to help in the celebration of life and to cherish the memories of loved ones. We respect the deceased and provide services for all faiths and religions.
Hughes Mortuary
1037 East 700 South
St. George, UT 84790
Tel: 1-435-674-5000
Directly order flowers, view and sign the condolences book, share memories and more to celebrate lives of those dearly missed.
Take a few moments to express your wishes now and help to ease the burden on your loved ones.
A collection of answers to questions that people often have when arranging for a funeral. | https://www.hughesmcarthurmortuary.com/ |
Successful women are not liked. I think the biggest danger for women in science is colleagues who are not as good as you are.” – Christiane Nusslein-Volhard
It is no secret that science is often considered a male-dominated field and intelligence alone has rarely been enough to guarantee women a role in the process of examining and explaining the natural world. Thankfully, researchers with an interest in gender and science have nevertheless unearth some scientific endeavors and accomplishments of women throughout history. In the field of chemistry, females who have made key breakthroughs setting a chart for all the building blocks of matter – elements of the periodic table.
Julia Lemontova – first woman to receive chemistry doctorate
Just after Mendeleev prepared his table, Russian chemist Julia Lermontova took up the challenge — probably at Mendeleev’s behest — to refine the separation processes for the platinum-group metals (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum)? This was a prerequisite for the next step of putting them in order. The only account of her work (to our knowledge) is in Mendeleev’s archives, along with their correspondence. Lermontova studied chemistry in Heidelberg, Germany, under Robert Bunsen (who discovered caesium and rubidium in 1860 with Gustav Kirchhoff, using their newly invented spectroscope), and was the first woman to be awarded a doctorate in chemistry in Germany, in 1874.
Julia Lemontova was born on December 21,1846, in Saint Petersburg, and died on December 16, 1919, in Moscow, Russia. Lermontova studied chemistry in Heidelberg, Germany, under Robert Bunsen who discovered caesium and rubidium in 1860 with Gustav Kirchhoff, using their newly invented spectroscope. She is known as the first Russian female doctor in chemistry.
Margaret Todd – isotope
Margaret Georgina Todd was born on April 23, 1859, in Kilrenny, Scotland and died on September 3, 1918. She was a Scottish physician and writer. She was the first person who suggested the term isotope (meaning ‘same place’ in Greek) at a dinner party.
British chemist Fredrick Soddy had shown that some radioactive elements have more than one atomic mass, although the chemical properties are identical, so that atoms of different masses occupy the same place in the periodic table. Although Soddy introduced the concept of isotopes in 1913, this term was accepted and used by Soddy, and has become standard scientific nomenclature.
In 1914, the proof of isotopes was provided by Stefanie Horovitz, a Polish–Jewish chemist who showed that even a common element such as lead can have different atomic mass, although the chemical properties are identical.
Marie Curie – elements radium and polonium
Marie Skłodowska Curie, later known as Marie Curie, was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland and died July 4, 1934, near Sallanches, France. She was a naturalized French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity.
She married Pierre Curie and in July 1898, Curie and her husband published a joint paper announcing the existence of an element they named “polonium”, in honour of her native Poland. On 26 December 1898, the Curies announced the existence of a second element, which they named “radium”, from the Latin word for “ray”. In the course of their research, they also coined the word “radioactivity”.
In December 1903, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Pierre Curie, Marie Curie, and Henri Becquerel the Nobel Prize in Physics, “in recognition of the extraordinary services they have rendered by their joint researches on the radiation phenomena discovered by Professor Henri Becquerelined the word “radioactivity”. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honoured her a second time, with the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Margaret Perey – element francium
Marguerite Catherine Perey was born on October 19, 1909, in Villemomble, just outside Paris where the Curie’s Radium Institute was located in France. She was a French physicist and a student of Marie Curie. In 1939, Perey discovered the element francium which she named in honour of her country, by purifying samples of lanthanum that contained actinium.
In 1962, she was the first woman to be elected to the French Académie des Sciences, an honor denied to her mentor Curie.
Ironically Perey hoped that francium would help diagnose cancer, but in fact it itself was carcinogenic, and Perey developed bone cancer which eventually killed her. Perey died on May 13, 1975 (age 65). She is credited with championing better safety measures for scientists working with radiation.
Harriet Brooks – radioactivity
Harriet Brooks was born on July 2, 1876, in Exeter and died on April 17, 1933, in Montreal. She was the first Canadian female nuclear physicist, most famous for her research on nuclear transmutations and radioactivity. Ernest Rutherford, who guided her graduate work, regarded her as being next to Marie Curie in the calibre of her aptitude.
Harriet studied radioactive decay and made important contributions to the field of atomic physics. She, along with her supervisor Rutherford, discovered that one element could change into another element through radioactive decay. They showed that the emanation from radium was evidence of a new element produced during radioactive decay.which was later named radon, a noble gas.
Her discovery paved the way for the entire modern fields of nuclear physics and chemistry, as well as modern medical applications of nuclear medicine, including many cancer therapies. The Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories in Ontario was named in Brooks’ honour. In 2002, she was inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame, and in 2016 the Bank of Canada included Brooks in the list of candidates to become the first Canadian woman to be featured alone on Canadian currency.
Lise Meitner – element meitnerium
Lise Meitner was an Austrian scientist who discovered the element protactinium (specifically protactinium-231) as a radioactive isotope in 1917. She was born on November 7, 1878, in Vienna and died on October 27, 1968, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. She shared the Enrico Fermi Award (1966), a top honour from the US Department of Energy, with the chemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann for their joint research that led to the discovery of uranium fission.
Lise and her partner, Otto Hahn, used uranium to discover nuclear fission of heavy atomic nuclei during the late 1930s. In 1938, Meitner and Hahn realized that one of the elements Fermi had made was barium, and that the uranium nucleus had indeed split. At the time these findings were published, Meitner, a Jew, fled to Sweden after the German annexation of Austria. .
The estrangement from partner Otto Hahn and difficulty establishing herself in the new lab played a major role in her exclusion from the 1944 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for discovering nuclear fission, which was awarded solely to Hahn. Although it was her calculations that had convinced Hahn the nucleus had split, he did not include Meitner’s name on the 1939 publication of the result, nor did he set the record straight when he accepted the 1944 chemistry Nobel in 1945.
Her work was integral to expanding humanity’s knowledge of chemistry and providentially, the element meitnerium was named in honor of Lise Meitner.
Ida Noddack – element rhenium
Ida Noddack, née Tacke, was born on February 25, 1896, and died on September 24, 1978. She was a German chemist and physicist and in 1934 she was the first person to propose the concept of nuclear fission but did not confirm it experimentally. Another element, number 75 — rhenium — was jointly discovered in 1925 by she and her husband Walter Noddack in Berlin, The Noddacks struggled to produce weighable quantities of rhenium, which they named after the Rhine; it is one of the rarest elements on Earth, and is not radioactive.
The Noddacks also claimed to have found element 43, which they called masurium (after the Masuria region, now in Poland). But they never succeeded in reproducing its spectral lines or in isolating the material. In 1937, element 43 became the first to be artificially produced, named technetium.
Although Ida was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Chemistry three times, unfortunately she did not get one in recognition for her contribution to science.
Darleane Hoffman – studied elements with atomic numbers over 92
Darleane Hoffman was born as Darleane Christian on November 8, 1926, at home in the small town of Terril, Iowa. Over her career, Hoffman studied the chemical and nuclear properties of chemical elements with atomic numbers greater than 92, which is the atomic number of uranium.
She was a Los Alamos National Laboratory researcher who in 1993, confirmed the existence of element 106, seaborgium. Darleane discovered that the isotope fermium-257 could split spontaneously. She also uncovered plutonium-244 in nature.
Among her many accolades, she was the first woman to win the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Nuclear Chemistry in 1983. In 2002, she was only the second woman to win the Priestley Medal, (after Mary L. Good in 1997). The Priestly Medal is the highest honour conferred by the ACS for distinguished service in the field of chemistry. In 2014, she received the Los Alamos Medal, the highest award given by the Laboratory, for her numerous contributions that provided a basis for scientific methods used today in the national security community.
Dawn Shaughnessy – the real-life chemist who expanded the periodic table
Dawn Shaughnessy is an American born nuclear chemist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States. She wanted to be a doctor as a child but became interested in science at middle school. Shaughnessy was elected fellow of the American Society in 2018. Dawn Shaughnessy joined a team of scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Russia that discovered five elements from 1989 to 2010.
In total, she’s helped discover 6 of the 26 new elements added since 1940 (one, Livermorium, was named after her lab). Nihonium was named for Japan, which also hosts a nuclear chemistry program; moscovium, named for Moscow; tennessine, named for Tennessee, the location of Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and oganesson, named for the well-known Russian nuclear chemist who led Russia’s team, Yuri Oganessian. Shaughnessy’s team also helped discover flerovium, named for Flyorov.
If you look at the periodic table, oganesson, element 118, seems to sit at the rightmost corner of the bottom row. It appears as if the periodic table has been completed, and previous searches for element number 120 has failed. But there’s no obvious reason these new elements shouldn’t exist, and Russia is updating Joint Institute for Nuclear Research’s accelerator to launch into searches for 119 and 120.
Clarice Phelps – first African-American to help discover elements
Clarice Evone Phelps is an American nuclear chemist who is thought to be the first African-American woman to help discover a chemical element. Phelps told an interviewer in 2019 that she pursued nuclear chemistry in part because of the lack of black women in the field. Finding tennessine – element number 117 – helped a resurgence in elemental discovery that was once thought to have ended in the 20th century.
Phelps works in the Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate as the project manager for the nickel-63 and selenium-75 industrial isotope programs. Her research includes actinide and lanthanide separations for medical use isotopes but her
involvement in the discovery of tennesine had not been named in the official announcement, nor had her contribution been covered by the mainstream press. That shone a light on the double standards applied to female scientists and people of colour compared to their white male counterparts.
After much public debate, Phelps’ inclusion was finally recognized in January 2020 and suddenly she was well-known for so much more than just her contribution to a momentous breakthrough. Phelps never expected to make history, but she is now determined to use her public profile to help bring greater diversity to the research sector.
Julie Ezold – involved in the discovery of tennessine
Julie Ezold is a Nuclear Engineer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She directs a project in the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center that uses the High Flux Isotope Reactor to create Californium-252. She also supervises activities such as target fabrication, target approval for insertion into the High Flux Isotope Reactor, chemical processing of irradiated targets, and final source fabrication using Californium-252, Berkelium-249, and Einsteinium-253.
Although Ezold is campaign manager for the 252-Californium Campaign Program, she is also known for being part of the team that was involved with the discovery of the synthetic chemical element 117 – tennessine. The element, 117 had previously been designated ununseptium, a placeholder name that means one-one-seven in Latin. In November 2016, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) approved the name tennessine for element 117.
Conclusion
Seventy years ago, there were 101 elements and the scientific consensus was that the periodic table was complete. The story of how dozens of elements were corralled into a periodic table reaches beyond one person and one point in time. Scientists classified and predicted elements before and after Dmitri Mendeleev’s 1869 framework and many more including women, worked to find and explain these new substances.
Noble gases, radioactivity, isotopes, subatomic particles and quantum mechanics were all unknown in the mid-nineteenth century but thanks to emergence of research into superheavy elements, today there are 118 elements. It is widely expected that at least 70 more elements will be discovered.This could not have been achieved without the contributions of our women scientists. | https://charmainecondappa.com/women-in-their-elements-the-women-behind-the-periodic-table/ |
Strain Theory, Social Learning Theory, Control Theory, Labeling Theory, Social Disorganization Theory, Critical Theories. This entry focuses on the three major sociological theories of crime and delinquency: strain, social learning, and control theories.
What are the sociological theories of crime?
Sociological theories of criminology believe that society influences a person to become a criminal. Examples include the social learning theory, which says that people learn criminal behavior from the people around them, and social conflict theory, which says that class warfare is responsible for crime.
What are the four theories of crime?
This means considering four basic theories: Rational Choice, Sociological Positivism, Biological Positivism and Psychological Positivism. The theories rely on logic to explain why a person commits a crime and whether the criminal act is the result of a rational decision, internal predisposition or external aspects.
What are the major theories of crime causation?
Theories of causation of crime
- Biological theories.
- Economic theories.
- Psychological theories.
- Political theories.
- Sociological theories.
- Strain theory.
- Social learning theory.
- Control theory.
31.01.2021
What are sociological causes of crime?
Sociological approaches suggest that crime is shaped by factors external to the individual: their experiences within the neighbourhood, the peer group, and the family. are shaped by between people’s everyday movements through space and time.
What are the 4 sociological theories?
This lesson will briefly cover the four major theories in sociology, which are structural-functional theory, social conflict theory, feminism, and symbolic interactionism theory.
What are the 5 theories of crime?
Theories of Crime: Classical, Biological, Sociological, Interactionist.
What are the 10 causes of crime?
Top 10 Reasons for Crime
- Poverty. This is perhaps one of the most concrete reasons why people commit crimes. …
- Peer Pressure. This is a new form of concern in the modern world. …
- Drugs. Drugs have always been highly criticized by critics. …
- Politics. …
- Religion. …
- Family Conditions. …
- The Society. …
- Unemployment.
8.10.2019
What are three major types of criminological theories?
Criminology recognizes three groups of theories, which attempted to explain crime causation. Crime was explained by biological, sociological and psychological theories. Three different types of criminological theories attempted to answer what is causing of crimes.
What are the 3 causes of crime?
The causes of crime are complex. Poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse can be connected to why people break the law. Some are at greater risk of becoming offenders because of the circumstances into which they are born.
Who is the father of criminology?
This idea first struck Cesare Lombroso, the so-called “father of criminology,” in the early 1870s.
What are crime theories?
A theory is an explanation to make sense of our observations about the world. … They explain why some people commit a crime, identify risk factors for committing a crime, and can focus on how and why certain laws are created and enforced.
What are the theories of causation?
Several fundamental assumptions link probability distributions to causal relations and serve as the basis of the theory of causal inference. The Causal Markov assumption states that each variable isindependent of its non-effects conditional on its direct causes.
What are the 7 elements of a crime?
The elements of a crime are criminal act, criminal intent, concurrence, causation, harm, and attendant circumstances.
What is an example of sociological theory?
Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is explanation for why or how a phenomenon occurs. An example of a sociological theory is the work of Robert Putnam on the decline of civic engagement.
What causes sociological?
social conditions that affect human behavior. Examples of such factors are socioeconomic and educational level, environmental circumstances (e.g., crowding), and the customs and mores of an individual’s social group. ADVERTISEMENT. ADVERTISEMENT. | https://austlawpublish.com/forensic-psychology/what-are-the-4-general-theories-under-sociological-causes-of-crime.html |
The General Strain Theory (GST) was developed by Robert Agnew in 1992. Its focused was finding out the factors that contribute to delinquency especially among youth. Agnew sought to expand on the strain theory which had initially been propounded by Robert King Merton but which focused on positive relationships. The general strain theory stands out as the first theory put forward to examine negative relationships with others namely where others have affected an individual in a negative way. He argues that adolescents or youths are pressured into engaging in delinquent activities by the negative affective states such as anger and emotions that come about because of the negative relationships. The General train Theory as put forward by Agnew has proven to be a solid theory to explain delinquency especially among the youth. Consequently, there has been a significant amount of empirical tests conducted on the theory to determine its relevance and validity. This paper is a commentary of such an empirical test conducted through the use of 1,380 New Jersey’s adolescents by Rutgers University.
It must be distinguished from the outset that prior strain theories that had been put forward prior to the General Strain theory by Agnew were weak for the main reason that the variables derived from them had only little or no linkage to delinquency or drug abuse. The general strain theory was an improvement on this and built on the earlier theories by making use of more recent research and considering the criticisms that had been leveled at the earlier strain theories. The central hypotheses proposed by the general strain theory are the subject of this commentary.
Agnew argues that the GST focuses on negative relationships of individuals with others and is distinct from the social control and differential association theory. On one hand, the social control theory concerns itself with the absence of positive relationships with conventional others and in most instances these individuals usually have no attachment. On the other hand, differential association theory is concerned with positive relationships with deviants and seeks to explain why people engage in crime after associating with other delinquents. It therefore comes into being that the strain theory as put forward by Agnew, seeks to fill the gap left in a complementary manner as it explicitly examines negative relationships and further argues that youths engage in delinquent activities due to the negative affect that emanates from the negative relationships. In particular, he stresses that three types of strain occur when others prevent or threaten to prevent an individual from achieving positive values or goals, when others remove or threaten to remove positive valued stimuli possessed by an individual or when they present or threaten to present a negatively valued stimuli to an individual.
Agnew further posits that strain usually has the effect of increasing the possibility that an individual will experience negative emotions such as depression, fear and anger. The negative emotions that are experienced necessitate the need for corrective or remedial measures to be taken of which the individual responds by engaging in delinquency. Therefore, delinquency can be viewed as a way of alleviating the strain either in the form of achieving positive goals, retrieving a positive stimuli or escaping from negative stimuli. More so, delinquency may serve as a revenge measure of an individual. Similarly, it is submitted that delinquency may arise as the youths struggle to manage their negative affect by way of illicit drug use. To this end, it can be thus said that the General Strain Theory has the potential of giving solid explanations for several forms of delinquency such as aggression, theft and drug abuse. It is also instructive that Agnew recognizes that not all responses to strain will involve indulgence in delinquent activities. He notes a valid point that some people will respond to strain by interpreting the objective strains in a way that seeks to mitigate the impact of such strain. Yet others engage in legal behaviors that eliminate strain while others will manage the negative effect occasioned by the strain through legal means such as meditating and performing exercises. To this extent, the GST as expounded by Agnew is solid as it does not generalize the real findings for the purpose of validating itself. On the contrary, Agnew stated that people are likely to be delinquents as a response to strain whenever the constraints to good behavior are high and the constraints to coping with delinquency is low. Another occasion would arise where an individual has a high disposition for delinquency which probably obtains from his temperament, peer pressure, social control or his problem-solving skills.
Some of the hypotheses stated by the theory are put to empirical tests to determine their validity. the first hypothesis from the GST and which is now tested is the one to the effect that measures of the three types of strain described above will have a positive effect on delinquency and drug abuse, with measures of the other theories being constant. It is stated that this is especially the case for measures involving school, a neighborhood or family. It is true, as stated by Agnew that youths or adolescents possess few non-delinquent coping mechanisms for dealing with strain. Most of the times, the adolescents are unable to escape legally from school, neighborhood or family. The adolescents are also devoid of the power of negotiation with parents and teachers and thus, chances of behavioral coping of a non-delinquent nature, is never an option in such scenarios. In addition, the youths are constantly and regularly reminded of the significance of their environment, thereby leading to a persistent strain in such environments. The upshot of this is that it becomes difficult for the youths to minimize the severity of the strain as explained above.
Another hypothesis central to the strain theory as put forward by Agnew and which is also the subject of empirical tests in this study is that the effect of strain on delinquency and drug use is conditioned by several variables. Some of the key variables cited by Agnew as conditioning the impact of strain and which were tested in this study are delinquent friends and self-efficacy. It is argued that delinquent friends usually increase the impact of strain while self-efficacy has a diminishing effect. Adolescents with delinquent friends were more likely to respond to strain with delinquent activities because their friends act as delinquent role models and instill these values in them. These friends also affect the constraints to delinquent and non-delinquent coping of the adolescent. For instance, the friends may make available the drugs consequently reducing the delinquent coping ability of the individual. Again, the friends may also make some types of non-delinquent coping even the more onerous, by say, reminding the youth of the strain events that they have experienced.
On the second limb of this hypothesis, adolescents with high self-efficacy were found less likely to respond to strain with delinquency for possible several reasons as had been explained by Agnew. One of the reasons is that the youths feel that they are in control of their lives and are thus more likely to attempt non-delinquent coping mechanisms. Further, these youths were found to be less likely to cast blame for the strain on other people thereby reducing the probability that they will react to the strain with anger which is the single most important cause of delinquency according to this theory. In view of the empirical tests conducted by Rutgers University and the findings, it was submitted that the general strain theory as proposed by Robert Agnew was, and still is, a solid theory of explaining delinquency especially among the youth.
Works Cited
Agnew, Robert and Raskin Helene White. "An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory." Wiley Online Library (2006): 475-500.
Broidy, LM. "A Test Of General Strain Theory." Wiley Online Library (2007): 11-16.
Paternotser, R and P Mazerolle. "General strain theory and delinquency: A replication and extension." Journal of Research in Crime and Criminology (2010): 14-23.
Piquero, NL and MD Sealock. "Generalizing general strain theory: An examination of an offending population." Justice Quarterly (2009): 17-23. | https://www.wowessays.com/free-samples/example-of-an-empirical-test-for-the-general-strain-theory-essay/ |
The roots of interior design have been scholastically attributed to clay-like structures built by the Ancient Egyptians otherwise known as mud huts. Origins of interior design The art of interior design encompasses all of the fixed and movable ornamental objects that form an integral part of the inside of any human habitation.
An Illustrated History Of The Last 7 Decades Of Interior Design Interior Design History English Interior Design Interior Design Classes
PERSPECTIVE 8Mark Hinchman Interior Design History.
History Of Interior Design. Neolithic Europe 2000 to 1700 BC. The profession of interior design is just over 100 years old. Interior design courses were established requiring the publication of textbooks and reference sources.
A Brief History of Interior Design Written by Staff December 22 2012 Credit for the birth of interior design is most often given to the Ancient Egyptians who decorated their humble mud huts with simple furniture enhanced by animal skins or textiles as well as murals sculptures and painted vases. Offers a study of interiors and furnishings from the medieval period to the Revival styles of the mid-eighteenth century to the contemporary classics used in modern interiors today. From the 1950s onwards spending on the home increased.
Modernism and post-modernism soon followed. The Potential Beyond CIDA Standard 2g Journal of Interior Design 38 3 2013 vxii. In comes the first defined handmade pottery that was used for both practical and.
Historical accounts of interior designers and firms distinct from the decorative arts specialists were made available. Interior design planning and design of man-made spaces a part of environmental design and closely related to architecture. History of Interior Design.
In a very basic sense interior design is the collection of ways in which any inside space is arranged and can include everything from art to furniture and upholstery. Were predicting that this will be the next big trend in interior design with the use of primary colors making a big comeback this season. In these hundred years what began as the art of decorating embracing form and function has evolved by leaps and bounds into todays world of highly specialized areas of interior design that require years of study and experience.
Bauhaus combined form and function. Although they focused on practicalities they still took the time to decorate their dwellings with drawings usually of plants animals or humans. The interior design profession became more established after World War II.
The rise of royal families saw for the first time people living in structures besides mud huts. 11See Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Rethinking Culture in Interior Design Pedagogy. Some of the most prominent theories and styles of design have evolved over time usually growing and changing with the sensibilities of the most influential people or.
Timeline created by continm. The history of interior design is long and full of changes driven primarily by region material availability and dominant trends and societal ideals. History of Interior Design Second Edition covers the history of architecture interiors and furniture globally from ancient times through the late twentieth century.
The History of Interior Design Evidence shows that the first shelters were caves. History of Interior Design is a comprehensive survey covering the design history of architecture interiors furniture and accessories in civilizations all over the world from ancient times to the present. Some Reflections Journal of Interior Design 38 1 2013 xix.
History of Interior Design. When you think of the term interior design it is unlikely that you would associate with a mud hut. Greek Empire 1200 to 31.
Interior design was influenced by a mixture of styles from around the world as travel became more accessible. Study of interior and exterior architectural elements furniture design motifs and ornamentation fine arts and construction. Interior Design History Timeline.
20th and 21st century. This fully updated fourth edition includes a completely new chapter on twenty-first-century interior design and a heavily revised chapter on the late twentieth century. Although the primary focus is on Western civilizations it also explores Eastern design history.
INTERIOR DESIGN TIMELINE Stone Age 6000 – 2000BC The first evidence of interior design was found in prehistoric human dwellings. They were decorated with drawings of plants animals and human forms Tribal cultures made huts with mud tree branches animal skins. This eventually led to the age of eclecticism which drew these styles together to create personality and character.
A History of Interior Design tells the story of 6000 years of domestic and public space. In Art and Culture. A Brief History of Interior Design.
13Philip Selznick Law in Context Revisited. The Evolution of Interior Design Styles Through History. It is essential to remember that much of what today is classified as art and exhibited in galleries and museums was originally used to furnish interiors.
And while there was minimal detail in the architecture and applied arts during this movement Bauhaus made a statement by embracing bold and primary colors Duggan. Although the desire to create a pleasant environment is as old as civilization itself the field of interior design is relatively new. | https://follow-city.com/2914/history-of-interior-design.html |
Environmental protection education is the responsibility of the whole society, especially in the university system. Although virtually all students have also recognized the harmful effects of environmental pollution on humans, the awareness of preserving and protecting the environment from the smallest actions is not the habit and regular action campaign of the country’s future generation students.
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Characterisation of early responses in lead accumulation and localization of Salix babylonica L. roots
Lead (Pb) is a harmful pollutant that disrupts normal functions from the cell to organ levels. Salix babylonica is characterized by high biomass productivity, high transpiration rates, and species specific Pb. Better understanding the accumulating and transporting Pb capability in shoots and roots of S. babylonica, the toxic effects of Pb and the subcellular distribution of Pb is very important.
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Toluene degrading bacteria from the rhizosphere of Solanum melongena contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
The application of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms in bioremediation applications is a promising approach to accelerate the clean-up of polluted soils. The use of microorganisms to accelerate the natural detoxification processes of toxic substances in the soil represents an alternative ecofriendly and low-cost method of environmental remediation compared to harmful incineration and chemical treatments.
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The presence of organic sulfur-containing oil in the environment is harmful to animals and human health. The combustion of these compounds in fossil fuels tends to release sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, which leads to acid rain, corrosion, damage to crops, and an array of other problems. The process of biodesulfurization rationally exploits the ability of certain microorganisms in the removal of sulfur prior to fuel burning, without loss of calorific value.
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Rhizoremediation is an in-situ remediation approach involving microorganisms for the biodegradation of organic pollutants and various other contaminants in the root zone. Plant roots provide a rich niche for the microorganisms to grow at the expense of the root exudates and in turn microbes act as biocatalysts to remove the pollutants. The harmful pollutants such as: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)- pesticides, herbicides etc. are converted to degradable compounds, while heavy metals such as zinc, copper, lead, tin, cadmium etc.
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It was examined that weeds cause a lot of problems in the crop field. Weeds compete with the main crop for nutrients, water, food, space, sunlight etc. Weeds utilize the nutrients provided to the main crop and sometimes dominate the main crop. Some weeds are very noxious and they are harmful for both humans as well as animals. It is clearly revealed from studies done in field of weeds that use of herbicides used to control weeds cause many effects on soil as it leads to degradation in the quality of soil, water as well as it pollutes environment.
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This paper is a monograph review of two sides of energy sector industrialisation in the MD with a focus on ‘green’ and ‘grey’ socio-economic development (as ‘xanh’ and ‘xám’ in Vietnamese respectively). ‘Green’ energy is understood as the electricity generated from inexhaustible sources and known as renewable energy. It emits fewer greenhouse gases and causes less harm to habitats in comparison to traditional fossil fuels and hydropower. ‘Grey’ energy is another word for non-renewable energy or polluting energy, which can have negative effects on human health, environment, and climate.
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Pollution from heavy metals is a global problem that is very dangerous to the environment. Among the heavy metals, cadmium is receiving more and more attention because it is one of the most ecotoxic, making it very harmful for biological activity in soil, biodiversity, plant metabolism, and human and animal health.
5p danhdanh11 11-01-2019 20 0 Download
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The Agency’s FY 2013 budget request supports the Administration’s commitment to ensure that all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and protect the environment where they live, learn and work. The EPA’s work touches on the lives of every single American, every single day as we protect the environment for our children, but also for our children’s children. The mission, day in and day out, is to protect the health of the American people by keeping pollution out of the air we breathe, toxins out of the water we drink and swim in, and harmful chemicals...
1457p nhacsihuytuan 13-04-2013 49 7 Download
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Many harms flow across the ever-more porous sovereign borders of a globalizing world. These harms expose weaknesses in the international legal regime built on sovereignty of nation states. Using the Trail Smelter arbitration, one of the most cited cases in international environmental law, this book explores the changing nature of state responses to transboundary harm. Taking a critical approach, the book examines the arbitration’s influence on international law generally and international environ- mental law specifically.
373p lyly_5 25-03-2013 83 7 Download
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If the soil becomes saturated, oxygen may become scarce and in anoxic conditions, denitrifying bacteria may convert the nitrate to nitrogen gases (NO, N2O, and N2). Nitrogen converted to these gases becomes unavailable for plant uptake or for surface water contamination. Additionally, saturated soil during the growing season is harmful to many crops like maize that cannot tolerate low oxygen concentrations in the root zone for more than a few days.
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Sulfur trioxide irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. A concentration of 1 volume of SO3 in a million volumes of air (one part per million or 1 ppm) is enough to cause coughing and choking. Sulfur trioxide dissolves in water to form sulfuric acid, which is a strong acid capable of corroding or destroying many materials. Sulfur trioxide can absorb moisture from the atmosphere to form very fine droplets of sulfuric acid. Inhalation of these droplets can harm the respiratory system. Chronic exposure leads to a much greater likelihood of suffering from bronchitis.
12p tainhacmienphi 19-02-2013 41 4 Download
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The presentation "Biomass pollution basics" addresses the basics of biomass burning and introduces participants to the concept of incomplete combustion, the wide range of pollutants emitted from wood fires and stoves and typical pollutant concentrations. Two pollutants are of primary interest for both health effects and IAP monitoring: particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). Smaller particles (PM2.5 and PM1) are likely to be most harmful, as they penetrate deep into the human lung. Larger particles are more likely to get 'filtered' by the upper respiratory tract.
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Like outdoor air , indoor air contains a complex mixture of pollutants (chemical substances, allergens and microbes) from different sources that changes with time. Findings on the health effects of single air pollutants cannot necessarily be extended to mixtures. Indeed, different chemicals may interact with each other and cause more (or less) harmful effects than the sum of the effects caused by each chemical separately. Very little is known about the combined effects of indoor air pollutants.
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Outside the air regulatory setting, park, forest, and refuge managers may use data from air pollution related lichen studies to aid management decisions, conduct NEPA analyses, and provide information to the public about resource condition and impacts. To meet the requirements of the Wilderness Act, Organic Act, and National Wildlife System Improvement Act, federal land managers often subscribe to what is known as the “precautionary principle.
38p saimatkhauroi 01-02-2013 53 4 Download
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Air pollution is a leading environmental threat to the health of urban populations overall and specifically to New York City residents. Clean air laws and regulations have improved the air quality in New York and most other large cities, but several pollutants in the city’s air are at levels that are harmful. This report provides estimates of the toll of air pollution on the health of New Yorkers. It focuses on 2 common air pollutants—fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3).
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Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental threats to urban populations (Cohen 2005). Exposures vary among and within urban areas, but all people living in cities are exposed, and many are harmed, by current levels of pollutants in many large cities. Infants, young children, seniors and people who have lung and heart conditions are especially affected, but even young, healthy adults are not immune to harm from poor air quality.
42p saimatkhauroi 01-02-2013 47 4 Download
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Preventing Pollution at Rock Quarries: A Guide to Environmental Compliance and Pollution Prevention for Quarries in Missouri
It is important to note that NPDES permits are only required of so-called “point sources.” Point sources tend to be larger industrial and commercial facilities and public treatment facilities. Some large agricultural operations are considered point sources, but, by and large, runoff from farms, roads, lawns, and most small pollution sources are not directly regulated. These “nonpoint sources” are the subject of increased scrutiny, since most of the nation’s remaining water quality problems are due to nonpoint pollution.
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Congress has enacted laws requiring individuals and facilities to take measures to protect environmental quality and public health by limiting potentially harmful emissions and discharges, and remediating damage. Enforcement of federal pollution control laws in the United States occurs within a highly diverse, complex, and dynamic statutory framework and organizational setting. Multiple statutes address a number of environmental pollution issues, such as those associated with air emissions, water discharges, hazardous wastes, and toxic substances in commerce.
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Inorganic mercury is toxic when humans or wildlife are exposed to high levels for a short peri- od of time. Organic methylmercury has a greater tendency to accumulate in the body over time, eventually causing harm, even in small amounts. Methylmercury has the three properties that make substances particularly harmful to humans and other organisms — it persists, it bioaccumulates, and it is toxic to most life forms. The health effects of mercury are described in more detail in the next chapter of this primer. | https://tailieu.vn/tag/harm-from-pollution.html |
Volcano Watch - New age found for Kaho`olawe's most recent eruptions
Two questions commonly asked of any volcano are the age of its youngest eruption and the frequency of eruptive events. For the volcano that forms the island of Kaho`olawe, the first question was answered recently when ages of about 1 million years were obtained from lava flows on the east side of the island.
This finding may surprise some, because publications have described an age less than 10,000 years for Kaho`olawe's youngest volcanic rocks.
With colleagues from the University of Kyoto, we visited Kaho`olawe in 2004 to collect samples from the youngest lava flows. At that time we estimated that the youngest volcanic rocks were at least 200,000 years old because of their depth and style of weathering.
The ages were obtained recently by Hiroki Sano, a graduate student at Kyoto. He used the potassium-argon method of dating, which relies on the natural decay of potassium atoms into argon. A gaseous element, argon escapes from magma prior to eruption, resetting the clock to zero. By measuring the amount of argon present today, Sano could calculate the time that has passed since the lava flows first crystallized and argon accumulated anew. Thus the age corresponds to the age of eruption.
The two more precise ages are 0.97 and 1.19 million years, give or take about 0.22 million years. This give-or-take is known as the analytical error. It indicates that Sano has 95 percent confidence that the actual age will be within the range of the error. We would look askance if someone at the grocery store counted our change with some analytical error, but it's a fact of life when dealing with difficult measurements like dating rocks. A third age, 1.41 million years, has a larger error, about 0.45 million years. The ages may appear to differ greatly, but they overlap completely when the analytical error is considered.
Fortunately, other facts help establish the age more precisely. For example, the lava flows recorded the Earth's magnetic direction at the time they formed, a consequence of the iron- and titanium-bearing minerals within them. Just as a compass responds to a magnet, these crystals lock in the direction of the magnetic field when the lava cooled and solidified. The most likely era to have had a similar magnetic direction was the time from about 900,000 to 980,000 years ago, given the choices allowed by the potassium-argon ages and their associated analytical error.
Another helpful fact is the age of underlying rocks. Dated in the late 1980s by a different group of scientists, the older lava flows of Kaho`olawe range in age from about 1.3 to 1.1 million years. Taken together, these different facts indicate that the youngest lava flows are closely related in time to the older lava flows, perhaps all of them within 300,000 years of each other. Kaho`olawe has been extinct ever since, for nearly one million years.
So where's the beef? How could the age of the topmost layers have been thought to be so much younger prior to Sano's dating? The answer lies in the geologic setting. The older lava flows were truncated by the head of a landslide that formed Kanapou Bay. Bouldery sediment was then deposited on the resulting slope. Sometime afterward, an eruption spewed the youngest lava flows. In other words, the youngest and the next youngest lava flows were separated by the formation of Kanapou Bay.
Geologists once believed that much time was required to erode an escarpment, accumulate draping gravel, and then shed a lava flow or two. Only recently have we come to understand that Hawaiʻian volcanoes can undergo large-scale landslides in brief episodes. Lava flows are dated with increasing precision, by a variety of methods, leading to discoveries on O`ahu, East Maui, and the Big Island that confirm the rapid change of some geologic landscapes. Perhaps the real surprise is the length of time it took to uncover this secret about Kaho`olawe's geologic history.
Volcano Activity Update
During the past week, the count of earthquakes located beneath Kīlauea remains at low levels. Inflation continues, but has slowed over the past few weeks.
Eruptive activity at Pu`u `O`o continues. On clear nights, glow is visible from several vents within the crater and on the southwest side of the cone. Lava continues to flow through the PKK lava tube from its source on the flank of Pu`u `O`o to the ocean, with a few surface flows breaking out of the tube. In the past week, flows were active on the steep slope of Pulama pali and visible at night (weather permitting) from the end of Chain of Craters Road.
As of November 17, lava is entering the ocean at East Lae`apuki, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Small bench collapses continue to occur at the ocean entry. Large cracks cross both the old and new parts of the bench. Access to the ocean entry and the surrounding area remains closed, due to significant hazards. If you visit the eruption site, check with the rangers for current updates, and remember to carry lots of water when venturing out onto the flow field.
There were again no felt earthquakes reported on Hawai`i Island within the past week.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. During the past week, the count of earthquakes located beneath the volcano remains at low levels. Inflation has resumed after having slowed over much of the previous month. | https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-new-age-found-kahoolawes-most-recent-eruptions |
These facts about Himalayas will make you pack for your next trip.
The Himalayas are the home to the highest peaks in the world like the Mt.Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga; but did you know they are also the youngest mountain range in the world? Yes, they are just 70 million years old and were formed when India collided with Eurasia.
We bring you some interesting and amazing facts about Himalayas.
1. Abode of Snow.
‘Himalaya’ means “Abode of Snow”; literally it means ‘hima'(snow), ‘alaya'(abode).The upper portion of the Mount Everest (above 5,500 km) is covered with snow that never melts. The glaciers situated around this mountain range provide crystal-clear fresh water.
SourceEdugeo
2. Various Cultures and Prominent Pilgrimage centers.
Religious destinations like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath are situated here.
SourceDetechter
It is also home to a number of Buddhist Monasteries.
3. Unbelievable Statistics.
A 2013 article in National Geographic noted 19,121 people above a base camp and 6,206 Everest summits up to the year 2012. Over 2500 people died due to avalanches and lack of oxygen.
Sourcepinimg
and..
Mt.Everest is the most climbed peak.
4. Unarguably highest mountains in the world.
The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world, with 30 peaks towering over 24, 000 feet. They are about 1,490 miles (2,400 km) in length, averaging about 200 to 250 miles (320 to 400 km) in width.
SourceOnthego tours
5. Home to exotic flora and fauna.
Snow leopard, Wild goat, Tibetan sheep, Musk deer, Mountain goats and many more.
SourceWiki
Many beautiful birds like Himalayan Bulbul and Flameback woodpecker are found in this region.
6. The naming of Mt.Everest.
The Mt.Everest was named by Sir Andrew Waugh, a British Army Officer to give respect to his predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843.
SourceWiki
7. Geographically Alive.!
The Indo-Australian plate is still moving at 67 mm per year, and over the next 10 million years, it will travel about 1,500 km into Asia.!
SourceSky Archives
8. Home to the greatest rivers on Earth.
Rivers like -The Ganges, The Indus, The Brahmaputra, The Mekong, The Yangtze and The Yellow Rivers originate from the Himalayas and from the Tibetan Plateau.
SourceFullon SMS
9. Natural Barrier
The Himalayas served as a natural barrier for thousands of years, for the people of India, China and Nepal.
SourceWiki
10. It covers 0.4% of the earth’s surface.!
It includes 612,021 square km of the total 153,295,000 square km area of the earth.
SourceEng Online
11. Youngest Mountain peaks stretching across six countries.
India, Pakistan, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan are the six countries.!
Sourcedesicritics
12. Sagarmatha: Goddess of the universe
The locals, owing to the majestic height and intimidation of the rocky range, call the Himalaya mountains as the ‘Sagarmatha’, meaning the ‘mother of the universe’.
Sourceflickr
13. Beware of Earthquakes
Because of the great amount of tectonic motion still occurring at the site, the Himalayas have a proportionally high number of earthquakes and tremors.
Sourceflickr
14. A total of 25 points exceeds the 8000-metre mark in the Himalayas
You may have known about the Everest being the highest peak at 8848 metres, but a total of 25 points cross the 8000-metre mark.
Sourceflickr
15. Tenzig Norgay buried his daughter’s pencils on the top of the Everest
Yep, One of the very first men to climb the Everest buried his daughter’s pencils in the mountain.
16. The himalayas stretch over 75% of Nepal
Nepal is known for this very fact to be a famous tourist country.
Sourceflickr
17. The Himalayas keep India safe from Cold waves from the north.
The cold waves of Siberia are blocked by this natural majestic barrier year in and year out, keeping our country warm.
Sourceflickr
18. The Himalayas are believed to be the abode of lord Shiva
The Himalayas are closely linked to Hinduism in this manner.
Source
19. The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow in the world, after Antarctica and the Arctic.
There are approximately 15,000 glaciers located throughout the range. At 48 miles (72 km) in length, the Himalayan Siachen glacier is the largest glacier outside the poles.
Other notable glaciers located in the Himalayas include the Baltoro, Biafo, Nubra, and Hispur.
Sourceflickr
20. Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield is on the Himalayas.
India and Pakistan pitted against each other on the highest battlefield in the world, the Siachen glacier.
Sourceflickr
Enough reasons? Now start packing up! | https://www.southreport.com/these-facts-about-himalayas-will-make-you-pack-for-your-next-trip/ |
"I'm a treasure hunter . . . . . it's my job to find precious things."
You would think those words would penetrate any girl's speculative heart, but the handsome, flirty treasure hunter with the cavalier attitude was just so . . . . . . daring? Self-confident? Dare she admit . . appealing? Marine photographer Summer Arnet isn't easily fooled and there is something about Trent Carrington and his eagerness to explore a recent dive location for sunken treasure that just doesn't ring true.
Centuries Earlier - a young Spanish woman has made a brave decision as she boards Captain Montoya's galleon, the "Santa Rosa" as a newbie sailor, carefully hiding her gender in order to escape her abusive stepfather. She has nothing of value except her grandmother's pendant, an heirloom of great value which Isabella has carefully tucked within her clothing, knowing that she will have no means to start her life over in the New World without it.
Monzon deftly weaves these two time lines together towards a climatic intersection, allowing Summer and Trent the opportunity to discover the significance of an everlasting treasure that can never be destroyed. Yes, "there is always a story".
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Scientific interest in mindfulness has grown exponentially since the 1980s. Clinical researchers have been asking whether these practices—which are based on ancient Eastern (Buddhist) contemplative traditions—can be used as psychotherapeutic techniques to ameliorate depression, chronic pain, and addictive behaviour.
Mindfulness is commonly defined as a way of paying attention, non-judgmentally, to one’s current experience. Despite this apparently simple definition, psychological treatments based on mindfulness meditation are often complex and multifaceted, meaning that they contain a number of distinct components that engage multiple, distinct psychological processes. For example, mindfulness interventions for drug and alcohol problems combine cognitive behavioural strategies with a variety of meditation exercises, such as the “body scan,” “awareness of hearing,” and “loving kindness” meditation. These exercises themselves differ in the degree to which they emphasise two styles of meditating: focused attention and open monitoring . Finally, these techniques and styles of meditating are practiced over a number of session in a group setting, so patients also experience a supportive environment, in which they can share experiences and learn from others.
Given the multiple components of mindfulness interventions, it is difficult to parse the specific contribution of their individual elements to their overall efficacy. Some of these components might be more necessary (or more efficacious) than others. If we can determine that certain aspects of a complex integrative treatment such as MBRP have beneficial effects in their own right, it might be possible to distill these into more efficient, abbreviated treatments.
We recently conducted a tightly controlled laboratory experiment in which we aimed to examine the relatively isolated effects of one style of meditating, namely open monitoring, on the response of heavy drinkers of alcohol. Since the total duration of the meditation instructions, within the experimental sessions, was only 11 minutes, we described this as “ultra-brief” mindfulness training.
…mindfulness interventions for drug and alcohol problems combine cognitive behavioural strategies with a variety of meditation exercises, such as the “body scan,” “awareness of hearing,” and “loving kindness” meditation.
What were the main findings of the study?
Compared to participants in the control group, who were instructed to relax in response to alcohol craving, those in the mindfulness (open monitoring) group showed a reduction in drinking over the following week, equivalent to a bottle of wine less than the control group.
Neither group showed changes in consumption immediately after the mindfulness/relaxation instructions (during a fake “taste test”), suggesting the effect only emerges after some practice.
Why did you study the effects of an “ultra-brief” form of mindfulness when most of the evidence suggests you need to practice for a long time before you see any benefits?
The brief nature of the audio-recorded instructions used in our study was simply a by-product of looking at only a single aspect of mindfulness, rather than a more complete intervention. Our instructions did not, for example, emphasise “focused attention” (focusing on a specific internal sensation or external object during meditation), which often precedes open monitoring. Instead, we repeatedly asked participants to “notice” what was going on in their mind and body while craving alcohol, and to simply observe and label these experiences without trying to change them. Although the participants only practiced the open monitoring technique very briefly in the experimental session, they were also given a small instruction card reminding them to practice the technique they’d been taught for the next seven days, whenever they experienced alcohol craving.
What are the implications of your study for treating alcohol problems?
It is premature to be considering treatment implications, but our findings do suggest that it may be worth pursuing research on abbreviated forms of mindfulness interventions, at least in people who recognise they drink too much but are not severely addicted. It seems very unlikely that such a brief approach would be effective in people with more severe drug or alcohol problems. For these individuals, more intensive treatments, including medical management along with evidence-based psychosocial treatments (e.g. MBRP) during the relapse prevention phase, will likely continue to be the preferred approach.
Featured image credit: Night-life by mossphotography. CC0 via Unsplash. | https://blog.oup.com/2018/09/ultra-brief-mindfulness-alcohol-consumption/ |
Introduction
============
Electronic Health Record Adoption and Expanded Access to Patient-Collected Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although electronic health records (EHRs) date back to the 1960s, widespread adoption was stagnant until the more recent passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act in 2009 \[[@ref1]-[@ref5]\]. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of physicians using EHR systems increased from 18% to 57% \[[@ref6]\]. Policies such as Meaningful Use (which prioritized quality, care coordination, and security of personal health information) incentivized the continued adoption of EHRs. By 2015, nearly 9 in 10 (87%) of office-based physicians adopted an EHR system \[[@ref7]-[@ref9]\]. Of all EHR vendors, Epic, Cerner, and Meditech are the most prevalent among health care systems \[[@ref10]\].
In addition to driving EHR adoption among providers and health systems, legislation supporting meaningful use also paved the way for continued development of EHR capabilities to enhance the patient experience. Health systems are increasingly interdependent on EHR capabilities, offerings, and innovations to better capture patient data \[[@ref11]\]. Features include secure messaging with patients and features to view, download, and transmit their EHR. Such capabilities are becoming more prevalent to facilitate streamlined patient data exchanges with their provider \[[@ref7]\].
A novel capability offered by health systems encompasses the integration between EHRs and medical devices, including wearable health and fitness tracking devices. Although early device integration involved tracking a set of simple vital signs, the scope of patient data has expanded rapidly as health systems strive to meet new standards, new care models, as well as leverage innovation in digital technologies \[[@ref12],[@ref13]\]. The primary focus of this review was to capture a sample of the rapidly changing field of patient data integration into the EHR \[[@ref14]\]. Specifically, we review several health systems and organizations that are using patient data gathered through consumer-grade wearable devices to track and improve patient outcomes.
### Availability and Adoption of Wearable Devices
Wearable devices include wristbands, smartwatches, wearable mobile sensors, and other mobile *hub* medical devices that collect a large range of data from blood sugar and exercise routines to sleep and mood. Patient data are collected either through consumer reporting or passively through sensors in apps that communicate with devices through application programming interfaces (APIs); these data are then shared through data aggregators such as Apple's HealthKit that pools data from multiple health apps \[[@ref15]\].
According to a recent consumer survey on digital health by Accenture, a significant percentage of US adults were willing to wear technology that tracks their health statistics (see [Figure 1](#figure1){ref-type="fig"}) \[[@ref16]\]. Due to mobile integration platforms such as Google Fit and Apple HealthKit, we can expect to see an increase in the number of health-wearable users over the next few years \[[@ref17],[@ref18]\]. The upward trend in device usage to monitor health-related data additionally suggests there will be a correlated rise in patient data available for health management \[[@ref19]\]. Large health systems are likely to trend toward larger rollouts of wearable technology in the next few years, potentially incorporating wearables as part of their preventative care strategy by monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, and other information \[[@ref20],[@ref21]\]. There are currently more than 400 EHR-compatible devices on the market, a number that is expected to rise exponentially in the coming years \[[@ref22]\].
![Percentage of US adults who were willing to wear technology that tracks select health statistics as of 2018. Screenshot from www.statista.com \[[@ref16]\].](mhealth_v7i9e12861_fig1){#figure1}
### Clinical Impact of Wearable Devices
Currently, these devices have the potential to help patients and providers manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, and chronic pain \[[@ref23]-[@ref25]\]. According to the Pew Research Center, 60% of US adults reported tracking their weight, diet, or exercise routine; 33% of US adults track health symptoms or indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, or sleep patterns; and 8% of adults specifically use medical devices, such as glucose meters \[[@ref26]\]. Studies on the clinical impact of wearables on patient health outcomes offer varied results. Although some conditions such as physical activity and sleep did not show significant or conclusive change from wearable technology use and require further evaluation, other studies have reported improved subjective outcomes on patient health \[[@ref27],[@ref28]\].
Recent literature reviews on the clinical impact of wearable devices and behavior change have shown promising effectiveness for digital technology \[[@ref29]\]. However, much of the literature calls for more complete data analyses from commercially available tools and their impact on patients \[[@ref30],[@ref31]\]. Further studies are necessary to assess clearer clinical outcomes on patient health by wearable health technology.
The purpose of this paper was to conduct a scoping review of the wearable health technology field to provide an overview of current wearable innovations in the EHR. Similar to a number of existing scoping reviews, we used internet search engines in addition to our database searches to capture the rapid updates in the area of health system integration of remotely collected patient data \[[@ref32]\]. We used these sources to generate a targeted list of organizations that are leaders in the overall field of wearable health technology, along with their partnerships.
This paper provides an overview of (1) our process in determining the current landscape of wearable health technology and (2) descriptions of some leading innovations and partnerships by start-ups, providers, and insurance companies. By sharing our results, we hope to create a process to identify relevant organizations in this field and provide resources for organizations that are interested in joining or learning more about implementation and workflows around wearable health technology and patient data integration to EHRs. This study is specific to integration into the Epic portal and is not a comprehensive search; however, results are representative of the field because of Epic's prominence in the US acute care hospital market (25.8%) \[[@ref10]\].
Methods
=======
Search Process
--------------
To better understand the scope of wearables and other health tracking devices and the resulting impact on EHRs, we used a scoping process to survey existing efforts on the Web. Although not directly relevant to a scoping review, we reviewed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to enhance the quality of our search. In our search, to identify the leaders in the field, we contacted the largest commercial EHR system (Epic) for information on client work in the integration of patient-collected data. We used this information to further inform our search terms in Epic's UserWeb portal, the primary platform for Epic users to share and discuss topics such as innovative idea generation and event postings, and the general Web, PubMed, and Google Scholar database searches from July 2018 to January 2019.
We recognize the risk of bias in this study, as our search process was limited to Epic clients and the information publicly available on the World Wide Web.
Inclusion Criteria
------------------
We used a set of inclusion criteria in UserWeb to ensure that postings were accurate and up to date. Results had to meet the following standards: (1) be posted after June 2017 and (2) have responses to topic threads. Key search terms included Apple HealthKit, Patient remote data integration, Fitbit integration, Withings integration, and Wearables.
Similarly, our findings on wearable technology companies and initiatives from the general Web, PubMed, and Google Scholar database searches had to meet the following criteria: (1) be posted after June 2017 and (2) match search terms including but not limited to Device integration, EHR data integration, Epic MyChart integration, Patient MyChart integration, Patient remote data integration, Patient data access, Wearables, Provider wearables, Hospital wearables, Hospitals AND Apple HealthKit device integration, Apple HealthKit device integration AND Epic, Start-ups AND EHR integration, Insurance companies AND device integration, APIs AND device integration.
Results
=======
Challenges of Wearable Device Integration
-----------------------------------------
Although wearable health technology has the potential to transform patient care, issues such as concerns with patient privacy, system interoperability, and the immense amount of patient data pose a challenge to the adoption of wearables by providers \[[@ref33],[@ref34]\]. Such challenges are critical to consider for future wearable use to deliver safe and quality care for patients. Although there are potential solutions for these implementation issues, more innovative work is required for wide-scale adoption of wearable health technology.
### Protecting the Confidentiality and Privacy of Patients
Wearable health technology requires critical checkpoints along the workflow to protect the confidentiality and privacy of patients \[[@ref35]\]. Currently, there is limited empirical evidence in the literature on the appropriate implementation of security in wearable devices \[[@ref36],[@ref37]\]. Key considerations include Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliance and informed consent by wearable users.
The HIPAA is a US legislation that protects the privacy of individuals' medical records and applies to health providers and plans \[[@ref38]\]. With the continuous stream of data from personal devices, data privacy and security for health information must be addressed as to meet HIPAA standards and not impede patients' willingness to share their data \[[@ref39]\]. [Figure 2](#figure2){ref-type="fig"} demonstrates that patients have some concerns about the electronic exchange of data between providers; the percentage of individuals expressing these concerns has remained relatively the same since 2011 \[[@ref7]\]. To protect against potential cybersecurity attacks and missing or stolen patient records through the implementation of wearable health technologies, hospitals must ensure that devices are connected to a secure network and monitor the hospital data network continuously \[[@ref40]\]. To prioritize data privacy, health systems are likely to be required to set up another secure network for wearable devices, separate from the main network \[[@ref41]\].
The complexities of wearables continue to grow as patient datasets from wearable devices are compiled and transferred \[[@ref42]\]. Obtaining patient consent is also critical, as patients are likely to find constant physiological surveillance to be intrusive \[[@ref43]\]. Misuse of personal health information by third parties could lead to discrimination, changes in insurance coverage, or even identity theft \[[@ref15]\]. As a result, consent notices must provide enough detail regarding what and how often personal information is collected and specify the third parties that can access patient data, ensuring that informed consent by the patient occurs \[[@ref42],[@ref44]\]. Additional policies and standards are necessary for the future of wearable health technology and patient data integration to the EHR to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of patients.
![Individuals' perceptions of the privacy and security of medical records and health information exchange in 2017. Screenshot from https://dashboard.healthit.gov/quickstats/quickstats.php \[[@ref7]\].](mhealth_v7i9e12861_fig2){#figure2}
### Lack of System Interoperability and Connectivity
As the integration of patient data through wearable devices is a relatively new area of health technology, health systems are lacking the necessary platforms to pull continuous streams of data from different patient devices for integration into the EHR \[[@ref45]\]. Currently, device and EHR vendors use a range of methods that include distinct, proprietary, and closed communication methods \[[@ref46],[@ref47]\]. These differences in methods make it difficult for various devices and EHR systems to communicate and transfer data streams, leading to the lack of system interoperability.
As a result, this barrier has created subsets of data collected from patients that become secondary in value because they cannot be easily integrated into patient historical data \[[@ref48],[@ref49]\]. Researchers have recently looked to achieve *plug-and-play* interoperability to standardize platforms and integrate these information islands, a standard that already exists in the world of consumer electronics as consumers demand simple and seamless functionality \[[@ref47]\]. *Plug-and-play* standards require ease of use, device compatibility, and streamlined scalability and reconfigurability between different vendors; systems must be able to detect new devices, negotiate communication, and allow devices to synchronize and work with each other \[[@ref50]\].
As the need for system interoperability grows, third-party applications aimed to address interoperability issues have become more prominent \[[@ref45]\]. Increased partnerships and opportunities between makers of these applications and health systems are necessary to reach high interoperability and streamlined communication between EHR platforms, patient devices, and providers. Improving these relationships can improve health care efficiency, provider safer transitions of care, and help lower health care costs \[[@ref51]\].
### Patient Information and Data Overload
Wearable health technology that is integrated into the EHR produces an enormous amount of data that require compilation and interpretation before becoming useful for patients and providers \[[@ref43],[@ref52]\]. Storing daily patient data streams can be a barrier to health systems that are not prepared to host a database that is constantly growing \[[@ref53]\]. Decisions around the life cycle of such data and how it can best fit into provider workflows pose a unique challenge to using remotely collected data for patient care \[[@ref52]\]. For example, the Apple Health and PulseOn Android apps provide heart rate data at 60-second long and 3-second long intervals, respectively; transmission of such large volumes of data will require backend analysis to be processed into a simpler and more usable form \[[@ref54]\].
Due to the sheer volume of these data, extracting and presenting providers with necessary patient data has been a main discussion point among hospitals implementing wearable technology. Overall, many providers experience alert fatigue in their daily clinical decision support systems \[[@ref55]\]. Although machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are potential solutions to this issue, current algorithms are often tested in fixed conditions that are not likely to hold up in live scenarios \[[@ref35]\]. Successful solutions to patient data integration should be able to sift through the immense amount of data and automatically deliver meaningful and actionable items to providers \[[@ref56]\].
In addition, a strong user interface (UI) for providers is important for provider buy-in and engagement during implementation. As a result, there has been an increasing trend within health care organizations to incorporate user experience and UI designers into a cross-functional information technology (IT) team to address this need \[[@ref57]\]. The multidisciplinary skills of such teams can offer improved UIs combined with IT expertise and enhance the ability to comprehend wearable patient data. These improvements in provider engagement and workflow could improve overall time efficiency for providers and quality of care for patients.
Innovations in Wearable Health Technology
-----------------------------------------
In response to these challenges, a number of health systems and organizations have begun to use a user-centered design approach to adapt workflows and collaborate with third-party applications to improve their integration of remote patient data \[[@ref58],[@ref59]\]. Numerous health care providers have piloted and/or implemented wearable-EHR integration projects with Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, Nokia, and Withings \[[@ref60]\]. A number of devices on the market have the capability to connect directly to EHRs through HealthKit and Google Fit; simple data such as steps and weight are currently collected and displayed, with more devices and data types being brought on the Web over time \[[@ref58],[@ref60]\]. In addition, as of October 2018, Epic customers representing at least 565 hospitals and 14,427 clinics support connecting data from Fitbit, HealthKit, or Withings today. Epic customers representing at least 1152 hospitals and 24,496 clinics support connecting other devices through Health Level-7 or manual entry of patient data through MyChart. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all customers, as select organizations opted out of the data collected by Epic (data provided by Epic, October 2018).
However, EHRs still cannot connect to many other devices and require the development of new solutions to address challenges such as interoperability and visualization for the information they are currently collecting \[[@ref61]\]. The wearable health technology space features numerous start-up partnerships with health care providers and insurance company innovations that are working to address these key challenges and promote growth in wearable usage and EHR integration capabilities.
The overall themes that we used to describe the different focus areas of each partnership included personalized patient experience, rewards program, data analytics, remote monitoring, access to patient records, and AI technology. A summary of key organizations working in wearable health technology compiled from the general Web search and Epic's UserWeb portal (as of May 2018) is presented in [Tables 1](#table1){ref-type="table"} and [2](#table2){ref-type="table"}, respectively.
Start-Up Partnerships
---------------------
As listed in [Table 1](#table1){ref-type="table"} below, we identified the following 10 start-up organizations that have developed or are in the process of developing technology to improve wearable health technology and/or patient data integration to EHRs: Overlap, Royal Philips, Vivify Health, Validic, Doximity Dialer, Xealth, Redox, Conversa, Human API, and Glooko. We reported sample start-up partnerships with a total of 16 health systems in addressing challenges of meaningful use of device data and streamlining provider workflows. The partnerships between these start-ups and health systems serve to improve the data collection process, synthesize actionable information for providers to review, and create a more personalized experience between patients and providers. Due to the rapidly moving field of wearables, our research represents a snapshot in time of wearable health technologies and is not meant to be a fully exhaustive list.
######
Wearable health technology start-up partnerships.
Start-up organizations Select hospital partnership(s) Theme(s) Technology overview
----------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overlap 2019 \[[@ref62]\] Columbia University Medical Center and UC Davis Health Data analytics and remote monitoring Collects patient data through a customizable Overlap app that integrates with EHRs^a^ and various wearable devices
Royal Philips 2019 \[[@ref63]\] New York Presbyterian Data analytics and remote monitoring Helps physicians monitor patient health remotely and connect with 2-way video using a telehealth platform
Vivify Health 2018 \[[@ref64]\] Children's Health in Dallas and Ascension Health Remote monitoring Integrates patient mobile devices with EHRs through a remote care platform
Validic 2018 \[[@ref65]\] Kaiser Permanente and Mayo Clinic Data analytics and remote monitoring Simplifies collected health data from wearables and wellness applications and delivers comprehensive patient profiles to providers
Doximity Dialer 2018 \[[@ref66]\] Johns Hopkins Hospital Access to patient records and personalized patient experience Allows providers to access their patients' records and make patient calls on the go from their personal cell phones, using the office as the caller ID^b^ while on personal phones
Xealth 2018 \[[@ref67]\] Providence Health & Services and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Personalized patient experience Allows doctors to prescribe apps and digital tools to their patients. Doctors can also track patient's use of these tools from the EHR
Redox 2018 \[[@ref68]\] Brigham and Women's Hospital Data analytics Links hospitals' EHR systems to outside applications regardless of software vendor (Epic, and Allscripts)
Conversa 2018 \[[@ref69]\] Northwell Health and Ochsner Health System Artificial intelligence technology and personalized patient experience Allows providers to monitor patient status between visits through automated, personalized patient-provider conversation experiences. Patient also can send information through Conversa into their EHRs
Human API 2018 \[[@ref70]\] Mount Sinai and Cedars-Sinai Data analytics Pulls health data in real time and processes and normalizes actionable health data, regardless of source or original format
Glooko 2019 \[[@ref71]\] Mayo Clinic and Novant Health Data analytics, personalized patient experience, and remote monitoring Provides daily insights to people with diabetes through a mobile app; clinicians are able to access data and identify high-risk patients
^a^EHR: electronic health data.
^b^ID: identification.
######
Insurance companies.
Organization Theme(s) Technology overview
------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oscar Health 2018 \[[@ref72]\] Rewards program Uses an app that synchronizes with Apple Health for its step-tracking program. More than three-fourths (80%) of Oscar members who download the app use step tracking
United Healthcare 2018 \[[@ref73]\] Rewards program Offers UnitedHealthcare Motion program where members can earn money toward out-of-pocket medical expenses by walking. The United Healthcare Motion app syncs with wearables using Qualcomm Life\'s 2net Platform to track steps
Humana 2018 \[[@ref74]\] Personalized patient experience and rewards program Launched Go365, a wellness and rewards program for members in 2017. The program operates on a points system and incentivizes healthier behavior with personalized health assessments and rewards, such as fitness gear and electronic devices
John Hancock 2018 \[[@ref75]\] Rewards program Offers Vitality Points for physical activity and health screenings, which can be used for gift cards and travel. Policyholders can save up to 15% on their life insurance by using internet-connected Fitbits
Insurance Companies
-------------------
In addition, we compiled a number of insurance companies that encourage the growth and uptake of wearable health technology through incentive programs: Oscar Health, United Healthcare, Humana, and John Hancock (see [Table 2](#table2){ref-type="table"}). These companies all offer health tracking through devices and promote the use of remote patient data to improve patient engagement and health. Key focus areas included patient data tracking and rewards programs for customers who use devices to track their health and achieve milestones. These rewards programs gamify health goals into point systems and offer incentives for customers, including gift cards, electronic devices, and travel. These initiatives by insurance companies support the uptake of wearable health technologies and expand the use of patient-collected data to improve patient health.
In addition to the tables above, we identified a number of health systems and organizations that engaged or stated interest in wearable health technology initiatives, such as NYU Langone Health, Penn Medicine, Duke Health, Novant Health, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Such work includes integration of Fitbit and HealthKit data into patient health portals \[[@ref60],[@ref76],[@ref77]\]. However, these groups have not yet published results from their work or current status of innovation. Limited reported information is likely to be because of the early stages of implementation and require follow-up in a future review of current innovations.
Data Analysis
-------------
On the basis of the information collected from our survey sample of 10 start-up organizations and 4 insurance companies, the most common themes included a personalized patient experience based on health goals and past medical history, gamification through a rewards program, and data analytics capabilities (see [Table 3](#table3){ref-type="table"}).
We also recorded several key observations based on analyzed data:
1. Current rewards programs are strongly linked with wearable devices. Of the identified organizations, all rewards programs relied on the use of wearable devices to track data that could be used for patient incentives. The most common data point was step tracking; a patient could earn money or points to be traded in for prizes when they walked a certain number of steps each day.
2. AI capabilities are still limited. AI has yet to become fully established in the field of wearable health technology. A limited number of organizations are leveraging these digital capabilities to collect, analyze, and integrate patient data and monitoring and creating ongoing dialog about patient health activities.
3. There are varied approaches for personalization of patient information. Personalization of a patient's experience was a prevalent theme across several of the surveyed organizations. The personalized experience was created through various approaches, including recommending health apps, facilitating ongoing conversations with a doctor or AI bot, or providing assessments so that a patient could better understand their health.
4. There are challenges and risks to all aspects of wearable health technology. Addressing system interoperability, patient privacy, and data overload risks will be critical to the use of wearable health technology. We mapped out the previously discussed challenges for each of the 6 themes in [Table 4](#table4){ref-type="table"}.
######
Prevalence of wearable health technology themes across surveyed start-ups and insurance companies.
Theme Number of surveyed organizations addressing themes
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
Personalized patient experience 4
Rewards program 4
Data analytics 3
Remote monitoring 2
Access to patient records 1
AI^a^ technology 1
^a^AI: artificial intelligence.
######
Challenges and risks associated with wearable health technology.
Theme Challenges
--------------------------------- ------------ ------ -----
Personalized patient experience ---^a^ X^b^ ---
Rewards program --- X ---
Data analytics --- --- X
Remote monitoring X X X
Access to patient records X X X
AI^c^ technology --- X ---
^a^No expected challenge or risk associated with wearable technology theme.
^b^X: challenge or risk associated with wearable technology theme.
^c^AI: artificial intelligence.
Discussion
==========
Principal Findings
------------------
This scoping study reviewed current innovations of wearable health technology and EHRs across health care systems, start-ups, and insurance companies and documented key innovation trends, partnerships, and incentives, along with challenges of wearables. Our findings reflect the movement toward the adoption of mobile health devices through the availability of digital tools and gamification of health data collection. However, numerous barriers to the efficient implementation of wearable health technology exist and are likely to hinder widespread adoption across health systems. Our report presents several current approaches to addressing wearable health technology and EHR integration barriers; these findings highlight the direction of wearable health innovation and serve to identify potential partnerships for future wearable adoption.
The development of technologies by start-ups outside of EHR systems highlights the interest in solving challenges in wearable health technology, such as information overload and system interoperability. Companies such as Redox are addressing interoperability issues by creating the technology to link hospitals' EHR systems to outside applications regardless of software vendor. Others, such as Validic and Human API, are working to improve the workload for providers by simplifying the data collection from devices and outputting processed and easily understandable results.
Across the field of wearable health technology, maintaining patient privacy with the expanding use of wearables, rewards programs, remote monitoring, and AI continues to pose the greatest challenge to the growth of wearable health technology. Obtaining informed patient consent will be critical to provide clarity regarding what data are collected and which third parties can access patient data; this will continue to be a key discussion topic, as organizations seek to create a personalized patient experience based on patient-collected data. For example, companies such as Conversa allow for automated and personalized virtual care using conversational AI technology and patient remote data.
The implementation of health tracking rewards programs by insurance companies additionally signifies the interest and direction in which wearable health technology is moving to improve consumer health. These health insurance companies' decisions to engage in wearables through rewards programs can offer increased opportunities in data collection and need for the above start-up technologies to provide a seamless experience for both providers and consumers. As wearable health technology becomes linked to gamification and rewards program initiatives for insurance companies, patient data integration across other platforms is also likely to become more commonplace.
This report serves as a starting point for those interested in wearable innovations rather than a comprehensive summary because of the rapidly changing nature of wearable health technology. As more institutions share their work in this area, address challenges, and create more efficient workflows/processes, the ability to transform patient care and streamline the integration of mobile health devices will improve the health outcomes and quality of care for patients.
Limitations
-----------
Although we developed a detailed process to search and document the current state of wearables through our study, several challenges exist to create a comprehensive list. The nature of this report is Epic centric, as we were not able to access other internal EHR portals. There were a limited number of health systems actively publicizing or publishing their work on new integration methods through the general Web. Those that did also used different names (ie, remote data integration and device integration) that may not have been included in our search terms. Furthermore, based on the growing adoption of wearable health technology in health systems over the past few years, we anticipate that new names would have been added to this list since our search.
Conclusions
-----------
Wearable health technology will play a critical role in greater transparency between patients and providers and chronic condition management. Devices and technologies that enable the streamlined movement of data from patients to providers are key to improving a patient's care journey and empowering them to manage their own health. The future design and development of digital technology in this space will rely on continued analysis of best practices, pain points, and potential solutions to mitigate existing challenges.
By sharing our results, we have presented key challenges and emerging solutions to this rapidly evolving field. Our work serves as an initial foundation to the creation of a streamlined process to identify relevant entities in this field and provide resources on the implementation of and workflows around wearable health technology and EHR integration for organizations across the health care industry. As much of this work is still ongoing, we anticipate that these findings will serve as the foundation for future studies on wearable health technology.
Conflicts of Interest: None declared.
AI
: artificial intelligence
API
: application programming interface
EHR
: electronic health record
HIPAA
: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
IT
: information technology
UI
: user interface
| |
What is feedback?
Feedback is information provided (by the teacher, a peer, a book or computer program or an experience) about aspects of a student’s performance or the knowledge they have built up from a learning experience. Learners can use feedback to confirm, overwrite, fine tune or restructure existing knowledge, beliefs and strategies.
Why is feedback important?
Research suggests that appropriate, constructive and assessment-based feedback is one of the most critical features of effective teaching and learning. In a meta-analysis of over 800 studies, Hattie (2009) found feedback was the most important teacher practice in improving student learning. Feedback supports students to know where and how to improve, and it can support their motivation to invest effort in making improvements. It is an integral part of Assessment for Learning.
Well-timed feedback can support cognitive processes for better performance, including confirming or restructuring understanding, improving strategies, guiding students to more information, and suggesting directions and/or alternative strategies they could pursue in order to improve. Feedback can also engage students in metacognitive strategies such as goal setting, task planning, monitoring, and reflection, which are important skills for self-regulated learning. Feedback can influence students’ affective processes, improving effort, motivation and engagement.
What kind of feedback do students need?
Feedback improves learning when it focuses on the particular qualities of the student’s work, with specific guidance on what the student can do to improve.
Feedback should be user-friendly (specific and personalised), transparent, addressable, timely, ongoing, and content-rich. It also needs to be clear, purposeful, and compatible with students’ existing knowledge, while providing little threat to self-esteem.
The best kinds of feedback:
• are goal-referenced: linked to, and assisting understanding of, the goals of learning
• are matched to the needs of the students, with the level of support they need
• are accurate and trustworthy (with teachers and students in agreement about what counts as success)
• are carefully timed: provided when students need it to improve learning (which might be during the learning activity, or before revising a piece of work)
• focus on strengths and weaknesses as well as revealing what students understand and misunderstand, and accompanied with strategies to help the student improve
• emphasise correct rather than incorrect responses
• focus on changes from previous work or understanding
• guide ongoing learning
• are directed towards enhanced self-efficacy and more effective self-regulation
• are two-way conversations (either written dialogue or oral) rather than one-way
• are used in conjunction with self and/or peer assessment
• do not threaten self-esteem
• are checked for clarity, adequacy and effectiveness with the student — “Does this feedback help?”
• are actionable — with the student given time to respond to and act on feedback.
Three stages to effective feedback
1. Feed-up: Before feedback can be given, students need to know the learning intention(s). Feed-up clarifies for the student Where am I going? What are the goals? This information sets the context for feedback.
2. Feedback: Feedback itself focuses on monitoring and assessing learning progression in relation to the learning intention or task. It is about How am I doing? What progress is being made towards the goals?
3. Feed-forward: This relates to the next steps required for improvement on a specific task or learning intention. It is about Where to next? What activities need to be undertaken to make better progress? Here the answer is likely to be directed to the refinement of goals, and seeking more challenging goals, because these are most likely to lead to greater achievement.
Effective feedback is when teachers and students address all three of these questions.
Three levels of feedback
Feedback operates on, or can be geared towards, three levels. These are:
1: Task-level (or product) feedback
Feedback aimed at the task or product describes students’ performance and may offer students directions on how to acquire more, different or correct information.
Example: “That is correct. Could you include more information about the Treaty of Versailles?”
Immediate feedback is likely to be most effective for task-level feedback.
Task-level feedback is not the most powerful kind. This is because feedback at the task level is not usually generalisable to other tasks. However, this level of feedback can be effective when the information it provides about the task is later used for improving strategies or self-regulation. For example, task-level feedback might help students to reject incorrect interpretations and provide directions for better ways to process and understand the material.
Too much feedback at the task level focused on the accuracy of responses, and not on the processing required for these responses, can direct students’ attention away from a higher-level understanding of their task performance, and focus them instead on a surface understanding of learning involving acquisition, storage and reproduction of knowledge.
2: Process-level feedback
Feedback aimed at the process of understanding focuses on how the student has completed a task or created a product.
Example: “You might find it easier to punctuate this page if you read it aloud with a peer.”
Process-level feedback is particularly powerful for improving students’ deep processing and mastery of tasks and directing students towards more effective task strategies. It provides a deeper understanding of learning, enabling students to appreciate relationships between strategies and performance, which helps them to transfer skills to more difficult or unfamiliar tasks.
Process-level feedback on metacognitive processes might focus on enhancing students’ self-efficacy, self-regulatory skills or confidence to engage further on a task.
Example: “You already know the key features for introducing an argument, check to see that you have incorporated them into your first paragraph.”
Feedback focused on cognitive or metacognitive processes is most effective when there is a delay between student performance and feedback, which enables better reflection.
3: Personal-level feedback
Feedback focused on the personal level is directed to the self and contains little task-related information.
Example: “That’s an intelligent response, well done.”
This is the least effective level of feedback as it rarely leads to more engagement, enhanced self-efficacy or better understanding of the task. In fact, praise often directs attention away from the task. When feedback draws attention to the self, students have a high fear of failure, and it becomes risky for students to tackle challenging tasks or to try hard. However, sometimes praise focused on the student’s effort, self-regulation and engagement can assist in enhancing self-efficacy and increase student motivation.
Summary: Feedback that is designed to move students from the task to the underlying processes or understandings and then to self-regulation is most effective. For example, feedback based at task performance can build students’ confidence and help them to feel more able to improve and experiment with strategy use. Then questioning and feedback can focus on learning strategies and metacognitive skills, which eventually help students to become self-regulating learners. These are the students that seek and give their own feedback!
How to improve feedback practices in your classroom
Ten ways to give better feedback
1. Give more quality feedback by reducing the number of pieces of work you assess. Spend more time on selected pieces of work to give thoughtful, constructive and appropriate feedback. To make time for this, teachers do not mark some pieces, or look at only a third of their students’ books each week, or engage students in peer and self-assessment of some tasks.
2. Automate as many classroom processes as you can in order to devote more of your thinking to feedback. When teachers automate many other tasks in the classroom and enable students to take most of the responsibility for their learning and learning activity, they are able to devote more time and thought to giving sensitive, timely, content-rich feedback that is well-matched to the students’ learning needs at that moment.
3. Be descriptive and refrain from evaluation or advice. Approach giving feedback by carefully observing and commenting on what has been observed, based on the learning intentions of the work or activity. For example, “The first few paragraphs kept my full attention, because the scene painted was vivid and interesting. But then the dialogue became hard to follow, and as a reader, I was confused about who was talking, so I became less engaged.” Such feedback informs the student of their performance, without making value judgements, and offers direction for improvement, while leaving the responsibility to decide how to improve with the student.
4. Focus feedback on questions that challenge students. In topics where there are few right answers, try to use questions in your feedback that support students to tease out their assumptions or be critical about the quality of arguments.
5. Take into account students’ affective beliefs. Students tend to interpret feedback according to their beliefs about their strengths and weaknesses which can sometimes distort the message the feedback was intended to convey. Students who have high levels of confidence in the accuracy of their response pay little attention to affirmative feedback (unless the response turns out to be incorrect, which focuses their attention on feedback). Similarly, students who expect their response to be wrong, and it turns out to be wrong, also largely ignore the accompanying feedback. Teachers need to plan their feedback to reinforce or challenge students’ assumptions about themselves as learners. Teachers need to consider the ways and manner in which individuals interpret feedback so that feedback supports students in developing positive and valuable concepts of themselves and their learning.
6. Enhance the impact of feedback on student motivation. Students are more likely to increase effort when learning goals are clear, meaningful, and when their self-belief in their ability to succeed is high. Feedback that attributes success to effort rather than a student’s ability to succeed tends to be more successful. This is because attributing success to one’s ability suggests that effort is not required or is unlikely to alter students’ ability to succeed.
7. Create an environment for learning which welcomes errors and corrective feedback. Feedback is most effective in learning environments where students are comfortable in making mistakes and where errors are seen as leading to future learning. If students perceive personal risk to responding in class and receiving negative feedback, they are less likely to engage in learning, and are more likely to reject or ignore feedback. Show students the benefits of (self-generated, peer-generated and teacher-generated) feedback to their learning. Teach error-detection strategies to students so that students can provide themselves with self-generated feedback.
8. Give students ownership of their own learning. When students have some autonomy and control, and feel accountable for their learning, they are often more receptive to seeking, accepting and using feedback information.
9. Consider cultural preferences. As well as individual preferences, students’ preferences for the type and delivery of feedback may differ according to their culture. Students from individualist cultures (e.g. Europe, USA, Pākehā NZ) prefer direct feedback that is individually focused, and are more likely to seek feedback. Students from collectivist cultures (e.g. Confucian-based Asia, South Pacific nations) prefer indirect and implicit feedback, focused at the group rather than the individual level, with no feedback directed to at the personal level. However, bear in mind that when feedback is given at the group level, students may find it difficult to differentiate which feedback messages are relevant to them.
10. Involve everyone in the class (including visitors and parents) in giving and receiving feedback: Feedback does not always need to come from the teacher, or even from people! Widening the range of sources of feedback ensures students receive lots of timely feedback. However, the quality and accuracy of feedback is also important. Students can be taught the features of effective feedback, beyond immature criticisms and unhelpful praise, and simple proformas can be designed to elicit useful feedback from a range of peers and non-peers.
Ineffective feedback to avoid
Giving marks or grades
Students tend not to pay attention to feedback comments when they are given a mark or grade. Students who get low marks twice in a row come to expect to get low marks every time, with a negative impact on both motivation and achievement.
Comparisons with other students
Competitive environments also have a negative impact on motivation and achievement. Rather than comparing individuals against the performance of a class, a fairer comparison pits each student’s current performance against their own previous performance. This comparison is seen as relevant and achievable, whereas trying to compete with peers is stressful for many students.
Extrinsic rewards
These undermine students taking responsibility for themselves, increase teacher control and surveillance, and generate competition amongst students.
Non-specific or general feedback
Telling students to work harder, or recalculate, does not help students know how or where to improve their work. Unclear evaluative feedback, which details students’ successes and failures but does not specify reasons, is likely to have negative effects on self-efficacy, exacerbate poor performance and damage self-images.
Giving feedback unrelated to critical aspects of learning goals
Feedback should be clearly focused on the learning goals and agreed success criteria for meeting these goals. Students should not be given feedback on presentation, spelling and/or the quantity of writing when the learning goal is “creating mood in a story”.
Overloading students with too much or too technical information
It is better to identify one important thing that you noticed, that, if changed, will likely yield immediate and noticeable improvement
Too much written feedback
Giving too much feedback in written form can be overwhelming for students and difficult to understand. Some students have difficulty understanding and processing written feedback. However, this can be mitigated by good communication between the teacher and student in which the student is invited to say if feedback is not useful or doesn’t help them to make improvements.
Associating “what next?” with more
Often teachers suggest that students gather more information, or perform more tasks, so that students come to understand that the answer to “Where to next?” is “more”. Instead, feedback can provide information on greater possibilities for learning, including enhanced challenges, more autonomy over the learning process, greater fluency, and diversifying strategies and processes for tasks.
Giving feedback when students lack knowledge or information
Feedback can only build on existing learning or understanding. Students with very little understanding of a content area are more likely to benefit from targeted instruction than from feedback on poorly constructed concepts. Feedback is better focused on faulty interpretations and fine-tuning performance.
Feedback checklist
How often does your feedback include the features in our Feedback checklist? | https://theeducationhub.org.nz/how-to-integrate-effective-feedback-into-your-classroom/ |
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