content
stringlengths 0
1.88M
| url
stringlengths 0
5.28k
|
|---|---|
When products are purchased that will be used to operate an organization or will be made into products the product is called?
Products bought by businesses or institutions for use in making other products are called business products. These products can be commercial, industrial, or services products. A commercial product would be an 18-wheeler truck used by a major transportation company as part of the business.
What kind of purchase decision occurs when a buyer has experience in purchasing a product in the past but is interested in acquiring additional information regarding alternative products and suppliers?
Whats a modified rebuy buying situation? A purchase decision that occurs when a buyer has experience in purchasing a product in the past but it is interested in acquiring additional information regarding alternative products and/or suppliers.
What is a consensus buying center?
consensus buying center. A buying center in which all members of the team must reach a collective agreement that they can support a particular purchase. consultative buying center. A buying center in which one person makes the decision but he or she solicits input from others before doing so.
Which of the following organizational members plays a major role in vendor selection for straight rebuy purchases?
buyer
Which is the final stage of Organisational buying process?
The buyer now writes the final order with the chosen supplier, listing the technical specifications, the quantity needed, the warranty, and so on. Performance review. In this final stage, the buyer reviews the supplier’s performance. This may be a very simple or a very complex process.
What is organizational buying example?
Resellers involve either wholesalers or retailers that buy from one organization and resell to some other entity. For example, large grocery chains sometimes buy products directly from the manufacturer and resell them to end-consumers. Organizational buying usually involves more people than individual buying.
What are the three main types of organizational buyers?
Bottom Line. There are three different buyer types – spendthrifts, average spenders, and frugalists.
How do you explain what is an organizational buying Behaviour?
Organizational Buying Behaviour is a complex decision-making and communication process involving selection and procurement of product and services by organizational buyers.
What is Organisational buying behavior?
The behavior of an organization shown in buying goods or services is called organizational buying behavior. The organizations buy goods or services for business use, resale, produce other goods or provide services. Users, influencers, buyers, deciders and gate keepers take part in organizational buying process.
What are the factors influence organizational buying Behaviour?
Environment factors affect organizational buying behavior. This includes economic, technological, political-legal, social responsibility and competition. Economic factors affect organizational buying behavior. This includes level of demand and economic health.
What is the difference between individual consumer and organizational buyer?
The individual consumers buy goods and services for ultimate use or satisfy their needs. The organizations buy goods and services for their business needs. The buying purpose of them is to earn profit by using and reselling the goods and services.
What is the most trusted source of consumer information?
Deloitte’s research shows that for the majority of consumers, family and friends, consumer reviews and independent experts are the most trusted sources of information. Only around one in ten consumers find product manufacturers or service providers to be their most trusted source (see Figure 2).
What are the five stages of the organizational buying process?
The five stages of the business buying-decision process are awareness, specification, requests for proposals, evaluation and, finally, placing the order.
How can consumer psychology can affect in purchasing a mobile phone?
The results of the research confirm that the regulatory focus has an influence on consumer behavior towards smartphone purchase decision by affecting their perception, motivation, and lifestyle.
What are the various factors that determine the demand for mobile phones?
The present study has explored that there are eight major factors- price, product features, relative advantage, convenience, compatibility, social influence, dependency and brand name which influence consumer intension to purchase Smart phone.
What factors influence your decision to buy the specific smart phone you have?
Based on a literature review and survey, this study finds seven factors that influence smartphone purchase decisions: brand, convenience, dependency, price, social influence, product feature and social needs.
What would most influence customers to make a purchase from you?
Keeping that in mind, the following are three of the biggest factors that influence consumer purchasing decisions in today’s digital age:
- Product/Service Reviews. Very few consumers are going to blind buy a product or service based on the content they’ve come across on your website.
- Peer Recommendations.
- Social Media.
What Cultural Social Personal factors are likely to most influence consumer purchasing of smart phones?
Cultural factors influencing consumer buying behaviour of Samsung smartphone
- Culture. The culture alludes to the convictions, customs, rituals and practice that a specific bunch of individuals follows.
- Subculture.
- Social Class.
- Age.
- Demographic.
- Personal.
- Life Styles.
- Reference Group.
What are the factors to motivate Indian consumers for using smartphones?
From the statements 4 key factors that motivate consumers for purchasing the smart phones and its usage are recognized they are product feature, price, peer group and brand image.
What factors influence the amount of search that most consumers will exert when buying a smartphone or a tablet?
What factors influence the amount of search that most consumers will exert when buying a smartphone or a tablet? There are five factors that influence consumers. One is financial risk, risks associatedwith the cost of the product. Another is social risk, risks associated with how other consumers will view the purchase.
What type of decision making approach do most consumers use when deciding between smartphones tablets laptops or desktop computers?
What type of decision-making approach do most consumers use when deciding between smartphones, tablets, laptops, or PCs? Most consumers will engage in the extended decision making approach when deciding between technology resources.
How does reference group influence in the purchase of a mobile handset for an individual?
Regarding the consumer purchasing behaviour of a mobile phone, in addition to traditional marketing claim that a consumer’s purchasing motivation will be influenced directly by the phone and service related factors including: new technology, phone design and appearance, the relative price, and the associated calling …
What factors are important in reference group influence?
Reference groups have certain characteristics that affect their influence on consumers. They establish norms, roles, socialization, status and power.
How do opinion leaders influence buying behavior?
Vloggers, Youtubers and social media personalities have greatly influenced consumer behaviour by trialing, reviewing and recommending products online through social media platforms. ‘Opinion leaders are generally people who have the ability to influence others. …
How do reference groups influence members?
Reference groups greatly impact the products their members buy, although this varies from group to group and from product to product. An individual may also seek information from the reference group members about one or more factors affecting purchase decisions, such as where, how, and when to buy a particular product. | https://www.mvorganizing.org/when-products-are-purchased-that-will-be-used-to-operate-an-organization-or-will-be-made-into-products-the-product-is-called/ |
The main premise of antitrust (or competition) laws is to proscribe practices that allow firms to limit competition in the marketplace. As is well known, limiting competition allows firms to raise prices above their marginal costs (something we call market power). Market power creates profits for firms, but the profits are more than offset by losses in consumer surplus. This translates into net (or deadweight) losses for society, and such losses are, obviously, something to be avoided.
The problems associated with market power are generally well recognised by the public when the topic of discussion is domestic competition and anti-trust policies. However, when the topic is trade policy, public discussion of how it might affect market power is often confused or nonexistent. For example, one virtually never hears any worry about the potential anti-competitive effects from applying traditional forms of trade policies, such as import tariffs and quotas.
The only place that one finds competition policies mentioned with trade policies is with respect to antidumping laws. And here the application of these principles is one-sided. It is recognised (and likely overemphasised) that there can be anti-competitive effects when a foreign firm uses low prices to eliminate competitors; i.e., predatory pricing practices. However, it is clear that the actual implementation of antidumping laws applies remedies for a whole range of pricing behaviours that any competition agency would find perfectly consistent with a competitive marketplace (for example, see “Why we need antidumping reforms”).1 Indeed, the danger of antidumping remedies is that they could actually promote anti-competitive effects by helping firms collude (actively or tacitly) to achieve joint monopoly/cartel prices and profits. Most directly, this can be seen in the case of “undertakings,” whereby government agencies coordinate arrangements with foreign firms (and in consultation with domestic firms) to keep the foreign firms’ prices at predictably high levels in lieu of antidumping duties! Even a quick scan of an introductory industrial organisation text would suggest to you that this could be quite an effective mechanism for firms to coordinate tacit collusion.
Trade policy and market power in theory…
Though largely ignored in public discussions of trade policy, economists have been reasonably good at showing theoretically how various trade policies may affect market power. In general, the theoretical literature finds large market power effects from quantitative restrictions and none with tariff-based import protection.2 There is also a literature indicating that antidumping measures can raise firms’ market power for similar reasons as quantitative restrictions; namely, that such policies can allow firms to tacitly coordinate higher prices to their benefit, but to the detriment of consumers and overall welfare (for example, see Prusa 1992).
Why does the issue of market power rarely enter public discussion of trade policies? There are a number of possible explanations, but let’s discuss two where at least some of the responsibility can be placed on the economics profession. First, economists have simply not laid out these arguments very often. For example, the standard models used to illustrate trade policies in today’s typical undergraduate textbook assume perfect competition. In such a setting, import protection increases employment in the protected sector, as well as infra-marginal rents of producers, but does not lead to market power for firms by assumption. Economists need to do a better job in presenting the conceptual reasons for why trade protection programs can raise market power and lead to the same sort of welfare losses that arise in more familiar cases where monopoly power leads to undesirable outcomes.
The second explanation is that the economics profession has not provided any empirical evidence for these market power effects. These effects may exist in theory under the right sets of assumptions, but do these effects really occur?
… and in practice
Empirical evidence on this issue is beginning to emerge, and the results of a couple of recent studies suggest that we ignore the potential anti-competitive effects of trade policies at our peril. In a recent paper I co-authored with Benjamin Liebman and Wesley Wilson, we undertake a systematic investigation of the market power effects of the wide variety of trade protection programs afforded to the U.S. steel industry over the last three decades (Blonigen, Liebman, and Wilson, 2007). The U.S. steel industry has been the main industrial sector receiving trade protection during this time period, accounting for more than a third of all antidumping and countervailing duty cases, as well as enjoying periods with quantitative restrictions and safeguard remedies on imports. Our statistical results are strongly consistent with the theoretical literature described in footnote 1 in that we find large market power effects from quantitative restrictions and none with tariff-based import protection. In fact, our estimates cannot reject the hypothesis that the U.S. steel industry was able to perfectly collude during the main quota period in the late 1980s.
Surprisingly, our estimates find no market power effects from antidumping protection in the US steel industry, which the theoretical literature suggests could be significant. These results contrast with recent evidence from Jozef Konings and Hylke Vandenbussche (2005) that antidumping duties in the European Union did raise market power significantly for many domestic firms that received antidumping duties against their import rivals. However, Konings and Vandenbussche note that market power effects are much lower or even nonexistent for products where antidumping protection leads to significant import diversion – market share gets diverted to import sources not targeted by the antidumping protection, rather than the domestic firms. The is a likely explanation for our finding of little market power effects for U.S. steel antidumping cases, as Prusa (1997) found significant trade diversion in U.S. antidumping cases.
Conclusions
What does this all mean in light of trade policy developments over the past decade? There is both good news and bad news. The good news is that the Uruguay Round made substantial progress in eliminating quantitative restrictions, which theory and empirics suggest are by far the most harmful trade policies in terms of raising market power. The bad news is that antidumping measures are acceptable under WTO agreements and have proliferated across member countries substantially in the past decade. While the initial evidence on market power effects of antidumping measures is mixed, the theory is clear in suggesting many ways in which such protection can raise market power.
While there may be political reasons to keep trade measures such as antidumping in place, as a profession, economics needs to continue to bring more evidence to bear about the market power effects of these programs. At the same time, we need to also continue to press policymakers more about the need for competition laws to apply equally to domestic and foreign firms. If policymakers can see the logic of having national treatment laws with respect to things such as tax policies towards firms in a market, then perhaps they can also be engaged to think about national treatment with respect to application of competition laws. As it stands, antidumping policies are a completely different (and wrongheaded) set of competition laws applied only to foreign firms exporting to a market.
References
Bhagwati, Jagdish N. (1965). “On the Equivalence of Tariffs and Quotas,” in R.E. Baldwin et al., eds., Trade, Growth and the Balance of Payments: Essays in Honor of Gottfried Haberler, Amsterdam: North-Holland.
Blonigen, Bruce A., Benjamin H. Liebman, and Wesley W. Wilson (2007). “Trade Policy and Market Power: The Case of the US Steel Industry,” NBER Working Paper No. 13671.
Konings, Jozef, Hylke Vandenbussche, and Linda Springael (2001). “Import Diversion Under European Antidumping Policy,” Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Vol. 1(3): 283-299.
Konings, Jozef, and Hylke Vandenbussche (2005). “Antidumping Protection and Markups of Domestic Firms,” Journal of International Economics, Vol. 65(1): 151-65.
Krishna, Kala. (1989). “Trade Restrictions as Facilitating Practices,” Journal of International Economics. Vol. 26: 251-270.
Prusa, Thomas J. (1992). “Why Are So Many Antidumping Petitions Withdrawn?” Journal of International Economics. Vol. 33: 1-20.
Prusa, Thomas J. (1997). “The Trade Effects of US Antidumping Actions," in Robert C. Feenstra, ed., Effects of US Trade Protection and Promotion Policies, NBER Project Report Series. Chicago,IL: University of Chicago Press.
Footnotes
1 Hylke Vandenbussche and Maurizio Zanardi, “Antidumping in the EU: the time of missed opportunities,” VoxEU, 8 February 2008.
2 Perhaps the first formal treatment dates back to Bhagwati (1965), who showed that a binding quota would allow a domestic monopolist to continue to wield market power in the face of lower international prices, whereas a standard import tariff would drive the domestic monopolist price to the competitive international price (plus tariff). Game theoretic analysis of oligopoly games also indicate that quantitative restrictions on imports allowed firms to increase market power, while import tariffs do not change existing market power (for example, see Krishna 1989). | https://voxeu.org/article/market-power-and-trade-policy |
It might be hard to believe, but one reason NPR was inspired to build its social media community is what it found in personal ads like this one—"Female golfer, loves NPR, travel and skydiving, is looking for like-minded man." With NPR squeezed into the middle of self-portraits, the network figured that if it created a digital public square, people would want to congregate there.
So three years ago NPR invited its 27 million listeners to gather at this virtual water cooler to share ideas, suggest stories, offer comments and criticisms, … ninety percent of us will read something online and move on. Nine percent—I’m in this group—occasionally take time to comment. That leaves roughly 1 percent who create and dominate the
online conversation…
and participate in civil dialogue. Joining NPR’s digital community requires creating an account. Individuals need to log in each time they comment on a story, though using real names is not required. So far 500,000 people have signed up as members of the NPR.org community.
Since the launch in 2008, those tasked with oversight of this digital community’s dynamics at times have felt as though they are riding a bucking bronco in the rodeo ring. Those feelings hit hardest when contentious issues surface, and it can be challenging to maintain civil dialogue as conversations devolve into downright meanness.
So the hunt is continually on for workable—and affordable—solutions. The goal is dialogue, but it’s pretty clear that the debate between dialogue and diatribe is still being waged. From the view I’ve had for the last three years as NPR’s ombudsman I’d say diatribe is winning—hands down.EDITOR’S NOTE
Shepard’s term as ombudsman ended on May 31, 2011. My perspective is shaped by the reality that my role—taking positions on controversial issues that arise at NPR—puts me in the position of receiving many more negative comments than the NPR community as a whole.
"The discussions on NPR.org are for the most part thoughtful and lively," said Mark Stencel, NPR managing editor for digital. "And we know we can count on our audience for strong opinions. We’re used to that. Our rules are hardly onerous—be polite, don’t use obscenities. … If anything, as a public media organization we are inclined to be more open than what some other national news organizations might be comfortable allowing—and that is still the case."
When people wrote me messages that were thoughtful, engaging or provocative in a constructive way, I eagerly absorbed what they had to say. Yet the comments I received on the NPR Ombudsman blog usually weren’t any of those things. Most people logged in to share with me—and the rest of the community—what a dimwit I am, that NPR should fire me, that my latest column is laughable, or that I am a first-class shill for NPR.
Here is what "Will Null (Will9999999)" wrote in March, a few days after my column appeared about NPR tightening its rules about commenting on stories:
Did I mention that you are a total jerk to state that! You took the Kings Copper, and now are going about kicking the body! Why am i not surprised by your unprofessional conduct.
I am starting a Lottery for Shepards Firing. I will start with Fire Date of March 15th. Others, please feel free to Post Shepards Firing Date. I will give $100 to the Winners Favorite Charity.
Want to see more? Click on comments on www.npr.org/ombudsman.
If people were talking with me on the phone or in person or they’d written me a letter, our communication might have been more productive. Instead, with only a click needed to transform writer into sender, dozens of messages arrived in my digital mailbox each day. During especially challenging times, the number has reached into the thousands.
The 90-9-1 principle convinced me that many, not all, comment sections are an exercise in faux democracy. This theory goes that 90 percent of us will read something online and move on. Nine percent—I’m in this group—occasionally take time to comment. That leaves roughly 1 percent who dominate the online conversation, and among this smaller number is found the digital equivalent of the loudest drunk in the bar. Their messages are often rude and accusatory; they indicate little interest in joining a conversation, yet they succeed in scaring off those who might want to truly engage.
This has occasionally pushed away a news source. Once the family of a high-performing high school student who was in the country illegally wanted to stop cooperating on a story for "All Things Considered" because listeners responded so harshly on the story’s online version. The producers ultimately convinced the family to stick with what was going to be an ongoing story, "Undocumented Teen’s School, Work Options Limited."
"It was by no means easy though, and this experience ultimately had a real chilling effect on our ability to continue with them in the longer term," said freelance producer Elizabeth Meister. "I feel fairly confident that this incident ultimately led them to believe that sharing their experience was dangerous, and as a result it looks like we are having to abandon work on any follow-ups."
That was in December 2009, and since then NPR has stepped up its oversight. Today, for the most part, the stream of comments has become more civil and engaging.
Monitoring Comments
Prescreening comments works, but it is expensive, and not all vicious comments will always be taken down. So nearly three years after NPR started allowing commenting on stories, the network (like all news outlets) is still figuring out how best to handle abusive and disruptive commentary. Initially, NPR relied on a "Report Abuse" button—if it were clicked three times, then that comment was investigated.
With NPR getting about 3,000 comments a day, such investigations became unfeasible for staff to manage. Last October NPR hired a Canada-based company, ICUC Moderation Services, to handle the abuse queue for NPR.org comments. But even this is not total premoderation. ICUC moderates comments by new users and those who have repeatedly broken the guidelines.
It’s a tough job. Moderating comments is more art than science since there are a lot of gray area judgment calls within NPR’s guidelines. Crossing those borderlines can lead to expulsion from the community. "Our goal is to encourage civil and engaging conversations," said Kate Myers, who oversees NPR’s online community. "It only takes a few people for a discussion to turn bad. In my experience, people don’t like to contribute to a site where the comments devolve into ugliness."
In March, NPR went a step further to refine the system. Now new members and repeat offenders are premoderated—a kind of guilty until proven innocent approach for those new to the site. It
‘s an attempt to control the digital "trolls," yet they seem to be too clever by half. Take boulder dude, a longtime nemesis, who lets me know in frequent comments that he finds little redeeming about my columns or NPR in general. CORRECTION
The proper screen name is “boulder dude,” not “Boulder Dude” as it is in the print edition.
When NPR monitors banned him, he set up a new account, first as boulder dude1, then boulder dude2, and so on. But under the new system, he can’t be so crafty.
"And every time he creates a new account, he gets premoderated," noted Andy Carvin, NPR’s social media guru. "It’s a losing battle for him except if he behaves. Our system works because he doesn’t have a free bully pulpit for him to use. Our community members get to talk in peace because of the new system."
Other debates revolve around the anonymity afforded those who comment. Would Boulder Dude be so cutting, ugly or mean-spirited if he had to use his real name? (I know it’s a he; I’ve talked with him.) Andrew Alexander, the former ombudsman at The Washington Post, argued in favor of anonymity, even though the Post, like all news organizations, confronts these same kinds of messages that can border on hate speech. He believes anonymity encourages people to participate and share things online that they might be afraid to post if their real name was used.
I disagree.
We would have more honest, kinder, civil exchanges if people used their real names. One way to do this is to log in using Facebook, a place where nearly everyone wants to be known and where the ethos is that people are known as who they are in real life. Of course, this isn’t always true. There are avatars on Facebook as well, and signing in on Facebook doesn’t guarantee civility. Look at The Washington Post. But it’s a start.
Encouraging a civil dialogue makes sense, so if I could, I’d get rid of anonymity when it comes to participating in the digital town common. I think people behave more civilly toward one another when their true identity is known.
Alicia C. Shepard just ended her three-year term as NPR ombudsman. She welcomes suggestions of workable solutions for commenting. Share them with her at [email protected]. | https://niemanreports.org/articles/online-comments-dialogue-or-diatribe/ |
molecules. 12. How many carbons does pyruvate contain? 13.
Glycolysis occurs in the _____________ of the cell. 14. Is
glycolysis aerobic or anaerobic? 15. How many ATP does 1 glucose
yield in fermentation? 16. Define substrate-level phosphorylation.
17. In the energy-investment step, how many ATP are used? 18. In
the energy-harvesting step, how many ATP are gained? NADH? 19. If
oxygen is not available, what happens to pyruvate? 20. In animal
cells, what is the end product of fermentation? 21. In yeast cells,
what is the end product of fermentation? 22. Give an example of a
useful product from fermentation by bacteria. 23. Give an example
of a useful product from fermentation by yeast. 24. Define oxygen
debt. 25. How is fermentation in muscle cells beneficial? 26. Which
one is more efficient—fermentation or cellular respiration?
Explain. 27. In cellular respiration, the second stage is called
the __________________, and it takes place in the ______________ of
the cell. 28. What gas is given off in the preparatory reaction?
29. How many NADH are formed? ATP? 30. Draw a mitochondrion showing
inner and outer membranes, cristae, matrix and intermembrane space.
31. The third stage is called ____________________________ and
occurs in the _________________ of the mitochondria. 32. How many
NADH & FADH2 are formed in the Citric Acid Cycle (aka Kreb’s
Cycle)? 33. Why is it named Kreb’s Cycle? 34. How many ATP are made
by substrate-level phosphorylation in the Citric Acid Cycle? 35.
Where do the electrons go when they’re donated by the coenzymes?
36. Where is the electron transport chain located in eukaryotes? In
aerobic prokaryotes? 37. What element is the final acceptor of the
eˉ from the electron transfer chain? 38. How many ATP are generated
from the electrons donated by NADH? FADH2? 39. What happens to NADH
and FADH2 after they’ve donated their electrons to the ETC? 40.
What happens to the H+ carried by NADH and FADH2? 41. The dark meat
of a chicken contains more of what organelle? What does this mean?
42. Fill in the following table of end products for each stage:
Glycolysis ATP NADH FADH2 Preparatory Reaction ATP NADH FADH2
Citric Acid Cycle ATP NADH FADH2 Electron Transport Chain ATP NADH
FADH2 43. Define catabolism. 44. Define anabolism. 45. List three
similarities between chloroplasts and mitochondria. 46. Can your
body use protein as energy? 47. Why are there no anaerobic
elephants?
6. Cellular respiration releases energy. So it is an
exergonic reaction.
7. 1 Glucose molecule on complete oxidation produces 38 ATPs. 2
ATPs are initialy used to start the process of Glycolysis. So
net gain of ATPs in oxidation of 1 molecule of glucose is
36 ATP. Total production is 38 ATP.
10. Cellular respiration is carried out to obtain energy from by
oxidising the molecules like carbohydrates and fats.
Cellular respiration takes place in 4 stages. (Taking
Carbohydrate as an example)
First stage is glycolysis in which 1 glucose molecule is broken
down to 2 molecules of pyruvate.
Second stage is oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl
co enzyme A.
Third stage is the citric acid cycle in which acetyl co enzyme A
is totally broken down to water and CO2
Fourth stage is the electron transport chain in which ATP is
generated from the reducing equivalents that are formed during the
first 3 stages.
11. In Glycolysis, enzymes rearrange a
six-carbon molecule of glucose into two pyruvate molecules.
12. In glycolysis we can see that 1 molecule of glucose is
directly broken down (without any additions) to 2 molecules of
pyruvate. Form this we can say that pryruvate is a 3 carbon
compound.
13. The enzymes required for glycolysis are present in the
cytoplasm of the cell. So, glycolysis occurs in the
Cytoplasm of the cell.
14. Glycolysis is common pathway both for aerobic as well as
anaerobic breakdown of glucose. In aerobic respiration it ends with
pyruvate, in anaerobic respiration it ends with lactate.
15. In fermentation glucose is anaerobically broken down to
Ethanol and CO2. Glucose first splits into 2 molecules of pyruvate
and then pyruvate is converted to ethanol. As the yield of ATP in
glycolysis is 2 the yield of fermentation alos will be 2 ATPs only
as no ATPs are produced in the conversion of pyruvate to
ethanol.
It yields only 2 ATPs. | https://answerprime.com/is-cellular-respiration-endergonic-or-exergonic/ |
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and the Tebtebba Foundation offer a rich array of events aimed at revitalizing the Filipino indigenous languages.
According to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 40 percent of the estimated 6700 spoken languages in the world are facing the threat of extinction—majority of which are indigenous languages. And when statistics show that indigenous peoples account for less than six percent of the total population but 15 percent of the world’s poorest communities, then you see the evident vulnerability of these languages and how it is in dire need of protection. This is why the Komisyon Sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and organizations like Tebtebba hold conferences this month, which seek to celebrate, champion, and safeguard Filipino indigenous languages.
Related: This Filipino High School Is Named “World’s Best School”
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND
One of the most important outcomes from the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL) in 2019 was the United Nation General Assembly’s (UNGA) adoption of a resolution declaring the period of 2022-2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032). Its primary goal is to help promote and protect the endangered indigenous languages and improve the lives of its speakers who are oftentimes politically and socially isolated and marginalized.
“Indigenous peoples are not only leaders in protecting the environment,” explains the IDIL’s rationale. “But their languages represent complex systems of knowledge and communication, and should be recognized as a strategic national resource for sustainable development, peacebuilding and reconciliation.”
The organization that will spearhead this initiative is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is tasked with, among other things, setting up a Global Action Plan that highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism and caters to the critical needs of indigenous languages around the world. For the next decade, UNESCO will be committed to “leave no one behind,” as part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that the indigenous peoples’ voices and priorities are heard.
“Indigenous languages add to the rich tapestry of global cultural diversity,” the rationale continues. “Without them, the world would be a poorer place.”
KOMISYON SA WIKANG FILIPINO
As per the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the official body focusing on the preservation and promotion of Filipino languages, out of 130 languages that are spoken in the archipelago, 40 face the risk of extinction. Therefore, as a commitment to the aforementioned initiative and in celebration of National Indigenous People’s Month this October, the KWF launches this year’s Pambansang Kongreso sa Nanganganib sa Wika, a large-scale gathering of language scholars, researchers, teachers, community members, and advocates which aims to put the spotlight on the preservation and revitalization of endangered Filipino indigenous languages.
The three-day conference also intends to showcase “best practices in research and program development for language revitalization, discuss issues affecting the vitality of languages, and to encourage indigenous peoples and communities to document and conduct research on their own language.”
Included in the event’s discussions are the outcome of the implementation of KWF’s Bahay-Wika initiative and the Master-Apprentice Language Learning Program (MALLP). Started in 2017, Bahay-Wika aims to give young children (aged two to four years old) intensive exposure to an indigenous language through immersive interactions with a language bearer, who are oftentimes the indigenous group’s elders. The goal of MALLP, on the other hand, is to give the same language immersion experience through one-on-one sessions between a language master and an adult apprentice.
Other research works that will also be presented in the event include an analysis of the strengths of the indigenous Dumagat language, a study on the Blaan tribe’s musical tradition, a discussion of the importance of language documentation for endangered languages, and a discourse on a resolution which plans to launch an online repository of Filipino languages.
The international conference runs until October 26 (Wednesday) and is held at the National Museum of the Philippines. The registration for the events has already ended, but don’t fret, because you can still watch and listen to the relevant and insightful studies about the Filipino linguistic diversity through the KWF Facebook page.
PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES
Established in 1996, Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education, also known as the Tebtebba Foundation, is a Baguio-based organization that seeks to promote “widely indigenous peoples world views, their perspectives on key issues such as individual and collective human rights, sustainable development, climate change, [and] biodiversity” among other causes.
Tebtebba comes from a word used by the Kankana-ey Igorot of Northern Philippines, which means to collectively discuss and present views with the aims of “reaching agreements, common positions, and concerted actions.”
This year, as part of expressing solidarity with the IDIL’s call to action, Tebtebba will launch the 2022 Philippine Conference on Indigenous Languages with the theme: “Sustaining The Gains And Mapping The Course For Indigenous Languages Development And Inclusivity.” The conference aims to raise awareness regarding the objectives of the IDIL, exchange information about the current state of Filipino indigenous languages, and create short- and long-term concrete plans that echo the IDIL’s global plan.
The conference offers its participants a rich array of panel discussions that range from tackling the current plans of Philippine cultural agencies on indigenous people’s education and heritage preservation to the impact of multilingual education on indigenous communities and learners.
Co-organized by Ugnayang Pambansa para sa Katutubong Kaalaman at Talino (UPAKKAT) and the non-profit 170+ TALAYTAYAN MLE INC, which promotes Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE), the conference will run from October 25-27 at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s University Hotel. Head on to Tebtebba’s page for more information about the event. | https://nylonmanila.com/filipino-indigenous-languages-take-center-stage-at-these-events/ |
What would you do if you have a superpower?
If I had one superpower, I’d like to create electricity. I would go to all the far places in the world and give them electricity so that the lives of people living there would become easier.
What are possible superpowers?
25 Useful Super-PowersInvisibility. You know you’ve got it when: You go all see-through, obviously. Superhuman Strength. You know you’ve got it when: You can pick up a car or play catch with a television. Flying. Shapeshifting. Super Speed. Super Senses. Telepathy/ Mind Control. Telekinesis.
Can Dark Matter give you superpowers?
In the game series Mass Effect, dark matter is manifested in the form of a substance called “Element Zero”, which is informally referred to as “eezo”. In DC’s Flash, all the things are about the Dark Matter which gives human superpowers.
Do we have dark matter in our bodies?
Particles called WIMPs strike us more often than thought, study says. The average human body gets hit by a particle of dark matter about once a minute, according to new calculations based on several dark matter detection efforts.
Is Dark Matter powerful?
But there is no evidence that dark matter is capable of such a wide variety of interactions, since it seems to only interact through gravity (and possibly through some means no stronger than the weak interaction, although until dark matter is better understood, this is only hopeful speculation).
What are the effects of dark matter?
Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot. In fact, researchers have been able to infer the existence of dark matter only from the gravitational effect it seems to have on visible matter.
What exactly is dark matter?
Dark matter is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect, or emit light, so they cannot be detected by observing electromagnetic radiation. Dark matter is material that cannot be seen directly. Scientists believe that dark matter may account for the unexplained motions of stars within galaxies.
What is dark matter and why is it important?
Dark matter is the most mysterious, non-interacting substance in the Universe. Its gravitational effects are necessary to explain the rotation of galaxies, the motions of clusters, and the largest scale-structure in the entire Universe.
How is dark matter detected?
Scientists study dark matter by looking at the effects it has on visible objects. Scientists believe that dark matter may account for the unexplained motions of stars within galaxies. Computers play an important role in the search for dark matter information.
What is dark matter made of?
But the most common view is that dark matter is not baryonic at all, but that it is made up of other, more exotic particles like axions or WIMPS (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles).
Can neutrinos be dark matter?
Assuming sterile neutrinos prove legit, they are still likely neither sufficient in mass nor number to constitute the bulk of dark matter. But just as normal neutrinos come in three flavors, multiple kinds of sterile neutrinos, with different masses, may also exist.
Why do we think dark matter exists?
Dark matter has been given this name because it doesn’t seem to interact with regular matter in any way. It doesn’t collide with it, or absorb energy from it. We can’t see it or detect it with any of our instruments. We only know it’s there because we can see the effect of its gravity. | https://ventolaphotography.com/what-would-you-do-if-you-have-a-superpower/ |
Language and speech development starts right after birth, with the first five years being extremely crucial. During this time, the parents or the primary caretakers have a very important role to play. Parents and adults use a different type of speech while talking to infants and toddlers. This infant-directed speech, which is also referred to as motherese or parentese, is linguistically or grammatically simplified speech that is characterized by variations in the pitch (high pitch, sing-song tone). During this time, the parents talk slowly, emphasizing on certain words and repeating them.
Did You Know?At 18 months, a child has a vocabulary of approximately 5-20 words. By the time the child turns 3, the vocabulary grows to about 1,000 words.
The main objective is to catch the child's attention and get a response from the child. As the child turns one, he begins to respond to the speech sounds from his/her native language. Before a child starts going to school, he/she has already acquired the knowledge of hundreds of words that allow him/her to communicate with others.
Stages of Language Acquisition
The stages of language acquisition in children include:
➠ Cooing
➠ Babbling
➠ First words and holophrases
➠ Telegraphic speech
➠ Making language-based sounds at 2 months, babies produce soft vowel-like (ooooo...ahhhh) vocalizations till three months. This stage is referred to as cooing.
➠ At 6 months, the child makes speech-like sounds or repetition of single syllables that have no meaning (ma-ma-ma, ba-ba-ba). This stage is referred to as babbling.
➠ Between 9-12 months, the child utters single words or holophrases (Mommy, dada, cat, ball, etc.) to express themselves. They might use the same word for many things. For example, they might refer to every animal as 'doggie'. This is called overextension. Similarly, a child might use the word doggie for the family dog and not other dogs. This is called underextension.
➠ At 18 months, the child's vocabulary begins to grow rapidly. Once the child's vocabulary includes 50 words, a sudden spurt occurs. Thereafter, the vocabulary increases at a rate of 50 to 100+ words every month. Most of the words are nouns. This period is referred to as the naming explosion. A child in the age group of 18-24 months is likely to start uttering two-word sentences.
Between 2½ and 5 years, a child is able to form long sentences with grammatical morphemes (meaningful units of language).
What is Telegraphic Speech?
Newborns respond to all kinds of sounds, irrespective of the type of language. However, a one-year-old child will have a selective response to phonemes (speech sounds from the native language). By the time a child turns 2, he/she should be able to put together two-word sentences and know 50 words or more.
The term 'telegraphic speech' was coined by an American psycholinguist named Roger Brown in 1963. It refers to the two-word stage of language acquisition. It is derived from the word 'telegram'. Just as unnecessary words, conjunctions, articles, etc., were omitted while sending a telegram to save money, children in the age group of 1½ to 2 years omit grammatical morphemes such as the conjunctions, prepositions, articles, possessives, connective words, etc. Their sentences or phrases usually include the main words, which might include the noun and verbs.
The child only uses the words that are relevant to meaning. Function words (a, the, in), auxiliary words (is, was, will be), and word endings (plurals, possessives, verb tenses) are omitted.
During the early stage of speech acquisition, two main classes of words that are used include pivot words (words that are used in the same place within an utterance) and open words (words that are used in different places in different utterances). Out of the two-word utterances, one word is a pivot word and the other is an open word. Psycholinguists also believe that children follow the basic order rule, wherein the sentence includes the agent, action, object, and location. If the two-word sentence includes the agent and action, the sequence of words will be agent-action, and not action-agent. The same will apply to the sentence that includes action and object.
Telegraphic Speech Examples
Mommy go
Daddy play
No bed
Daddy walk
Mommy milk
Daddy car
Baby chair
Baby draw
Baby cold
Doggie bark
Birdie fly
Baby sleep
Baby toy
Mommy book
Doggie sleep
Give toy
Teddy give
All gone
Where ball
Mommy dress
More milk
Give candy
Mommy hurt
Give book
Not hungry
Book big
Doggie sit
Car go
More cookie
Baby eating
Go park
Toy floor
Cup table
Mommy shoes
Drive car
Sit chair
There's no denying the fact that the role of the parents is pivotal, when it comes to ensuring the normal development of a child's language skills during all the stages of language acquisition. Speaking with the child and reading out books to him/her can be extremely beneficial. It is extremely essential to encourage the child and help him/her to learn new words and form sentences. In case, your child is unable to do so, it would be best to consult a speech language pathologist at the earliest. | http://www.buzzle.com/articles/understanding-telegraphic-speech-with-examples.html |
# Discrete uniform distribution
In probability theory and statistics, the discrete uniform distribution is a symmetric probability distribution wherein a finite number of values are equally likely to be observed; every one of n values has equal probability 1/n. Another way of saying "discrete uniform distribution" would be "a known, finite number of outcomes equally likely to happen".
A simple example of the discrete uniform distribution is throwing a fair dice. The possible values are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and each time the die is thrown the probability of a given score is 1/6. If two dice are thrown and their values added, the resulting distribution is no longer uniform because not all sums have equal probability. Although it is convenient to describe discrete uniform distributions over integers, such as this, one can also consider discrete uniform distributions over any finite set. For instance, a random permutation is a permutation generated uniformly from the permutations of a given length, and a uniform spanning tree is a spanning tree generated uniformly from the spanning trees of a given graph.
The discrete uniform distribution itself is inherently non-parametric. It is convenient, however, to represent its values generally by all integers in an interval , so that a and b become the main parameters of the distribution (often one simply considers the interval with the single parameter n). With these conventions, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the discrete uniform distribution can be expressed, for any k ∈ , as
## Estimation of maximum
This example is described by saying that a sample of k observations is obtained from a uniform distribution on the integers 1 , 2 , … , N {\displaystyle 1,2,\dotsc ,N} , with the problem being to estimate the unknown maximum N. This problem is commonly known as the German tank problem, following the application of maximum estimation to estimates of German tank production during World War II.
The uniformly minimum variance unbiased (UMVU) estimator for the maximum is given by
where m is the sample maximum and k is the sample size, sampling without replacement. This can be seen as a very simple case of maximum spacing estimation.
This has a variance of
so a standard deviation of approximately N k {\displaystyle {\tfrac {N}{k}}} , the (population) average size of a gap between samples; compare m k {\displaystyle {\tfrac {m}{k}}} above.
The sample maximum is the maximum likelihood estimator for the population maximum, but, as discussed above, it is biased.
If samples are not numbered but are recognizable or markable, one can instead estimate population size via the capture-recapture method.
## Random permutation
See rencontres numbers for an account of the probability distribution of the number of fixed points of a uniformly distributed random permutation.
## Properties
The family of uniform distributions over ranges of integers (with one or both bounds unknown) has a finite-dimensional sufficient statistic, namely the triple of the sample maximum, sample minimum, and sample size, but is not an exponential family of distributions, because the support varies with the parameters. For families whose support does not depend on the parameters, the Pitman–Koopman–Darmois theorem states that only exponential families have a sufficient statistic whose dimension is bounded as sample size increases. The uniform distribution is thus a simple example showing the limit of this theorem. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEEL |
Through our new virtual programming series, Nature in your Neighborhood, we challenged volunteers to go out into their neighborhoods or backyards to see what plants sparked their interest. Whether plants are native or non native, we can all appreciate a connection to nature and the curiosity that it can spark!
By: Angela and Charles Liang
The redwood tree is the world’s tallest tree. Many redwood trees can grow to more than 300 feet tall, and more than 30 feet wide at the base. Redwood trees grow in foggy areas near the Pacific coast in Oregon and California. Redwood trees may live more than 1,500 years. However, it takes a redwood tree 400 to 500 years to reach maturity.
The redwood tree has a huge trunk. The trunk has no branches for the first 100 feet from ground. This is because as a redwood ages, the lower limbs fall down. Redwood barks can be more than 12 inches thick. It can resist disease, parasites, and even fire.
The redwood forest is a rich ecosystem. Many plants, animals, and insects live in the redwood forest. However, redwood trees are endangered. In the age of the dinosaurs, millions of years ago, the Earth was warm and humid. Redwood trees grew over much of the planet. Earth’s climate has changed many times since then, and human activities also changed the habitat of the redwoods. Today, of the old-growth redwood forest, only 5% remains. Redwood timber is valuable, and people use it to make furniture, shingles, and fence posts. Excessive demand for the lumber resulted in the destruction of many of the original redwood forests. | https://www.sutrostewards.org/post/redwoods-in-my-neighborhood |
The British artist Tony Cragg (b. 1949), winner of the 1988 Turner Prize, is one of today's most celebrated and popular sculptors. Before studying art, he worked as a laboratory technician, and his continuing interest in science has had an enormous influence on his practice. In his early sculptural works, he often utilized everyday objects, assembling or stacking them to generate engaging new forms. In recent years, he has turned to an astonishing variety of more traditional materials, such as wood, bronze, glass, plaster, fiberglass, and plastics. As a self-proclaimed "absolute materialist," Cragg approaches these materials with a degree of scientific curiosity, responding to their various properties to produce his expressive sculptures.
This retrospective survey, made in consultation with the artist, focuses on Cragg's artistic output of the last ten years. Color illustrations demonstrate the diverse styles and materials that he employed during this time, and the book also includes earlier works and his alluring, little-known watercolors. This eye-opening book offers an up-to-date look at this respected contemporary artist.
Patrick Elliott is a senior curator at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh. | https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300178982/tony-cragg |
Theory creates facts
Recently, I have come across two interviews where Noam Chomsky and Slavoj Zizek confront their views on the importance of “facts” versus “theory”, empiricism versus “posturing”. In this short essay, I will defend the view that facts can only exist in light of a theory.
While Chomsky does agree that “spewing out” facts is not helpful, possibly because they do require some form of analysis and judgment, I would argue that facts in themselves can only be observed thanks to a thick explicit or implicit theoretical or ideological background at work in our human minds.
I should point out that in this article, the word “fact” takes on two major meanings: a scientific fact (that is, an objective and verifiable observation) and a sociological or historical fact (a behaviour or an action that a human or humans carried out in the past).
Lets start with a very popular theory, proven to be true empirically through fact: gravity. Indeed, while Galileo and Newton together, through scientific experimentation, “discovered” gravity, the phenomenon had to first be framed within a theory which would explain the phenomenon of falling objects on earth or more generally, the attraction of two objects to one another. However, the “facts” of gravity have existed since the dawn of time. They didn’t wait for Newton to discover gravity to manifest themselves. Thus the theory that Newton expressed, allowed for labelling empirical facts as such, by explaining the behaviour of a number of observable phenomenon in a systematic way. Before then, gravity existed, but was perceived as a mere intuition but not generalizable in any way. This is due, of course, only to humans and our way of making scientific discoveries. The phenomenon of gravity existed long before the theory, but its manifestations could not be called “empirical facts” before the theory was formulated and verified. So while the facts themselves were not created, the linguistic label “gravity” to identify the phenomenon of attraction of two objects to one another, was indeed created and allowed humans to perceive manifestations of gravity as “facts”.
The same can be said about music. Research in “perfect pitch” has shown that between 25 and 33% of humans are genetically predisposed to acquire it, yet only a limited number do. One explanation is that without presenting infants with an orderly “theory” of music, that is, universal labels for certain pitches and association of pitches, a child will not be able to develop perfect pitch. And so the language “label”, like the name of a note, or the name of a musical chord, enables a child to “recall” such a sound and recognize it when it is played. Again, theory which enables the “creation” or rather, understanding and recognition in this case, of “facts”. In essence, a subject A without perfect pitch would hear the exact same pitches as a subject B with perfect pitch, yet for subject A, the pitches would only present some general form of resemblance to one another and a certain form of order but not discernible in any meaningful way and not consistently explainable, much like the observation of gravity before the theory was invented. People would observe that objects tend to fall, but they could not elaborate any kind of rule or explanation on the basis of their common, daily experience of gravity.
In science, theories, whether true or false, have an impact on human behaviour which creates historical or social facts: how the belief in such theories influences human actions (which become facts of their own) or how such theories influence our own cognitive development (as in the case of music theory). For instance, the discovery of air and its properties had a huge impact on society. Of course, humans didn’t wait to discover air to breathe or strangle one another to death, but the scientific discovery of air had an impact on medicine (airborne pathogens, standards of hygiene…), technical discoveries (sub-marines) and so forth.
In science, theory therefore enables the “discovery” of facts that have always been there, but were simply left “unlabeled”. But in language and social sciences, certain facts are arguably created rather than “labeled” or discovered. So simply put, there are two different worlds: the physical/real world as could be observed by an omniscient being which does not change, and the representation of the world we humans have in our minds, the theories of how we think the world works, the words, terms and concepts that we use to describe it, and which causes us to act in one way or another. For instance, representing the world as being flat lead to the fact that we were afraid to explore the seas for fear of falling off it’s edge.
It is intriguing that Chomsky dismisses theory as less useful than empiricism, especially given his background in linguistics. The human language itself, arguably, is the first form of theory. For instance, words which label human emotions like fear, anger, love, hate, disgust or sadness are theories. They are terms which are used for systematically labeling a certain type of external human behaviour (for instance, facial expressions which express certain emotions) assorted with internal feelings, allowing a generalization of what is, at first, a very personal experience. Indeed, when a child is born, he does not know whether anyone else but himself experiences sadness or fear, and if anyone does experience them, if they do so in the same way as he does. It is only through language and labeling certain behaviours that individual experiences take on a universal dimension, and indeed, become theories. The “theory” of being sad for instance, cannot be explained through a definition. Most definitions of human emotions divert the reader to synonyms or antonyms like “feeling of sorrow” or “being unhappy”. Thus a theory of sadness is born by calling a certain type of behaviour by the same name through observation, which then allows individuals to “create mental models” for a perceived reality: that of being sad. Interestingly, facial expressions assorted to these emotions are universally understood by all human beings, thus being somehow coded in our DNA. But these facial expressions were similar to what we were discussing before: unlabeled phenomenons with no possibility for humans to discuss them or reflect upon them. Humans, for millions of years, used facial expressions to communicate in the present about a danger or a feeling, but had no way of using those facial expressions to discuss those feelings/emotions.
When moving to more complex areas of sciences such as social sciences or political sciences (although many would not consider these to be sciences), the role of empiricism and theory becomes more complex and especially, their usefulness and the role they play in helping to “understand” human behaviour.
My understanding in this regard, is that ideology and language are at the heart of Chomsky’s and Zizek’s dispute. Chomsky often reminds us of the marvel of human imagination and creativity which allows children to form original sentences with the words they know, even if they have never heard them associated in such ways. This creativity is at the heart of ideology. This means that as soon as certain concepts or terms are “invented” or coined by humans in a given language, human creativity will inevitably rearrange them in a new order which will create original though. For instance, giving a proper “name” or “label” to the act of killing someone enables humans to generate more complex thoughts about killing a group of people or whether killing is good/bad, right/wrong etc. For instance, the concept of ownership does not exist among the Bushmen societies, and thus no debate can ensue about property rights, inequality and many of the debates surrounding our own societies.
Ideology is therefore a form of human experimentation which generates facts. Imagine that an individual manages to convince another individual to kill someone. This is not yet an ideology, only a (bad) idea or wish that has been expressed by an individual and carried out by another. It can become an ideology if the act of killing is in some way systematized, translated into a more general idea that is universally applicable in certain situations, contexts… Human beings can create an ideology simply due to their faculty to rearrange words and concepts, share such an ideology with other humans and by doing so, potentially change their behaviour through their adherence to these sets of ideas/beliefs. At a large enough scale, an ideology becomes a single word which in itself carries the commonly accepted definition and message that such an ideology conveys in a certain context/period in time. Examples include “liberalism” or “communism” and both of these ideologies have evolved greatly throughout history due to the writings about them and their various applications in practice. Notice that “practical” application of these ideologies throughout history (depicted in a more or less neutral way) have supplanted their theoretical meanings in common understanding which is the manifestation of the zeitgeist of our time: facts and empiricism are more important than ideas.
According to such premises, an ideology thus enables the systematic application of a certain pattern of behaviour between humans. In a documentary about chimpanzees filmed by the world renowned Jane Goodall, two female chimpanzees displayed a very peculiar behaviour. They were known for kidnapping baby chimps from defenseless mothers and eat them. Such behaviour came to a halt with the death of the “leading” female and was not reproduced by other chimpanzees. The extinction of deviant behaviour is possible because it has no memory in language, either in spoken or written form. Humans, on the other hand, can transmit certain ideas and ideologies via language which directly affects behaviour and with each generation, creates new meanings and applications of those ideologies due to human creativity.
Religion is an interesting case in point. There is no way to prove, empirically, the existence or non existence of a God. If we postulate, however, that there is only one true God, then only one of the monotheist religions can be “true”, the other ones being false. However, even if we somehow factually knew which religion was the “true” one, it would not matter much since the effects of the “lie” at the origin of the untrue religions already made their effects and could continue to do so since they are not grounded in fact but in a form of ideology which is, to a certain extent, disconnected from the existence or not of God. For instance, let us imagine that Christianity was wrong and that the one and only God is Allah. This doesn’t change the “fact” that millions of Cathedrals are built in the name of a Christian God all around the planet, it changes nothing to the number of Popes that succeeded each other and their doings, it changes nothing to the crusades or simply the very real effects that believing in a Christian God has had on people. It is similar to a placebo effect or a self-fulfilling prophecy only spread across a very long time. Interestingly, the longer an ideology survives, the easier it is to see human creativity at work. Christianity has existed for a long time, and has been understood and acted upon in millions of different ways, although the “founding text” has changed very little, at least since the compilation of the New Testament around 1500 years ago.
A lie can have a real tangible and true effect and thus we can say that some truths can originate in a lie, or at least a non empirical idea. Such a phenomenon is outside of the scope of empiricism which only assumes that people will act on facts and rationality. Most of history, however, has been built upon lies, often in the form of an ideology and facts have never helped at the onset, only once an ideology was dead or dying. To illustrate this, we can mention the work of political theorist Hannah Arendt who examined the propaganda of the German Nazi party about Jews during the 1930s. The tracts and discourse of the Nazi party blamed the Jews for Germany’s defeat in World War I. Many German intellectuals set out to “debunk” and “fact check” these messages by showing that no such causal link could be made, to no avail. They failed to understand that these messages were not facts but ideas which were part of a larger ideology. And just like religion, the initial commonly shared belief in ideas that were presented as being “true” such as losing World War I because of Jews, created real and observable effects and facts (the deportation and extermination of millions of Jews) regardless of the fact that the initial idea was a lie. Understanding this point could have helped identify the not-even subtly veiled intentions behind these ideas and prepare accordingly (take up arms, flee…)
There are many examples of confusion between science, facts, empiricism and ideology. The idea of a “free market” in economics for instance. The fantasies about what a “free market” would look like are akin to ideology in that they project an ideal situation onto an imperfect and complex reality composed of creative humans who will imagine other ideologies incompatible with that of a “free market” and act contrary to its principles (for instance, by creating monopolies, using alternative forms of currency…) An ideology always presupposes a near religious adherence of all humans to it’s ideas in order to work.
In that sense, ideology creates facts since it shapes human behaviour. Empiricism, which would derive truth from the observation of facts (which can only be called facts once certain methodological conditions are met) and allegedly allow an individual to better understand and explain the world only helps in unwinding the past but certainly not enable us to project the future. Only an understanding of ideology can help in that regard, for the reason that ideology at a certain point in time is not merely a “blind” repeating of history, but an original rearrangement, and possibly, even the invention of new sets of beliefs and ideas, translated into words, derived from the creativity of human beings through the use of language. It is the purest form of declared intentions for future human action which may, in practice, take many forms. For instance, communism was not applied “as intended” by Marx, but was “blended” with a flavor of authoritarianism and other ideas.
So when Chomsky labels Lacan’s words or concepts as “posturing”, he is empirically right in the sense that such words and concepts may not yet have been translated into observable facts and actions, but their mere existence and their outreach and spreading to other humans will create new patterns of behaviour, either because they have managed to label certain patterns of behaviour which until then have not been identified (like labeling musical notes or gravity) or because they will set in motion new patterns of thinking which will be observable and measurable as humans start to act upon them (and again, this is regardless of whether the original ideas of Lacan are “true” or not since it only requires humans to believe in such ideas to create “real” and true effects). Studying ideology thus enables us, even if modestly and not very scientifically, to gaze into the future and imagine how humans could behave if such ideologies were widely adopted and shared by enough individuals, whereas empiricism through the observation of facts only allows to explain à posteriori the effects that an ideology has had.
Finally, the danger of empiricism is to lock humanity in a most extreme form of conservatism. If only “empirically validated and tested” ideas are allowed to be shared and applied, we are indeed in a “end of history” scenario as Fukuyama had predicted. Ironically, empiricism feeds off the “evidence” created by humans believing in ideas in a non-empirical way. Thus when Chomsky defends Anarcho-syndicalism by mentioning examples where such ideas were “tested” and succeeded, these tests were carried out on the basis of ideas for which no empirical evidence yet existed.
But even if empiricism could try to “lock” human societies, as Chomsky has rightly observed, it is not possible to “unteach” a child the natural creativity of combining words in new ways and thus imagine new ideas on the basis of existing ones. It is only possible, via massive propaganda and mental alienation to stifle such creativity, but never fully silence it. The danger, however, is that as a society, we may be helpless and vulnerable to an ideology born out of such a crippling world, since the cognitive and analytical tools necessary to recognize, interpret and deal with ideology will be missing. This is especially true in this era of so called “Populism”, “alternative facts”, “fake news”, and “fact checking”, all of which are linked to the obsession with facts and a disregard for ideas and ideology. | https://www.youmanet.life/post/theory-creates-facts |
Just three short years ago, three friends, Leslie Nooteboom, Maya Pindeus and Raunaq Bose, were studying together at Imperial College London.
Today they head one of the automotive industry’s most exciting tech companies, Humanising Autonomy, which is helping vehicle manufacturers make self-driving vehicles a reality.
Publicly associated with World Economic Forum and the European Commission (ARCADE) program, Humanising Autonomy is recognised around the world.
The company’s groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence technology helps vehicles make sense of their surroundings and ensures they’re able to interact safely with all road users and in all environments.
This week TNB meets co-founder and CPO Leslie Nooteboom to learn more about this British automotive success story.
TNB: Tell us a bit about Humanising Autonomy and how it got started.
LN: Humanising Autonomy was founded three years ago by myself and my friends, Maya Pindeus, our CEO, and Raunaq Bose, our CTO, after we graduated from Imperial College.
We actually won our first automotive clients in the same month we founded the company and that was a big motivation for us to build further.
We’re based in London and at the moment we have 30 employees but we’re growing quickly.
TNB: And could you give us a snapshot of what the company does exactly?
LN: We’re a predictive AI company. Our goal is to build the global standard for human-machine interactions. In layman’s terms, that’s how people interact with machines in any environment.
The way we do that is by capturing human behaviour in a powerful prediction engine. In essence, that’s software that gives you real time understanding of the behaviours of people in the streets.
That same software is in use in AI systems and safety systems for drivers such as forward collision warning and blind spot monitoring.
And it’s also in use in automotive vehicles for patterning, so basically helping autonomous vehicles drive through complex cities, which was a massive hurdle for most of these vehicles because they were trained on Silicon Valley highways, not Soho on a Friday night. That’s much more challenging.
TNB: So are we talking about how passengers interact with the vehicle or how humans outside interact with the vehicle?
LN: Traditionally there’s been quite a lot of focus on drivers and increasing their comfort but what’s been missing, and this is one of the big reasons we founded, was interaction with people outside.
And what is often forgotten is that there are lots of different types of pedestrians and road users – cyclists, people walking and running, people in wheelchairs, children and people on e-scooters – and for a human driver that’s very straightforward.
But for an autonomous system it’s basically impossible because they don’t understand the person who’s standing still or that the person who’s flying by on an e-scooter isn’t a wizard.
It’s a very complex problem.
TNB: What differentiates Humanising Autonomy from other companies in the same field?
LN: I think it’s the human approach. A lot of systems focus on preventing harm to the vehicle and its occupants but the effect of an accident on people outside the vehicle has the potential to be much larger.
And I think we’re much more tuned into the social environment where the focus is as much on accidents with vulnerable road users as it is on the safety of occupants of the vehicles.
That’s where we’ve really been focused since day one.
TNB: How’s your technology being used in the development of autonomous commercial and public transport vehicles?
LN: This is actually one of the big things we’re working on at the moment with Arriva and Transport for London and they’re using our technology to warn bus drivers of what’s happening in their blind spots.
Your readers will have heard of the Vision Zero efforts that are occupying the minds of many cities and public transport operators.
Our system means that even if a bus driver misses a certain blind spot area or doesn’t look in their mirror, they would be warned that there’s something there that they need to be aware of.
TNB: And will this technology be of enormous benefit to commercial vehicles operating in busy urban environments?
LN: Absolutely. Especially trucks which can find it very difficult to navigate through narrow streets and this is where more collisions with pedestrians and cyclists tend to occur. Here you have a very ambiguous street scenario where people, cyclists, scooters are all buzzing about like a shoal of fish and it can be impossible for even a human driver to understand what’s going on. This is where our AI will be able to make a real difference.
TNB: And how do you see things developing in future?
LN: Safety is the big issue we need to tackle first but beyond that there’s huge potential. For example, this AI can play a big part in helping fleets make efficiency gains. If their vehicles aren’t having to brake suddenly because they have enough advance warning of what cars and pedestrians up ahead are going to do, it can really help to save on fuel. It will also be able to help operators reduce journey times.
In the future it will also help with all sorts of new vehicle interactions. So, for example, let’s say you have an autonomous Uber – it will know that its next passenger is in a wheelchair and that it needs to extend a ramp and lower itself when there’s no human driver there to assist.
When it comes to commercial vehicles there are many more ways the technology will help, such as how vehicles are autonomously loaded and unloaded, and how they interact with robotic arms etc.
One of the most fun things we do as a company is try to come up with all these new interactions between humans and vehicles in the future.
The post British business mapping the autonomous future appeared first on SMMT. | https://news.aptidrive.com/british-business-mapping-the-autonomous-future |
Our teachers often assign, among the various types of theme, the interview, which can be imaginary, therefore aimed at a historical or invented character, or real, aimed at people with whom one has the possibility to communicate. Writing an interview is not easy, as you need to know the structure, know which language to use and above all, in the case of an imaginary interview, you have to have a lot of imagination. Here then is a simple guide in which we will explain, point by point, how to write an interview and therefore how to take a good grade !
essay writing: How to write an interview. In any case, to write an interview, a newspaper article or any other written essay, it is necessary to organize well everything that the final text will cover. So, let’s read the track that was assigned to us well and make a list of what we’re going to write:
- introduction
- topic to be addressed
- questions
- answers
- comments
- conclusion
Let’s see in detail how to write an imaginary and a real interview.
How to write a theme: Imaginary interview. The imaginary interview can be addressed to a historical, literary, famous or invented character. In general, this type of theme is assigned to better understand a topic studied in class and make them appreciate it from a different point of view. To write a fictional interview well, once we’ve made the lineup, we need to proceed as follows:
1. Write the introduction
We introduce the interview, the topic that will be discussed, we present the character that will be submitted to our questions. For example, suppose we have to interview Alessandro Manzoni on his novel “I Promessi Sposi”. First of all we must adopt the point of view of a nineteenth century person, specify the historical period, the place and the topic on which the interview will focus, namely I promessi Sposi. Then we briefly present the character.
Let’s make a brief conclusion, greeting our interviewee and readers.
4. Title
Finally, let’s give a nice title to our interview: let’s remember that it must be short, but direct and captivating … In short, that you encourage reading! Finally, below the title we put the date and place of the interview.
How to write a theme:
Real interview. The real interview is definitely more fun and takes a little more time, as you need to collect the material, make an appointment with the person to be interviewed, write down, write etc. In short, a good job, but more practical and interesting. Here’s how to proceed:
1. Collection of the material
Suppose we have to interview a person who has personally experienced the Second World War. First of all, we collect information regarding the Second World War in general, then on the specific topic to be analyzed, for example the living conditions of civilians.
2. Introduction
With all that we have gathered, we begin to write the introduction to our interview, summarizing and focusing more on the topic to be addressed. Then we briefly present the interviewee.
3. Questions and answers
Here the fun part comes into play: we prepare a series of questions that we will then address to the interviewee. During the interview we can record or take notes, the important thing is not to lose anything of what we are told.
Once the interview is finished, we arrange the sentences and insert them into our composition.
4. Photographs
Let’s not forget to take some photos, so as to give a professional touch to our article.
5. Conclusion
We conclude by greeting the person interviewed and the readers.
6. Title
Let’s insert a nice title for effect, and above all let’s not forget to put the date and place of the interview! | https://unionlaradio.net/how-to-write-an-interview/ |
You may have to register before you can download all our books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Explore a rigorous but accessible guide to contemporary approaches to the study of religion from leading voices in the field The Wiley Blackwell Companion to the Study of Religion delivers an expert and insightful analysis of modern perspectives on the study of religion across the humanities and the social sciences. Presupposing no knowledge of the approaches examined in the collection, the book is ideal for undergraduate students who have yet to undertake extensive study in the humanities or social sciences. The book includes perspectives from those in fields as diverse as globalization, cognitive science, the study of emotion, law, esotericism, sex and gender, functionalism, terror, the co...
Volume two of Theorizing Rituals mainly consists of an annotated bibliography of more than 400 items covering those books, edited volumes and essays that are considered most relevant for the field of ritual theory. Instead of proposing yet another theory of ritual, the bibliography is a comprehensive monument documenting four decades of theorizing rituals.
The rise of early Christianity has been examined from a myriad of perspectives, but until recently ritual has been a neglected topic. Ritual and Christian Beginnings: A Socio-Cognitive Analysis argues that ritual theory is indispensable for the study of Christian beginnings. It also makes a strong case for the application of theories and insights from the Cognitive Science of Religion, a field that has established itself as a vigorous movement in Religious Studies over the past two decades. Risto Uro develops a 'socio-cognitive' approach to the study of early Christian rituals, seeking to integrate a social-level analysis with findings from the cognitive and evolutionary sciences. Ritual and...
Ritual Studies have achieved prominence since the 1980s, when interest in ritual as an object of inquiry was established, bridging over a number of humanities and social science disciplines. Both connected with religious studies and independent of it; overlapping with social and cultural anthropology, but also with history; related to science and health practices and ranging across the life course to education, Ritual Studies has come to encompass studies of change and dynamism in social life. Rituals are determinate in form, but not static. They enunciate distinctive social values within specific contexts that frame them; and they relate to the wider concerns and issues of their practitione...
This companion provides an indispensable overview of contemporary and classical issues in social and cultural anthropology. Although anthropology has expanded greatly over time in terms of the diversity of topics in which its practitioners engage, many of the broad themes and topics at the heart of anthropological thought remain perennially vital, such as understanding order and change, diversity and continuity, and conflict and co-operation in the reproduction of social life. Bringing together leading scholars in the field, the contributors to this volume provide us with thoughtful and fruitful ways of thinking about a number of contemporary and long-standing arenas of work where both established and more recent researchers are engaged. The companion begins by exploring classic topics such as Religion; Rituals; Language and Culture; Violence; and Gender. This is followed by a focus on current developments within the discipline including Human Rights; Globalization; and Diasporas and Cosmopolitanism. It provides an interesting and challenging look at the state of current thinking in anthropology, serving as a rich resource for scholars and students alike.
Challenges prevailing conceptions of what religious ritual does and how it achieves its ends. Religious rituals are often seen as unchanging and ahistorical bearers of long-standing traditions. But as this book demonstrates, ritual is a lively platform for social change and innovation in the religions of South Asia. Drawing from Hindu and Jain examples in India, Nepal, and North America,the essays in this volume, written by renowned scholars of religion, explore how the intentional, conscious, and public invention or alteration of ritual can effect dramatic social transformation, whether in dethroning a Nepali king or sanctioning same-sex marriage. Ritual Innovation shows how the very idea o...
In religious studies, theory and method research has long been embroiled in a polarized debate over scientific versus theological perspectives. Ronald L. Grimes shows that this debate has stagnated, due in part to a manner of theorizing too far removed from the study of actual religious practices. A worthwhile theory, according to Grimes, must be practice-oriented, and practices are most effectively studied by field research methods. The Craft of Ritual Studies melds together a systematic theory and method capable of underwriting the cross-cultural, interdisciplinary study of ritual. Grimes exposes the limitations that disable many theories of ritual--for example, defining ritual as essentia...
Drawing on a wide array of sources, this anthology sets out to analyze the concepts of mystery and secrecy that occur in the ritual and rhetoric of antique Mediterranean religion, with an emphasis on Gnosticism, Christianity, and Paganism.
"Are the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than other people? If so, what makes them special? Homo Ritualis is the first book to present a Hindu theory of rituals. Based on extensive textual studies and field-work in Nepal and India, Axel Michaels argues that ritual is a distinctive way of acting, which, as in the theater, can be distinguished from other forms of action. The book analyzes ritual in these cultural-specific and religious contexts, taking into account how indigenous terms and theories affect and contribute to current ritual theory. It describes and investigates various forms of Hindu rituals and festivals, such as life-cycle rituals, the Vedic sacrifice, vows processions, and the worship of deities (puja). It also examines conceptual components of (Hindu) rituals such as framing, formality, modality, and theories of meaning"--
A vivid first-person study of a notorious equine ritual—from the perspective of the wild horses who are its targets Wild horses still roam the mountains of Galicia, Spain. But each year, in a ritual dating to the 1500s called rapa das bestas, villagers herd these “beasts” together and shave their manes and tails. Shaving the Beasts is a firsthand account of how the horses experience this traumatic rite, producing a profound revelation about the durability of sociality in the face of violent domination. John Hartigan Jr. constructs an engrossing, day-by-day narrative chronicling the complex, nuanced social lives of wild horses and the impact of their traumatic ritual shearing every summ... | https://wecabrio.com/jens-kreinath.html |
About the Employer
A not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 1999, currently funded by Australian Government, focusing on empowering at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam to pursue a fulfill life through its given hospitality training programs. The enterprise's main sectors are namely restaurants, catering services and cooking classes. Its model has been internationally recognized as leading unique and as of today, the enterprise has transformed more than 1,000 lives of disadvantaged youth in Vietnam , with 100% rate of employment success upon graduating its 24-month length training course.
About the Position
Reporting structure
Main responsibilities
Other Responsibilities
1) Tổng hợp thông tin, và lập kế hoạch thiết lập các hệ thống quản lý ATVSLĐ, giám sát, hướng dẫn các bộ phận liên quan thực hiện.
2) Phụ trách lập kế hoạch quản lý sức khỏe và an toàn lao động chung của công ty.
3) Đào tạo nhận thức ATVSLĐ liên quan cho công nhân viên mới.
4) Hỗ trợ các bộ phận biện pháp phát hiện, hạn chế, xử lý nguy cơ phát sinh nguy hiểm.
5) Tuân thủ theo luật định và hướng dẫn các bộ phận liên quan làm theo luật định.
6) Hỗ trợ các bộ phận phát động hoạt động tuân thủ quy định an toàn vệ sinh lao động.
7) Thu thập thông tin ATVSLĐ, chia sẻ và áp dụng.
8) Giám sát việc thực hiện xử lý ứng phó sự cố phát sinh của các bộ phận.
9) Điều tra, xủ lý và phân tích thống kê về sự cố phát sinh, các sự cố báo động ảo, các yếu tố ảnh hưởng sức khỏe.
10) Tham dự các lớp tập huấn ATVSLĐ.
1.蒐集、擬訂、規劃建立職業安全衛生管理系統資料並推動、指導有關部門實施。
2.辦理訂定公司整體勞工安全衛生管理計畫。
3.辦理新進（在職）人員教育訓練。
4.協助各部門實施危害之辨識、評估及控制。
5.實施法規辨識提供各部門參考實施。
6.協助各部門推動安全衛生作業標準之訂定。
7.安全衛生資訊之蒐集、分享與運用
8.督導各部門實施緊急應變處理程序與演練。
9.實施職業災害、虛驚事故、影響身心健康事件之調查處理與統計分析。
10.接受勞工安全衛生方面問題與法令諮詢。
• Responsible for the whole manufacturing operations on a day-to-day basis from SMT, wave soldering, design/process validation, production, packaging to delivery issues
• Evaluate manufacturing process and improve production yield by applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly and materials, bringing the lesson learned from previous designs/processes as well as creative options allowing to manufacture and test products efficiently
• Review line balancing, cycle time and bottleneck analysis to ensure sufficient capacity to fulfill the demand and on-time delivery
• Support the factory manufacturing effort with proven ability for failure analysis and pursue plans toward their resolution.
• Participate in the investigation of technical problems and the establishment of procedures and corrective actions to avoid recurrences
• Responsible for continuous improvement of production process to enhance cost effectiveness
• Plan and lead Kaizen events
• Lead efforts to simplify and standardize processes and eliminate waste
• Will be required to handle several assignments (project & process duties) simultaneously
About the Employer
Subsidiary of an MNC headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The business deals with manufacturing and selling of advanced industrial refractory products and systems to global Steel and Foundry industries and a range of special refractory products to Aluminium, Petrochem, Cement, Power, Glass, Solar, Mineral processing industries, among others.
Globally the corporation employs over 12,000 employees across 40 countries that include 70 manufacturing sites, 120 sales locations and 14 R&D centers. The business enjoys almost 56% market share in the industry across the globe.
About the Position
SALES COORDINATION
Coordinating sales daily routine – sales order processing, liaise with third party warehouses on the packing for delivery, distribution/transportation arrangement & follow up after dispatched.
Customer service – incoming call, follow up shipping status and after distribution, customer enquiry, customer quotation preparation & etc.
Inventory control – monitor and reorder level stock based on previous record and existing customer usage.
Support sales person (during travelling) on stock, unit price & etc.
Third party warehouse monthly invoices verification prior to SE approval.
Stock reconciliation – end month stock tallying between physical (third party) & system (SAP), verify & rectify variances and proper documented.
Sales document – monthly filing for audit purpose.
Customer order fulfill in time.
Ensure cash sales strictly follow CMR policy – full payment before delivery.
Customer AR collection.
Maximize work efficiency by reduce no of credit note.
Minimize distribution cost through proper dispatch arrangement.
Properly control inventory days & smooth supply to customer.
Ensure latest selling price updated to customers.
Ensure no legal issue on the hazardous Materials.
Ensure correctness of bill from 3rd party warehouse.
New customer code and product code generation and follow up.
PURCHASING
ePR – follow up on the approval chain.
Purchase order processing – ensure correctness of data transfer from ePR to SAP Purchase Module, follow up on PO approval chain and order acknowledge from supplier.
Incoming shipment – liaise with supplier for full shipping details & docs, liaise with shipping agent for custom clearance including correctness of HS code, sales tax & import duty, and advise 3rd party warehouse for the receiving.
GRN (Good Receive Note) generation – verify the PL and GAR from 3rd party warehouse with SAP system, life stock data entry, and advise finance for landed cost and payment preparation.
New vendor code and product code generation and follow up.
Stock adjustment – raise stock adjustment form in lotus note for any variances in the stock reconciliation from customer service.
Interco & 3rd party supplier price list – liaise with supplier on the latest price and lead time.
HS code – ensure the correctness of traffic code for dangerous and generation cargo.
Shipping agent / forwarder monthly bill/invoices verification prior to SE approval – Empire & AES.
Transporter monthly bill/invoices verification prior to SE approval.
GRN end month report for FM verification.
Purchase docs filing as per audit requirement.
Ensure Purchase Order completed in time.
Ensure GRN generation accurately as per GAR and PL.
Ensure incoming shipment arrive in time.
Minimize shipping and forwarding cost through proper shipping docs control.
Ensure proper control in inventory days & smooth supply to customer.
Ensure latest buying price being updated.
3rd party supplier price negotiation.
Ensure no demurrage charge due to delay in custom clearance.
Ensure correctness of the transportation, shipping agent and forwarder bill.
Ensure no legal issue on importing DG cargo.
• Working with a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment, you will develop sales strategies, forecasts, budgets and goals for products that are second to none.
• You will have heavy contact with customers by visiting, writing or phoning, as well as expertly prepare/present demonstrations for machinery at client locations.
• You will also expand our customer base, maintain a customer database and develop new leads, participate in open houses, industry trade shows and association functions as well as research competitive information.
• Acting as liaison with installation and service team to your client is also part of your day.
• Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Applications, PC and CNC knowledge a must, CRM database experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of customer service skills
• Troubleshoot and repair with minimum assistance
• Complete machine moves independently
• Instruct customer on metal applications, machine procedures and operation and safety
• Demonstrate some Technical ability on one or more products
• Build positive relationships with customers
Company overview
Headquartered in San Jose, California; a multinational corporation with 25 years of operation in computer networking device manufacturing, providing networking hardware to consumers, business, and service providers via retail, commercial channels and as service provider. The conglomerate's products are currently sold in approximately 30,000 retail locations worldwide, and through approximately 25,000 value-added resellers, as well as multiple major cable, mobile and wireline service providers around the globe.
Key responsibilities
Flexible in travelling to conduct all new site qualifications & on-going on-site technical/Quality Engineering support of all Company ODMs/AVLs mainly in Vietnam etc. Support includes successfully results bringing up of factory overall process control and product quality/reliability;
NPI FAI Support: Achieves NPI FAI requirements (Test Plan, Test Program review, Manufacturing GateKeeping) & ensures quality products are released per plan;
Factory Continuous Improvement: Knowledgeable in 6 Sigma Quality; Engages related departments in Process Capability improvement; real time SPC implementation and QMS improvement. Work with ODM to cultivate Continuous Improvement Culture to achieve QA Key Objectives such as FPY, OOBA and other key goals;
RMA FA:
- Drives ODMs to achieve NTGR RMA FFR goal and co-work to the FA, Corrective Actions & implementation status;
- Provides Customer Supports in terms of solving product quality and or reliability related issues. Co-work with ODM, AVL and other department to ensure all Customer Complaints are resolved timely;
Manages SCAR process: Minimize or eradicate repeat SCAR;
Meets Regulatory Compliance: Co-work with U.S. team on Product Regulatory Compliance such as RoHS, CTPAT, WEEE requirements. Conduct related audits and follow up of CA;
Manages AVL factory quality: Key AVLs such as plastic, Printers, Cable. Conducts periodical audits, manages the AVL’s product & process quality;
EORT and LTT: Monitor product reliability through on going reliability test (EORT) and Lifetime Test (LTT)
Training: Agile accounts approval, trainings of new CQA/E.
✓ Interpret conversations in Vietnamese language into Spanish and vice versa to establish proper communication between the parties.
✓ Attend meetings with suppliers and customers to facilitate communication between languages.
✓ Engage in business knowledge to achieve greater effectiveness in communicating parties.
✓ To support in contacting providers to arrange meeting according to given agendas
✓ Participate in training process for production operators in machinery and equipment
✓ Translate into Spanish to Vietnamese or English and vice versa manuals, policies and official documents managed by the company.
✓ To support the publication and dissemination of documents translated.
✓ Prepare periodic reports on level of progress in the different assignments
✓ Participate in tours for the country with foreign personnel of the company. Comply with the rules and procedures regarding confidentiality and work ethic, defined by the organization
✓ Facilitate Value Stream Analysis according to company necessities to develop a yearly improvement plan.
✓ Create and Develop an Education and Training Plan for the company in Lean Tools and Lean Culture (Continuous Knowledge).
✓ Facilitate and comply with all continuous improvement Initiatives (KAIZEN EVENTS)
✓ Ensure the follow up of Daily, Weekly and Monthly results of each initiative of improvement through root cause analysis.
✓ Daily, weekly, monthly Report for KPI for Continuous Improvement Department.
✓ Management of KPI be exception through a Control Room update (WAR Room)
✓ Guide the value stream to find and implement the best solutions to achieve best profitability for the company.
✓ Increase the performance of the value stream with the Management of Daily Improvement and assure the correct root cause analysis and action plan (MDI)
✓ Create, Adjust and Deploy/train in new standards of operation (methods)
✓ Execute time analysis in detail activities to define actions to improve productivity of personnel
✓ Control and Execute yearly training plan.
✓ Guide and Teach main leaders to eliminate or reduce deviation and waste (8 wastes of lean) on the processes through a root cause analysis procedure.
As a Security & Compliance Technical Specialist (TS):
You will be the technical sales leader for Security & Compliance within your account teams.
• You will drive the advancement of Security & Office 365 Advanced Compliance capabilities and support the advancement of the overall Modern Workplace portfolio, encompassing the 365 suite and Surface devices.
• You will identify leads and work with your account teams to build the business case for Security & Office 365 Advanced Compliance.
• You will be the subject matter expert on your local sales team for Intelligent Security Graph, Identity Protection, Threat Protection, Data Protection, Security Management and Office 365 Advanced Compliance; and will lead competitive strategy for Security & Compliance within your account teams.
• You will work with your account teams to obtain a strong understanding of each account’s governance and decision processes and the customer’s business & technology priorities.
You will help customers make technical decisions to build tomorrow’s business and IT solutions based on technology.
• You will lead technical presentations, demonstrations, workshops, architecture design sessions, proof of concepts, and pilots to explain, demonstrate, and prove to our largest customers the capabilities of Security & Office 365 Advanced Compliance products and services, and how we can make their businesses more successful.
• You will lead to clear technical, competitive and security blockers to accelerate Security & Office 365 Advanced Compliance sales and customer usage.
• You will own winning the technical decision at customers for sales opportunities and usage scenarios, through tailoring your message, bringing ideas to customers, engaging with them to show our technology differentiation, and guiding them in decision-making.
• You will work with partners and others at the company, as well as use our core tools, social connection tools, and AI-driven data to extend your reach and the reach of your team, focusing on satisfying important customer needs.
You will be a vital connection and orchestration point for a variety of technical resources, by:
• Orchestrating complex solutions with internal and external partners for multiple products and services.
• Helping identify and diagnose technical, architectural, and competitive blockers and respective solutions for sales opportunities and usage decision blockers and helping pave the way for successful implementation.
• Sharing practical knowledge with partners to drive the sale, deployment, and adoption of Security & Office 365 Advanced Compliance solutions.
• Shaping current and future products, marketing strategies, and customer-centric ideas through your feedback to sales, marketing, and engineering.
You will stay sharp, share your knowledge, and learn practices from others.
• We encourage all our employees to continuously maintain and enhance their technical, sales, professional skills and competitive readiness.
• Your knowledge will be enhanced and shared by participating in internal technical communities and in the broader industry through events, blogs, whitepapers, training and articles for your domain.
• You will be recognized for sharing, learning and driving individual work that all result in business impact for customers, partners and within the company. We encourage thought leadership and leadership from every employee.
What Joining the Team Means
• The Channel Marketing Manager is responsible for driving readiness and execution within key channels, partners and segments to build fans and impact presence, advocacy, sell-out and sell-through in Vietnam. The Channel Marketing Manager localizes Channel & Device Marketing plans based on worldwide guidance that address Category priorities for Windows, Office and Accessories and support retail partners, channels and commercial segments. Leveraging visual merchandising, digital, labor, evangelism and demo tactics to support product launches, seasonal and promotional campaigns, the Channel Marketing Manager will deploy and adjust these tactics based on performance, current inventory position, market/partner/channel needs and competitive activity.
• By joining the Channel & Device Marketing team, you’ll work closely with Category Marketing, Channel and Device Sales to drive go-to-market execution plan for an exciting product and service portfolio that only continues to grow. As part of a larger regional team, you’ll have the opportunity to share learnings and best practices with other markets and leverage the larger regional infrastructure for execution support and platforms.
• As a leader of all Consumer Channel Marketing executions, this role will continue to hone their expertise across tactics and have the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of our analytics work that is helping us identify how tactics perform and how we can optimize our plans, store by store, partner by partner.
• Working closely with partners and customers, what’s powerful about this role is the ability to help our partners transform – whether that be enabling new capabilities in digital, creating a point-of-experience in-store or building new channel/segment opportunities. At the same time, this role works closely with our device sales and marketing teams to drive a holistic and aligned experience for consumer audiences in the country.
• We need proven leaders with deep retail marketing and execution experience to manage all aspects of marketing programs, including managing and driving accountability for our extended Partner Activation & Readiness team, education and marketing for retail pros, and cultivating relationships with key retailers and store managers to drive sell-through impact and brand advocacy.
The Impact You’ll Be Making
Drive readiness, lead execution and build fans by leveraging Channel Marketing strategies and tactics effectively and efficiently:
• Strategic Business Planning: Create short, medium and long-term marketing execution plans that maintain channel momentum and profitability through the product life cycle and are tailored to account, partner and segment needs.
• Shopping/Partner Experiences: Ability to localize and execute an Modern Life experiences using digital, visual merchandising, demo, evangelism & labor tactics.
• Partner Centricity & Relationship-building: Act as a trusted advisor to the retailer/partner building credibility and impact and influence to help land key priorities.
• Execution Excellence: Deliver against timelines, budgets, and scorecards while also capitalizing on innovation opportunities.
• Analytics and Insights: Analyze performance results against execution activities to identify causals, opportunities and action plans. Incorporate key insights from accounts to drive informed marketing action plans.
• Consultative Leadership: Work across channel sales, category and device sales to maximize investments and synergy across tactics.
• Team & Community Leadership: Manage teams across accounts, partners and disciplines.
• Evangelism Planning & Execution Excellence: Leverage worldwide assets and platforms to build develop a community of Retail pros – this includes online, in-person and in-store engagement. Tactics could include online training, social campaigns, in-person group training, livestreaming and incentives.
• Partner Readiness: Ensure partners are well-versed on product stories/demos/value propositions, drive execution excellence in-store with a strong focus on merchandising fundamentals with displays and product presence and act as the face of the brand to drive sellout and sell-through with consumers/partners.
• Partner insights: Use learnings to influence the sales motion in Thailand and at the store/reseller level. Collect and package insights from partners/OEMs/channels, consumers and Retail Pros to help inform execution and enhance positioning, presence and conversion.
JOB DIMENSIONS:
• Develop a network of the company lubricant rebranded service stations in designated geographical Area
• Implement the new the company lubricant rebranded service station partnerships and animate the network of retail stations
• Ensure that Retail activities in the Area are running within the company procedures and Health, Safety and Quality standards
ACTIVITIES:
Development:
• To prospect new retail partnership opportunities, focus on the service station where we can sell lubricants with high demand and good location
• To negotiate, study feasibility and implement branding agreements with local partners
• To help prepare and follow all the retail investment files to ensure that all documents from customers are satisfied with “Legal Due Diligence”
• To coordinate with the service station owner and the company technical team the implementation of rebranding works for the service station
• To deploy the company SFS’s concepts in line with the service stations potentials : Motozone, Quartz Auto Care, ...
• Use SALSA application to follow up prospect for rebranding and customer visit as well us tracking sale volume performance of customer rebranded petrol station.
Training:
• To assess the training needs within the Network
• To define the training and seminar agenda for the pump attendants, dealers, managers, cashiers, greasers, carwash employees, sales representatives
• To perform training sessions covering the following topics (but not limited to): fuel management, HSE rules, Top Service, Procedures, lubricants, sales skills
• To perform post-training assessments
Marketing & Operations:
• To act as a business consultant to dealers on management of outlets e.g. working capital & inventory management, outlet profitability...
• To track & report sales performance vs. targets and inform on action plan to be implemented. Work closely with marketing team for improving sale at the service station when needed.
• To inspect, monitor, and ensure proper use of company assets at retail outlets
• To promote, monitor & develop high standards of customer service, housekeeping, merchandising, and general operation at sites
• To develop action plan for improvement in service levels according to the Top Service program
• To handle customer complaints in a prompt & efficient manner to the customer’s satisfaction
• To liaise with other departments to resolve issues & to inform management for corrective measures to ensure smooth operations
• To define and implement the company Retail Procedures in all the company service stations
• Period visit rebranded service station to find out gaps such as safety issue, canopy/signage color faded and make action plan to improve the activities and maintenance job will be given.
• To have a good understanding of competitor’s activity within the Area
Reporting:
• Ensure that all sales and inspection reports are prepared and submitted time as per the approved formats
• Follow-up financials & credits of all retail accounts, implementation of procedures, debt recovery and allocation of accounts
• Identify liquidity problems with dealers to prevent bankruptcy and non-recoverable funds for the company
• Coordinate regular planned & unplanned site visits across the network to ensure that safety, , service and financial procedures are in place and to acceptable levels
CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT
• The company is a growing company in Viet Nam with a network of 4 Retail Stations through its JV TSCV and over 70 branded Retail Stations nationwide.
• Operates in a semi-deregulated oil industry with no oil majors, 2 big local players (Petrolimex and PetroVietnam) and several independent brands, including COMECO
• Level of stations is poor as well as the level of quality
ACCOUNTABILITIES
• The job holder being custodian of the retail network in Viet Nam is accountable for:
• Development of retail business in terms of branded Retail Stations
• Volume Sales and Profitability regarding selling lubricant in line with or exceed budget
• Management of Dealer Network, ensuring all company policies are complied with.
• Implementation of the company standards: regarding quality (service & products), HSE and Code of conduct.
• Company and site specific promotional activities are implemented according to company guidelines. Brand integrity maintained.
Role Summary/Purpose:
• This role will provide Administrative Assistance to Channel Development Manager to ensure efficient operations of Vietnam & Laos Channel Management function. Ability to effectively communicate via phone and email ensuring that all Administrative Assistant duties are completed accurately and delivered with high quality and in a timely manner.
Essential Responsibilities:
• Organize and schedule meetings and appointments.
• Maintain records of Channel Partner, contacts, entitlement and key point of contact lists.
• Assist in the preparation of regularly scheduled reports.
• Handle multiple projects.
• Carry out administrative duties such as filing, typing, copying, binding, scanning etc.
• Organize travel arrangements for senior managers.
• Maintain computer and manual filing systems.
• Handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Take accurate minutes of meetings.
• Chase channel partners for timely submission of regular information e.g. Inventory, opportunities etc.
• Initiate & execute supplier payments, dealer agreement and other processes as required from time to time.
• Co-ordinate and guide partners with the support and information needed to facilitate their effectiveness.
Role Summary/Purpose
- Responsible for sales support operation for sales leaders of US Business, follow up on meeting planning and post-meeting minutes. In charge of all US marketing and education activities in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Essential Responsibilities (but are not limited to):
A. MARKETING & EDUCATION
Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos:
- Support US to develop Marketing Plan in alignment with Region Marketing Plan; improve the events’ ROI and achieve win rate/business objectives
- Manage marketing fund spent vs allocated fund and cross charge accordingly
- Event engagement/development and leading: Spot Selling, Educational Program, Roadshow, Show Site, Congress/Conferences, NPI Launching, Training, Digital, Media Activities (Interview and Press release), CME (liaising with CP and KOL for the plan of CME, stations and related set up at sites),…
- In charge of Post event report together with CPs and quarterly marketing activities reports.
- Monitor customer database, OPP and ROI, Congress List, KOL List
- Drive the AST raising, all marketing related vendors creation/dealing such as printing vendor, travel agent, logistics arrangement for Team and Region, Speaker contacting and caring, monitoring at sites, SSP payment…
- Work with Regional Marketing/Segments for development/execution of Events on backdrop, standees, posters for events, video recording for Clubs, brochures, flyers, clinical books, booth design, google form, door gifts…as per the guidelines/advices from Regional Marketing/Segments
- Work on Marketing /Sales tools (MARCOM, Salesforces, Smart Catalogue…)
- Some other marketing support as per Modalities’ advices/requests.
B. OTHERS
- Other Administrative and Sale support
• Responsible for full spectrum of daily accounting operations and ensure that the accounting records are properly maintained in accordance to statutory accounting standards and regulations.
• Prepare monthly/ yearly financial and management reports to meet statutory and management requirements.
• Handle GST and other tax submissions and compliance.
• Handle monthly, quarterly accounts closing activities and financial reporting activities to Singapore and Italy head offices.
• Review of monthly financial results, comparing actuals against budget and providing relevant interpretations, insights and explanations to management.
• Assist in annual budgeting process, and participate in quarterly financial forecasts, financial review and analysis.
• Manage day-to-day working capital needs of the Company by ensuring cash, payment and banking transactions are processed in a timely manner.
• Responsible for Accounts Receivable activities, oversee the debtors aging/ extension of credit to customers, and collections.
• Lead and participate in on-going finance, internal controls and systems/process implementation and improvement projects.
• Prepare monthly payroll reports and ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
• Liaise with auditors and tax agents for filing of audited accounts and tax returns.
• Handle any other ad-hoc duties as assigned by CEO or Regional Financial Controller.
We are passionate experts in gourmet coffee and tea. The company offers exceptional products and after-sales service, founded on a culture of quality, excellence, integrity and passion for all things brewed.
We’re looking for an experienced Operations Executive who has drive and passion to grow our business in Vietnam. Your responsibilities will include:
• Oversee Inventory Control Management, including the preparation of orders and raising invoices for suppliers both local and overseas.
• Organise shipments and custom clearance for the imported goods.
• Assist the Sales team by handling enquiries, agreements and orders.
• Assist the Accounts team by handling reporting, pricing and billing.
• Support administrative activities.
We offers an international work environment. The salary offered is negotiable up to 15m VND gross per month, depending on experience and qualifications. The package includes 13th month bonus, private health insurance and other benefits. | https://www.farorecruitment.com.vn/jobs-i2/3/2020/0/0/0/0/ |
Cellular respiration is a chemical reaction that allows cells to convert food energy into chemical energy. All organisms perform some form of cellular respiration, because without the correct form of chemical energy, cells can't perform work to sustain life.
The Reaction
-
During cellular respiration, oxygen and glucose (sugar) are transformed into carbon dioxide and water. Chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released during the reaction.
Features
-
Products in a chemical reaction are the substances that are formed during the reaction. Carbon dioxide and water are the products of cellular respiration.
Types
-
Cellular respiration is a "redox" reaction, because some atoms are reduced and some are oxidized. When an atom loses electrons or hydrogen atoms, it is "oxidized." When another atom accepts those electrons or hydrogen atoms, it is "reduced." Oxidation releases energy, and reduction stores energy.
Function
-
Glucose is oxidized during cellular respiration to form carbon dioxide. Oxidation releases the energy stored in the chemical bonds of the glucose molecule.
Significance
-
Cells need ATP to power the work they do, which includes growing, reproducing, tissue repair and specific tasks such as making antibodies or carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Related Searches
References
- Biology: Concepts and Connections; Neil A. Campbell; 2009
- Redox reactions
- Cellular respiration
- Photo Credit "Onion cells 2" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: kaibara87 (Umberto Salvagnin) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
You May Also Like
-
How Do Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration Differ?
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration are both metabolic pathways of cellular respiration in plants and animals. Both biological processes break down sugars that...
-
Cellular Respiration in Plants
Cells in both plants and animals use cellular respiration as a means of converting stored energy into a chemical that individual cells...
-
How Are Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Related?
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary biochemical reactions. Photosynthesis requires the products of respiration, while respiration requires the products of photosynthesis. Together...
-
What Is the Equation for Aerobic Cellular Respiration?
Cellular respiration is a process by which cells convert sugars from the environment to energy. The difference between the two types --...
-
What Are the Final Waste Products of Cellular Respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process whereby your cells break down sugar and fat molecules and convert the energy released through these reactions...
-
Products Produced by Anaerobic Respiration
In biology terms, respiration is the process by which cells break down sugar. Within a cell, two types of respiration may occur:... | http://www.ehow.com/facts_5548303_products-cellular-respiration.html |
The delivery of nanomedicines into internal areas of solid tumors is a great challenge for the design of chemotherapeutic drugs and the realization of their successful application. Herein, we synthesized stable and efficient selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with an ideal size and a transcellular transport capability for the penetration and treatment of a solid tumor, utilizing Tw-80 as a dispersing agent and mushroom polysaccharide lentinan (LET) as a decorator. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrated that this nanosystem, LET-Tw-SeNPs, renders significant cellular uptake of HepG2 by receptor-mediated endocytosis and exhibits predominant transcellular transport and penetration capacity towards HepG2 tumor spheroids. Moreover, this therapeutic agent simultaneously inhibits the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells via a cell cycle arrest pathway. Internalized LET-Tw-SeNPs give rise to the overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus inducing mitochondrial rupture. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetic analysis showed that LET-Tw-SeNPs displayed a long half-life in blood. Altogether, this study demonstrates an inventive strategy for designing nanosystems with high permeability and low blood clearance, in order to achieve efficient in-depth tumor drug delivery and future clinical treatment of solid tumors. | https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/nr/d0nr02171g |
Context:
- Prem Shankar Jha writes: It would mean subsidising a small affluent section of the car-owning population, when there are better alternatives to fossil fuels available.
Relevance:
- GS Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Mains Questions:
- For India, gasification holds even greater promise because simple, air-blown gasifiers are already in use in food processing that can convert rice and wheat straw into a lean fuel gas that can generate electricity and provide guaranteed 24-hour power to cold storage in every village. Discuss .15 Marks
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Electric Vehicles
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020
- Challenges in setting Effective Charging Infrastructure in India
- Measures
About Electric Vehicles:
- The earlier guidelines and standards were issued by the Ministry of Power in December 2018 and will be superseded by the new guidelines.
- Lack of charging infrastructure is one of the main reasons behind poor adoption of electric mobility in India.
- According to a survey by the Economic Times in May 2019, with appropriate infrastructure is in place, 90% car owners in India are willing to switch to EVs.
- Under the NEMMP 2020, there is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles by the year 2020.
- At present, EV market penetration is only 1% of total vehicle sales in India, and of that, 95% of sales are electric two-wheelers.
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020:
- It is a National Mission document by Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises providing the vision and the roadmap for the faster adoption of electric vehicles and their manufacturing in the country.
- As part of the NEMMP 2020, Scheme named Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) was launched in the year 2015 to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same.
- The Phase-I of this Scheme (FAME I) was initially launched for a period of 2 years and was implemented through four focus areas:
- Demand Creation,
- Technology Platform,
- Pilot Project
- Charging Infrastructure.
- FAME II
- It was launched in March 2019 for a period of 3 years.
- The main objective of the scheme is to encourage faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering upfront incentive on purchase of electric vehicles and also by establishing the necessary charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Challenges in setting Effective Charging Infrastructure in India
- Lack of Crucial Resources: India has very little known reserves of lithium; other crucial components such as nickel, cobalt and battery- grade graphite are also imported.
- Lack of Skill: We still lack sufficient technical know-how in lithium battery manufacturing.
- Time consuming: It still takes longer to charge an electric vehicle than it does to refuel a conventional car at the pump.
- Sector Suitability: Heavy-duty truck transportation and aviation, will remain difficult to electrify without drastic advances in battery technology.
- Disposal of Lithium ion batteries the policy mandate to have 30% of all vehicles as EVs by 2030, the demand for batteries will continue to rise. This translates to an exponentially growing stock pile of discarded batteries. Safe and environment friendly recycling of these batteries remains a challenge.
- Power supply India will need reliable excess power supply to feed the charging stations. This is a big challenge considering the frequent power outages experienced in many parts of the country, especially during summer.
Measures
- Location of public charging stations (PCS): at least one charging station should be available in a grid of 3 Km X 3 Km in the cities.
- Phase wise installation in next 5 years on the basis of city size starting with the large cities.
- Catering to the heavy duty vehicles with fast charging stations at every 100 Kms on the highways.
- Promoting private participation through Private charging at residences/offices fascillitated by DISCOMs.
- Ease of setting: Setting up of PCS shall be a de-licensed activity and any individual/entity is free to set up public charging stations.
- Tariff:
- In the case of PCS, tariff for the supply of electricity to PCS shall be determined by the appropriate commission in accordance with the tariff policy issued under section 3 of Electricity Act 2003
- Domestic charging shall be akin to domestic consumption of electricity and shall be charged as such.
- Service charges: The State Nodal Agency shall fix the ceiling of the Service Charges to be charged by the Public Charging Stations.
- Nodal Agency: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under Ministry of Power has been nominated as the Central Nodal Agency. Further a provision for State Nodal Agency for the respective states has been provided for in the Guidelines.
Conclusion
Overall success in EV adoption will critically hinge upon the coordination between manufacturers, government policies and, most importantly — consumer ability to participate in this new age green revolution. | https://www.legacyias.com/why-switching-to-electric-vehicles-is-fiscally-imprudent/ |
Humans combine incoming sensory and past information to deal with ambiguous and uncertain information (e.g., Knill and Saunders, 2003). But what constitutes past information? Many studies have recently reported that the last presented stimulus exerts an attractive bias at perceptual reports for many visual stimulus features (e.g., Fischer and Whitney, 2014). This phenomenon has been termed serial dependence, and has been cast as a consequence of optimal weighting of current and previous stimulus information based on their uncertainty (Cicchini et al., 2018).
But how does the brain represent uncertainty associated with a particular percept? Bayesian theories of neural coding propose that a population of neurons represent each stimulus as a probability distribution and that the uncertainty associated with stimulus processing is encoded as the width of this probability distribution (see Pouget et al., 2013 for a review). In addition, these theories propose that the observer uses such uncertainty in the decision-making process.
If serial dependence relies on the combination of current and past sensory information weighted by their uncertainty, then stimulus uncertainty encoded at the sensory processing stage should affect the serial dependence effect. Response bias toward the last seen stimulus should be greater when current stimulus uncertainty is higher than that of the previously seen stimulus. In a recent paper, van Bergen and Jehee (2019) tested this hypothesis in an elegant combination of psychophysical experiment, fMRI acquisition and computational modeling. They had participants perform a delayed reproduction task, where they briefly showed participants oriented gratings in sequence, and, after a short delay between each stimulus, asked them to reproduce the orientation of the remembered grating on a computer screen. As expected, van Bergen and Jehee (2019) replicated the serial dependence effect by showing that the reproduced orientation was biased toward the orientation of the previously seen grating.
To test the prediction that sensory uncertainty encoded in the population activity of visual areas modulate the serial dependence effect, the authors decoded the trial-by-trial uncertainty of population activity using BOLD fMRI (van Bergen et al., 2015). They used a multivoxel pattern analysis to fit a probabilistic model to a subset of the data where the activation pattern across voxels in the visual cortex (V1, V2, and V3) is associated with a particular stimulus orientation. Then, the authors estimated the probability distribution of possible grating orientations on an independent subset of the data, given the pattern of activation across voxels and the previously fitted parameters. The resulting posterior probability distribution provides information about the most probable stimulus presented on a given trial and uncertainty associated with the represented stimulus. This uncertainty, represented by the width of the probability distribution, is assumed to be a measure of the degree of uncertainty present in the population activation pattern.
The authors grouped two sets of trials according to previous and current trial decoded uncertainty. While one set contained trials where decoded uncertainty was greater on the previous trial than on the current trial, the other group contained trials where decoded uncertainty was greater on the current trial than on the previous trial. They reasoned that serial dependence effect should be greater on the second scenario. The results of van Bergen and Jehee (2019) agree with this prediction: reported orientation was more biased toward previously shown gratings when current trial decoded uncertainty was lower than decoded uncertainty of previous trial gratings. This provides evidence that serial dependence relies on an uncertainty based weighting of information, that this weighting relies on the probabilistic representation by a population of neurons (Pouget et al., 2013), and that decoded uncertainty from visual cortex at the time of stimulus encoding is used by downstream areas in the perceptual decision-making process.
In this commentary, I highlight two points implied by the main findings of van Bergen and Jehee's article: (1) that uncertainty from the encoded stimulus is stored in short-term memory and (2) that knowledge about different statistical environmental regularities might affect how the brain integrate past information with current decisions. While the first should inform the development of models of short-term memory storage, specially those concerning short-term synaptic plasticity, a candidate mechanism to explain serial dependence (Barbosa et al., 2020), the second has important implications for how we understand the accumulation of prior information and how it affects current behavior.
For downstream areas to have access to previous trial probability distribution of stimulus values, the brain must keep it in short-term memory. van Bergen and Jehee's (2019) results imply that the brain is able to maintain a representation of uncertainty in short-term memory. Although some computational models of short-term memory account for the maintenance of stimulus uncertainty throughout a delay period (Ma et al., 2014), probability population coding models are based on the assumption that the memoranda is kept through persistent activity of the population of neurons (Pouget et al., 2013). Serial dependence, on the other hand, might not rely on persistent spiking activity. Recent studies have shown that, differently than explicit short-term memory tasks, previous trial information cannot be decoded from EEG (Barbosa et al., 2020; Fornaciai and Park, 2020) and spiking activity (Barbosa et al., 2020) for most of the inter-trial interval. These results suggest that serial dependence relies on short-term synaptic plasticity to keep information from one trial to the next (Mongillo et al., 2008). However, one must be cautious to generalize results of activity-silent mechanism from studies that both measure and model neuronal activity in prefrontal cortex (e.g., Barbosa et al., 2020) to every task and context, as different regions of the brain might store information during the inter-trial interval through different mechanisms. Future studies should characterize the activity of different regions that might store information in short-term memory. In addition, future probability population coding models should account for uncertainty representation through short-term synaptic plasticity, either as a distributed representation of synaptic weights in the network or as a summary statistics extracted from the population activity and later used in the integration of previous and current trial information.
If serial dependence relied only on averaging of previous and current information, one would expect response biases to increase as the difference between consecutive stimuli increase. However, as first shown by Fischer and Whitney (2014), van Bergen and Jehee's (2019) results show a specific pattern of responses where serial dependence peaks for small differences between consecutive stimuli. The authors propose that such de-weighting for dissimilar stimuli emerges because the brain exploits the temporal stability of the environment (Dong and Atick, 1995). The model that better explained participants' behavior explicitly included an internal model of natural temporal statistics of visual orientation and outperformed a model misinformed about such temporal dynamics. van Bergen and Jehee (2019) suggest that participants use knowledge about the temporal dynamics of natural stimuli combined with previous sensory information to predict the upcoming stimulus (for similar results and theoretical proposal, see Kwon and Knill, 2013; Cicchini et al., 2018). It is important to note that the non-linear serial dependence pattern commonly observed in orientation perception studies is not ubiquitous in the literature, as previous studies have shown a linear relationship between current trial performance and the difference between current and previous trial stimuli (e.g., Cicchini et al., 2014). This difference could be attributed to a number of factors, including differences in stimulus processing, contextual differences, presence or absence of an internal model of environmental dynamics to the observer, or even the range of stimuli used in the experiment, which could be well-approximated by a linear model (e.g., Cicchini et al., 2018). The issue of why serial dependence appears to be non-linear for some studies and linear for others should be addressed by future studies.
Interesting predictions for future investigations of serial dependence can be generated by assuming that participants have at least an approximate knowledge of the natural temporal dynamics of the environment. For example, by having participants learn a new internal model of stimuli sequence (Chalk et al., 2010), serial dependence effect should change accordingly. However, the specific pattern of errors that characterize the serial dependence curve can be explained without assuming the brain knows the temporal dynamics of the environment (Kalm and Norris, 2018). Kalm and Norris (2018) were able to explain such pattern by assuming that past information was a mixture of decaying posterior distributions of previously shown stimuli. They suggest that serial dependence is a consequence of how past experiences are kept in memory and integrated with incoming sensory information. To solve this conundrum, these different models should be confronted in an independent study with an experimental design that allows to maximally differentiating them (Palminteri et al., 2017). As an initial but coarse suggestion, comparing participants' performance in two conditions with clearly different statistical dependencies across stimuli might be able to arbitrate between model predictions. Whereas, van Bergen and Jehee (2019) model would predict that serial dependence would differ across contexts with different statistical regularities, Kalm and Norris (2018) model would predict no difference in serial dependence effect as long as local statistics are kept the same.
Evidence that the brain uses past information and weight current and previous information based on uncertainty has been out there for a while. van Bergen and Jehee's (2019) work provide evidence in favor of theories that postulate that the brain processes information using probability distributions across stimuli values, and that the decision-making process at downstream areas is affected by the encoded and stored sensory uncertainty. Furthermore, it suggests that serial dependence emerges as a consequence of information weighting based on stimulus uncertainty and the stability of natural environments. Finally, this study opens new possibilities for studying the mechanism behind serial dependence and short-term memory.
Author Contributions
The author confirms being the sole contributor of this work and has approved it for publication.
Conflict of Interest
The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
I thank Joana Balardin, Esaú Sirius, Louise Barne, and two reviewers for insightful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript.
References
Barbosa, J., Stein, H., Martinez, R. L., Galan-Gadea, A., Li, S., Dalmau, J., et al. (2020). Interplay between persistent activity and activity-silent dynamics in the prefrontal cortex underlies serial biases in working memory. Nat. Neurosci. 23, 1016–1024. doi: 10.1038/s41593-020-0644-4
Chalk, M., Seitz, A. R., and Seriès, P. (2010). Rapidly learned stimulus expectations alter perception of motion. J. Vision 10, 1–18. doi: 10.1167/10.8.2
Cicchini, G. M., Anobile, G., and Burr, D. C. (2014). Compressive mapping of number to space reflects dynamic encoding mechanisms, not static logarithmic transform. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 111, 7867–7872. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1402785111
Cicchini, G. M., Mikellidou, K., and Burr, D. C. (2018). The functional role of serial dependence. Proc. Biol. Sci. 285:20181722. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1722
Dong, D. W., and Atick, J. J. (1995). Statistics of natural time-varying images. Network 6, 345–358. doi: 10.1088/0954-898X_6_3_003
Fischer, J., and Whitney, D. (2014). Serial dependence in visual perception. Nat. Neurosci. 17, 738–743. doi: 10.1038/nn.3689
Fornaciai, M., and Park, J. (2020). Neural dynamics of serial dependence in numerosity perception. J. Cogn. Neurosci. 32, 141–154. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_01474
Kalm, K., and Norris, D. (2018). Visual recency bias is explained by a mixture model of internal representations. J. Vision 18:1. doi: 10.1167/18.7.1
Knill, D. C., and Saunders, J. A. (2003). Do humans optimally integrate stereo and texture information for judgments of surface slant? Vision Res. 43, 2539–2558. doi: 10.1016/S0042-6989(03)00458-9
Kwon, O.-S., and Knill, D. C. (2013). The brain uses adaptive internal models of scene statistics for sensorimotor estimation and planning. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 110, E1064–E1073. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1214869110
Ma, W. J., Husain, M., and Bays, P. M. (2014). Changing concepts of working memory. Nat. Neurosci. 17, 347–356. doi: 10.1038/nn.3655
Mongillo, G., Barak, O., and Tsodyks, M. (2008). Synaptic theory of working memory. Science 319, 1543–1546. doi: 10.1126/science.1150769
Palminteri, S., Wyart, V., and Koechlin, E. (2017). The importance of falsification in computational cognitive modeling. Trends Cogn. Sci. 21, 425–433. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2017.03.011
Pouget, A., Beck, J. M., Ma, W. J., and Latham, P. E. (2013). Probabilistic brains: knowns and unknowns. Nat. Neurosci. 16, 1170–1178. doi: 10.1038/nn.3495
van Bergen, R. S., and Jehee, J. F. M. (2019). Probabilistic representation in human visual cortex reflects uncertainty in serial decisions. J. Neurosci. 39, 8164–8176. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3212-18.2019
van Bergen, R. S., Ma, W. J., Pratte, M. S., and Jehee, J. F. M. (2015). Sensory uncertainty decoded from visual cortex predicts behavior. Nat. Neurosci. 18, 1728–1730. doi: 10.1038/nn.4150
Keywords: serial dependence, uncertainty, probabilistic population code, Bayesian ideal observer, short-term memory (STM)
Citation: De Azevedo Neto RM (2020) Commentary: Probabilistic Representation in Human Visual Cortex Reflects Uncertainty in Serial Decisions. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 14:580581. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.580581
Received: 06 July 2020; Accepted: 10 September 2020;
Published: 21 October 2020.
Edited by:Michael A. Silver, University of California, Berkeley, United States
Reviewed by:Michele Fornaciai, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Italy
Thomas C. Sprague, New York University, United States
Copyright © 2020 De Azevedo Neto. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2020.580581/full |
- Chapter one of this thesis or project materials contains the background to the study, the research problem, the research questions, research objectives, research hypotheses, significance of the study, the scope of the study, organization of the study, and the operational definition of terms.
- Chapter two contains relevant literature on the issue under investigation. The chapter is divided into five parts which are the conceptual review, theoretical review, empirical review, conceptual framework, and gaps in research
- Chapter three contains the research design, study area, population, sample size and sampling technique, validity, reliability, source of data, operationalization of variables, research models, and data analysis method
- Chapter four contains the data analysis and the discussion of the findings
- Chapter five contains the summary of findings, conclusions, recommendations, contributions to knowledge, and recommendations for further studies.
- References: The references are in APA
- Questionnaire.
Abstract of A Comparative Assessment of the Use of “ICT” in Teaching Biology: a Case Study of Selected Secondary Schools in Ile-ife
This study examines the relationship between information and communication technology and academic performance of students in Biology. It investigates the use, importance and significance of ICT in teaching Biology in secondary schools in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The data were the WAEC results of four schools for three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012). Analyses were done using simple percentage method and recommendations were based on the research findings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.4 Research Question
1.5 Hypothesis
1.6 Scope of the Study/Delimitation
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature Review
2.2 The Concept of Information Technology
2.3 Information and Communication Technology
2.4 The Use of ICT in Teaching
2.5 Uses of ICT in Diagnostic Testing
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Research Population
3.3 Research Instrument
3.4 Instrument Validation
3.5 Method of Data Collection
3.6 Analysis of Data
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Data Analysis, Result & Interpretation
4.2 Research Question One
4.3 Research Question Two
4.2 Conclusion
CHAPTERFIVE
5.0. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1. Summary
5.2. Research Findings
5.3. Conclusion
5.4. Recommendation
References
Chapter One of
Background to the Study
Biology is a widely studied subject. The knowledge of it calls for a balanced secondary school education. Biology as a school subject may be a factor in improving the lives of students and their immediate environment.
In a developing country like Nigeria, the use of “ICT” in the teaching of Biology should be promoted in all secondary schools, since the national policy on education states that “the broad aims of secondary education within overall National objectives should be preparation or higher education”. In specific terms, secondary education should equip students so that they can be able to live effectively in our modern age of science and technology.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has positively transferred effectively and efficiently every aspect of human lives such as Education, Aviation, Agriculture, Manufacturing etc. In Nigeria, it appears that most students and schools lack facilities such as Information Communication Technology facilities, the influence of media devices such as projectors, perhaps may improve the teaching-learning process of the subject, Biology.
Statement of the Problem
There is a need for steady evaluation of the impact of ICT in the teaching of essential subjects such as Biology! This is with a view to ascertaining the level of success recorded in terms of students performance in Biology with the increased wave of computer based education system in Nigeria.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the present study focuses on the impact of ICT in the teaching and learning of Biology in secondary schools.
The specific objectives are:
i. To determine students performance in Biology within a non-ICT equipped secondary school system;
ii. To determine students performance in biology within an ICT equipped secondary school system.
iii. To account for the disparity in students performance within the two contexts of secondary schools if there is any and (iv)Indicate the serious need for a comprehensive ICT-aided teaching of Biology in secondary schools in Nigeria.
Research Question
i. How relevant is the use of ICT in teaching Biology as a secondary school subject?
ii. Do students perform better when they are taught Biology by the means of information communication technology (ICT).
Hypothesis
There are no significant differences in the performance of students who learn Biology by the means of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not.
Scope of the Study/Delimitation
Six schools in three local government areas in Ile-Ife were used for this study as time and cost did not permit examining all schools within the selected local government areas. | https://www.projectpapers.net/a-comparative-assessment-of-the-use-of-ict-in-teaching-biology-a-case-study-of-selected-secondary-schools-in-ile-ife/ |
The father of relativity theory : Einstein vs PoincaréThat is correct. Lorentz created special relativity theory as a way of reconciling Maxwell's electromagnetic theory with the Michelson-Morley experiment, and Poincare perfected Lorentz's theory.
We saw that it is Poincaré who names and formulates the principle of relativity, names and corrects Lorentz transformations, reports and exploits its group structure. To these examples, we could add that he establishes the method for synchronizing clocks by light signals (La mesure du temps, Revue de métaphysique et de morale, T.6, janv 1898), the formula of additivity of velocities, the invariance of Maxwell's equations in vacuum, and the hypothesis of the speed of light limit (Poincaré, 1905). Let's not forget that he also already uses a quadridmensional formalism that will inspire the future works of Minkowski, and then some. What is left?
He clearly masters most of the concepts and technical tools of what we call now the special relativity theory, except (and it is fundamental!) that it is to him just corrections brought to Lorentz works, part of a dynamics, and what's more, depending upon Maxwell's electromagnetic theory.
Moreover, the principle of relativity concerns space-time and gives to it a physical meaning even if this space is empty, baring no body (it is a kinematics, that is to say a condition for the expression of dynamics), which Poincaré thinking about dynamics only could neither conceive, nor accept (Paty, 1987, p15).This is crazy. Einstein does not have a spacetime theory. Poincare certainly did conceive and accept a spacetime theory where the Lorentz transformations are realized as the isometries of a 4-dimensional non-Euclidean geometry.
Like most everyone else, Johann reviews the facts and somehow credits Einstein anyway:
That's what makes Einstein the real father of the theory, because he presents in his 1905 paper all of these points (except the importance of the group structure of Lorentz transformations) in a coherent theory, building a kinematics on which the laws of physics will depend (and not the other way around), including those of electromagnetism.No, Einstein did not present all of those points. He did not have the Lorentz group, the covariance of Maxwell's equations, or the 4-dimensional structure of spacetime. And where Einstein is getting relativity points correct, he is mostly recapitulating what was done years earlier by Lorentz and Poincare.
Still, Poincaré surely stays a great and major precursor amongst all physicists and mathematicians who played a role in the history of the theory of special relativity.
The main credit for Einstein is for claiming a theory broad enough for all the laws of physics. But it was Poincare who did that, not Einstein. Poincare had a spacetime theory that he applied to gravity. Einstein only had a way of understanding electromagnetism.
Johann admits that Einstein did not have the 4-dimensional spacetime, and only got it from Poincare and Minkowski years later:
To respond ..., first you're right saying that Minkowski popularized Poincaré's work and influenced Einstein, but it was AFTER its Cologne lecture of 1908. ... You could say that Einstein didn't grasp the 4 dimensionality of the theory before Minkowski and you would be right! He even said to Minkowski that it was an unnecessary complication, and recognized only later when working on the generalized theory that he was wrong.That's right, and if you view the 4-dimensional spacetime as the crucial idea, that idea can be traced from Lorentz to Poincare to Minkowski to widespread acceptance, without Einstein having anything to do with it.
To conclude, I'd like to add that even if Einstein had read "La dynamique des électrons" (which I firmly believe he didn't, even if I can't prove it any more than you can prove he did), contrary to what you say his article did bring something fundamentally new and different than any previous work, including Poincaré's, namely 1° the concept of condition for the laws of physics, 2° the correct interpretation of space and time measurements and 3° A STRUCTURED AND CLEAN THEORY.A condition for the laws of physics? Only Poincare explicitly looked for laws of physics obeying Lorentz group invariance. Only Poincare said relativity was a theory about our methods of measurement. And the only way I know to describe relativity as a coherent structured clean theory is to express it a non-Euclidean geometry, and that was done by Poincare in 1905 and Minkowski in 1908.
A separate post says:
Note that Henri Poincaré was already looking for all the invariants of the Lorentz group, using infinitesimal generators (which relates to the Lie algebra approach of our days) ! and this in 1905 (see our second bibliographic reference), the same year Einstein published his article, which Poincaré had still no knowledge...Not a complete theory? Poincare has all of the relativity formulas that Einstein had in 1905 and more, and somehow it was not a complete theory? That is ridiculous.
However, let's not make the mistake of attributing relativity theory to Poincaré, since he never built any complete theory (in physics anyway), and was merely correcting and improving other physicists' work (Maxwell, Lorentz, etc.).
Crediting Einstein has to be based on what was different about Einstein's 1905 work, and his main virtue here seems to be that he never credited his sources. Lorentz and Poincare showed how their work built on previous work, so I guess they "merely" improved it. All science is correcting and improving previous work.
Craig writes:
If this is true, I can't see how Einstein got credit. Poincare's theory predicts everything that Einstein's theory predicts. The only thing that Einstein did was clean it up, get rid of the aether, make it sound nicer. But that is not science.Poincare was the one who wrote a popular 1902 book saying that there is no absolute space or time, and no aether.
I think in that period of time, the early 1900's, the idea that there are no absolute standards was becoming popular in intellectual circles. Einstein came along and showed that physics could be put into this relativistic framework. Because of this, the intellectuals of that time crowned Einstein a hero, since it justified their worldview.
Today, society accepts the idea that there are no absolute standards. And Einstein is still the king. He was even made Time's man of the century. Poincare was just a man who played along with equations that predicted the motion of bodies, while Einstein was a man who got rid of absolutism in nature. So what if Poincare was just as right as Einstein?
I have heard it claimed that relativity and Einstein were popular among intellectual non-scientists because of confusion with relativism. | https://blog.darkbuzz.com/2013/12/site-compares-poincare-to-einstein.html |
Brogan Abroad, the brainchild of Teresa, a travel blogger from the UK, is a fun site that focuses on providing readers great tips and tricks on sustainable travel. Teresa has traveled around the world, winning awards for her travel pieces and helping lesser-known destinations, and the more unique parts of popular destinations, get more exposure. Her website is filled with great travel stories, her own photography, and plenty of ideas for the traveler – both novice and pro. She encourages travelers to get out of their comfort zone.
Brogan Abroad includes posts about many of Teresa’s memorable trips, such as her visit to Komodo National Park in Indonesia to dive with sharks and manta rays, vacationing in a Berber Lodge in Morocco, and learning to cook while visiting Spain. In addition to learning about places to visit while practicing sustainable travel, you can also learn travel hacks, get inspired about new destinations to visit and learn about some of the best gifts you can bring home from your adventures. | https://www.gotravelblogs.com/brogan-abroad/ |
Every Contribution Matters
Research is vital in increasing our understanding of HD, improving the quality of life for those impacted by HD, and also providing hope for viable treatments and a cure.
Research continues to progress through the collaboration between you-our community, our invaluable HD researchers and your association. When you participate in research, your contribution not only helps in the study you are involved in, but is often a starting point for new or further research.
Huntington’s Victoria proudly partners with the Huntington’s Research Group of Victoria (HRGV) who are extremely active in HD research. You can view some of the local research below, and find out how you can become involved.
Featured Researchers
Prof. Anthony Hannan
DISSECTING DISEASE MECHANISMS TO IDENTIFY PROMISING TARGETS FOR NEW THERAPIES
Research Duration: Ongoing
Dr Carolina Gubert
EXPLORING THE GUT MICROBIOME AND GENE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS IN HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE: TOWARDS NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO DELAY DISEASE ONSET AND PROGRESSION
Research Date: 01/01/2019
Yifat Glikmann-Johnston
TARGETING THE HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE GUT MICROBIOME
Research Duration: January 21 – December 2022
Recruitment: Ongoing
Details:
Our research includes using a model of Huntington’s disease where we are following up our discoveries regarding the beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (enhanced cognitive stimulation and physical activity) and exercise, to identify potential new therapies. Using a transgenic mouse model of HD, our group has made progress in understanding changes that lead to cognitive, psychiatric and motor symptoms.
We were the first group to demonstrate depression-like behaviors in a preclinical model of HD, and the first to relate cognitive dysfunction to in vivo deficits of experience-dependent brain plasticity. We were also the first to show that environmental factors, including environmental enrichment, exercise and stress, can modify onset and progression of HD. Most recently, we discovered that the trillions of bacteria living in the gut are abnormal in HD mice (this is called ‘gut dysbiosis’), and this discovery has been translated by Melbourne colleagues.
Our ongoing research aims to use this model of HD to identify novel targets for new therapies. We use cutting-edge technologies to identify key molecules that we can target with candidate therapies, including novel drugs. We then use this preclinical model of HD to test these therapies. Promising candidates can then be progressed to clinical trials.
For further information about the study please contact:
Professor Anthony Hannan
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Email: [email protected]
Website: Professor Anthony Hannan – Florey
Details:
Our laboratory has extensively contributed to our understanding of gene-environment interactions in Huntington’s disease (HD), including the beneficial effects of cognitive stimulation and physical activity. Environmental enrichment and exercise interventions mimics a stimulating lifestyle, which has been shown to positively impact different neurodegenerative conditions, including HD, where Anthony Hannan and colleagues made the original discoveries. These approaches have been able to ameliorate neurodegenerative phenotype, emotionality-related behaviours and cognitive effects in HD transgenic mice. We are interested in this project to understand the promising actions of these interventions on the differential gut microbial profile (microbiome) presented in HD mice, also previously discovered by the Hannan Laboratory at the Florey Institute. To achieve this goal, we use cognitive and behavioural tasks, as well as genetics, genomics and bioinformatics tools. These results will be crucial to our understanding of the physiological role of these environmental interventions on gut microbial profile in HD, and will help us identify new therapeutic targets to delay onset and progression of this devastating disease.
Details:
Many people with Huntington’s disease lose weight unintentionally and experience gastrointestinal disturbances, which affect their quality of life. As people with Huntington’s disease struggle with symptoms that lack adequate treatments, there is a critical need to understand how non-pharmacological interventions such as lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep) can be used to enhance quality of life until appropriate pharmacological treatments are found. This research project is investigating the bacteria within the gut and the relationship between gut health and clinical indicators of Huntington’s disease such as mood, weight, and thinking and memory. Our study is completely remote, meaning that participants can do the study from home. We use online questionnaires, cognitive tasks via mobile app and telehealth, and ask for a faecal sample to be sent by post. Results of this research will provide the knowledge that we need about the Huntington’s disease gut to make lifestyle recommendations and inform other interventions that can help with gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., change in diet, taking supplements such as probiotics). This research project is funded by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America HD Human Biology Project Fellowship awarded to Dr Yifat Glikmann-Johnston. Outside of work, Yifat is an eager yogi and dog lover. Her two German shepherd dogs take her out for a walk every day!
For further information about the study including eligibility and participation requirements please contact:
Yifat Glikmann-Johnston
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9903 4695
Address:
Turner Institute of Brain and Mental Health
Room 412, Level 4, 18 Innovation Walk
Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800
Pubu Abeyasinghe (Pubuditha Abeyasinghe)
EXPLORING COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING TO PREDICT DISEASE PROGRESSION IN HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE USING COMBINED IMAGE-HD, PREDICT-HD AND TRACK-HD DATASETS
Research Date: 07/10/2019
Hiba Bilal
EXPERIENCE OF DEPRESSION IN PEOPLE WITH HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE AND THE FACTORS LINKED TO THIS POPULATION
Recruitment date: Closed
Emily Fitzgerald
SLEEP QUALITY AND CIRCADIAN TMING IN HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE AND THEIR IMPACT ON COGNTIVE FUNCTIONING
Recruitment date: Ongoing
Details:
Applications of computational modeling in Huntington’s disease is a promising avenue in research directing towards predicting the disease progression. In the past few years, researchers have shown the positive impacts of modeling the disease progression to find the most sensitive biomarkers not only in Huntington’s disease but also in other neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s’ disease. We are interested in applying computational modeling techniques to the combined data sets from IMAG-HD, PREDICT-HD and TRACK-HD studies to find a model that could explain the disease progression across studies with high accuracy. In the process of developing the model we aim explore and incorporate not only the clinical measures but also the behavioral and imaging measures and find the best combination of measures that results in the highest predictability of disease progression. These modelling techniques will be crucial to understand the level of contribution of each measure to disease progression which then can be used in the advancement of developing more effective treatment methods or therapeutical approaches targeting the most sensitive measures, to delay the neural degeneration and the subsequent onset of the Huntington’s disease.
Details:
Hiba is a Clinical Neuropsychology PhD student at Monash University, and is completing her doctoral project in the Stout lab. Hiba loves being out in nature and spends her weekends going on long walks or drives to scenic areas (when lockdown permits!). She also enjoys travelling and is determined to visit Turkey as soon as the borders open!
As part of her research, Hiba is investigating the experience of depression in people with Huntington’s disease and the factors linked to depression in this population. Hiba is about to finish recruiting for this study and hopes to share her findings with the broader HD community very soon.
Details:
Emily Fitzgerald is a student researcher at Monash University, who is currently completing her third year of the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Neuropsychology. Outside of research, Emily loves playing outdoor soccer, travelling to regional Victoria, listening to true crime podcasts and cuddling her border collie and golden retriever.
As part of her current research, Emily examines sleep quality and circadian timing in Huntington’s disease and their impact on cognitive functioning. Sleep problems are very common in HD, with up to 90% of people self-reporting some form of sleep disturbance. How sleep relates to HD symptoms is poorly understood, particularly in those with premanifest HD. The goals of Emily’s study are to determine sleep quality and its effects on thinking and disease severity in people with premanifest HD. To do this Emily uses sleep tracking devices, questionnaires and cognitive assessments. The findings from her study will help inform early interventions that may improve cognitive symptoms by first improving sleep quality.
If you would like more information or to participate you can contact email via email at [email protected]
Local Research: | https://huntingtonsvic.org.au/research-old/page/2/?et_blog |
I am a licensed architect in California and have worked on over 15 built projects and interiors. I graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2004 and also have a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Harvard College magna cum laude. I served as Senior Architect at OMA on several projects and worked with Morphosis as well. I have a strong design aesthetic, work ethic, and technical knowledge as well as practical skills in REVIT and AutoCAD.
OMA (The Office for Metropolitan Architecture), Rotterdam, Holland, Senior Architect
• Construction management and design of two university office buildings that helped forged an identity for a new campus.
• Managed junior architects and interns. Estimates, official client correspondence, detailing, and direction of constructability concerns.
• Coordinated consultants including landscape architect, and acoustic, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineers.
• Furniture, fixtures, and equipment selection, material and lighting selection, plant selection, custom furniture and lighting fixture design.
• Generated solar studies and illumination calculations and coordinated an acoustic assessment to inform aesthetic selection while balancing OMA’s conceptual design intent with construction realities.
• Revit modeling of VROM, a large Dutch government ministry building in the Hague. Assembled prototype model.
Morphosis Architects, Paris, France site office, Project Designer
Contract position as Project Designer focused on façade detailing for a tower proposed to be the tallest in Paris. Details were drawn in Microstation and full size facade mock ups and fabrication of complex joints were completed. Parametric design and rapid prototyping were key components of both the design and construction documentation process. Details included a complex series of irregular conditions where multiple façade types joined. Balanced aesthetics, cost, insulation, and water infiltration concerns.
Kilo Architecture, Paris, FR, Consultant
• Design and construction documentation for Baccarat’s 150 bed luxury hotel in Rabat, Morocco. Collaborated on façade design, curtain wall detailing, and overall construction documents.
• Construction documentation and renderings of a Hyatt hotel in Mogador, Morocco.
• Collaborated on design for a stadium competition and large scale master plan in Morocco. Developed space programming and independently designed all interior layouts of an associated museum, hotel, sports complex, medical center, office building, mall, conference center, and exhibition hall.
The Art Institute of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, CA, US, Professor
• Managed a freelance design and rendering practice while serving as a professor at two universities. Professor at the Art Institute's Bachelor of Science Interior Design program and at the interior design program at FIDM .
• Contracted to create REVIT and 3Ds Max BIM models and renderings.
• Received extremely high student evaluation course ratings on over 9 courses including design studios, Intermediate AutoCAD, Drafting, Lighting Design, Thesis, Hand Perspective and Rendering, and Portfolio.
• Instructed students on the use of Revit and 3Ds max incorporating their use as integral components of design studios.
• Integrated state of the art technology into the curriculum focusing on sustainability and energy conservation.
CO Architects, Los Angeles, CA, US, Designer
• Collaborated on the following projects: Award-Winning Palomar Medical Center and Arizona Cancer Treatment Center, Palomar Medical Center East master plan, UC Riverside Engineering Building, Claremont McKenna dormitories, Kaiser Sand Canyon hospital, JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratories) lab building, UCSD Learning Center, PMC Nursing Center, Experimental Sciences Building TTU.
• Lead designer on a Hydrogen Car workshop for BMW.
• Design and materials research with emphasis on sustainability considerations, energy consumption evaluation, lighting coordination, and custom lighting fixture design.
• Created renderings using 3D Studio Max and Mental Ray.
• REVIT and AutoCAD construction documents, detailing, construction administration, consultant management.
Hinerfeld-Ward, Inc. (HWI), Los Angeles, CA, US, Project Manager
• Project manager of a 30 person team for a General Contractor. Managed construction of a Frank Gehry café, Eric Owen Moss office space, Lloyd Wright remodel, and a Griffen-Enright Malibu home. Sole responsibility for project schedules & budgets. Maintained client relationships and coordinated consultants.
• Materials Research, construction administration, CAD/construction documents, design, shop drawing review.
• Financial management,detailing, permit expediting and code review, estimating and value engineering.
Eric Owen Moss Architects, Culver City, CA, US, Design Intern
• Worked with Moss to design a gallery exhibit of his work.
• Developed computer model, details, and drawings of existing gallery and the exhibit design.
• Construction documents, construction administration, and model making for various projects.
The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, CA, US, 3D Visualization Intern
• Historic Preservation: developed and evaluated protective structure for a Getty Conservation Institute
archaeological site.
• Created sun studies and animations to determine the shelter’s effectiveness.
• Tested the applicability of graphic (CAD, GIS, and Graphic Design) software programs.
• Graphic Design: designed a portfolio for the Getty Conservation Institute.
Martin Gelber FAIA and Associates, Santa Monica, CA, US, Design Intern
• Design, specifications, rendering, construction documents, concept research, and graphic design.
• Lead designer Oklahoma Memorial Bombing Competition.
• Administration: managed office project deadlines, budgets, and office finances.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, MArch, Master of Architecture I
HARVARD COLLEGE, Cambridge, MA, US, Bachelors, Architecture
-- B.A. in Architectural Studies magna cum laude
• Majored in architecture through the Special Concentrations Department which allows students to pursue majors that are not normally a field of study. Application to the depatment is highly selective. Coursework included 4 MIT and 4 Harvard Graduate School of Design courses as well as an independent studio and design thesis advised by Harvard Design School Faculty.
• American Institute of Architects National Scholarship.
• President/Founder, Architecture Club of Harvard. | https://archinect.com/people/cover/41393115/maya-white-turre |
Digital technology is changing the way finance functions operate across the world, creating the need for a more agile, strategically capable workforce. Yet underinvestment in people and skills means many finance professionals are ill-equipped to face a digital future.
Are we focusing on technology at the expense of the people who power it?
Recently, The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), the unified voice of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), launched a new joint research Finance transformation: the human perspective, with KPMG International.
The study of more than 670 senior finance and HR professionals from 44 countries shows that despite 76 percent of organisations currently planning, developing or delivering finance transformation programmes, they allocate less than 10 percent of their training budget to address their employees’ most significant skills gaps. This lack of investment in skills, particularly digital skills, could hinder the finance function’s transformation and its ability to support effective decision making within business.
Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive – Management Accounting at the Association, said “Organisations are transforming their finance functions – investing in new and emerging technologies to streamline operations and drive efficiency. However, digital transformation is not solely about investing in new technologies but is largely about training staff, so your employees have the necessary skills to perform their roles now and in the future. People are key to the success of finance transformation programmes and building sustainable success.
When it comes to the finance function, the research shows that we are yet to close the most significant skills gaps. It is therefore key that organisations reverse the current trend and focus on developing their existing talent pool to make the most of digital transformation and ensure long-term benefits. Equally, finance professionals must commit to lifelong learning, upskilling and continuous professional development to keep up with the demands of the global digital business world. | https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2020/03/02/finance-transformation-the-peoples-aspect/ |
Research is the process of searching for credible information, or sources. Sources take various forms, such as written documentation, audio-visual materials, information found over the internet, in-person interviews, and more. Sources may answer specific questions posed in a text, enrich the information the writer provided on a topic, or support a writer’s argument. In the twenty-first century, locating sources is easy; however, finding and determining quality sources involves careful evaluation of each one. Reading tests usually will include questions that ask you to categorize types of sources and evaluate which sources are appropriate for a specific task.
The sources researchers use depend on their purpose. If the researcher’s purpose is to analyze, interpret, or critique a historical event, a creative work, or a natural phenomenon, the researcher will use primary or original sources. Primary sources were produced by people with firsthand experience of an event. Examples of primary sources include:
To identify the type of source, ask yourself, “Did the author personally experience the event they’re writing about?” If so, it’s a primary source.
The written analysis or interpretation of a primary source is considered a secondary source. These sources are written by people who did not have firsthand experience of the topic being described. Instead, authors of secondary sources examine primary sources in order to draw conclusions or make generalizations about people, events, and ideas. Examples of secondary sources include:
A tertiary source is a list or compilation of primary and secondary sources. A tertiary source doesn’t provide analysis or new information—it simply lists other sources. Examples of tertiary sources include:
It is best to begin evaluating sources by evaluating the credibility of the author. What is the author’s motivation? The author’s purpose or reason for writing the text may indicate whether the text is biased. Next, researchers must identify the author’s background and expertise. Although educational credentials are significant, firsthand experience offers equally reliable information.
Questions to consider include:
It can also be helpful to look at where the text was published. Sources like academic journals and established newspapers are more likely to have rigorous standards for publication, which means their articles are fairly reliable. On the other hand, open-source platforms like blogs and websites are more likely to contain biased material.
To evaluate a website, determine who the intended audience is and if there’s an agenda in terms of selling something or promoting a belief system. For example, a health website created by a company selling nutritional supplements will not be as authoritative as a site maintained by a government health organization, since the company might omit relevant information that would hinder its sales. Similarly, a website for a particular candidate for public office might not be as good a source of unbiased policy information as a website maintained by a neutral nonprofit organization if elements or consequences of those policies do not align with the candidate’s platform. | https://course.triviumtestprep.com/courses/topic-masters/lessons/reading-2/topic/research-skills-4/ |
A government library in Kattery village near Udhagamandalam, which had suffered years of neglect and was on the verge of collapse, has been renovated with funds raised by local residents.
The government library, which has 1,300 members, and has 30,000 books, had been set up in the 1960s. Most of the library’s members are school and college children as well as farmers, and local residents said that the library fulfilled a very important social function over the last five decades of its existence in the village. “For many, it remains the first place where they could access books readily, and many of the members have been members of the library since their childhood,” said local residents.
After it was built, the building housing the library was not renovated, meaning that over the years, spells of heavy rain in the area would lead to water damage to books and an increased chance of the building collapsing.
Advertising
Advertising
“We approached the district library seeking funds for its renovation, but they too said that they would be unable to provide any funding to renovate the building,” said a resident of the village.
“As the library was closed down due to the lockdown, weeds had started growing all around the building,” said Guru Lingam, another resident of Kattery village. After cleaning up the premises, local residents held a meeting with the village head, Rajappan, who called on the residents to raise funds on their own to help in the renovation of the entire building.
A door-to-door campaign was started to raise funds, and around 500 people contributed to the effort, with around ₹ 1 lakh being raised by the residents. “We immediately set to work, and carried out the renovation, realising that the monsoon was just around the corner. With most of the major renovation work fully completed, the rain hit the Nilgiris, and we are happy to report that there has been no water seeping through the walls of the building,” said Mr. Rajappan. | |
International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.
The Diversity of Language
Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and planet. Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost.
At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world.
Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
The History of the Day
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
6,500 Different Languages
Every two weeks a language disappears taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.
Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear. Globally 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life.
Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way. | https://www.tuneinchannel.com/?page_id=712 |
An eating plan based on the Mediterranean diet places an emphasis on consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds as opposed to processed foods. If you’re following a Mediterranean diet, you might want to experiment with eating avocados and eggs for breakfast to see how it works. You could also want to try eating Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and flax seed, as an alternative to plain yogurt.
Is oatmeal allowed on Mediterranean diet?
When it comes to breakfast, oatmeal is a safe option that can be dressed up to make it taste even better. If you want to make basic oatmeal taste better, experiment with different nuts and fruits. Make it with honey, sliced apples, and chopped walnuts for a delicious twist. Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all excellent choices as well.
What kind of bread can you eat on Mediterranean diet?
You may still eat bread as part of the Mediterranean Diet; simply replace the white bread with healthy grains instead of white bread. Whole grain breads and pastas are higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined grains. Whole wheat pitas are a more nutritious choice since they contain less calories than white pitas.
Are eggs OK on Mediterranean diet?
Is there a certain type of food that makes up the Mediterranean diet? You will eat primarily plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, potatoes, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and extra virgin olive oil. You will also consume a small amount of animal products. In addition, modest amounts of lean poultry, fish, seafood, dairy, and eggs are included in the diet.
What cereals are on Mediterranean diet?
EZEKIEL 4:9 ALMOND SPROUTED WHOLE GRAIN CEREAL is part of the Mediterranean diet.
What are the three foods to avoid?
There are nine foods that you should never eat again.
- White bread and refined flours
- conventional frozen dinners
- white rice
- microwaveable popcorn
- cured meat goods containing nitrates and nitrites
- cured meat products containing nitrites. Meat alternatives such as soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes
- most standard protein and energy bars
- margarine
How many eggs can you eat on the Mediterranean diet?
Additionally, according to the guideline, persons in good health can incorporate one whole egg per day in their heart-healthy eating patterns. In moderation, older persons can take up to two eggs per day in their diet, while vegetarians who do not eat cholesterol from animal sources can include more eggs in their diet.
What kind of cheese is allowed on the Mediterranean diet?
Cheese and Yogurt (Cheese and Yogurt) The following dairy products are commonly found in the traditional Mediterranean Diet: brie, chevre, corvo, feta, haloumi, manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pecorino, ricotta, yogurt, and ricotta ricotta yogurt (including Greek yogurt).
Can you have potatoes on Mediterranean diet?
Potatoes are a vegetable that should not be avoided while following a Mediterranean diet. Despite the fact that potatoes are commonly considered a “bad carb,” they are not considered such on this diet. A variety of nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and others, may be found in them. Try to consume white potatoes and sweet potatoes in moderation rather than in excess.
What do you eat for snacks on the Mediterranean diet?
Snacks for a Mediterranean Diet
- Greek yogurt with a savory twist.
- Grapes and cheese, to be precise.
- Walnuts and dried fruit are included. Vegetable dips made with Mediterranean beans served with carrot and cucumber sticks.
- Feta and pine nuts on a tahini-based toast.
- Vegetable sticks with tzatziki sauce on the side. Drizzling tahini over slices of apple.
- Hummus.
What is bad about the Mediterranean diet?
When Can the Mediterranean Diet Be Harmful to Your Health? The Mediterranean diet may, in rare situations, result in the following conditions: Weight gain as a result of consuming more fat than the appropriate amount (such as in olive oil and nuts) Low iron levels as a result of a lack of meat consumption. Calcium loss as a result of consuming fewer dairy products.
How often can you eat chicken on Mediterranean diet?
Reduce your intake of meat. Choose lean poultry that is served in moderate servings of 3 to 4 ounces. Red meat should be reserved for special occasions, or it can be used as a condiment in dishes that include plenty of vegetables, such as stews, stir-fries, and soups. Increase your intake of fish, with two to three servings per week being the goal. Both canned and fresh fish are acceptable options.
Is peanut butter good on the Mediterranean diet?
In addition to including all food categories, both the Mediterranean and Flexitarian diets give greater variety than fad diets do. Furthermore, being plant-based protein sources that are high in both good and unsaturated fats, peanuts and peanut butter are a perfect fit for both the Mediterranean and Flexitarian diets, as well as other diets.
What sweets can you eat on Mediterranean diet?
10 Quick and Easy Desserts to Enjoy While Following a Mediterranean Diet
- Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake
- Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt
- Sticky Gluten-Free Lemon Cake
- Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake
- Blood Orange Olive Baked Phyllo Stacks with Pistachios, Spiced Fruit, and Yogurt.
- Brûléed Ricotta.
- Yogurt and Honey Olive Oil Cake.
- Yogurt and Honey Olive Oil Cake. Domenica Marchetti’s Carrot Polenta Cake with Marsala is a delicious dessert.
Whats a healthy breakfast cereal?
Listed below are the top ten most nutritious breakfast cereals.
- Natural Path Smart Bran.
- Nature’s Path Flax Plus Raisin Bran.
- Kashi Go Rise.
- Kashi Go Play Honey Almond Flax Crunch.
- Alpen Muesli.
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Muesli.
- Barbara’s Original Morning Oat Crunch Cereal.
- Kashi Go Play Honey Almond Flax Crunch.
Are Cheerios good for you?
High in fiber and low in sugar, General Mills Cheerios are a classic breakfast cereal. Classic Cheerios are a good choice for a nutritious breakfast. “They have a high quantity of fiber and are low in sugar, which are all characteristics that we seek for [in a healthy cereal],” Spetz adds. | https://www.simplelivingeating.com/calories/what-do-you-eat-for-breakfast-on-the-mediterranean-diet-question.html |
I’ve written previous posts about how I use Balsamiq Mockups to create wireframes and prototypes, and my methods for usability testing. But these are parts of a bigger process — getting from an idea to a finished website, application or software product.
My UX Method
When a new client engages me to work with them on a new design (or redesign) project, they are keen to know “What method did you use?”. While the components / tasks are flexible, the process is consistent:
1. Pre-Design
Goal: To listen, observe and think
On website or application projects, participants are usually eager to get stuck in — to start building something — as soon as possible.
Many believe the way to get a “minimal viable product” is to start writing code on day one. Experience has taught me otherwise. The analogy is painting a watercolour — the wise artist knows, of course, that more time arranging the fruit optimally leads to less grappling with their masterpiece weeks later.
Before designing, I will undertake at least one, often several of the following research tasks.
Listening
- Client workshops (continues into the next phase)
- Stakeholder interviews
- Surveys
Observing
- Contextual enquiry / Field research
- Analytics (in practice, almost always Google analytics)
- A/B testing
- Competitor Analysis
Ideation
- Thinking (not to be underestimated)
- Task analysis
- Flowcharts
- User journeys
- Storyboards
- Card sorting
Some of these tasks, like storyboards and card sorting, I undertake only occasionally — it depends on the individual project (card sorting, for example, is useful for sites with large information architecture problems). I am always open to new tasks (or “tools”) that fit in with the general process.
2. Workshops and Early Sketches
Goal: Define the product requirements with the client
I usually hold a series of workshops on the client site. The participants are a small group of key internal stakeholders, including a development / engineering team leader.
Often the client does not know precisely what they want. Part of my job, at this stage, is to tease out and challenge their loosely-formed ideas.
Throughout the client workshops , and I continue listening, but now I am able to inform the client about what I have discovered based on the research I am undertaking.
Badly-Drawn Sketches
During these workshops I will develop some early-stages sketches on a flipchart or whiteboard, and the stakeholders present will all pitch in with their ideas. We effectively develop the initial wireframes — a visual representation of the product requirements — together.
Photos of Everything
I take a photo of these whiteboard pages on my phone, along with other interesting online artefacts that arise during the meeting. For example, the marketing person might say, “I like the way they do the login on Dropbox”, so we’ll look at the Dropbox login, and I’ll take a photo of that.
2. Wireframes and Prototypes, Feedback and Internal Validation
Goal: Create a prototype, get internal stakeholder validation
After we capture the sketches, it’s time to create a prototype. One of my strong skills is interaction design, yet I am not a graphic designer, so I feel comfortable with Balsamiq Mockups.
I am always relieved switching from the initial sketches to an on-screen prototype partly because my sketching, like my handwriting, is scrawly. I literally think better with Balsamiq’s clean interface.
Making it Click-Through
I always create clickable prototypes. I’ve already written a post about how I create prototypes using Mockups. Clickable prototypes work best for client demos. Plus, I can conduct better usability testing (see below) on clickable prototypes.
Iterations and Getting Feedback
By creating the first prototype, and clicking around, I will notice some obvious flaws. I quickly make a second version. I keep all versions, so I can show some design variations to the client. After rapidly moving to version 3 or 4, I return to the next workshop armed with my prototypes for internal stakeholder feedback.
Based on the feedback, I iterate again, making simple changes live in the workshop, and, if needed, more complex ones afterwards. Usually after one more workshop, the prototype is ready for usability testing.
5. Usability Testing and More Iteration
Goal: Get external user validation and iterate
If I can’t get real users (people who match the client’s target audience) to participate in the usability testing, I will get proxy users — preferably someone who loosely matches the demographic, but in the end, anyone with a heartbeat who isn’t closely associated with the project. The client will say, “Can’t we just use the developer/designer/marketing person?”.
This makes sense to managers — in the client’s timesheet system, project staff can mark time against the project. I resist these requests. I prefer to take non-project staff, e.g. people from the accounts or HR department. Those closest to the project are heavily biased. What we’re looking for now is external validation.
Giving Feedback
I review the results with the project stakeholders and we discuss what needs to be fixed in the prototype.
In the best projects, one or more stakeholders will have directly observed the usability testing. I’ve written another, more extensive blog post about my user testing process.
Knowing When to Move On
The design “settles down” after the first or second round of usability testing. first aid vhealthportal.com medicines online. If users seem to be “getting it”, with only minor tweaks required, it’s time to move to visual design.
6. Visual Design
Goal: Turn the prototype into visual design
If the client does not have an in-house visual designer, the client may ask me if I can get the visual design done. Luckily for my clients, I’ve built relationships with a few world-class visual designers, based in Asia. If the client needs to, I try to get one of these designers involved in the project (it depends on their availability).
Selecting the Key Templates
Part of this task is to identify which wireframes, out of all the pages in the prototype, need to be turned into visual design templates. For example, there may be 40 or 50 pages in the prototype, but many will be only minor variations of a previous page. For time and cost efficiency, I identify only the key templates, with unique UI components, that a developer will need.
Iterating the Visual Design
I will work with the visual designer to get the look right. Subsequently, the client will request some revisions. Overall, the revisions needed to the visual designs typically tend to be just tweaks (example: “Make the font size a little bigger in this headline”), not large layout changes.
7. Creating the Front-End (HTML5) Code
Goal: Turn the Photoshop file into HTML5 / CSS3 / Jquery / etc.
Creating clean and beautiful HTML and CSS from good quality Photoshop files is now a lot easier, especially if you use skilled practitioners.
There are all sorts of tools and frameworks, like Bootstrap, or Adobe Brackets, that can help. Again, many clients ask if I can simply provide the HTML and CSS for them and, again, I have some great Asian partners who supply beautiful, clean code that my clients’ developers always love.
Depending on the number of templates, it usually takes around a week or two to get the HTML and CSS files. This is front-end code, ready to be handed over to the developers.
Optional Step 8: Create a High fidelity prototype and Test
On some projects, particularly for software companies, it can be useful to create a high-fidelity prototype at this point. I’ve done this for clients where:
- There are complex or unique interactions, for example an autocomplete dropdown box different to anything found on other websites – and more usability testing is needed
- The client wants to have a shiny, full-colour demo, perhaps for sales purposes
Creating the high-fidelity prototype, using the HTML5/CSS files, for example with custom jQuery, is useful in this cases
Once you create a high-fidelity prototype, the next step is to test it with real users and then iterate it. I’ve used this usability testing on a high-fidelity prototype approach several times for one software house client in particular and it ultimately saved a huge amount of back-end coding effort.
9. HTML5 to Production Code
Goal: Hand over to the development team
Before the client’s development team has written any of the “difficult” code then, they’re getting a beautiful, internally agreed and validated, user-tested front end.
Unfortunately, sometimes my involvement ends at this point. When I say “unfortunately” — I mean unfortunately for the client. I dislike throwing a design over the fence to developers, but I understand that the client sees things in terms of budget: the UX consultant (and his subcontractors) are budgeted for X days.
On every project, however, I try to instill the “user centred design philosophy” in the client’s mind. Because the user’s experience doesn’t end when the product, website or application product is launched. It just begins. | https://www.userjourneys.com/blog/getting-from-prototype-to-product/ |
IAPRI is currently implementing its five year strategic plan (2018 to 2022) whose core funding is being provided by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) while the balance is met from its own resources. The Business Development Unit (BDU) was formed to spearhead the sourcing of funds, to enhance long term sustainability, from various donor agencies for the Institute’s internal use as well as cater for increasing demand for professional services in agricultural development from different types of sector stakeholders at a fee. Apart from the generic or rather broad based policy analysis, capacity building and outreach that IAPRI conducts, a number of stakeholders need specially tailored services to meet their own specific needs.
Grant Sourcing
The unit spearheads the implementation of the fundraising strategy of the Institute whose main objective is exploring and initiating resource mobilization activities at local and global-level for long-term organizational sustainability. The purpose is to secure funding through preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure funds to meet the Institute’s goals and objectives especially for new programmes being initiated or when a current grant or contract ends. This is however undertaken only for programmes or activities that are part of the Institute’s approved strategic plan as obtaining funds for activities outside the strategic plan simply because the funds happen to be available threatens the mission and long-term sustainability of the Institute.
Provision of Consultancy Services
The unit aims to cater for the increasing demand for investigations and studies related to agriculture and rural livelihoods development from different sector stakeholders including Government departments, international agencies, donor-funded projects, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private sector organisations and individuals. These services are tailored to the needs of each particular stakeholder client at each particular time based on agreed terms of reference (ToRs) which is not possible to do within the overall IAPRI approved annual work plan and budget. It competes in the national and international consultancy market through responding to requests for proposals (RFP). The unit provides services in research, training and other aspects of stages of development in the project/programme cycle. The main spectrum of services offered are in areas such as baseline surveys; feasibility studies/ project formulation/appraisal and evaluation; qualitative and quantitative analysis; needs and impact assessments/evaluations; broad-based or focused input and output value chain analysis; gender/environment/climate change mainstreaming; and sustainable livelihood analysis.
Training
The unit offers training courses relating to the social survey process to individuals and institutions involved in agriculture and rural development. The need for IAPRI to offer training follows increasing demand from various institutions, especially on data collection and processing of the development practitioners ‘ program activities relating mostly to some forms of surveys and monitoring and evaluation activities. The expertise and experience in data collection, processing and analysis its staff members place the Institute in good stead to provide such training to development practitioners. Emphasis will be given to client requested tailor made training services rather than regularly provided ones due to the amount of time it takes to arrange such training courses.
Testimonials
The Business Development Unit is committed to delivering exceptional work. Below are some of the testimonials: | https://www.iapri.org.zm/bdu/ |
How would performance improve if team members could confidently deal with the unexpected in a positive, creative and collaborative way?
What if they weren't afraid to share new ideas for fear of rejection or failure? What if those ideas were not only listened to and accepted, but also built upon? How could this improve communication and the cohesiveness of your team?
Practicing improvisation teaches the following principles:
1. The #1 rule in improvisation is to always say "Yes, and..." One must actively listen to and accept their partner's ideas and add to them. Practicing improv helps to re-wire our brains to say "yes" to new, creative, risky ideas and situations and build upon them, instead of instantly rejecting and reasoning why they cannot work, or not listening to the entire idea to begin with. This increases self-confidence, sharpens listening skills, promotes outside-of-the box thinking and most importantly builds trust among teams.
2. Improv breaks down status barriers and creates an even playing field where everyone's ideas are valued and teamwork is imperative. No one is "in charge" in an improv scene. You both build the "Who? What? Where?" together. Fully supporting one another is key; participants are encouraged to "make each other look good" and collaboration is a must. A scene cannot go anywhere if you're only looking out for yourself.
3. Improv requires us to think on our feet. We all know that things will never go exactly as planned in life. When presenting at an important meeting, there will be a computer glitch, someone will ask an awkward question you weren't expecting and a cell phone will ring. Learning to "roll with it" creates an ability to become more dynamic in unexpected situations.
Inspire Improv workshops allow for a safe and engaging space to "try on" these principles and then transfer them to the workplace. | http://inspireimprov.com/why-improv |
Declining biodiversity threatens food security The scale and breathtaking pace of biodiversity loss make agriculture more vulnerable to climate change, pests and diseases. Nutrition is becoming more and more unbalanced. A farmer with a cow in a rice field in Vietnam.
How does biodiversity affect agriculture?
· How does a loss in crop biodiversity affect agriculture? A. It reduces the number of pests in a field. B. It reduces a crop’s ability to develop disease resistance. C. It increases a crop’s ability to develop disease resistance. D. It improves the soil’s nutrient content.
What are the factors that affect biodiversity loss?
· Rainforests are hotspots of biodiversity, with the Amazon alone containing nearly 25 percent of all living terrestrial species. 8 80 percent of deforestation worldwide is attributed to the expanding footprint of agriculture. 9 While “slash and burn” agriculture — where farmers cut and burn small areas of forest, and farm them for a few seasons before moving on to another …
How do agricultural activities affect the environment?
Economic and societal effects Biodiversity loss affects economic systems and human society. This lack of biodiversity among crops threatens food security, because varieties may be vulnerable to disease and pests, invasive species, and climate change.
How do perennial crops affect soil biodiversity?
The rapid expansion of industrial and “green revolution” agriculture over the last 100 years has resulted in the loss of more than 90 per cent of crop varieties from farmers’ fields, and more than half of the breeds of domestic farm animals. Locally diverse food production systems—the basis of agricultural biodiversity—are under threat globally and, with them, the accompanying local …
How does biodiversity contribute to agriculture?
Benefits. The benefits of incorporating biodiversity into agriculture range from enhancing soil health, habitat establishment, biological pest control, nutrient cycling, erosion resistance, fertilizer reduction, infiltration, and the prevention of runoff into waterways.
How does biodiversity loss affect food?
Biodiversity for food and agriculture is vital for food security. The erosion of biodiversity will undermine the capacity of agricultural systems to adapt to changing conditions and shocks, such as climate change, and outbreaks of pests and diseases that may jeopardise food security and livelihoods.
How biodiversity loss Affects Crop Diversity?
Crop plants are derived from wild plants, and genes from wild relatives are frequently brought into crop varieties by plant breeders to add valued characteristics to the crops. If the wild species are lost, then this genetic variation would no longer be available.
Why is biodiversity important for agriculture quizlet?
Biodiversity provides raw materials for food, medicine, agriculture. Insects, bats, birds, and other animals pollinate plants and crops. Micro-organisms make nutrients available and break down toxic substances in water and soil.
Does increased biodiversity increase food production?
Biodiversity is essential to food and agriculture Biodiversity makes production systems and livelihoods more resilient to shocks and stresses, including those caused by climate change. It is a key resource in efforts to increase food production while limiting negative impacts on the environment.
How is biodiversity linked to food security?
Biodiversity underpins all food production and strengthens agricultural resilience to shocks and stresses that can lead to crop failure. But many of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, that make up the Earth’s biosphere are disappearing.
What are two ways that pollution impacts food security?
The report found that soil pollution has an adverse impact on food security in two ways –it can reduce crop yields due to toxic levels of contaminants, and crops grown in polluted soils are unsafe for consumption by animals and humans.
How is biodiversity related to human health?
Biodiversity supports human and societal needs, including food and nutrition security, energy, development of medicines and pharmaceuticals and freshwater, which together underpin good health. It also supports economic opportunities, and leisure activities that contribute to overall wellbeing.
How does agriculture affect biodiversity?
On a global scale, industrial agriculture threatens biodiversity, by being a major contributor to climate change. Agriculture-related emissions, mainly from chemical fertilizers and factory-farmed livestock, make up more than 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions annually. 22 Climate change is one of the most serious threats to biodiversity, and affects even remote areas scarcely touched by humans. Warming temperatures already have a demonstrated impact on the way migratory birds and other animals reproduce, and extreme weather cycles can completely change the makeup of plant and soil communities. 23 Overall, the pressures of a warming climate favor adaptable invasive species that could overtake millions of highly specialized plants, animals, and microorganisms. Scientists modeling these changes say that climate change-related biodiversity loss could be one of the largest mass extinctions in the history of the Earth. 24
How does sustainable agriculture help biodiversity?
Sustainable agriculture embraces biodiversity by minimizing its impact on wild ecosystems and incorporating numerous plant and animal varieties into complex, on-farm ecosystems.
What are the innovations that helped farmers produce more food per acre?
Widespread adoption of steel plows, hybrid seeds, GMOs, chemical fertilizers and pesticides helped farmers produce more food per acre than ever before. More recently, the adoption of genetically modified seeds helped to increase yields even further. This productivity comes at a great cost, however. Wide fields of a single crop (called monocultures) provide simplicity for farmers and a steady supply of feed to factory farms, but they are biodiversity deserts. Maintaining monocultures requires intense chemical inputs that reduce the abundance of wild species both on and off the farm.
How does monocropping destroy biodiversity?
Industrial agriculture’s impacts are not limited to habitat destruction through its expanding footprint: its reliance on heavy chemicals to create giant stands of single crops has serious consequences for plant, animal and microorganism biodiversity.
How does extensification affect biodiversity?
One of the most dramatic examples of biodiversity loss through extensification is the ongoing destruction of the tropical rainforest. Rainforests are hotspots of biodiversity, with the Amazon alone containing nearly 25 percent of all living terrestrial species. 8 80 percent of deforestation worldwide is attributed to the expanding footprint of agriculture. 9 While “slash and burn” agriculture — where farmers cut and burn small areas of forest, and farm them for a few seasons before moving on to another plot — is often blamed for this deforestation, these approaches actually do less harm than the industrially scaled agriculture, which is permanently replacing forest. Growing crops like soy and oil palms or raising cattle offers farmers more income than preserving forest, which drives the permanent deforestation of over 100,000 square miles a year, an area about the size of the UK. 1011
What is the process of bringing more wild land into agriculture called?
This process of bringing more wild land into agriculture is called extensification.
How does agriculture take up space?
Whether it’s growing fruits and vegetables, grains or animals, agriculture takes up space. Prime farmland — land with good soil and water access — is a limited resource. These same areas often support rich wild ecosystems like prairies and forests; converting these areas into farms eliminates much of that wild biodiversity. Unfortunately, agriculture’s continually expanding footprint places these sensitive and important wild areas at risk of destruction. This process of bringing more wild land into agriculture is called extensification.
What are the causes of biodiversity loss?
Habitat destruction is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Habitat loss is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution, and global warming. Species that are physically large and those living in forests or oceans are more affected by habitat reduction.
How does loss of biodiversity affect ecosystems?
Loss of biodiversity appears to affect ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to results of a new study by an international research team. Studies over the last two decades demonstrated that more biologically diverse ecosystems are more productive.
Why is biodiversity declining?
The main cause of the loss of biodiversity can be attributed to the influence of human beings on the world’s ecosystem, In fact human beings have deeply altered the environment, and have modified the territory, exploiting the species directly , for example by fishing and hunting, changing the biogeochemical cycles and
What are the effects of the loss of trees?
The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere , and a host of problems for indigenous people.
What is the basis of agriculture?
Biodiversity is the basis of agriculture and our food systems. Agricultural biodiversity also performs ecosystem services such as soil and water conservation, maintenance of soil fertility, conservation of biota and pollination of plants, all of which are essential for food production and for human survival.
How does biodiversity affect human health?
Biodiversity loss can have significant direct human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs. Indirectly, changes in ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, local migration and, on occasion, may even cause or exacerbate political conflict.
What is agricultural biodiversity?
Agricultural biodiversity is defined as the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture (including, in the FAO definition, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries). It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (varieties, breeds, etc .) and species used for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includes the diversity of non-harvested species that support production ( e.g. soil micro-organisms) and those in the wider environment that support agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic), as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems themselves.
What has resulted in the decline of many animal species?
The reduced integration of livestock in arable production, whether as stock or work animals, has resulted in the serious decline of many animal species. The development of mono-crop aquatic production systems in replacement of mixed and natural pond systems has resulted in a breakdown of the fish production environment and the supporting ecosystem.
What has modernization done to agriculture?
The rapid modernisation of northwest European agriculture has resulted in intensification, marginalisation, concentration and specialisation of farming. This modernisation continues today in southern Europe—and has begun, and is certain to increase, in central and eastern Europe. It has resulted in a fundamental imbalance between farming and the environment.
Why did wildlife adapt to the agricultural environment?
In the past, wildlife had been able to adjust and exploit the agricultural situations because modifications to the environment had been gradual. However, in the last century and particularly in recent decades, this has changed. Modern machinery and agro-chemicals allow rapid changes to the farmed environment over huge areas, to impose a high-input, standard, factory landscape over the previous characteristic regional features. Other areas have been abandoned.
What has led to the widespread cultivation and rearing of fewer varieties and breeds?
Globalisation of the food system and intensive international marketing have led to the widespread cultivation and rearing of fewer varieties and breeds for a more uniform, less diverse, competitive global market.
How much of the crop variety has been lost in the Green Revolution?
The rapid expansion of industrial and “green revolution” agriculture over the last 100 years has resulted in the loss of more than 90 per cent of crop varieties from farmers’ fields, and more than half of the breeds of domestic farm animals.
Is agriculture under threat?
Locally diverse food production systems—the basis of agricultural biodiversity—are under threat globally and, with them, the accompanying local knowledge, culture and skills of the food producers. With this decline, agricultural biodiversity, including harvested and unharvested species, is disappearing.
Why does biodiversity decrease?
This is because when humans change the environment, some species will not be able to adapt and will die. As the number of species decreases, biodiversity is reduced.
What are the factors that influence biodiversity?
It varies globally with in the regions. The various factors that influence biodiversity include- temperature, soils, precipitations, altitude & their relation with other species.
How many ecosystem services have been in decline in the last 50 years?
The reason we are concerned, or should be concerned, is that the MA (2005) found that 15 of the 24 ecosystem services assessed for the last 50 years are in a state of decline (i.e. 63%), 5 remained steady, and only 4 were improving (http://www.maweb.org/en/index.aspx). And this at a point in time when the impacts of climate change have been fairly mild compared to what the future holds (http://www.ipcc.ch/).
Why is the biosphere so diverse?
It is diverse because the earth itself differs from place to place and it also changes with time. So life has to be diverse to fit every niche over time. Humans are just part of this diversity. If they choose to do so, they could understand it. Beyond that there is nothing to do. Even if the environment changes, biodiversity will adjust to it. Where humans have a concern is with domestication. Humans have taken control from nature and are responsible to respond to change.
How does biodiversity affect human health?
Biodiversity & human health: The storage of drinking water is expected to create a big global crisis .Biodiversity also plays an important role in drug discovery & medicine resources. Medicine’s from nature account for usage by 80% of the world’s population.
What is biodiversity in biology?
Biodiversity also refers to number of different species living in a particular region. It represents the wealth of biological resources available to us.
What is the definition of biodiversity?
Biodiversity or biological diversity is a term that describes the variety of living beings on earth.
What is the threat of the decline of natural plant and animal species?
The decline in natural plant and animal species poses a severe threat to the world’s capacity to produce food for a growing population. And there is mounting evidence that global food production is itself a contributory factor to the continuing loss of biodiversity.
What is the challenge for farmers and agri-scientists?
The challenge for farmers and agri-scientists is how to increase food production more sustainably while optimising land use and water management and reducing our dependence on agrochemicals that damage biodiversity . There is an urgent need to improve collaboration across the food, agriculture and environmental sectors.
How can consumers help reduce biodiversity?
But, as the report points out, consumers could play a key role in reducing pressures on biodiversity for food and agriculture by, for example, opting for sustainably grown products, buying from farmers’ markets and boycotting foods from unsustainable sources. That’s perhaps something we all need to chew on.
What is the FAO report?
The FAO report call s on governments and the international community to do more to strengthen enabling frameworks, create incentives and benefit-sharing measures, promote pro-biodiversity initiatives and address the core drivers of biodiversity loss.
How does the Earth’s ecosystem help the climate?
Planet Earth’s oceans, forests and other land-based ecosystems play a vital role in regulating the climate and soaking up around half the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by human activities. At the same time the continuing loss of biodiversity through over-exploitation of forests and degradation of ecosystems through widescale monoculture farming limits ecosystems’ ability to provide essential carbon capture.
What is the role of BFA in agriculture?
BFA depends on the wilder relatives of domesticated plant and animal species and the vast range of microorganisms that purify water and air, fertilise soils, pollinate plants and fight crop and livestock diseases. Biodiversity is as essential for BFA as BFA is to food production and security. Yet the global transition to more intensive agricultural …
What is biodiversity for food and agriculture?
Biodiversity for food and agriculture (BFA) is a subset of biodiversity that contributes to food production. It includes domesticated plants (crops), animals (livestock), aquaculture systems (fish farms) and forestry (timber) and other essentials such as cotton for clothing, materials for biofuels and plants for medicines.
What is biodiversity in agriculture?
Biodiversity for food and agriculture includes the domesticated plants and animals raised in crop, livestock, forest and aquaculture systems, harvested forest and aquatic species, the wild relatives of domesticated species, other wild species harvested for food and other products. Furthermore, it also entails “associated biodiversity” which makes …
What are the main drivers of biodiversity loss?
Yet while crop and livestock agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture are made up of and rely on a complex web of living organisms, they have become one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss. Agrobiodiversity.
How can we fight the erosion of biodiversity?
Fighting the erosion of biodiversity for food and agriculture requires its more sustainable management, use and conservation. This implies a shift to more biodiversity friendly production methods, favouring a greater diversity of crop and livestock species, maintaining well connected habitats for pollinators and natural enemies of pests, practising sustainable soil management and reducing the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
What are the main factors that affect biodiversity?
Population growth, climate change, urbanisation and trends in global markets and trade are the main indirect driving forces putting pressure on biodiversity. Changes in land use and water management, intensification of production systems, deforestation, overfishing, excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, pollution and ecosystem degradation are some of the major direct threats to biodiversity for food and agriculture.
Why is it important to study biodiversity?
There is therefore an urgent need to improve our knowledge on ecosystems for food and agriculture, and in particular, to study the role of associated biodiversity. This will help us to better understand, conserve and manage the diversity that underpins our food systems. The motto must be to work with biodiversity and not against it.
What percentage of wild species are threatened?
Valuable wild relatives of domesticated animals and crops in natural ecosystems are dwindling too. Close to 20% of the wild species recorded in The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2021) as sources of human food are classed as threatened. Almost a third of ocean fish stocks are overfished and a third of freshwater species are threatened.
How many species of plants are used in food production?
The statistics are alarming: out of the 6,000 different plant species used as food, only nine (sugarcane, wheat, rice, maize, potatoes, sugar beet, cassava, oil palm and soybean) contribute 66% of total crop production. Livestock production is concentrated mainly on eight species (pig, chicken, cattle, sheep, goat, turkey, duck and buffalo) accounting for 97% of global meat production.
What are the negative impacts of biodiversity?
Most negative impacts are the results of inappropriate agricultural practices. Bad land and water management is by far the driver with the highest negative impact.
How does biodiversity change?
These services, also known as ecosystem services, support human food and agricultural production. Besides climate change, also international markets and demography cause major impacts on biodiversity. They result for example in change of land-use, increased pollution, over harvesting, and proliferation of invasive species. The reason why this happens, depends mostly on urbanisation, trade markets, and of course our own food preferences. However, the impacts are not solely negative. It also provides changes for more sustainable development, using biodiversity friendly products on markets.
What is biodiversity friendly?
This means a sustainable use and conservation of resources, integrated in agricultural management at ecosystem level. Four out of five countries confirm to implement at least one of these practices.
What are the risks of extinction?
Increasing numbers of agricultural species, such as livestock breeds are at risk of extinction. Plant species for crops are decreasing and people overfish the fish stocks dramatically. As a result, vital species for pollination, pest control and soil health are disappearing.
What are the negative impacts of land management?
Bad land and water management is by far the driver with the highest negative impact. Forest logging, aquatic depletion, and intensive production fields all lead to reduction of species, breeds and thereby biodiversity.
Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity ensures a certain level of resilience of ecosystems. This means that an ecosystem can better cope with disruptions and stresses. For example, such stresses can be weather extremes, increasing average temperature, and climate change in general. Humans tend to use biodiversity to maximise our food production, …
How does biodiversity help the planet?
It contributes to the biodiversity on our planet. Think about domesticated plants and animals for crop, livestock, forest and aquaculture productions. Even wildlife that is hunted for consumption, contributes to our food supply. Yet, biodiversity is not only existing to serve the human hunger. Biodiversity ensures a certain level of resilience …
What are the effects of agriculture on wild animals?
Agricultural activities such as tillage, drainage, intercropping, rotation, grazing and extensive usage of pesticides and fertilizers have significant implications for wild species of flora and fauna. Species capable of adapting to the agricultural landscape may be limited directly by the disturbance regimes of grazing, planting and harvesting, and indirectly by the abundance of plant and insect foods available. Some management techniques, such as drainage, create such fundamental habitat changes that there are significant shifts in species composition. This paper considers the relative merits of conventional tillage versus reduced, or no-till farming, and reviews the benefits of rest-rotation grazing, crop rotation and intercropping in terms of maintaining wild species populations.
How does climatic change affect agriculture?
Agricultural production is an important factor, and climatic changes play a vital role in organic and traditional practices. The climatic change that affects agriculture then the important change on research has motivated during the last period. Organic Agriculture has been changed on climate flexibility farming system that encourages the proper administration of local knowledge, soil, biodiversity, and water. They adapt to the change of climate as a good option. The negative offset impacts of climatic condition change positively contribute to organic agriculture, to substantiate this statistic by inadequate data. Climatic change is one of the biggest threats for both traditional and organic agriculture. The production crop needs to adapt themselves to the environment; the farmer needs to take some work to avoid the disaster from climatic change. When compared with traditional agriculture, organic agriculture got a higher potential to mitigate the change of climate. This paper reveals the comparison of the effect due to the climatic change on both traditional and organic agriculture are presented and discussed.
How does pest control affect biodiversity?
Pest control, a process that maintains nuisance organisms below economic thresholds, is a complex ecological process often mediated by biodiversity. Agricultural intensification results in widespread losses of biodiversity, with important implications for pest control. This article reviews how biological diversity at several levels of biological organization (e.g., crop genetic, trait, and species diversity, predator diversity, and multitrophic interactions including ecological network interactions) and distinct spatial scales (e.g., crop field, noncrop habitats, and landscape heterogeneity) affects biological pest control. Increases in biodiversity resulting from ecological or organic farming techniques can promote pest control within agricultural landscapes, but the effects of increased diversity are highly variable.
What are the processes that occur in soil?
Soil enzymatic processes that involve the decomposition of organic matter, geochemical nutrient cycling, and removal of contaminants are essential for the functioning of the soil environment. These activities help to maintain the fertility, health, and ecology of the soil necessary for sustainable agriculture. These enzymes promote the growth and production of agriculturally valuable crops by providing an interrelation between plant–soil environments for nutrient supply. From the production of various phytohormones and the acquisition of nutrients to biocontrol of pests and plant pathogens for crop protection, a diverse group of these enzymes is present in the soil environment playing a pivotal role in crop production. They can also act as an indicator of changes in soil quality as a measure of the level of pollution while some enzymes facilitate degradation of the hazardous aromatic compounds and pesticides. Microorganisms are the major source of soil enzymes. The enzymes are produced at either intracellular or extracellular locations. The soil characteristics such as the quantity and structure of organic matter along with the inhabitant organisms influence the enzyme levels and activities. Understanding of these microbial enzymes for their biotechnological application to increase production in the agriculture sector is necessary to provide sufficient food and fodder while giving a boost to the economy.
Why are grain crops important?
Grain crops are an important part of the human diet, accounting for a third of the consumed calories. Throughout human history, annual grain crops with high yields have been obtained through domestication. However, the “annual” characteristic brings associated a series of economic and environmental disadvantages, such as soil erosion or low soil resources use, that can be solved if the agriculture of annual varieties evolves towards perenniality. For this reason, there are numerous research groups dedicated to study and obtain perennial varieties of the most cultivated grain crops. In this review article, we have summarized the most important advances related to the subject, focusing on the domestication and hybridization of the most productive grains globally: wheat, rice, maize, rye and sorghum. We highlight their benefits for sustainable agriculture worldwide due to perennial grains may contribute to reducing erosion, acting avoiding carbon losses, reducing nutrient losses to waters or capturing nutrients deeper in soil when they are scarce, reducing farm costs and thus, increasing the effectiveness of agricultural grain crops. Despite perennial grain crops having disadvantages, they possess outstanding characteristics which make them resilient crops to deal with the imminent climate change. However, maintaining the perenniality trait without reducing genetic biodiversity is a great challenge of current scientific importance that must be deeply considered.
How does distance to crop affect microhabitats?
Distance to crop significantly affected microhabitat quality. A patchy structure of herbaceous and shrub was found outside crops in all sampling dates, with more shrub cover and less herbaceous cover as the distance to crops increased.
What is the most important crop in India?
Cotton is the most important commercial crop across rainfed growing regions in India. It produces kapas which has wide variety of uses in industry. Besides, it leaves lot of residues which include stalks, locules, leaves and roots in the field after picking kapas. A huge quantity of residue is being generated across different cotton growing states in India and a large portion of it is being burnt on-farm primarily to clear the field for sowing succeeding crops and for clean cultivation. But, it is leading to environmental pollution and emission of green houses gases. Further, valuable plant material is being lost which otherwise can be used for productive purposes. Many researchers found that insitu incorporation of crop residue would enrich soil fertility, enhances crop productivity and conserves the environment. This paper discussed various machinery with main emphasis on multi crop shredder and also different options for managing the cotton residues effectively. | https://agrifarmingtips.com/how-does-a-loss-in-crop-biodiversity-affect-agriculture/ |
A dozen is a grouping of twelve objects, shapes or numbers. It is abbreviated as doz or dz.
Dozen is one of the most primitive customary units of numbers. The number system with base number 12 is called duodecimal or dozenal. It is believed to have started with the counting of the finger bones using the thumb. It is connected to nature. A day has two cycles of 12 hours, and a year has twelve months or twelve moon cycles or zodiac signs.
Moreover, 12 is the number under 18 with most divisors – 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12, allowing most sub-divisions of the unit.
Twelve dozens are called a ‘gross’. Ten dozens are called a ‘small gross’ and twelve grosses are called a ‘big gross’. Merchants usually buy their goods in gross and sell them in dozens.
Many household goods are sold in dozens.
Example: Mary bought 3 dozens eggs. How many eggs did she buy?
Each dozen of eggs has 12 eggs.
So, 3 dozens will have 3 × 12=36 eggs.
Example: Revin ordered 60 cupcakes for his birthday party. The cupcakes came in packets of dozens. How many packets of cupcakes were there?
Each packet has a dozen cupcakes, that is, 12 cupcakes.
To find the number of dozens in 60, divide 60 by 12.
60 ÷ 12=5
Therefore, there were 5 packets of cupcakes. | https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/number-sense/dozen |
Feelings of shame, frustration and anger sometimes linger with one’s extra unexplained weight gain. Then one turns for medical terms to explain one’s struggle, followed with a search for “quick fix” solutions. Could these be primary signs of a medical condition called “hypothyroidism”? In this context, let’s step back and go over some basics.
What is Hypothyroidism?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated in the middle of the lower neck. It releases hormones which control metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, heart rate, among other things. Without the right number of thyroid hormones, the body’s natural functions will eventually begin to slow down.
When a person is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it basically means that their gland is not producing enough triodothyronine (T3) or thyroxine (T4), which in turn slows down bodily processes. This may lead to symptoms like:
-
Cold intolerance
-
Fatigue
-
Dry skin and hair
-
Forgetfulness
-
Brain fog
-
Depression
-
Constipation
-
Menstrual irregularities
-
Fertility problems
-
Yellowing of the skin
-
Hair loss
-
Brittle nails
-
Low libido
-
Puffiness in the hands and face
-
Difficulty losing weight and sometimes weight gain
The early symptoms are weight gain, fatigue and sometimes even depression. Of course, many of these symptoms also become more common with age in general. If you suspect your symptoms are the result of a thyroid problem, it is very important that you talk to your doctor.
Hypothyroidism related depression symptoms may include:
-
Difficulty concentrating
-
Weight gain
-
Fatigue
-
Depressed mood
-
Reduced desire and satisfaction
-
Sleep difficulties
Medical Evaluation
Your doctor will complete a thorough physical exam and medical history. Physical signs may include, dry skin, slowed reflexes, swelling and a slower heart rate. In addition, your doctor will ask you to report any symptoms you’ve been experiencing such as fatigue, depression, constipation or feeling constantly cold.
Blood tests
A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures how much TSH the pituitary gland is producing:
-
If the thyroid is not producing enough hormones, the pituitary gland will boost TSH to increase thyroid hormone production.
-
If one has hypothyroidism, the TSH levels are high, as the body is trying to stimulate more thyroid hormone activity.
-
If one has hyperthyroidism, the TSH levels are low, as the body is trying to stop excessive thyroid hormone production.
Hypothyroidism is most prevalent amongst women, due to external factors such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, hormonal shifts that take place during and after pregnancy as well as during perimenopause which can all boost the risk.
What Causes Hypothyroidism?
An autoimmune disease: If the autoimmune response isn’t regulated or treated, your immune system can attack healthy tissues. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause is an underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism often goes along with other conditions like celiac disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, adrenal gland disorder, pituitary problems and sleep apnea.
Treatment for Hyperthyroidism: If your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, this condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Sometimes, treatment for this condition can cause levels of the thyroid hormone to remain low permanently. This occurs after treatment with radioactive iodine.
Surgical removal of the thyroid: If the entire thyroid gland is removed due to thyroid problems, one may develop hypothyroidism.
Radiation therapy: Radiation treatment used for cancer may slow or halt the production of thyroid hormone. This may also lead to hypothyroidism.
There are so many reasons why people with hypothyroidism may benefit from nutrition and lifestyle changes. Weight loss with hypothyroidism can be a lot harder – and it may make most people want to give up altogether.
The basal metabolic rate (BMR) includes the calories the body burns to keep one alive: powering the heartbeat, growing and repairing cells, adjusting hormones and breathing. It accounts to somewhere between 50 – 80% of all the calories a person burns. The rest come from exercise, digestion and minor non-exercise activity.
– Someone with no thyroid at all – due to surgical thyroid removal – may experience 40% drop in BMR.
– Someone with a functioning thyroid – may experience a milder slowdown, around 6%.
– For some, the untreated thyroid issues can reduce the number of calories they burn in a typical day by more than 300 calories. That will make their weight loss success even harder – Dropping a fraction of a pound a week – compared to someone without thyroid issues.
Several deficiencies are also known to contribute to hypothyroidism.
-
Iodine: The thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone if it doesn’t get enough iodine.
-
Iron: In addition to helping the body make red blood cells, iron is essential in the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Up to 40% of people with hypothyroidism also have iron deficiency, anemia.
-
Selenium: This mineral helps the thyroid use iodine to create the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
-
Zinc: Zinc is found primarily in seafood, which explains why deficiency tends to show up in people who are strict vegans.
-
Copper: Usually we consume all the copper we need from our drinking water; however, someone somehow can end up deficient.
-
Tyrosine: This amino acid is involved in the creation of thyroid hormones.
Certain foods contain substances called goitrogens which stop the thyroid from absorbing the iodine that it needs to work properly. These foods include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale as well as peanuts, grapeseed and soy). For some people we may recommend cooking these foods to deactivate most of the goitrogens.
Is there any such thing as a perfect hypothyroidism diet?
Not really, because people are bio-individual. Food for someone could be poison for someone else!
At some point in one’s journey, one may feel they’ve hit a brick wall. At GTRANCE, with the help of our certified health coaches, we try to find a path around the wall. Depending on the circumstances, this alternate route might involve a step-by-step change in one’s lifestyle or intermittent fasting or more exercise or more rest and relaxation or addressing other underlying issues/causes, or simply coaching a person into finding ways to be consistent with what he/she is doing.
If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and are treating the condition but don’t see a change in your weight, you can still lose weight. At GTRANCE you can work with our health coaches and trainers to develop a focused healthy eating plan and exercise strategy to shed off all your unwanted extra weight. We believe successful weight loss starts in the mind, the mindset being the foundation. We therefore build on the iceberg of success (environment, habits, knowledge) finally making willpower a lot less important. The first step of the journey includes quieting the negative self-talk, learning self-compassion, reducing the stress level, making peace with one’s body and gaining a sense of control.
© 2020 GTRANCE, All Rights Reserved. | https://www.gtrance.com/2021/03/29/hypothyroidism/ |
English:
(relaxing music snippet)
- [Instructor] Natural
selection is Darwin's central
and most brilliant insight underlying
the mechanism for evolution.
But selection of what?
What is the raw material
upon which the selective
forces in nature are acting?
Although he had some ideas about
it, what Darwin didn't know
was that variation stems from
differences in the generic
information contained in
each cell of every organism.
It's a bit like an alphabet
made of only four letters.
Letters that can be arranged into words
of almost any length.
The genes can be viewed as
words made of these letters.
The sequences of nucleotides
spell out codes that give
orders to the cellular
machinery to make the cell work.
In fact, the genes help
to make cells themselves,
Bulgarian:
Естественият подбор
е централното и най-брилянтно прозрение на Дарвин,
обясняващо механизмите на еволюцията.
Но подбор на какво?
Какъв е суровият материал, върху който подбиращите сили работят в природата?
Въпреки че е имал някои идеи за това,
Дарвин не е знаел, че различията се коренят в генетичната информация,
съдържаща се във всяка клетка на всеки организъм.
Малко е като азбука, направена само от четири букви.
Букви, които могат да бъдат подредени в думи с всякаква дължина.
Гените могат да бъдат разглеждани като думи, съставени от тези букви.
Последователностите на нуклеотидите изписват кодове, които дават заповеди
на клетъчните механизми да карат клетката да работи.
Всъщност гените помагат за изработването на самите клетки,
Bulgarian:
предоставяйки накрая закодираната информация, която построява целия организъм.
Последователностите от нуклеотиди са подредени в дълги молекули с дълго име:
дезоксирибонуклеинова киселина.
Обичам да разделям сложни думи до корените им.
"Дезоксирибо" е дългият гръбнак от захарни молекули, дезоксирибози,
които са свързани заедно, за да създадат двойка дълги паралелни вериги.
"Нуклеинова" означава, че говорим за нуклеотиди.
Тези четири захарни молекули, които свързват двете нишки и представят генетичния код.
Специфичната последователност на нуклеотидите създава думите, или гените, на генетичния код.
Накрая, терминът "киселина" е химическата класификация за цялата грамадна молекула,
защото това цялото, от химична гледна точка, е киселина.
Така че това е дезокси-рибо-нуклеинова киселина.
English:
ultimately providing the coded information
that builds the entire organism.
The sequences of nucleotides
are arranged in long molecules
that have a long name.
Deoxyribonucleic acid.
I like to break down complex
words to their roots.
So, deoxyribo is the
long molecule's backbone
of special sugar molecules call deoxyribos
that are joined together to make a pair
of twisted long parallel chains.
The nucleic part of the word
means we're talking about
the nucleotides, those
four special molecules
that connect the two
sugary backbone chains
and represent the letters
of the genetic code.
The specific order of the
nucleotides makes the words,
or genes, of the genetic code.
Lastly, the term acid is
the chemical classification
for the entire huge molecule,
because this whole thing
is actually, chemically speaking, an acid.
So it's deoxyribonucleic acid.
English:
And that's how I spell DNA.
You can imagine that, with
the complexity of organisms,
there must be a lot of
DNA that needs to be read,
a lot of words in the
genetic code that dictate
those marching orders
to build the organism,
and to make it do all
the things that it does.
And there is!
By some estimates, there are
about two to three meters
of DNA in each cell of a human,
and that's just in a single cell.
If you add up DNA lengths
from all the cells in a human,
that's roughly a long enough string of DNA
to go back and forth, back and forth
between the Earth and the Sun 70 times.
So this is a very very long string,
but it's a very very long
thin string that, as I said,
is one long molecule, and
with that much DNA packed
into each cell, there's
actually a way of organizing
that potential mess,
of preventing tangles.
Bulgarian:
И така се изписва ДНК.
Можеш да си представиш, че при сложността на организмите,
би трябвало да има много ДНК, която трябва да бъде разчитана,
много думи в генетичния код, които диктуват реда за построяване на организма
и го карат да прави всички невероятни неща, които прави.
И има!
Според някои изчисления има около 2 до 3 метра от ДНК във всяка клетка на един човек.
И това е само в една клетка!
Ако добавиш дължините на ДНК от всички клетки на един човек,
това ще бъде приблизително достатъчно дълга нишка ДНК, която да отиде и се върне,
отиде и се върне от Земята до Слънцето 70 пъти!
Това е наистина много дълга нишка,
но е много, много дълга тънка нишка. И както казах, това е една дълга молекула.
С толкова много ДНК, събрана във всяка клетка,
има всъщност начин за организиране на тази бъркотия, предотвратявайки оплитане.
Bulgarian:
ДНК в клетките на всеки вид организъм е подредено
стройно в специфичен брой за вида пакети.
Или структури, познати като хромозоми.
Броят на хромозомите варира от вид до вид.
Хората имат 46 хромозоми.
Но делфините имат 44.
Птицечовките имат 52.
Гълъбите имат 78, комарите имат 6 миниатюрни ДНК молекули,
слузестите плесени имат 12.
Грахът има 14,
а оризът 24.
Обикновеният змийски език има 1 260.
А за тези някакви едноклетъчни микроби се твърди, че имат повече
от 15 000 миниатюрни хромозоми във всяка клетка.
Можеш да видиш, че броят на хромозомите не е свързан директно със сложността на организма.
И можеш също да видиш, че видовете се различават генетично.
Но е важно да отбележа, че индивидите от един вид също се различават.
English:
The DNA in the cells of
each type of organism
is arranged neatly into
a species-specific number
of packets or structures
known as chromosomes.
The number of chromosomes
varies from species to species.
Humans have 46 chromosomes,
but dolphins have 44.
A platypus has 52.
A dove has 78.
A mosquito has six bitey
little DNA molecules.
A slime mold has 12.
Peas have 14.
Rice has 24.
The adder's-tongue fern has 1260.
And there are some kinds
of single-celled microbes
that are said to have more than 15,000
tiny little chromosomes in each cell.
You can see that chromosome
isn't directly related
to the complexity of the
organism, and you can also see
that species vary genetically,
but it's important to note
that individuals within a species do too.
Bulgarian:
А защо това е така?
Учените, изучаващи гените, знаят, че различни типове промени се случват в генетичния код.
Което внася разновидности в индивидите и във вида.
Наричаме някои от тези промени мутации.
Мутациите са действителни промени последователността
от буквите в думите, които съставят генетичния код,
промени в нуклеотидите, които съставят гените.
Следователно промени в инструкциите, които идват от ДНК.
Мутациите се случват често при грешки в репликацията, или
възпроизвеждането на ДНК по време на клетъчното делене,
заради химикали, които могат да нарушат структурата на ДНК
и заради радиация.
Въпреки че много от тези фактори са естествени, те могат да бъдат предизвикани и от човека.
Важното е, че тези мутации могат да променят или изтрият нуклеотиди.
Те могат дори да променят части от хромозомата или дори цялата хромозома.
Мутациите водят до различни форми на един и същ ген.
English:
So why do individuals vary?
Scientists studying
genes know that changes
of various types happen in
the genetic code itself,
which introduces variations
among individuals
and among species.
We call some of these changes mutations.
Mutations are actual changes
in the sequence of letters
in the words that make
up the genetic code.
Changes in the nucleotides
that make up the genes,
and therefore, changes in the instructions
that come from the DNA.
Mutations happen regularly
through mistakes in replicating
or reproducing the DNA
during cell division
from chemicals that can interfere
with the structure of
DNA, and from radiation.
Though many of these factors are natural,
they can be human-driven as well.
The bottom line is that mutations
can delete or change nucleotides.
They can even change
pieces of a chromosome,
or even the whole chromosome.
Mutations result in different
forms of the same gene.
English:
These different forms are called alleles.
For example, eye color is
coded by different alleles
of the same gene.
When the DNA's instructions are read
by the cell's machinery,
these differing alleles
can cause variations in
the traits of organisms.
In their body shape, their
metabolism, their behavior,
and any other genetically-determined
feature or process.
Therefore, it's not surprising
that every individual
in a population is unique.
Every individual is
composed of a complex mix
of many many traits,
and behind those traits,
there can be many many different alleles.
But how do the alleles get
distributed to the offspring?
That's what Darwin wondered too,
and now we have to talk about sex.
But unlike Darwin, our
discussion of sex can center on
how variations in genetic information
can get passed on to offspring.
In the process of making the
sperm cells and egg cells
used in sexual reproduction, a huge amount
Bulgarian:
Тези различни форми се наричат алели.
Например цветът на очите е закодиран от различни алели на един и същ ген.
Когато ДНК инструкциите се прочитат от механизмите на клетката,
тези различни алели могат да доведат до вариации в чертите на организма:
формата на тялото, метаболизма, поведението
и всяка друга черта или процес, определени от гените.
Следователно, не е изненадващо, че всеки индивид на една популация е уникален.
Всеки индивид е съставен от сложна смес от много, много белези.
И зад тези белези може да има много различни алели.
Но как алелите се пренасят до потомците?
Това се е чудел и Дарвин. Сега трябва да говорим за секс.
За разлика от Дарвин, нашата дискусия за секса може да се фокусира
върху това как разновидностите на генетична информация могат да се предават на потомците.
В процеса на създаването на сперматозоидите и яйцеклетката, използвани за размножаването,
English:
of genetic recombination occurs.
A kind of reshuffling of the genetic deck.
This results in chromosomes
with new combinations
of alleles, and when
these genetically-varried
sperm and eggs come
together at fertilization,
the result is a bunch of offspring
that are genetically unique individuals.
Even bacteria, which don't
have sex in the same way
as organisms with males and females do,
have similar processes
going on that continuously
reshuffle the genetic
deck during reproduction,
allowing lots of variation
in their offspring as well.
And remember, it's those
individual differences
that are the focus of
the selection process,
because some of these
recombinations are gonna make
an individual more fit than
others, more able to survive,
and more able to have
offspring off their own.
And that's where natural
selection comes in.
Removing, selecting against the non-viable
and less fit individuals.
Or, on the flip side,
selecting for the individuals
Bulgarian:
се случва голяма генетична рекомбинация –
нещо като разбъркване на генетичното тесте.
Това води до хромозоми с нови комбинации от алели.
И когато тези генетично различни сперматозоиди и яйцеклетки се сливат при оплождането,
резултатът е множество потомци, които са генетично уникални индивиди.
Дори бактериите, които не правят секс по същия начин,
по който видове с мъжки и женски индивиди го правят,
преминават през подобен процес. Те продължително разбъркват
генетичното тесте при размножаването.
Това позволява много вариации и в техните потомци.
И спомни си: тези индивидуални разлики са фокуса на този процес на подбор,
защото някои от тези рекомбинации ще направят индивида по-приспособен от другите.
По-способен да оцелее и по-способен да има собствени деца.
И тук се появява естествения подбор,
премахвайки по-необещаващи и по-малко приспособени индивиди.
Bulgarian:
Или от друга страна, избирайки индивиди които са по-обещаващи и по-приспособими.
Това е идеята зад оцеляването на по-приспособимите.
Виждали сме как половото размножаване може да доведе до
множество индивидуални вариации в една популация.
И как популациите се променят с времето в резултат на естествения подбор.
Но иронично, в същото време, ако има широко застъпено
размножаване между членове на популацията,
полученото смесване на генетична информация в цялата популация
също значи, че индивидите в популацията не се отличават твърде много едни от други по форма,
поведение или физиология.
Това също значи, че една популация няма да се различава много от друга от определен вид.
Това смесване на генетична информация между кръстосващи се членове на една популация
или един вид е познато като генетична миграция.
Това запазва достатъчно съвместимост между индивидите и популациите от вида,
така че членовете да могат все пак да се размножават помежду си.
English:
that are more viable, more fit.
That's the idea behind the
survival of the fitter.
So we've seen how sexual
reproduction can lead to tons
of individual variation
within a population,
and how populations will change over time
as a result of natural selection.
But ironically, at the same
time, when there is widespread
breeding among members of
a population, the resulting
mixing of genetic information
within the whole population
also means that individuals
within a population
don't diverge too much from each-other
in form or behavior or physiology.
This will also mean that one
population in a species doesn't
differ too much from another
in a particular species.
This mixing of genetic
information among interbreeding
members of a population or
species is known as gene flow.
It maintains enough
consistency among individuals
and populations of the
species that members
can still reproduce with one another.
English:
What happens if gene flow is slowed down
or somehow prevented?
Imagine a population in
which sexual reproduction
and variation is happening all the time,
and then some barrier
occurs that separates
this population into two parts?
A really famous example is
when the oceanic water levels
dropped enough millions
of years ago to allow
the Isthmus of Panama to become
a complete strip of land,
separating the waters
of the Eastern Pacific
from the Caribbean Sea.
Species of marine organisms
that had ranges extending
to both sides of the isthmus
now encountered a barrier
that kept some members from
being able to breed with others.
However, individuals on
either side of the barrier
continued to reproduce among themselves
and continued to have variable offspring
that were selected for or against.
But each of the sub-populations
continued to do that
without the influence of the
genes in the sub-population
on the other side of the isthmus barrier.
Bulgarian:
Какво се случва, ако генетичната миграция е забавена или нещо ѝ пречи?
Представи си една популация, в която половото размножаване
и вариациите се случват през цялото време.
И внезапно се появява някаква бариера, която разделя тази популация на две.
Наистина известен пример е, когато нивото на океанската вода
е паднало достатъчно преди милиони години,
за да позволи на панамския провлак да стане линия суша.
Това отделило водите на Източния Тих океан от Карибско море.
Видове морски организми, които са били разпространени и от двете страни на провлака,
се срещнали с бариера, която пречела на някои членове да могат да се плодят с други.
Обаче индивидите от двете страни на бариерата продължили да се размножават помежду си.
И продължили да създават жизненоспособни потомци, които били избирани.
Но всяка от подпопулациите продължили да правят това
без влиянието на гените на подпопулацията от другата страна на провлака.
Bulgarian:
Следователно, имаме т. нар. "възпиране на генетична миграция"
между две отделни групи.
Това, което било преди една кръстосваща се популация, е станало две отделни популации
без генетична миграция помежду им, заради бариерата.
Учените познават много примери за морски видове от една страна на Панамския провлак,
които имат най-близки роднини – втори, сестрински вид, от другата страна на тази важна бариера.
Тези свързани двойки видове дори имат специално име:
"видове близнаци"
от латинския корен за близнаци.
С времето, и това е ключова съставка, време.
С достатъчно време за правене на поколения,
двете популации започват да се отличават по белезите си.
Това може да се случи със случайни промени, които се появяват и от двете страни на бариерата.
Но понякога условията на средата от двете страни могат да бъдат малко различни,
което създава различни подборни сили за двете популации.
English:
Therefore, we now have what
is called a restriction
of gene flow between the
two separated groups.
What had once been a single
interbreeding population
has become two separate
populations without gene flow
between them because of the barrier.
Scientists know of many
examples of marine species
on one side of the Isthmus
of Panama that have,
as their closest relatives,
a second sister species
on the other side of
this important barrier.
These related pairs of species
even have a special name:
Geminate species, from the
same ancient Latin root
as in gemini, or twin.
With time, and that's the
crucial ingredient here, time,
enough time to make
generations of reproduction,
the two populations
diverge in their traits.
This can happen by random
changes that occur on
either side of the barrier, but sometimes,
the environmental
conditions on either side
of the barrier may be slightly different,
creating different selection
forces for the two populations,
English:
serving to accentuate
the difference between
the two populations over
time, and at some point,
the two populations will
have diverged enough
in their traits that they're recognizable
as two different species.
It's this divergence that's really crucial
in understanding how evolution happens,
and how new species are formed.
That's what we're talking about here,
speciation.
This, for me, is the stuff of evolution.
Speciation is not the
accumulation of changes within
a single species, so that, at some point,
you say that particular
species has somehow transformed
wholesale into a new species.
Instead, it is the splitting
of a single species
into two descendant species.
All of this happens
randomly by recombination
and by mutation.
Evolution has no goal,
it has no direction.
I like to tell my students, stuff happens.
The stuff is just random events.
Bulgarian:
Това служи за подчертаване на различията между двете популации с времето.
И в някакъв момент двете популации ще се отличават достатъчно по белезите си,
за да бъдат разпознати като два различни вида.
Това отделяне е наистина важно за разбирането на това как еволюцията работи
и как нови видове се формират.
За това говорим тук: видообразуване.
Това за мен е "нещото" на еволюцията.
Видообразуването не е натрупването на промени в един отделен вид,
така че в един момент да можеш да кажеш, че един вид се е превърнал изцяло в друг вид.
Вместо това, то е разделянето на един вид в два наследствени вида.
Всичко това се случва случайно чрез рекомбиниране и мутация.
Еволюцията няма определена цел. Няма посока.
Обичам да казвам на студентите си: "Нещата се случват."
"Нещата" са просто случайни случаи
Bulgarian:
на мутации и рекомбинации на алели, които водят до разнообразие в генетичния код.
Следователно и до различия в белезите на индивидите.
Условията на средата селектират за или против генетично закодирани белези.
Белезите, които са избрани, се предават на на следващото поколение.
Но истинското чудо на всичко това е резултатът.
С отделянето на популациите и разклоняването им във времето,
се оформя разклоняващо се дърво от прародителски и наследнически видове.
И то продължава да расте.
Това е дървото на живота –
пълно с разделящи се видове,
които съставят "най-красиви безкрайни форми", за които Дарвин говори.
С други думи, достига се до биоразнообразие.
English:
Mutations and new combinations of alleles
that produce variability
in the genetic code,
and therefore, in the
traits of individuals.
Environmental circumstances
select for or against
the genetically-encoded traits.
Traits that are selected for are passed on
to succeeding generations.
But the true wonder of
it all is the result.
As populations diverge and
continue to diverge over time,
a branching tree full of
ancestor and descendant species
is formed and keeps growing.
This is the tree of life,
full of the diverging species
that make up the endless
forms most beautiful
that Darwin talked about.
In other words, you end
up with biodiversity.
| |
I am so pleased to participate in this innovated IMLS-funded project created by the Missoula Art Museum. If you are part of a cultural organization in Montana, please consider signing up for my workshop and the conversation. Here for more information.
Launched with a $25,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, CARES (Catalyzing Access, Research, and Education Solutions) will determine the potential for community and statewide collaborations in collections-driven research, education, storage, preservation, and conservation efforts, and inform the conceptual design of a MAM collections center in Missoula.
Montana has a rich history, and its institutions hold important collections of artwork, documents, and archival materials. However, many of the state’s museums and libraries are experiencing shrinking capacity as collections continue to grow. CARES will determine the potential for collaborations in collections-driven research and inform the conceptual design of a MAM collections center in Missoula.
Project Director Brandon Reintjes says, “Museums and libraries tend to develop and expend resources independently. However, there are significant opportunities for us to collaborate with our colleagues throughout the state, specifically in regards to collections. We’re extremely proud to have received this important national grant.” Nearly $22,000 of the total grant will stay in Montana communities and provide direct benefits for Montanans, including training stipends and new access to much-needed resources.
Denver-based book and paper conservator Beth Heller to Missoula to provide training to statewide museum and library staff. Local experts also contributing to the project include consulting architect Warren Hampton, Mansfield Library Head of Archives and Special Collections Donna McCrae, and Sue Near, a 35-year veteran of collections and administration at the Montana Historical Society. Their efforts will benefit an estimated 50 staff from institutions across the state, and by their efforts, help the public to enjoy, study, and understand our cultural collections.
In fall 2017, MAM contacted the directors of more than 230 Montana museums, libraries, and archives with a request to participate in a survey to identify significant needs, challenges, and opportunities. MAM will post the analysis prepared by conservator Beth Heller in early 2018.
MAM invites artists, collectors, community members, educators in K-12 and higher education, staff and volunteers of museums, libraries, archives and other cultural heritage organizations to help determine how a new collection facility can spark interdisciplinary collaborations, enhance access to scholarship and educational resources, and improve the care of cultural collections. Workshop seating is limited and registration is required.
Limited travel funds are available for participants who attend a workshop and charrette scheduled for the same day.
Preservation of Books and Paper Workshop, Friday, March 23, 9 a.m. – noon: Presented by Beth Heller Conservation of Denver, CO. Beth will focus on care of books, historic and archival documents, and works of art on paper. MAM thanks Archival Methods and University Products for donating sample materials for workshop participants. Register for this workshop! Please fill out the registration form and email it to Lily Scott.
Conservation and Preservation Design Charrette, Friday, March 23, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.How can a new facility improve the long-term care of art, documents, and other cultural materials? Register for this event! Please fill out the registration form and email it to Lily Scott.
Research and Education Design Charrette: Monday, April 23, 9 a.m. – noon: How can a new facility meet the needs of K-12 and higher education? What are opportunities for collaborating to generate new research and educational materials? Please fill out the registration form and email it to Lily Scott.
Introduction to Archive Management, Friday, May 11, 9 a.m. – noon: Donna McCrea, Head of Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana, will introduce policies and procedures, and cover topics such as identifying and organizing physical and digital archival material, best practices for storage and handling, and options for providing access to internal and external users. Register for this workshop! Please fill out the registration form and email it to Lily Scott.
Physical and Digital Storage Design Charrette: Friday, May 11, 1 – 4 p.m.: How can a new facility improve the security of cultural collections in Missoula and across the state? How can it support collaborations that make digital information more accessible? Register for this event! Please fill out the registration form and email it to Lily Scott.
If rinsing is necessary, hold book closed.
Stand on top or bottom edge with covers opened to 90-degree angle.
Lay flat on clean surface.
Interleave less than 20% of book with absorbent material.
Wrap in freezer or waxed paper.
Pack spine down in sturdy containers.
Air dry flat as individual sheets or small piles up to 1/4″. Interleave; replace interleaving when damp.
Do not unfold or separate individual wet sheets.
Interleave (by groups or individually) with freezer or waxed paper.
Pack papers or files supported and standing up in sturdy containers; pack containers only 90% full.
Safety First! With any disaster there may be health risks. Wear long sleeves, sturdy shoes, and plastic or rubber gloves during cleanup. Protective gear such as goggles and a fitted face mask is recommended if there is mold.
Prevent Mold. Mold can form within 48 hours; you will need to work fast. The goal is to reduce the humidity and temperature around your treasures as you proceed to clean and dry them. If you do encounter extensive mold, use protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and an N100 face mask, available at most hardware stores.
Air-Dry. Gentle air-drying is best for all your treasured belongings—indoors, if possible. Hair dryers, irons, ovens, and prolonged exposure to sunlight will do irreversible damage. Increase indoor airflow with fans, open windows, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
Handle with Care. Use great caution in handling your heirlooms, which can be especially fragile when wet. Separate damp materials: remove the contents from drawers; take photographs out of damp albums; remove paintings and prints from frames; place paper towels between the pages of wet books.
Clean Gently. Loosen dirt and debris on fragile objects gently with soft brushes and cloths. Avoid rubbing, which can grind in dirt.
Salvage Photos. Clean photographs by rinsing them carefully in clean water. Air-dry photos on a plastic screen or paper towel, or by hanging them by the corner with plastic clothespins. Don’t let the image come into contact with other surfaces as it dries.
Prioritize. You may not be able to save everything, so focus on what’s most important to you, whether for historic, monetary, or sentimental reasons.
Can’t Do It All? Damp objects and items that cannot be dealt with immediately should be put in open, unsealed boxes or bags. Photos, papers, books, and textiles should be frozen if you can’t get them dry within 48 hours.
Call in a Pro. If a precious item is badly damaged, a conservator may be able to help. Be sure to collect broken pieces. Set your treasure aside in a well-ventilated room until you find professional help. If a precious item has been exposed to contaminated water, seek a conservator’s advice on salvaging it; your health and safety, and that of your loved ones, is of utmost importance. To locate a conservator, click on the “Find a Conservator” box on the home page of the American Institute for Conservation, www.conservation-us.org.
These recommendations are intended as guidance only. Neither the Heritage Emergency National Task Force nor its sponsors, Heritage Preservation and FEMA, assumes responsibility or liability for treatment of damaged objects.
Heritage Preservation (www.heritagepreservation.org) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of the United States. By identifying risks, developing innovative programs, and providing broad public access to expert advice, Heritage Preservation assists museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals in caring for our endangered heritage.
Heritage Preservation is co-sponsor with the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 42 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the dam aging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.
I like the meditation of working silently focused on a document, finding the right texture of paper for a fill, fiddling around with acrylic paints to tone it the right color, creating a tiny beveled edge and pasting the mend in so it fits just so. Often, I am looking and thinking so much about the paper fibers, the way the pigment is laid onto the weave, the way the tear is broken, that I don’t really notice what the art portrays, or what the document says.
Then I realized. I am working on a Ketuba. A Jewish marriage certificate. Aha! The subject matter creeps in, even when you think you aren’t paying attention. I spend a few minutes thinking about family long gone, and turn back to the mending.
A few weeks ago I went over to CinemaLab to visit with Robert David, motion picture film preservationist extraordinaire, about our pending NFPF Basic Film Preservation grant. I took along a box full of 16mm reels, 1926-1936, depicting first ascents in the Canadian Rockies, which film preservation specialist Snowden Becker had wound on new cores and placed in new canisters way back in August.
Robert was gracious enough to show me around their enormous space, and I fell in love with all the machines. I do not know film production, but I certainly enjoyed looking at all the gears and reels and lights and gadgets. You can enjoy them in a small slideshow, if you like.
Here is a video about the Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record, recently posted on the University of Texas website. I’m so proud! | https://bethhellerconservation.com/category/uncategorized/ |
Following its re-opening, Preskil Island Resort wishes to build a passion-driven team who will exceeds guest expectations.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and innovative Learning and Development Officer to consolidate our team of committed Artists and if you consider that you share these values, submit your application.
Responsibilities:
- Set up Training Need Analysis in accordance with departmental and operational needs
- Conduct adequate training to equip staff with the knowledge and practical skills required to ensure their development and growth
- Responsible for follow up of individual Job Training Profile
- Design training & development programs based on the needs of the organisation and the employee
- Deliver training individually or to groups of employees
- Record and compile training information
- Supervise and monitor progress after training
- Implement effective induction programmes for new staff, apprentices and trainees
- Monitor and review the progress of trainees through questionnaires and discussions
- Amend and revise training programmes as and when required to adapt to changes occurring in the work environment
Profile:
- Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Management or Hospitality Management
- 1 year of relevant experience is a must
- Effective organisational and communication skills
- Interpersonal skills. | https://www.cbvl.mu/en/careers/learning-and-development-officer-preskil-island-resort/ |
By Tiberia Arianna. Living Room. Wednesday, October 18th 2017, 11:01:42 AM.
A vital element when decorating your living room with a contemporary theme is your wall treatments. For this design style the colors can make or break the look - consider adding shades of browns and black or a sharp black and white look to the room. Try using a neutral color paint on the walls or if you want something different go with a leather or suede wall covering.
Dining room sets form one of the most important accessories of any living room. And because of this they have to match just about everything in the dining room. Sofas fabrics and the wall should also blend in color so as give your living room an extraordinary look. When selecting color you need bright colors that will compliment each other and at the same time make your room appears more spacious. Colors such as lemon white lemon shades and even peach when combined will give your living room extra space together with a sense of comfort. Dark colors on the other hand may not be the best for your room. Not only will they make the room appear smaller but may make it appear intense and intimate.
If you are working with a large space and want to create different areas segment the room by using lounges and other large pieces of furniture as subtle divers. | http://cloudcomputingvilla.com/america-living-room-furniture-ideas/lofty-tufted-living-room-furniture-magnificent-ideas-creative-on-house-design-with-america-shining-incredible-loveseat-and-sofa-set-of-dessie-traditional-designs-for/ |
UNAIR NEWS – “Macroprudential Policy needs to be in synergy with microprudential policy in maintaining financial system stability (SSK) in order to be healthier, to anticipate various economic shocks or global crises that occur unexpectedly in the future,” stated Lina Nugraha Rani, S.E., M.SEI.
It was a statement on the results of Lina’s research on ” Most Important Macropudential Indicators in Financial System Stability in Indonesia”. According to her, in maintaining financial stability, Indonesia used two indicators for measuring financial system stability, microprudential and macroprudential.
“Macroprudential indicators include economic growth, balance of payments, inflation rates, interest rates and exchange rates, contagion effects of crisis, as well as other factors,” she explained.
Therefore, she continued, it is necessary to see which macro prudential indicators are most important in measuring financial system stability from the perspective of financial and banking practitioners. After doing that, she asserted that the government is expected to be able to find out what are the main indicators of financial stability from the reality faced.
“As well as getting the right recommendations to be offered within the framework of financial system stability,” she explained.
Furthermore, she also explained that based on the results of interviews with banking experts or practitioners who were analyzed using ANP, three most important indicators of financial system stability in macroprudential aspects were identified. The three indicators, she explained, were debt, macroeconomics, and balance of payments.
“Based on the results of interviews and data analysis, current debt has a strong relationship to maintaining financial system stability in Indonesia,” she said.
In the end, she also explained that paying the debt due soon would be enough to help to maintain financial stability in Indonesia. Debt decision making and payment strategies must be regulated in such a way as not to disturb the stability of the financial system in Indonesia.
“This is more relevant to the theory of third generation financial crises which states that interdependence among countries can contribute to the crisis when a country unable to pay foreign debts,” she concluded. | http://news.unair.ac.id/en/2019/11/18/unair-economist-explains-how-to-maintain-financial-system-stability-in-indonesia/ |
The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States met on September 24 in Berlin (west) for an exchange of views on the problems of the world economy. The Managing Director of the IMF participated in their surveillance discussion.
The Toronto summit confirmed that a commitment to intensify policy coordination is required to sustain non-inflationary growth. Building on that commitment the Ministers and Governors reviewed the recent performance and current prospects for their economies based on performance indicators and the medium-term objectives and projections developed in the economic policy coordination process.
Th Ministers and Governors noted with satisfaction that the policies and commitments undertaken in the course of their cooperative efforts are producing the desired results. Growth is continuing at a faster pace than expected earlier in the year. Employment has increased. There has also been a strong increase in investment. Inflation pressures are being contained. Current trends and prospects in those countries with the largest imbalances are consistent with and supportive of balance of payments adjustment requirements. All this has contributed to exchange rate stability which in turn has supported these positive trends. Ministers and Governors emphasized their continued interest in stable exchange rates among their currencies. Therefore, they reaffirmed their commitments to pursue policies that will maintain exchange rate stability and to continue to cooperate closely on exchange markets. They are continuing their study of ways of further improving the functioning of the international monetary system and the coordination process.
The experience gained to date has reinforced the view of Ministers and Governors that the process of policy coordination among the major industrial countries is achieving the common objectives of reducing imbalances and sustaining widely-shared non-inflationary growth. In line with the commitments undertaken at previous meetings, fiscal, monetary and structural policies will continue to aim at promoting more balanced growth in the deficit countries and the expansion of domestic demand in the surplus countries. Where external and budget deficits are still large the strengthening of the fiscal position will be essential. Where external surpluses remain large, strong domestic demand growth is required.
The recent measures taken by monetary authorities demonstrate the will to contain price pressures. As a result there is little evidence of a general inflationary threat. Nonetheless continued vigilance is required.
Structural reforms are an essential complement to the macroeconomic policies necessary for sustained growth with low inflation and effective balance of payments adjustment and they are being given high priority in all their countries.
The implications of the globalization of financial markets for the conduct of economic policy are of special concern to Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. While much has been achieved in the liberalization of financial markets, Ministers and Governors believe that cooperative mutually supporting efforts to remove remaining barriers to international financial flows are necessary to improve the efficient allocation of capital. They welcomed the efforts under way among their countries to liberalize and improve the functioning of their capital markets. They will give continuing attention to ensuring an appropriate prudential framework and harmonizing prudential regimes.
The Ministers and Governors reemphasized the critical importance of free trade for world economic progress. They recognized the important contribution free trade can make to sustain growth, reduce imbalances and resolve the debt problems of developing countries. Their countries will resist protectionist pressures. They attach primary importance to securing with all participants substantial progress in the mid-term review of the Uruguay Round.
The Ministers and Governors stressed the importance of other economies, particularly the newly industrialized ones, contributing to the international balance of payments adjustment process. While noting their continuing outstanding economic progress, they urged them to open their markets further to foreign goods and investment and to allow their currencies to reflect the underlying strength of their economies.
The Ministers and Governors reiterated their strong support for the growth-oriented case-by-case debt strategy under which substantial progress has been made. Robust growth in the industrial countries and the strong expansion of world trade are supporting the efforts of the many developing countries who are undertaking reforms to exploit their economic potential more effectively.
Significant initiatives have been taken by official donors and creditors, including the IMF and the World Bank, to increase resource flows into the developing countries willing to adjust. It is critical that these resources be used efficiently in support of growth-oriented macreconomic and structural reforms. They stressed the importance of the contribution which governments of creditor countries are making to alleviation of the debt service burden of debtor countries through Paris Club reschedulings. In this context they welcome with great satisfaction the fact that the necessary arrangements have now been worked out by the Paris Club to implement the new Toronto approach as regards the debt of the poorest countries. The resolution of the debt problem requires the active participation case-by-case of all parties involved, including the commercial banks. The Ministers and Governors encourage the further development of market-based and voluntarily agreed financing options under the menu approach in order to facilitate new financial flows. In this connection they reiterated their opposition to transferring risks from the private to the public sector.
The Ministers and Governors confirmed their support for the work of the IMF and the World Bank. They will cooperate closely within the framework of both institutions with all member countries, especially the developing countries, to cope with the problems of the world economy. | http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/finance/fm880924.htm |
What is the missing link, and has it been found?A "missing link" is any gap in the fossil record between any animal and its supposed evolutionary ancestor. The fossil record is the collection of all fossils found all over the world. Missing links are placeholders used when a transitional fossil cannot be found to fill in the "tree of life," a visual representation of the evolutionary process showing relationships between species. For example, for vertebrates to move out of the water on to land, as evolutionists suppose they did, there must be an animal which first developed lungs and four legs. If there is no fossil proof for such a transitional species, its place is marked as "missing" on the tree—the assumption being that such a species must have existed in order for evolution to be true.
Evolutionary scientists don't rely on the direct-descendent tree of life as much as they used to. Instead, they tend to use a "cladogram," which sorts physical characteristics (such as feather coloration) and then infers an evolutionary relationship from those characteristics (birds of a feather must be related). With cladograms, there are fewer missing links, since cladograms use data we have instead of fabricating a diagram of what we think we should have.
In popular culture, "missing link" refers to a perceived gap between, for instance, apes and humans. Evolutionary scientists rarely if ever use the term, for a couple of reasons: first, saying "the" missing link implies that there is a single key to make everything fit, something no scientist believes. Second, the evolutionist likes to suggest that he's found all of the transitional species, thus "proving" evolution. The idea of anomalies in the fossil record runs counter to his attempt to tie up loose ends. Nevertheless, every time a new fossil is unearthed, some hail it as "the missing link" and try to discount the biblical creation story. Here are a few examples:
Archaeopteryx: Evolutionists have long taught that birds evolved from reptiles. This proved hard to support, however, because of a big "missing link"—there was no transitional animal between dinosaur and bird. If only they could find a triceratops sprouting feathers! Then they found archaeopteryx and immediately put it forward as the reptilian-avian link. Archaeopteryx was bird-like, having feathers, wings, and a bill; and it was lizard-like, having teeth, claws, and an unfused backbone. Unfortunately for evolutionists, many reptiles don't have teeth, ostriches do have claws on their wings, penguins have an unfused backbone, and platypuses have bills and lay eggs. So, those characteristics of the archaeopteryx prove nothing. In addition, scientists have yet to find a fossil bearing any kind of a transitional state between scales and feathers; all fossils of feathers are fully formed. Common sense says that archaeopteryx was just a bird.
Lucy: This may be the most famous "missing link." "Lucy" is the name given to a skeleton found in Ethiopia in 1974. Originally, the few bone fragments were thought to be a transitional species between ape and man. The more the bones are studied, however, the more they appear to be simply those of an extinct ape.
Java man: In the late 19th century, a Dutch physician trekked through the jungles of Java in Indonesia and found part of a skull cap, three teeth, and a thigh bone. Despite the facts that the skull and the thigh bone were found fifty feet apart, and there were human skulls in the area, the findings were compiled and (with the help of a talented artist) presented to the world as Homo erectus—a transitional species between man and ape. More likely, the skull fragment is from an extinct ape, and the thigh bone belonged with one of the human skulls. Even evolutionists now admit that specimens of Homo erectus are most likely just variations on normal humans.
Ida: It's still unclear why this nearly complete fossil found in Germany caused such a stir. "Ida" appears to be the fossil of a lemur, lacking only a grooming claw and a row of fused teeth. Evolutionists have declared these minor disparities to be proof that humans descended from lemurs.
The Bible says nothing about "missing links." The creation story found in Genesis does not rely on macroevolution (species-to-species change); therefore, no "links," missing or otherwise, are needed. Instead of a single tree encompassing all animals, the genetic diagram of the Bible is more like a field of bushes. God created many different animals. The cats God made branched into a "bush" of different breeds or varieties through the minor changes of microevolution. Dogs did the same, and then chased the cats.
Atheistic evolutionists claim that their theory "proves" God isn't necessary for the development of life. The Bible says the opposite: evolution isn't necessary for the development of life. God is all that is necessary for life (1 Timothy 6:13). God created the world, and all its animals, in six days. Attempts to explain God's creation without God will always leave missing links.
Irreducible complexity - What is it?
Is theistic evolution biblical? What is theistic evolution?
Intelligent Design Theory - What is it?
What does it mean that humanity is created in the image of God?
Creation vs. evolution - What does the Bible say? | https://www.compellingtruth.org/missing-link.html |
- Quick Rules:
- Crime And Punishment Pevear And Volokhonsky Epub
- Fyodor Dostoevsky — Crime and Punishment
Quick Rules:
Characteristics Find breaking crime cases, videos, and photos. Read about the latest unsolved criminal cases, murders, kidnappings, true crime stories, and more on NBCNews. The concept of incarcerating a person as punishment for a crime was a relatively novel idea at the time. Most prisons were used as holding areas until trial and subsequent sentencing. Are We There Yet? We have a prisoner database with actual prisoner records and case studies for a more in-depth view of the crimes and trials of some of the inmates. Fast and accurate details and facts about the history of Elizabethan Crime and Punishment.
Crime And Punishment Pevear And Volokhonsky Epub
Toggle navigation ebooklibrary. Download Read Online. The Brothers Karamazov Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4. The Idiot Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4. Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4. Notes from the Underground Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4. Forster 4.
Come in Registration. Wuthering Heights. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Pride and Prejudice. War and Peace. Alice in Wonderland.
This is a moderated subreddit. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage in-depth discussion about all things related to books, authors, genres or publishing in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion is the goal Do not post shallow content. All posts must be directly book related, informative, and discussion focused. Personal conduct Please use a civil tone and assume good faith when entering a conversation. Encouraged We love original content and self-posts!
Fyodor Dostoevsky — Crime and Punishment
It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during It is the second of Dostoevsky's full-length novels following his return from ten years of exile in Siberia. Crime and Punishment is considered the first great novel of his "mature" period of writing.
This work is a translation of Crime e Castigo. Delitto e castigo is a translation of this work. Andekas mr Ripley is a translation of this work. Crime e castigo is a translation of this work.
Par whobrey sheron le mardi, mai 7 , - Lien permanent. I read the first or so pages of Crime and Punishment , but after the guy kills the woman I got lost amongst all the different character names. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Crime and Punishment: pdf/epub
А-а, Росио - прелестное создание. - Мне нужно немедленно ее увидеть. - Но, сеньор, она занята с клиентом. - Это очень важно, - извиняющимся тоном сказал Беккер. Вопрос национальной безопасности. Консьерж покачал головой: - Невозможно. Быть может, вы оставите… - Всего на одну минуту.
Тело Колумба покоится здесь, в Испании. Вы ведь, кажется, сказали, что учились в университете. Беккер пожал плечами: - Наверное, в тот день я прогулял лекцию. - Испанская церковь гордится тем, что ей принадлежат его останки. Испанская церковь. Беккер отлично знал, что в Испании только одна церковь - римско-католическая.
Все десять присутствовавших при этом человек в напряженном ожидании молчали, когда вдруг заработавший принтер выдал им открытый текст: шифр был взломан. ТРАНСТЕКСТ вскрыл ключ, состоявший из шестидесяти четырех знаков, за десять с небольшим минут, в два миллиона раз быстрее, чем если бы для этого использовался второй по мощности компьютер АНБ. Тогда бы время, необходимое для дешифровки, составило двадцать лет. Производственное управление АНБ под руководством заместителя оперативного директора коммандера Тревора Дж. Стратмора торжествовало победу.
- Ты полюбишь. Сьюзан не слышала ни единого слова. - Останься со мной, - увещевал ее голос. - Я залечу твои раны. Она безуспешно пыталась высвободиться.
Росио подняла брови. - Это очень большие деньги. - Конечно.
Ни он, ни Сьюзан не услышали тихих шагов в направлении Третьего узла. ГЛАВА 60 По зеркальному коридору Двухцветный отправился с наружной террасы в танцевальный зал. Остановившись, чтобы посмотреть на свое отражение в зеркале, он почувствовал, что за спиной у него возникла какая-то фигура. Он повернулся, но было уже поздно.
- На ней была майка с британским флагом. Беккер рассеянно кивнул: - Хорошо. Бело-красно-синие волосы, майка, серьга с черепом в ухе. Что. - Больше .
Нужно выключить ТРАНСТЕКСТ. У нас… - Он нас сделал, - сказал Стратмор, не поднимая головы. - Танкадо обманул всех. По его тону ей стало ясно, что он все понял. Вся ложь Танкадо о невскрываемом алгоритме… обещание выставить его на аукцион - все это было игрой, мистификацией.
Я хочу открыть этот проклятый файл и ознакомиться с созданной Танкадо программой. | https://lotusdream.org/and-pdf/300-crime-and-punishment-pdf-pevear-499-38.php |
When a subject is both philosophically exciting and mathematically
complex, it’s easy to develop weird ideas about it, like quantum entanglement,
qubits and superposition. So, in this write-up, I have chosen to clear up some
common confusion about what these buzzwords mean. I am also recalled of “Virus”
in “3-Idiots” saying, “this is not a philosophy class, oon dou words ka mattlab
samjao bass.”
Superposition is something that we see in the routine affairs of our day
to day life. Imagine playing two notes on a guitar; the sound we hear is a
superposition of these two notes. Quantum superpositions are also made up of a
combination of states, with the key difference of performing a measurement.
Despite the system existing in a perfectly well-defined superposition state,
when we perform certain measurements on these systems we may get random
outcomes. So, the magic is actually observed as a special kind of quantum
randomness. Now, entanglement is the idea that we can’t describe two entangled
particles independent of each other. Their states are tied together in ways
that can’t be recreated in our classical world. If we measure one of them, we
might observe that it behaved randomly, but at the same time, it tells us what
to expect when measuring the other particle, in the same way. According to
researchers, this phenomenon of perfect correlation holds true even if we
measure the entangled particles at opposite ends of the galaxy.
Harnessing entanglement for computation is considered to be a crucial
ingredient for speeding up computation using quantum computers. Just like with
classical computing, we need a set of instructions that represent a
problem-solving approach (i.e. an algorithm), and a machine that can execute
those instructions (i.e. a computer). The fact that quantum computers can
actually create superpositions, entanglement, and other quantum effects means
that we can write algorithms in a new way than before. Qubits are fundamental
to quantum computing and are somewhat analogous to bits or binary digits in a
classical computer. Qubits can be in a “1” or “0” quantum state. But these can
also be in a superposition of the “1” and “0” states. However, when qubits are
measured, the result is always a “0” or a “1” although the probabilities of the
two outcomes, depends on the quantum state they were in.
All computing systems rely on a fundamental ability to store and
manipulate information. We are already experiencing tonnes of benefits everyday
by using the classical computers. Quantum computing refers to the new
breakthroughs in science by the use of quantum computers, which could spur the
development of more efficient devices and structures, to new machine learning
methods to diagnose illness and improve medication to save lives and even
improve our financial strategies to live well in retirement. For problems above
a certain size and complexity, classical computers can’t work well as these
don’t have enough computational power.
To stand a chance at solving such problems, say searching for dark
matter or building more stable silicon chips or solving an intricate business
problem, we needed a new kind of computing.
The idea of quantum computing was proposed by an American physicist Paul
Benioff in the early 1980’s. He is best known for his research in quantum
information theory describing the first quantum mechanical model of a computer.
This work has continued since then and has now encompassed quantum robots and
also the relationships between foundations in logic, Math’s and Physics.
Quantum computers have the potential to process exponentially more data as
compared to classical computers. These could also simulate things that a
classical computer could not. These perform the calculations based on the
probability of an object’s state before it is measured. A quantum computer
harnesses some of the mystical phenomena of quantum mechanics to deliver huge
leaps forward in processing the data. Until a few decades ago, quantum
computing was a purely theoretical subject, but today the real quantum
processors are being used by researchers all over the world to test out
algorithms for application in a wide variety of fields. The field of quantum
computing is a subfield of quantum information science. There are however, a
number of technical challenges in building a large scale quantum computer.
Sourcing the parts of quantum computer is very difficult. Quantum computers are
different from traditional computers based on transistors. These need Helium-3, a nuclear research
by-product and certain special cables that are made by a company in Japan. One
of the challenges associated with quantum computing is instability. Because
calculations are taking place at the quantum level, the slightest interference
from the environment can disrupt the process. That makes quantum computers very
expensive to build and maintain. A useful universal quantum computer – hardware
alone – comes in at least $10bn. Owing to these limitations, quantum computing
in full bloom is yet a distant dream. D-Wave, a Canadian company has taken the
lead in being the first to sell computers exploiting quantum effects. Similarly Google AI, a division of Google
dedicated solely to artificial intelligence, in partnership with the U.S
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has claimed to have achieved
quantum supremacy as reported in a paper published on 23 oct 2019. While some
have disputed this claim, it is still a significant milestone in the history of
quantum computing. The goal that a
programmable quantum device can give a better insight in the problems of
science, engineering or business that classical computers practically cannot
do, irrespective of the relevance of the problem is what we mean by quantum
supremacy. Einstein had said that if quantum mechanics were correct, then the
world would be crazy. This is true in the sense that atoms or elementary
particles behave as if not real but representing a sea of possibilities and
potentialities rather than a single thing or a fact.
Qudsia Gani is Faculty (Physics), Cluster University Srinagar
This is a syndicated post. Read the original post at Source link . | https://www.qpute.com/2020/03/04/quantum-supremacy-greater-kashmir-via-qpute-com/ |
Bongos are characterised by a striking reddish-brown coat, black and white markings, white-yellow stripes and long slightly spiralled horns. Indeed, bongos are the only tragelaphid in which both sexes have horns. They have a complex social interaction and are found in African dense forest mosaics.
Eland (Lord Derby)
The giant eland is an herbivore, eating grasses, foliage and branches. They usually form small herds consisting of 15–25 members, both males and females. Giant elands are not territorial, and have large home ranges. They are naturally alert and wary, which makes them difficult to approach and observe. They can run at up to 70 km/h (43 mph) and use this speed as a defence against predators. Mating occurs throughout the year but peaks in the wet season. They mostly inhabit broad-leafed savannas, woodlands and glades.
Gazelle (Grant's)
The Grant's gazelle stands 75–95 cm (30–37 in) at the shoulder. The females weigh from 35 to 50 kg (77 to 110 lb) and males from 50 to 80 kg (110 to 180 lb). Its coat is a beige orange on the back with a white belly. The Grant's gazelle looks similar to a Thomson's gazelle, except it is much larger and has lyre-shaped horns which are stout at the base, clearly ringed, and measuring 45–81 cm (18–32 in) long.
Gazelle (Thomson's)
Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is one of the best-known gazelles. It is named after explorer Joseph Thomson and is sometimes referred to as a "tommie". It is considered by some to be a subspecies of the red-fronted gazelle and was formerly considered a member of the genus Gazella within the subgenus Eudorcas, before Eudorcas was elevated to genus status
Gerenuk
The gerenuk ( Somali: garanuug; Litocranius walleri), also known as the giraffe gazelle, is a long-necked antelope found in the Horn of Africa and the drier parts of East Africa. The sole member of the genus Litocranius, the gerenuk was first described by the naturalist Victor Brooke in 1878. It is characterised by its long, slender neck and limbs. The antelope is 80–105 centimetres (31–41 in) tall, and weighs between 28 and 52 kilograms (62 and 115 lb).
Hartebeest (Coke's)
The Coke’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii) is sometimes known as the kongoni. It is a species of antelope found in Kenya, where hunting is closed, and northern Tanzania where hunting Coke’s hartebeest in Africa is permitted. The name “hartebeest” comes from the Africaans word “hertebeest” meaning “deer” and “beast”, as the Boers who were descendants of the Dutch who thought the animal looked like a deer.
Hartebeest (Lichtenstein's)
It typically stands about 1.25 m (4.1 ft) at the shoulder and have a mass of around 150 kg (330 lb). It has a red brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter 'S', and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing. The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length.
Kudu (Lesser)
The lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) is a forest antelope found in East Africa. It is placed in the genus Tragelaphus and family Bovidae. It was first described by the English zoologist Edward Blyth in 1869. The head-and-body length is typically 110–140 cm (43–55 in). Males reach about 95–105 cm (37–41 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 90–100 cm (35–39 in). Males typically weigh 92–108 kg (203–238 lb) and females 56–70 kg (123–154 lb). The spiral horns are 50–70 cm (20–28 in) long, and have two to two-and-a-half twists.
Lechwe (Nile)
Males are an average of 165 cm (65 in) long and 100–105 cm (39–41 in) tall at the shoulders, and weigh between 90 and 120 kg (200 and 260 lb), while females are an average of 135 cm (53 in) long, 80–85 cm (31–33 in) tall at the shoulders, and weigh 60–90 kg (130–200 lb). Nile lechwes live an average of 10 to 11.5 years, and most uncommonly 19 years
Lechwe (Red)
Males are an average of 165 cm (65 in) long and 100–105 cm (39–41 in) tall at the shoulders, and weigh between 90 and 120 kg (200 and 260 lb), while females are an average of 135 cm (53 in) long, 80–85 cm (31–33 in) tall at the shoulders, and weigh 60–90 kg (130–200 lb). Nile lechwes live an average of 10 to 11.5 years, and most uncommonly 19 years
Nyala (Mountain)
The mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) or balbok is an antelope found in high altitude woodland in a small part of central Ethiopia. It is a monotypic species (without any identified subspecies) first described by English naturalist Richard Lydekker in 1910. The males are typically 120–135 cm (47–53 in) tall while females stand 90–100 cm (35–39 in) at the shoulder. Males weigh 180–300 kg (400–660 lb) and females weigh 150–200 kg (330–440 lb). The coat is grey to brown, marked with two to five poorly defined white strips extending from the back to the underside, and a row of six to ten white spots.
Roan
Roan antelope are one of the largest species of antelope. They measure 190–240 cm (75–94 in) from the head to the base of tail and the tail measures 37–48 cm (15–19 in). The body mass of males is 242–300 kg (534–661 lb) and of females is 223–280 kg (492–617 lb). The shoulder of this species is typically around 130–140 cm (51–55 in). Named for their roan colour (a reddish brown), they have lighter underbellies, white eyebrows and cheeks and black faces, lighter in females. They have short, erect manes, very light beards and prominent red nostrils. The horns are ringed and can reach a metre long in males, slightly shorter in females. They arch backwards slightly.
Sable
The African sable (Hippotragus niger) is an antelope that inhabits the savannah of East Africa below Kenya and down into South Africa. Like the roan, the African sable is one of the Hippotragus, or horse antelopes. The African sable is the third largest antelope in Africa behind the eland and roan. A mature male sable weighs around 520-600 pounds and is 46 inches to 56 inches at the shoulder. The female is slightly shorter and weighs 30 to 50 pounds less.
Scimitar-Horned Oryx
It has a long taxonomic history since its scientific description in 1816 by Lorenz Oken, who named it Oryx algazel. This antelope stands a little more than 1 metre (3.3 ft) at the shoulder. The males weigh 140–210 kg (310–460 lb) and the females weigh 91–140 kg (201–309 lb). The coat is white with a red-brown chest and black markings on the forehead and down the length of the nose. The calves are born with a yellow coat without distinguishing marks; their coats change to adult coloration at 3–12 months old.
Sitatunga
The sitatunga is a medium-sized antelope. Males reach approximately 81–116 cm (32–46 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 72–90 cm (28–35 in). Males typically weigh 76–119 kg (168–262 lb), while females weigh 24–57 kg (53–126 lb). The sitatunga has a shaggy, water-resistant coat which varies in colour. The body and feet of this antelope are specially adapted to its swampy habitat. Only the males possess horns; these are spiral in shape, have one or two twists and are 45–92 cm (18–36 in) long.
Topi
Topi resemble hartebeest but have a darker coloration and lack sharply angled horns. They have elongated heads, a distinct hump at the base of the neck, and reddish brown bodies with dark purple patchings on their upper legs. They also have a mask-like dark coloration on the face. Their horns are ringed and lyrate shaped. Their coats are made of short, shiny hairs. They range in mass from 68 to 160 kg (150 to 353 lb). Head-and-body length can range from 150 to 210 cm (59 to 83 in) and the tail measures 40–60 cm (16–24 in). They are a tall species, ranging in height from 100 to 130 cm (39 to 51 in) at the shoulder. Males tend to be larger and darker than females.
Tsessebe
Adult tsessebe are 150 to 230 cm in length. They are quite large animals, with males weighing 137 kg and females weighing 120 kg, on average. Their horns range from 37 cm for females to 40 cm for males. For males, horn size plays an important role in territory defense and mate attraction, although horn size is not positively correlated with territorial factors of mate selection. Their bodies are chestnut brown. The fronts of their faces and their tail tufts are black; the forelimbs and thigh are greyish or bluish-black. Their hindlimbs are brownish-yellow to yellow and their bellies are white.
Waterbuck (Defassa)
The head-and-body length is typically between 177–235 cm (70–93 in) and the average height is between 120 and 136 cm (47 and 54 in). A sexually dimorphic antelope, males are taller as well as heavier than females. Males reach approximately 127 cm (50 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 119 cm (47 in). Males typically weigh 198–262 kg (437–578 lb) and females 161–214 kg (355–472 lb). The coat colour varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward and are 55–99 cm (22–39 in) long. | https://africassportsman.com/exotic-plains-game/ |
"If I do not practice one day, I know it.
If I do not practice the next, the orchestra knows it.
If I do not practice the third day, the whole world knows it."
Ignacy Paderewski
Pianist & Composer
PERFORMANCE is measured at many levels in a company:
Optimizing performance is only possible if there is an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups of employees.
With teams it is important to have complementary competencies where the weaknesses of individuals are offset by the strengths of others. It is also beneficial for team members to understand each other’s character profile. Optimal functioning teams know the competencies of each member. Team roles and responsibilities are defined based on this knowledge to ensure the talents of the team are used in an optimal manner to achieve the best results.
Each successful team – in sports, business and other life activities – has to apply team roles for each member based on their competencies.
While the titles used for team members may vary from sports to business an effective team structure must include those who perform the following roles:
The suitability of individuals for each of these roles can be determined
from the Character
Assessment.
It is rare that one person can fill two roles effectively such as a Team
Member and Super Star as they require completely different types of character. | https://www.optimax.org/solutions-bus-perform.asp |
Studying physics can be likened to Carpentry where using the right type of tool makes the job less tedious. The invention of quantum mechanics during the first 27 years of the twentieth century marked a revolutionary change in our understanding of phenomena on microscopic scales. Classical physics ideas held before then had instant limitations in their validity, as quantum mechanics became an alternative theory more richer both in scope and application. Although crucial to the understanding of quantum mechanics, we will not discuss the inadequacies of classical physics but will immerse ourselves directly into “a quantum-mechanical approach to thinking”.
At a glance, quantum mechanics (QM) is a mathematical tool for predicting the behavior of the microscopic world and hence help us in understanding how this affects the macroscopic world around us. However, QM cannot be understood without developing appropriate requisite mathematical tools. Doing so would be similar to telling you to drill a well using a chisel. But QM is generally a difficult theory and solutions to standard textbook problems are relatively few and mostly approximations. I therefore suggest as a rule of thumb that its prudent to give you a shovel and instruct you to start digging yourselves. It may make your hands develop blisters at first, but its the only excellent and efficient way to learn QM. Indeed “one cannot discuss what QM means without developing a firm sense of what it does”.This course will provide you with an overview of the basic theory needed to do modern QM as well as introduce you to basic applications of QM and the commonly used approximation methods. It is assumed that you are familiar with rudimentary basics on: Linear Algebra, Complex numbers, Partial Differential equations, Fourier Analysis, Dirac Delta notation, elementary Classical Mechanics as well as some Electrodynamics concepts.
NOTE: The more knowledge of Mathematics and Physics you have, the much easier it will be to do QM and the more you will gain from the course. Reviewing of basic concepts in QM from the recommended texts is highly encouraged.
The aim of this course is to enable the learner develop special techniques for attacking more advanced realistic problems in QM that apply to microscopic phenomena and associated research. Familiarity with basic concepts covered in an undergraduate level QM course- from historical developments such as the Planck's radiation law, Einstein's Debye theory, the Bohr atom, de Broglie matter waves, the Compton effect, Frank-Hertz experiment, Davisson-Germer-Thompson experiment- to modern concepts such as the wave functions and its physical interpretation, the uncertainty principle, Hilbert Space, Dirac Notation etc will be assumed. For the learners who would wish to thesis research in theoretical Physics, a more advanced course in QM that will consider more challenging topics, will be offered in the second semester, and this course will form a useful pre-requisite. For a good review of undergraduate QM read chapters 1-3 in the text: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by D. J. Griffiths (2004). | https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/gokengo/classes/advanced-quantum-mechanics |
As an instructor do you expect that your students will be active and present in the class? The level of a student’s involvement in the class and the learning process are often assessed by his or her performance and the work product submitted; however, does active involvement equal engagement in the class? What does student engagement mean to you and to your class?
Instructors who understand the process of engagement, can encourage students to become involved in the class, which in turn may lead to improved classroom and individual performance. In this entry, the first of a two part series, I’ll explore the concept of student engagement, and examine the instructor’s role. The second part of this series will take a look at engagement in an online classroom and methods of encouraging student engagement.
Defining Student Engagement
Engagement is an action-based state that consists of the time, energy, and effort that the student devotes to his or her class. The process of being engaged in the class involves more than the student just getting by in his or her class or doing the minimum required to pass the course. When a student is engaged in the class they are devoting the time necessary to become an active participant in the process of learning and their attention is focused on the course.
A student may consciously think about being engaged in the class or it may occur as a reaction to specific requirements, such as a participation requirement or a group project. It is possible for the level of a student’s engagement to frequently change, depending upon the interactions and experiences with other students and the instructor. In addition, the student’s emotions and feelings may also influence the conscious decision to be actively engaged. Throughout the class students may experience a range of emotions that can either increase the level of engagement or adversely affect it. For example, if the student is feeling confident with their progress and abilities, that positive emotion can enhance their engagement. In contrast, if the student feels discouraged their engagement and progress may diminish.
Adam Fletcher has found that “student engagement is increasingly seen as an indicator of successful classroom instruction.” Engagement may be enhanced or reduced if there is a feeling of being disconnected from the class or the instructor. Students who experience negative interactions may retreat from the class or withdraw their active engagement from the class as a reaction or retaliation for what they have experienced or how they have perceived a particular incident.
When adults experience engagement in what they are doing they are devoting their full attention to the task and they are enthusiastically involved, highly interested, and experiencing positive emotions. Active engagement can lead to increased participation in the class discussions, which is a gauge that instructors often used to measure the level of a student’s engagement.
The Instructor’s Role in Student Engagement
The process of learning itself may produce emotional reactions that can influence engagement. If an instructor encourages students to utilize critical thinking and reflection students are likely to experience a range of emotions while exploring their opinions, ideas and belief systems. The process of critical self-examination can happen while the student is working on his or her own or during classroom discussions, emphasizing the need for instructors to provide support and guidance. Instructors have an ability to establish classroom conditions that encourage positive interactions in a productive, respectful environment. When students feel positive emotions and have experiences that produce positive emotions they are likely to be fully engaged in the learning process and actively present in the class.
The instructor’s level of engagement has a direct impact on a student’s level of engagement. A student who believes their instructor is present in his or her class will be more active and engaged in the class as well. Students also react to their instructor’s ongoing engagement in the class. At Maryville University students are told that they will discover “enthusiastic professors with impressive academic credentials and professional experience.” When instructors demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm as they engage in the class, it provides an example for students to follow.
Dr. Richard D. Jones notes that “it is easy to observe the lack of student engagement when students are slouched in their chairs and not listening to the teacher or participating in the discussion.” From the instructor’s perspective, adult learner engagement may be observed but not measured as the instructor is often focused on the required assignments, class discussions, and administrative aspects of classroom facilitation. In addition, many classroom assessments are designed to measure performance and progress towards meeting the required learning objectives rather than the level of engagement. Because student assessments are performance driven engagement often becomes a criteria that is considered but not measured.
It is possible that increased engagement will have a positive impact on individual and classroom performance; therefore, instructors should consider methods of engaging students in the class.
About The Mentor: Dr. Bruce Johnson has had a life-long love of learning and throughout his entire career he has been involved in many forms of adult education; including teaching, training, human resource development, coaching, and mentoring. Dr. J has completed a master’s in Business Administration and a PhD in the field of adult education, with an emphasis in adult learning within an online classroom environment. Presently Dr. J works as an online adjunct instructor, faculty developmental workshop facilitator, and faculty mentor. | https://www.adjunctnation.com/2010/11/12/student-engagement-and-why-it-matters-part-i/ |
Compartmentalization of single muscle units in cat lateral gastrocnemius.
The distribution of muscle fibers in single muscle units in cat lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle was analyzed using the method of glycogen depletion. Single, type FF motor units in LG were identified by stimulation of dissected ventral rootlets and then activated to produce depletion of glycogen in their innervated muscle fibers. Serial histological sections were made of the entire triceps surae muscles and then reacted for the demonstration of glycogen. Projected tracings of the sections were used to compare the distribution of glycogen depleted muscle fibers to the heads of the LG muscle. Results of analysis of single muscle units indicate that the muscle fibers innervated by single cat LG type FF motor units are distributed to the same regions of muscle which are innervated by primary branches of the nerve to the LG muscle. The single units are thus compartmentalized. These results support the hypothesis that each of the neuromuscular compartments of LG contains a unique population of motor units. It is suggested that compartmentalization of muscles about primary branches of their muscle nerves may from a major organizational principle in the design of skeletal muscles.
| |
When we saw how incredibly popular our blog post on Amazon Machine Learning was, we asked data and code guru James Counts to create this fantastic in-depth introduction to the principles and practice of Amazon Machine Learning so we could completely satisfy the demand for ML guidance within AWS.
James has got the subject completely covered:
- What exactly machine learning can do
- Why and when you should use it
- Working with data sources
- Manipulating data within Amazon Machine Learning to ensure a successful model
- Working with machine learning models
- Generating accurate predictions
Transcript
Welcome to our course on evaluating Amazon ML models. In this course, we'll cover what it means to evaluate an ML model, the evaluation metrics for each type of model available in Amazon ML. And finally, we'll return to the Amazon ML dashboard and walk through ML insights for the model we created in the previous lecture. So what does it mean to evaluate an ML model? We've talked about this little before, but let's review.
The purpose of creating an ML model is to create a system that can make good predictions when provided with data it hasn't already seen. This is the difference between memorizing, which any database can do, and generalizing. As discussed in previous lectures, we can hold out a percentage of the data set where we already know the answer, and then train the model using the rest of the data. We know the correct answer or ground truth for both sets of data, but the model only knows the ground truth for the training set. Once the model is trained, we can use it to make predictions against the remaining data, and then compare the predictions with the known answer. Amazon does this for us, but it's our job to evaluate the metrics which Amazon ML produces. That will vary for each classification type.
So what kind of metrics does Amazon provide for each type of evaluation? For binary classification, the model output the prediction score. This score is translated into a true or false label based on a confidence threshold. The score itself indicates the certainty that an observation belongs in the true class. True can be defined any way you like it. For example, when evaluating whether or not the email message is spam, you could set up your model to either say true when the model is spam, or you could set it up to say true when a model is a legitimate email. It's up to you. The predictions fall into four groups: positive, negative, false positive and false negative. Metrics for binary classification all relate to these groups.
Accuracy measures the fraction of correct predictions, so all true positives and all true negatives are compared against all false positives and all false negatives. Precision is the ratio of true positives to false positives. Recall measures how many true positives the model predicts as positives, and F1 is the harmonic mean of precision and recall.
Another metric, Area Under the Curve (AUC), measures the ability of a model to predict a higher score on true positives compared to true negatives. It is independent of threshold, so AUC doesn't involve comparing false predictions to true predictions the way that other measures do. Depending on your need, you can adjust the threshold to maximize the least desirable outcome. If predicting true positives is extremely important, then the threshold should be adjusted to increase precision. In this example shown here, we would move the threshold to the right in order to minimize the size of the shaded red and yellow area. On the other hand, if capturing all positives is more important even if it means capturing some false positives, then the threshold can be adjusted to increase recall at the expense of precision. In this example, we would move the threshold to the left to minimize the size of the gray and red area.
In binary classification, the model only needs to pick between two labels for the target: true for membership and false for other. It makes this choice by generating a score for the observation. The score indicates the probability that an observation is in the membership class, and then a threshold, as we saw, is used to divide the scores in a true and false predictions. This multiclass classification, there are more than two classes, but the model still treats each class separately and generates the score indicating that the observation is in a particular class. The important difference is that the threshold is not always required. Each class has an associated probability indicating whether the observation is in the class. The model can then predict the label based on the class with the highest probability.
You might choose this threshold if you do want to reject predictions with universally low probability. The underlying metrics for multiclass classification are the same as binary classification. Each class is, in turn, treated as if it was the true class and all other classes are considered false. The metrics are then averaged over all classes. Amazon Machine Learning uses the average F1 measure to evaluate the class for a success rate. Remember, from our previous section on binary classification, that F1 is a harmonic mean of precision and recall. Amazon presents multiclassifier metrics as confusion matrix. This is a table which shows each class and the percentage of correct and incorrect predictions. Dark blue indicates a high number of correct predictions while dark red indicates a high level of incorrect predictions.
We can read the table row by row or column by column. Reading by row, we see that this model is very good at predicting romance novels because the Romance Romance cell is dark blue. The pale color in the Romance Thriller cell and Romance Adventure cell indicates that there are very few romance novels, and it's classified in these categories. If we read column by column, we see that the model tends to overpredict romance novels. The orange color is Thriller Romance. It indicates that some thriller novels are miscategorized as romance. Likewise, many adventure novels are miscategorized as romance; a perfect model with displayed dark blue line of diagonal cells.
For regression problem, the model needs to pick a numeric value as the target. The metric in this case is root-mean-square error, or RMSE, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). These metrics are meant to measure the distance between the model-predicted value and the ground truth value. Amazon ML uses the RMSE metric to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model. The histogram for the regression model shows the residuals. A residual is the difference between the ground truth value and the predicted value. It represents the amount of over or underestimation. When the residual histogram is centered on zero and displays a bell-shaped curve, it means that there is no systematic error in the predictions.
If the model is not centered on zero or is not bell-shaped, then there's a systematic error in the model and adding more valuable might help the model capture the real pattern in the data. Note that we're not talking about adding more observations with the same data.
Instead, we are talking about adding more variables in order to create richer data for the model to learn from. In our next demo, we'll walk through the ML model insights for the banking promotion binary classifier that we've built in the previous section.
James is most happy when creating or fixing code. He tries to learn more and stay up to date with recent industry developments.
James recently completed his Master’s Degree in Computer Science and enjoys attending or speaking at community events like CodeCamps or user groups.
He is also a regular contributor to the ApprovalTests.net open source projects, and is the author of the C++ and Perl ports of that library. | https://cloudacademy.com/course/amazon-machine-learning/model-evaluation-1/ |
In our brain, individual connections are constantly being removed or recreated, to make us adapt to the tasks at hand. This means that the activity of the neurons that bear the synaptic connections will effect their removal and recreation.
Activity-based neuroplasticy is arises from the use of cognitive functions and personal experience. It is the biological basis for learning and forming new memories. Activity-dependet neuroplasticy arises from intrinsic or endogenous activity, not from extrinsic or exogenous factors.
The human brain has the capacity to remodel itself and this is how we improve function, enhance comprehension, and so on. We are not static and there is so much that we can do to improve. On this page, we will take a look at a few interesting areas that concerns the human brain and its functions.
Our brain’s capacity for adapting toward active functions allows us to specialize in specific processes based on relative use and activity. This neural plasticity is a result of changes in gene expression, triggered by signalling cascades activated by signalling molecules, such as dopamine, glutamate and calcium.
Examples
Vision
Earlier, before we knew much about neuroplasticity, researchers assumed that binocular vision (especially stereopsis) had to be acquired in early childhood. The assumption was that a child that for some reason was unable to practise binocular vision in early childhood would be prevented from developing binocular vision later in life, even if circumstances were changed.
We now know that this is wrong. Individuals with amblyopia, convergence insufficiency and other stereo vision anomalies can experience vast improvements even after early childhood.
If you are interested in learning more about this, I recommend the article Teaching an Old Brain New Tricks published in Review of Optometry in 2009.
Human echolocation
Echolocation – also known as bio sonar – is utilized by many animals, including microchiropteran bats, certain shrews, cave dwelling swiftlets, and toothed whales and dolphins.
Interestingly, there are plenty of examples of humans learning to sense their environment from echoes. The ability is chiefly found in people with severe visual impairment. Researchers using magnetic resonance imaging techniques have been able to show that in such individuals, parts of the brain associated with visual processing have been adapted to handle echolocation. It is interesting to note that the processing of click-echoes heard by these individual’s isn’t limited to parts of the brain associated with auditory processing.
For more information:
- “Human Echolocation”. Journal of Vision. 10 (7): 1050. 2010
- Thaler L, Arnott SR, Goodale MA (2011). “Neural Correlates of Natural Human Echolocation in Early and Late Blind Echolocation Experts”
Personal improvement: Changing and adapting the adult brain
The adult brain is not a static organic with fixed neuronal circuits that gradually decays with age. The adult brain is fully capable of both cortical and subcortical rewiring of neuronal circuits in response to training.
Modern research has show that neurogenesis (new brain cells being created) does occur in adult mammalian brains. So far, we have mostly seen it happen in the hippocampus and in the olfactory bulb.
Each year, neuroscientific research is finding out more about the active, experience-dependent re-organization of synaptic networks in the adult brain. The re-organization is a complex process that involves multiple inter-related structures, including the cerebral cortex.
All this knowledge contrasts against previous assumptions within the field of brain research. The notion that the human brain develops during a critical period early in life and then remains relatively unchanged throughout adulthood is clearly not true.
Neuroplasticity can be observed at multiple scales, from changes in individual neurons and their connections to each other to macro-changes such as cortical remapping in response to injury. | http://www.ipim.co.uk/ |
We should be able to agree, without much contention, that the ultimate objective and role of Government is to improve the well-being of society; to make people’s lives better. Every decision made should, from conception to implementation, have this purpose in mind.
However, across the world, with very few exceptions, Governments have used a metric to determine policy and make decisions, which was never designed to measure or achieve this objective: Gross Domestic Product (‘GDP’). GDP is perhaps amongst the most widespread ‘accidents’ of political decision-making and world governance.
The modern concept of GDP was introduced in 1934 in a report drafted by Simon Kuznets for the US Senate, in the years following the Great Depression and the First World War and in the lead-up to the Second World War.
In the years that followed, and in particular after the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944, GDP saw widespread adoption around the world in measuring countries’ economies. Over time, Governments used it to determine the success of their economic policies and as a proxy for the measurement of societal welfare. The use of GDP in isolation is, however, at best misleading and at worst completely void of logic.
It probably sounds absurd, because its adoption has been widespread and normalised over generations, but even Kuznets in his initial report to the US Senate warned against its use as a measure of welfare. Nobel-laureate economists Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen said that “those attempting to guide the economy and our societies are like pilots trying to steer a course without a reliable compass.”
To put it another way, it’s like using the number of successful passes made in a football match as the sole measure of the success of a manager’s strategy. The primary objective of a manager’s strategy (other than perhaps entertainment) is not to accumulate the highest number of passes, but to win by getting the ball across the line more times than the opposition. So, to devise a strategy aimed at achieving something other than that can only be illogical and destined to fail.
This might sound trivial, and admittedly it’s over-simplifying the issue; but it illustrates how incorrect the use of GDP alone is in determining policy and in measuring its success against the purpose of Government. As already mentioned, GDP was designed to be a measure of economic activity, and not of well-being.
Whilst ‘well-being’ is a concept that is somewhat mercurial and difficult to define, we should all be able to agree quite easily that economic activity is not the only contributor to societal welfare.
To use an extreme but factual example that highlights one of its many flaws, GDP considers the consumption of cigarettes and fossil fuels as positive contributors. Clearly, this is a fallacy. There are several components that contribute to an individual’s and by extension a community’s well-being which extend far beyond the measuring capacity of GDP alone. And yet, since the late 1930s, Governments have used it almost exclusively to guide their decision-making and to determine the success of those decisions.
When GDP is used as the sole barometer of a country’s success, it becomes easy to justify policy-decisions which whilst increasing economic activity might run contrary to the improved collective welfare of a society. Renowned Israeli writer Yuval Noal Harari, author of Homo Deus, draws on this when he says that “production is important because it provides the material basis for happiness. But it is only the means, not the end”.
And this is a fundamental point. Take the construction industry, for instance, as a typical example. Real estate contributed ca. 7.5% to Malta’s GDP in 2018, a statistic often used to exemplify its critical importance to our existence. Taken in a vacuum, GDP growth can reasonably justify policy decisions that seek to protect and promote the industry indiscriminately. But GDP does not factor in the negative implications of the industry on societal wellbeing; the permanent loss of green areas, the increased pressure on our infrastructure, noise pollution, dust pollution leading to the increased prevalence of asthma, and many other negative implications.
In short, it simply does not make sense to use GDP in isolation to determine the contribution of an industry or an activity on society. To determine the true net contribution, whether positive or negative, we must factor in the other costs (or benefits) of an industry like real estate.
To be clear, this is not about abandoning the role of economic activity, far from it. Instead, it is about loosening the grip of GDP on the minds of decision-makers in favour of guiding principles that are actually designed to address the purpose of Government. Policy based on this alternate guiding principle will place emphasis, in addition to GDP, on contributors to well-being such as health status, social connections, civic engagement and governance, environmental quality, work-life balance, housing and others.
Industries like real estate will need to show how they can contribute to the overall well-being of society in order to rank amongst the priorities of Government. This kind of policy will naturally pull economic activity towards that which is the least intensive on our limited infrastructure, and which contributes most to the long-term health of society. The difficulty that many experts have found is in attributing an equally simple metric that factors in all facets of well-being. As a result, the move away from GDP has been slow.
Still, we are seeing a gradual shift taking place, with countries like New Zealand taking the lead. In 2019, the Government launched the first ‘well-being budget’, which effectively dethroned GDP as the measure of its success. Ministries are expected to incorporate the wellbeing-based priorities in each of their bids to the Ministry of Finance for budget allocation. New Zealand has been consistently in the headlines for all the right reasons, this being one of them. Perhaps it is time for Maltese politics to follow suit.
Luke Frendo, is a Maltese lawyer with Frendo Advisory and has a background in international business management and identifying risks for financial institutions.
Lovin Malta is open to external contributions that are well written and thought provoking. If you would like your commentary to be featured as a guest post, please write to [email protected], add Guest Post in the subject line and attach a profile photo for us to use near your byline. Contributions are subject to editing and do not necessarily represent Lovin Malta’s views.
www.lovinmalta.com says
There have been many changes recently relating to the introduction of GDPR from May 25th 2018, therefore, before you continue we wish to advise that in continuing to our website you are consenting to our Terms of Use and understand the new privacy policy that is in effect. | |
I was not looking forward to Labor Day weekend. Since my dad was born in early September, we always celebrated his birthday then. This was our first year without him and I wasn’t sure how the weekend would go.
The Sunday prior to holiday weekend, my mom commented that the 29th marked the fifth month since his passing. Since they were married for over 65 years, I can understand that her loss is measured more acutely than mine. It’s a sobering thought that within the space of a week, we remembered my Dad on the two limits of life: birth and death. But those limits are what humans place on life because that’s the measure we understand.
I planned a visit to the columbarium, as I was concerned that the weekend would feel empty and odd. While I knew I would be missing him, at least visiting his resting place could provide a sense of peace that I did something. Yet while I was there, I kept wondering what did the birthdate mean any longer? The birthdate is only when he was born into the physical world. His death date, however, is when he passed into eternal life. At that moment, my human mind could not wrap itself around this concept and I kept trying to push away the thought.
Part of human nature is to measure and categorize. Since we cannot usually tell when the moment of conception occurs, the next big milestone is birth. We measure our whole life against that single day. It’s a memorial for the living to mark the passage of time. However, once a person is no longer with us, the birthday no longer has significance since the person is no longer bound by time and space. Birthdays become rather bittersweet: recalling memories of previous birthdays and marking how old the person would have been.
In contrast, the Church often celebrates saints on the day of their passing. Perhaps this is why the thought kept niggling at my brain. Maybe the better day to celebrate is the day of a person’s passing. While we won’t know if that person is in purgatory or heaven, we hope in the mercy of God and anticipate his or her reception into the beatific vision. Loosed from the bonds of time and space, our loved ones are in a unique position to be both close to us and close to God, petitioning Him on our behalf.
Whether we celebrate a birthday or the death day, or even both, our time-bound humanity can only measure the gain or loss of a person. But no matter if the person is a named saint or a family member, it is our memories of them that cast deep impressions on us and help us to strive to become better versions of ourselves. Perhaps one day they will be the ones to greet us on our death day as we pass from this world into eternal life. | https://catholicgirljourney.org/2020/09/10/time-bound/ |
Responsibility:
- Responsible for assisting, logging, tracking, escalating and resolving all pending fraud incidents Maintains and updates required reporting in accordance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations
- Assist Anti-Fraud Management to define and maintain fraud prevention and detection procedures and map to strategy/policy
- Assist Operations Management to define operational fraud business process flows and Alert Response Protocols
- Assist Anti Fraud Risk Management with all training initiatives generating a high-level of anti-fraud awareness for our internal staff, relationship managers including our external customers.
- Assist in the development of KPI & KRI reporting for fraud program
- Responsible for assisting with investigations of reported fraud or suspicious activity and the creation of reports/summaries to be distributed to key stakeholders of the program
- Assist the Fraud Prevention Officer in regards to NPDD and Fraud prevention at the entity level
- Assist the team in regard to ad-hoc projects and assignments related to fraud investigations and prosecutions as necessary
- Disposition of fraudulent alert transactions within the Actimize IFM system, conducting escalation when required, cancelling transactions from further processing when identifying fraud, approving transactions deemed not fraud after completing account research or customer confirmation
- Resolve queued transactions within the service level agreements to reduce potential money transfer losses due to CMS, CHIPS, FEDWIRE, ACH or SWIFT cut-off deadlines.
- Assists the Operations VP with day-to-day workflow management, performance and management of assigned Actimize alerts and enhancement of department processes.
Qualifications: | https://madisondavis.com/job/anti-fraud-operations-associate/ |
So, today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which was introduced by the UN a couple years ago. And this is a proper time to recall us, men, what you, ladies, have made in science. Keeping in mind that men managed to organize this world on the principle of patriarchy, where even access to quality education was a problem for women during the centuries, your contribution, ladies, is remarkable indeed. You discovered new chemical elements and comets, worked on radioactivity and nuclear fission, firstly obtained X-ray image of DNA and opened “jumping genes”, discovered telomerase and nerve growth factor, and even have been leading experts in primates social lives (rather useful thing for communication with us, men).
Let me here give just a brief reminder on three incredible women in science. Three, who were Nobel laureates with still unbroken records: Marie Curie, the only person in history who won two Nobel Prizes in two different scientific categories; Rita Levi-Montalcini, the first Nobel laureate lived over 100; and Barbara McClintock, the only woman in history won unshared Nobel Prize. By the way, I borrowed “data” from article of science writer Lisa Winter, whose activity is great contribution in science itself.
Marie (Skłodowska) Curie
As women in Warsaw were not allowed to attend college when she came of age, Marie was educated secretly for a few years until she moved to Paris to get a proper degree. There she met Pierre Curie, a physicist whom she would later marry. Together, the Curies collaborated on Marie’s work on the radioactivity of uranium. The pair went on to win the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics. Marie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
After her husband’s death, Marie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for the discovery of radium and polonium, and she remains the only person in history to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific categories.
Young Marie Skłodowska
“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie
Rita Levi-Montalcini
She earned her medical degree even though her father did not approve of women getting an education. She wasn’t able to find a job doing medical research due to anti-Jewish laws passed by Benito Mussolini. But neither her father nor a fascist dictator could stop her from pursuing her dreams.
She continued her research throughout World War II from a lab she built in her bedroom and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s. She went on to co-discover Nerve Growth Factor, a protein-like molecule that grows and maintains neuron health in the brain, which earned her the Nobel Prize in 1986.
Levi-Montalcini lived for more than 100 years, leaving behind an incredible and inspiring legacy.
Young Rita Levi-Montalcini
“Above all, don’t fear difficult moments. The best comes from them.” – Rita Levi-Montalcini
Barbara McClintock
It was Barbara McClintock’s mother who didn’t want her going to college, out of fear it would destroy her chances at marriage. McClintock’s father disagreed and pushed for his daughter to attend Cornell, where she studied botany and genetics (though the university didn’t give women genetics degrees at the time).
She is most widely known for discovering certain sequences of DNA that can change locations within the gene. When this happens, it can affect how the gene is expressed. Officially known as “transposable elements,” they are often referred to as “jumping genes.” While some of these mutations are harmless, others are responsible for diseases like hemophilia and breast cancer.
In 1983 McClintock became the first woman to be awarded an unshared Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine — a record she still holds.
Barbara McClintock at Cornell University
“If you know you are on the right track, if you have this inner knowledge, then nobody can turn you off… no matter what they say.” – Barbara McClintock
Thank you, ladies, for your service to science and humanity.
And guys, let’s recall the other remarkable ladies of science over the world, over your country or over your lab. Please, leave comments below. | https://carelessscience.com/blog2017/thank-you-ladies/ |
Giving Nature a Helping Hand by writer Zoë Devlin
For me, one of the best sounds of summer is that of bumblebees, buzzing and rattling their way, up and down the purple fingers on spikes of foxgloves.
It's not just the romantic in me that appreciates nature's music but the practical. Since I realised, some years ago, that our pollinators were in decline, I have been learning how to protect them to try to stem what could be a catastrophic loss, not only to our natural environment but to the Irish economy. At present, they contribute over €50 million, each year, by pollinating our vegetable and fruit crops. *
With one-third of Irish bee species threatened with extinction, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was launched in 2015, and its remit has been to raise awareness of the need to act to prevent their further decline. One of its main aims was to encourage the growth of wildflowers wherever possible.
From a pollinator's viewpoint, wildflowers have a distinct advantage over cultivated garden plants – they are easier to feed on. Access to nectar is far more direct in a wildflower as many cultivated plants have multiple petals that inhibit an insect's entry. They can also be low in pollen and nectar. If you look at the simple form of a Dog-rose compared with a more complex, multi-petalled garden variety, you can see what I mean.
Bees carry out most pollination as they feed their young on pollen alone but other insects, such as hoverflies, moths and butterflies, also play their part in providing this service. To survive, pollinators need both pollen and nectar and many of our native wildflowers have these in abundance.
Members of the pea flower family are high on the list of food suppliers to both humans and pollinators. One of the best-known supporters of insects is Gorse, that prickly native species that grow in profusion and seems to be in flower almost all year round. To watch honeybees working their way along each flower is fascinating. Because the plants have such an extended flowering time, their pollen is on tap early in the year and after other sources have died.
Close cousins of Gorse are Clovers and Vetches, most of which bloom in summer and through to the end of autumn. If you closely examine the flowerhead of a White or Red Clover, you can see it is made up of many little pea flowers, each providing sustenance for hungry bees. Another most useful member of this family is Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, often referred to as Eggs-and-Bacon. This is a pretty yellow-flowered perennial with seedpods closely resembling a bird's foot, hence its common name. It forms clusters and can be used as an attractive border plant, flowering from May to September, when it is continuously visited by pollen and nectar-seeking insects.
Mention of this pretty trefoil reminds me that this plant species serves another most useful purpose in a superb example of symbiosis. That is in its support of some of our smaller butterflies' most eye-catching, among them the Common Blue. This little insect needs the trefoil as a larval food plant for its young. When they emerge, it is the nutrition in the leaves that will help them to survive.
Probably not the most eye-catching species but a high provider of both nectar and pollen is Common Knapweed. Beetles and flies join the ranks of pollinators that flock to its purple/mauve flowerheads. Resembling thistles, Knapweed doesn't bear the prickly spines of those wildflowers. Wherever it grows, be it in meadows or hedgerows, it contributes to another natural world element. After it has finished flowering – usually in October – the seeds of this perennial species are also beneficial to birds such as goldfinches.
A walk or cycle along country roads and lanes between May and September is often enhanced by the sight of wide clumps of large daisies, wafting in the summer breeze. Oxeye Daisies are known to many as Dog Daisies – and once their seeds germinate, they establish themselves in the soil, developing a creeping rootstock. Year after year, they keep reappearing, offering sustenance to a wide variety of pollinating insects such as ants, beetles and moths.
As its name suggests, Selfheal was once used in folk medicine as a herbal remedy for many ailments. It is a low-growing perennial plant, bearing short columns of purple – sometimes white – flowers and is often found in lawns. If left to its own devices, it will feed bees and wasps from June to October.
Mother Nature has quite a few tricks up her sleeves.
One that I find intriguing is the relationship between the Cuckooflower and the Orange-tip butterfly. In early April, the pink or white, four-petalled flowers of the Cuckooflower begin to show their faces. This coincides with the emerging of the overwintering butterflies. The female – she's the one without the orange tips to her wings, that's the male's attire – then lays her eggs beneath the flowers. When the eggs hatch, they feast on the seed pods of this plant.
Support for our pollinators comes in all shapes and sizes and not always from the most handsome of our wildflowers, the Common Nettle, being one of the best examples. Butterflies, such as the Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral, lay their eggs under this plant's leaves. The Nettle's stinging hairs deter predators from disturbing the eggs, and when the grubs emerge from this nursery, the leaves are what they feed on to thrive and become the next generation.
Many gardeners might throw their hands up in horror at the thought of Dandelions in the garden, but pollinators do not share that sentiment. When you look closely at the flowerhead of this species, what you are seeing is up to one hundred florets, each ready to provide a meal of nectar and pollen to whoever comes in search of it. Its early flowering time can be the difference between life and death to some emerging, hungry creatures.
Allowing Dandelions to bloom is one of the many simple actions that are suggested in the Pollinator Plan. Sowing native wildflowers is another that will reap benefits for the environment.
Over a number of years, parts of your garden can become such useful places for pollinators to dine in that you can leave them to continue on their own, doing what natures does best, just getting on with it. You will have played your part. | https://connectingtonature.ie/blogs/news/giving-nature-a-helping-hand-zoe-devlin-2021 |
Introduction {#S1}
============
The Müller-Lyer ([@R18]) illusion consists of two identical lines that appear different in length, due to arrowheads or arrowtails fixed at the apexes of both lines (Panel A of [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). The line with the arrowheads ("fins-in") is perceived as being shorter than the line with the arrowtails ("fins-out"). Numerous theories and experimental paradigms have been explored in an attempt to explain this illusion, such as misapplied size constancy ([@R10]), variations of angle degree and length of arrowheads ([@R8]; [@R24]; [@R25]), and central-tendency-effects ([@R22]; see also [@R2]; [@R30]).
![Panel A. Variants of the Müller-Lyer illusion including the original (left), dumbbell (centre) and dot type (right). Panel B. Day's ([@R3]) theory of perceptual compromise suggests that the overall size of the figure and distance between features influences our perception of the central line: A conflict exists between the global cue for overall size and the local requirement to judge line length. Panel C. An example of a single trial, where participants were asked adjust the vertical line (with no fins) to match the length of the line of the illusory figure. The computer mouse is used click the appropriate button to make the adjustable line smaller or larger.](acp-10-009-g001){#F1}
A longstanding explanation for this illusion is that of "misapplied size constancy" ([@R10]). This theory suggests that size constancy applied to objects in three-dimensional space is misapplied to two-dimensional figures due to learned depth cue confusion (see also [@R16]). The effect is typically demonstrated by comparisons between an interior room corner and an exterior building corner. Researchers have challenged this hypothesis, however, arguing that it cannot explain the illusion's persistence in dumbbell or dot presentations, where the termini of the lines cannot be conceptualised as corners or edges in three dimensions (e.g., [@R3]; [@R13]; [@R30]; see Panel A of [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). Furthermore, individuals whom have little experience of linear architecture are still susceptible to the illusion; albeit to a lesser extent ([@R1]). Thus, there is still no consensus of explanation within the literature, particularly as many theories fail to explain various modifications of the basic illusion (see [@R26]).
Day ([@R3]) proposed a theory of "perceptual compromise" to explain visual illusions like Müller-Lyer's. He suggested that the Müller-Lyer illusion arises due to conflicting cues, where a compromise exists between the true lengths of the lines and interapical distances (local features) and the lengths of the complete figures (global features). Therefore, the line with arrowtails at its apexes, or fins-out, appears longer than the line with arrowheads (or fins-in) since the fins-out figure is larger overall and the distance between the a pices of the fins is greater (see Panel B of [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). Although Day's mechanism is less specific regarding how the line with arrowheads at its apexes (or fins-in) might appear shorter, it would seem a natural extension of his theory to suggest that a shorter interapical distance would result in a reduction in line estimation, as the greater global feature is now concentrated in the centre of the figure (see Panel B of [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). Thus, there appear to be global size differences between the two examples of the illusion, even though local features (line length) are the same. It is suggested, therefore, that a perceptual compromise is sought between this conflicting information, resulting in the illusion. Unlike some competing theories, perceptual compromise successfully accounts for illusions created by variations of the original Müller-Lyer figure. Day's theory has been proposed as an explanation for the following illusions: the Poggendorff illusion ([@R6]), the Morinaga illusion ([@R3]), arc and chevron illusions ([@R5]), and the Bourdon illusion ([@R4]). Other authors have described similar mechanisms which rely on mismatch, assimilation, or compromise between local features and global or gestalt figure features (e.g., [@R13]; [@R17]; [@R22], [@R23]; [@R30]). However, to the author's knowledge, Day's theory, or those related to it, have not seen *direct* empirical testing with respect to Müller-Lyer and illusion magnitude.
Interpreting Day's ([@R3]) theory, if one were to create a bias in an observer's attention towards global processing then the magnitude of the illusion should be increased. If a participant is focusing on gestalt or global "wholes" then a compromise between the conflicting global and local cues present in the figure will be biased toward the global (overall stimulus size) cue. Conversely, if an attention bias were to exist towards local processing, thus reducing the influence of the fins, then the magnitude of the Müller-Lyer illusion should decrease, since the observer will attend more closely to the local (individual line length) cue.
Navon ([@R19]) developed a way to investigate, and bias, global and local visual processing applying a paradigm which used special stimuli, that became known as "Navon stimuli" ([Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}). Navon used hierarchical letters, which consisted of a larger letter made up of many smaller letters. The letters could be read out in either a global form (i.e., the large letter) or in a local form (i.e., one of the small letters comprising the larger letter). Using this type of stimulus, Navon presented evidence to support the contention that global processing shows precedence over local processing; that is, global processing of a stimulus is faster and more automatic than local processing, which requires a slower and more effortful mechanism[^1^](#FN1){ref-type="fn"}. Further studies have consistently supported his results ([@R7]; [@R9]; [@R11]; [@R20]; [@R27]; [@R31]). Adding to this, Macrae and Lewis ([@R14]) implemented Navon stimuli to *modulate* global and local processing before a face recognition task. Intending to prove that default face processing is generally biased toward the global level, it was found that face recognition was significantly enhanced when previously exposed to the global Navon condition, compared with the control condition. Furthermore, face recognition was significantly impaired when previously exposed to the local condition compared to the control condition. Such findings demonstrate that a *processing bias* can be *induced* by simple exposure to Navon stimuli (see also [@R21]).
{#F2}
The purpose of the current study was to empirically test Day's ([@R3]) theory of perceptual compromise within the Müller-Lyer illusion. Initial exposure to Navon stimuli was hypothesised to create a bias toward global or local processing which would impact upon the magnitude of the Müller-Lyer illusion in a later task. A bias created toward global processing (by focusing attention on the large Navon letters) should enhance the Müller-Lyer illusion in comparison to a control group. A bias toward local processing (by directing attention toward small Navon letters) should weaken the Müller-Lyer illusion in comparison to a control group.
Method {#S2}
======
Participants {#S2a}
------------
This study comprised a convenience sample of 306 Monash University undergraduate students (*M*~age~ = 23.81, *SD*~age~ = 6.76; 76.8% female, 23.2% male) who participated voluntarily, in return for course credit. The research was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC), and all participants gave written informed consent prior to participation, in accordance with the guidelines of MUHREC. Participants were randomly assigned into the three Navon treatment conditions: global, local, and control (no Navon exposure).
Materials {#S2b}
---------
Participants selected into the global and local conditions were asked to view a timed presentation of Navon stimuli (created using Microsoft Visual Basic©). The stimuli appeared at a size of 500 × 500 pixels on a 21-in. widescreen LCD monitor. Three hundred Navon stimuli were made for this study (see [Figure 2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}) and were presented individually on screen for a period of 1 s, for a total presentation time of 5 min for the whole sequence. The effects of the processing level bias modulation were then examined using a second custom-written computer program, designed to test the magnitude of the Müller-Lyer illusion. The program was written in the Microsoft Visual Basic© programming language.
The parameters for the Müller-Lyer program were as follows: For each trial, participants were asked to match the apparent length of a line between arrowheads with an adjustable comparison line (see Panel C of [Figure 1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). The length of the adjustable stimulus could be modified by clicking on-screen buttons marked "shorter" or "longer." Participants were asked to click these buttons until there was a perceptual match between the adjusted line and the length of the Müller-Lyer illusion. The adjustable comparison line was randomly set to either 100 or 200 pixels at the start of each trial to limit systematic instrumentation errors. The Müller-Lyer illusory stimulus was randomly set to between 80 and 250 pixels to prevent learning effects. The angle between the arrowhead lines was also varied on each trial, between 15 and 165°, in 15° increments (i.e., 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165°). Fins at angles from 15 to 75° pointed inwards (fins-in), whereas fins at angles from 105 to 165° pointed outwards (fins-out). On a given trial, a fin angle was chosen at random from the 11 possibilities, with the restriction that each angle was used eight times across the experiment, and could not be presented twice in immediate succession. Thus, there were a total of 88 trials. The purpose of varying fin angles in this study was to observe the magnitude of the Müller-Lyer illusion over several different stimuli and to prevent the development of practice effects. After adjustment of the comparison line, the participant's illusion magnitude was measured as the difference in length between the adjusted and illusory lines: "adjustment error." Negative values would indicate adjustments too short, whereas positive values indicate adjustments too long.
Procedure {#S2c}
---------
Each participant was seated in a darkened room, 70 cm from a 21-in. PC computer monitor. Chair height was adjusted so that the participant's eyes were level with the centre of the computer screen. Participants were randomly allocated to either local processing bias, global processing bias, or the control condition. Participants in the global condition were instructed to view the Navon presentation sequence, reading aloud the large letters, quickly and accurately. Those in the local condition were asked to read out the small letters. The experimenter monitored participants' responses for compliance. After the 5 min Navon sequence these participants were then asked to complete the Müller-Lyer experiment. Participants allocated to the control condition commenced the Müller-Lyer portion of the experiment immediately.
Results {#S3}
=======
Mean adjustment error at each fin angle was calculated for each participant (i.e., a mean of any adjustment error across the eight trials at each fin angle). Mean adjustment error is plotted against fin angle for each condition in [Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}. Negative error values indicate that comparison lines were adjusted to be smaller than the Müller-Lyer stimulus. Positive error values indicate that comparison line was adjusted to be larger than the Müller-Lyer stimulus. The regression relationship between adjustment error and fin angle can thus be considered to indicate the *intensity* of the illusion. The slope/gradient of the regression line between fin angle and adjustment error was therefore calculated for each participant. The gradient of the linear trend (*m*) was calculated as follows: *m* = (*y* - *c*)/*x*, where *c* is the *y*-axis intercept, *x*-axis is the fin angle, and *y*-axis is mean adjustment error. This data was transferred to IBM SPSS Statistics 20 for further analysis.
{#F3}
Inspection of [Figure 3](#F3){ref-type="fig"} indicates that overall, fins-in stimuli create negative adjustment errors: Participants perceive these stimuli to be shorter than they really are. On the other hand, fins-out stimuli create positive adjustment errors: Participants perceive these to be longer than they are. This relationship appears to follow a standard psychophysical sigmoid. The gradient of the relationship between fin angle and adjustment error (i.e., the strength of the illusion) was steeper overall for the global condition, compared with control, indicating a stronger illusion in this condition; whereas the gradient was shallower for the local condition, indicating a weaker illusion (see [Table 1](#T1){ref-type="table"}).
###### Mean Gradient and Standard Deviation for Control, Local, and Global Groups
Group *n* MAE gradient *SD*
--------- ----- -------------- -------
Control 102 .158 0.068
Global 102 .206 0.078
Local 102 .127 0.063
*Note.* Mean adjustment error (MAE) gradient is the resulting regression slope of each condition's mean adjustment error for each fin angle. The steeper the slope (higher value) indicates a greater mean adjustment error across all fin angles. Therefore, a higher slope value represents greater influence of the Müller-Lyer illusion.
These observations are supported by analysis of the gradient data in SPSS. ANOVA showed a significant between-subjects main effect of condition: global, local, control; *F*(2, 305) = 43.97, *p* \< .001, η^2^ = .22. Homogeneity of variance and normality were confirmed by Levene's statistic (*p* = .105) and the Shapiro-Wilk test (*p* = .845), respectively. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey's HSD confirmed that the global condition gradient was significantly steeper than both local and control, minimum *F*(1, 203) = 20.89, *p* \< .001, indicting a stronger illusion in this group. The local condition produced a gradient which was significantly shallower than global or control, minimum *F*(1, 203) = 23.01, *p* \< .001, indicating a weaker illusion. Our finding appears to support the suggestion that creating a bias toward either global or local processing will influence the strength of the visual illusion, according to Day's ([@R3]) hypothesis of perceptual compromise.
Discussion {#S4}
==========
The purpose of this study was to test the potential for Day's ([@R3]) hypothesis of perceptual compromise to explain the estimation biases seen in the Müller-Lyer illusion. Day proposed that the presence of the illusion is due to a conflict between global cues and local cues. Exposure to Navon stimuli was used to create a bias in processing level toward either global or local, before testing the illusory strength of the Müller-Lyer illusion.
Supporting our interpretation of Day's hypothesis, the strength of the Müller-Lyer illusion was significantly increased for participants in the global processing bias group, in comparison to those in the control condition; and it was significantly decreased for participants in the local processing bias group, in comparison to those in the control condition[^2^](#FN2){ref-type="fn"}. This finding sits well with the hypothesis that visual illusions such as Müller-Lyer are brought about by a tendency for the visual system to compromise between stimulus parts and their wholes. A strengthening of the illusion when biased toward global processing indicates that perceptual compromise is shifted toward the overall size of the figure. Conversely, a weakening of the illusion following bias toward local processing indicates a reduction in perceptual compromise and a restored ability to accurately judge local features.
In further support of these data, studies investigating cortical acti-vity during perception of the Müller-Lyer illusion have demonstrated that right-hemispheric visual regions, known to be global processing dominant, are more active than equivalent left-hemispheric regions, thought to be more active in local processing (e.g., [@R28]; [@R29]; see also [@R15]). Knowing that our visual system is normally biased toward fast, global processing ([@R19]), it seems logical that such a pre-existing bias would influence our perception of the illusion, in terms similar to those suggested by Day ([@R3]). Such neural-level findings, showing that lateral occipital, interior temporal, and dorsal visual stream regions contribute to the illusion, also strengthen the contention that higher-order visual areas must be involved (thus limiting theories which rely on low-level visual properties).
It must also be noted that the "assimilation theory" of Pressey ([@R22], [@R23]) bears resemblance to the ideas put forward by Day ([@R3]). Pressey's assimilation theory argues that the length of the central line is misperceived, since the visual system cannot successfully *isolate* local feature parts from global wholes (but see also [@R12]). Technically therefore, the end point of this theory is the same as Day predicts: A line with fins-out is seen as longer because the stimulus is, effectively, longer. Our Navon manipulation, when participants focus on the local letter features, may thus allow more effective featural isolation in the illusion, which would have the same outcome as reduced global compromise.
Furthermore, from these data it is not impossible to discount Gregory's ([@R10]) misapplied size constancy theory. For example, when a bias is formed toward the local features of the stimulus, this situation may reduce the likelihood that the figure would produce the three-dimensional global gestalt that - as Gregory suggests - is responsible for the impression of depth (and thus the application of size constancy) in the illusion. In effect, the manipulation of global and local bias may be modifying the extent to which the features of the figure are seen as distinct from one another, or as a whole.
It is clear from the plethora of theory and empirical data on the Müller-Lyer illusion and related visual phenomena that simple mechanistic explanations are unlikely to capture the full scope of their neural or cognitive basis. Further investigation is of course required to examine the effect described here in more detail. For example, eye tracking information would be very useful in determining any change in fixation or scan-pattern of the illusion following a Navon-like processing level manipulation.
One can see, therefore, how such an arrangement may bring about Day's perceptual compromise with regard to visual illusion: A pre-disposition to process global information before local detail will precipitate into the "conflicting cues" scenario.
Additionally, in line with previous research (e.g., [@R25]), as fin angle was increased it appeared that the strength of the Müller-Lyer illusion also increased.
| |
Date of Award:
5-2016
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Special Education and Rehabilitation
Advisor/Chair:
Benjamin Lignugaris/Kraft
Abstract
Preservice special education teachers need to develop essential teaching skills to competently address student academics and behavior in the classroom. TeachLivETM is a sophisticated virtual simulation that has recently emerged in teacher preparation programs to supplement traditional didactic instruction and field experiences. Teacher educators can engineer scenarios in TeachLivETM to cumulatively build in complexity, allowing preservice teachers to incrementally interleave target skills in increasingly difficult situations.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of TeachLivETM on preservice special education teachers’ delivery of error correction, specific praise, and praise around in the virtual environment and in authentic classroom settings. Four preservice special educators who were teaching on provisional licenses in upper elementary language arts classrooms participated in this multiple baseline study across target skills. Participants attended weekly TeachLivETM sessions as a group, where they engaged in three short teaching turns followed by structured feedback. Participants’ proficiency with the target skills was analyzed on three weekly assessments. First, participants’ mastery of current and previous target skills was measured during their third teaching turn of the intervention session (i.e., TeachLivETM training assessment). Next, participants’ proficiency with all skills, including those that had not been targeted yet in intervention, were measured immediately following intervention sessions (i.e., TeachLivETM comprehensive assessment). Finally, teachers submitted a weekly video recording of a lesson in their real classroom (i.e. classroom generalization assessment).
Repeated practice and feedback in TeachLivETM promoted participants’ mastery of essential target skills. Specifically, all participants demonstrated proficiency with error correction, specific praise, and praise around on both the TeachLivETM training assessment and the more complex TeachLivETM comprehensive assessment, with a strong pattern of generalized performance to authentic classroom settings. Participants maintained proficiency with the majority of the target skills in both environments when assessed approximately one month after intervention was discontinued. Implications of the study are discussed, including the power of interleaved practice in TeachLivETM and how generalization and maintenance may be impacted by the degree of alignment between virtual and real teaching scenarios.
Checksum
8020421bb68a13cc1793b7c41c8dbfae
Recommended Citation
Dawson, Melanie Rees, "From TeachLivE™ to the Classroom: Building Preservice Special Educators’ Proficiency with Essential Teaching Skills" (2016). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 4930.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4930
Included in
Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at . | https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4930/ |
INTRODUCTION TO REVIVAL STYLES: Each revival style identifies specifically with an architecture of an earlier time and place, especially those related to early American or European precedents. Several popular revival styles are included on this blog, though other, less popular revival styles also appeared. To classify this grouping of architectural styles presents a challenge, as one could argue that many earlier Victorian styles were similarly revivalist. In fact, one publication includes several revival styles within the larger category of Victorian architecture (Cunliffe, et. al. 2010). The concept of “period styles” has also been adopted by some writers (including this one), though it was an early 20th century term used by non-professionals to romanticize the past. On the flip side are the architectural historians who prefer the more academic “Age of eclecticism” or “Eclectic Era,” which is an important concept to provide historical context here. The Eclectic Era, however, includes both revival and early modern styles that competed ideologically and appeared nearly simultaneously before the Great Depression. For purposes here, then, “revival styles” seems most appropriate, adapted widely across America for use in middle-class homes, wealthy country houses, commercial buildings, early skyscrapers, and civic buildings. Though overlapping with the more picturesque Victorian era, these styles largely gained popularity during the first two decades of the 20th century and heavily influenced our residential and commercial landscapes.
During this time (mostly between 1900 and 1929), accuracy of styles became important once again, unlike Queen Anne style, which borrowed from a variety of sources. Most Important, revival styles look to the past for inspiration. The trend toward revivalist architecture gained momentum from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the Columbian Exposition, where historical interpretations of European styles were encouraged. Simultaneous to the rise of revivalist architecture, the modern era saw its beginnings with architects who were instead looking to the future, not to the past, with more progressive, modernist styles. Thus defines the Eclectic Movement of the early 20th century, which consisted of a simultaneous and perhaps competing interest in both modern and historic architectural traditions. This variety, or eclecticism, provided for one of the most diverse and colorful periods for architecture and urban design in American history, when almost anyone with at least a middle-class income could choose from one of a dozen or more styles for their home.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND FEATURES: Spanish revival (also referred to as Spanish eclectic) was inspired by the architecture of Spain and Latin America, emphasizing their rich stylistic details. Due to the early influence of New Spain in the Southwest and Southeast, the style is rare outside the Southwest, Texas and Florida. Typical features include a low-pitched roof with little or no eave overhang, a red-tiled roof, perhaps a prominent rounded arch over a door, window or porch, a stucco wall surface, and usually an asymmetrical façade.
For More Photos of Spanish Revival on Flickr, Click Here. | https://architecturestyles.org/spanish-revival/?replytocom=29388 |
[Comparison of cardiac output measured continuously by thermodilution and calculated according to Fick's principle].
Recently, a thermodilution technique for continuous measurement of cardiac output was introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of continuous cardiac output measurement using the thermodilution technique (CCO) and to assess the correspondence between CCO and cardiac output obtained with the Fick's principle (Fick-CO). Nine patients were studied in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. A new pulmonary artery catheter modified by attachment of a thermal filament (Intellicath, Model PA3-H-8Fr) was inserted and connected to a continuous cardiac output computer (Vigilance Monitor). Oxygen consumption was continuously measured using the gas exchange method (Deltatrac Metabolic Monitor). Fick-CO was calculated according to the Fick's principle. The study in each patient consisted of 6 serial determinations of both CCO and Fick-CO at 10 min intervals. For 54 pairs of measurements, the mean difference (Fick-CO-CCO) was 0,6 L.min-1. The limits of agreement were--0,6 to 1,8 L.min-1 respectively. The relative error was 6% for CCO and 10% for Fick-CO. It is concluded that CCO and Fick-CO cannot be considered as being interchangeable. However, the accuracy of CCO is acceptable. The technique does not require any user calibration and eliminates the need of bolus injections. Further studies are necessary to determine the benefits of this new technique in the various clinical situations.
| |
KIRSTY MORAN-DAVIS / CAN QUAVERS BE ART?
Can quavers be a form of art? For my work, I wanted to find out and to show if the crisps Quavers can be a form of art. To do this, I’ve been trying various ways from 2D, 3D and video. I’ve been looking at the variety of shapes that you get from Quavers, not the colour. I’ve used bright, bold colours to give it a different look. I’ve been experimenting with different materials to achieve this and to show different textures and patterns within my work. Philip Taaffe and Laura Owen have influenced me a lot throughout this process. From the colours and the patterns, you could say their work is ‘weird’ and that’s what I look for in my work. I’ve loved using printmaking for my work. By creating a Lino cut of the sculptural shapes of my quavers sculpture, I have been able to print my quavers shape in various ways. Before the lockdown, I wanted to create massive, brightly coloured prints to show a trippy side but I could only create small prints. I would love to try and take this further and to use different materials and processes. | https://whatmighthavebeen.wixsite.com/coventry/copy-of-person-name-5 |
Are moral values absolute or relative
Moral relativism is a philosophy that asserts there is no global, absolute moral law that applies to all people, for all time, and in all places instead of an objective moral law, it espouses a qualified view where morals are concerned, especially in the areas of individual moral practice where. What is moral relativity: is the view that when it comes to questions of morality, there are no absolutes and no objective right or wrong moral rules are merely personal preferences and/or the result of one’s cultural, sexual or ethnic orientation. The absolute and relative income hypothesis 1009 words | 5 pages attempts to test the absolute and relative income hypothesis with an extremely large us sample and to “examine the role of income inequality as a moderator of the absolute and relative income effects” (cheung, 2015, p 333.
Moral absolutism is the ethical belief that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong, regardless of the context of the act. Norman anderson, “ethics: relative, situational or absolute,” vox evangelica 9 (1975): 28-36 but the basic point at issue is not whether ethics and morals are not, in some degree, relative―in the sense that there are obvious differences between one race and another, one generation and. Ahh good old absolutism vs relativismi'm a moral relativist i believe that it is very dangerous and arbitrary to set absolute moral standards, because there are always exceptions, different perspectives, and other interpretations.
Ethical systems which consider that the moral act itself has moral value, eg telling the truth is always right, even when it may cause pain and harm descriptive relativism different cultures and societies have differing ethical systems and so morality is relative. Ethical or cultural relativism is a philosophical theory about the nature of morality fundamentally, relativists argue that no universal moral rules exist, and that all morality needs to be understood from the perspective of what the culture considers acceptable. Moral values are not relative to any culture when we talk about moral values it talks about doing what is good and avoid what is evil and that is absolute the good is not relative but the interpretation of every people of what is good may vary from each other it happens because of the limitations of the human minds to interpret the good. Religion and absolute moral values by reginald firemammer religious people frequently claim religion is necessary because without it there would be no absolute moral values they explain it by saying things like without absolute moral values mankind would be morally rudderless, or without absolute moral values mankind has no fixed direction. Relative and absolute resulting from all the above, in this dimension that we call physical, in our restricted and restrictive physical body – with our hence restricted level of perception and understanding, in our this level of our evolution – there is no absolute truth we can access or experience – there are only relative truths.
Uncertainty the only absolute moral value by anthony in apologetics, atheism, blog, evolution, general, everything is relative some things are absolute and other things are relative number #2 must be eliminated out of hand as logically incoherent, as already discussed. In this video, curtis argues with himself over whether right and wrong really exist, all while putting the amateur in amateur video. Moral relativism is an important topic in metaethics it is also widely discussed outside philosophy (for example, by political and religious leaders), and it is controversial among philosophers and nonphilosophers alike. Absolute and relative ethics absolute ethics holds that there is one universal moral code which is final and applies equally to all men of all ages, and that changing situations or changing views make no difference whatsoever to this absolute moral code. -an ethical absolute is a moral command or prohibition that is true for all time, in all places and in all situations-they exist independent of human experience.
Moral relativism (or ethical relativism) is the position that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances. In choosing between absolute and relative measures, future work needs to integrate an empirical examination of values, a moral assessment of values, and a technical understanding of inequality measures keywords: health inequalities, measurement, ethics, health policy. Best answer: moral relativism: the fact is that all people are born with a conscience, and we all instinctively know when we have been wronged or when we have wronged others we act as though we expect others to recognize this as well even as children we knew the difference between “fair” and “unfair. Absolute morality- an ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of other contexts such as their consequences or the intentions behind them. Relativists may argue that different values among different cultures show that morals are relative to different people but this argument confuses the actions of individuals (what they do) with absolute standards (whether they should do it.
Are moral values absolute or relative
In today's society, moral values are relative society constantly changes from what is acceptable and to what is not absolute would not work due society changing all the time. Absolute morality is a deontology approach which gives a fixed ethical code, by which to measure actions for all time, it is not based on the situation or individual preference, but rather on absolute universal values. How do we decide between right and wrong. Religious thinking concentrated its search on certainty in life, and on the reasons on human existence, to know mysterious secret of life fedriek tylor was one of the early scholars who cared for the idea of religion he observed that relationship between social behavior and religion is an interrelation when religion concentrate on moral values.
Taylor says ethical relativism is the idea that all moral values are relative to the time and place of the culture in which the cultural norms come from ethical relativism is the opposite of absolute relativism. Friedrich nietzsche (1844–1900) believed that we have to assess the value of our values since values are relative to one's goals and one's self he emphasized the need to analyze our moral values and how much impact they may have on us. Moral relativism does not equal absolute relativism if a statement is not applicable in some situations, one should not conclude that it is applicable in no situations therefore the objection of 'total relativism' is irrelevant.
It's has been incurred that fact or justification of moral judgement is not relative to some band of persons, but utter after having described both objectivism and ethnic relativism views about morality we'll try to dispute the relativity of moral by 3 various ways. Moral values are not absolute but relative to the emotions they express —e dward w estermarck (sociologist) cultural relativists, on the other hand, argue that morality is created col-lectively by groups of humans and that it differs from society to society. | http://sdtermpaperdanx.soalmatematika.info/are-moral-values-absolute-or-relative.html |
Passenger Service Desk:
+1-907-552-8588
+1-907-552-4616
Location
99506 Anchorage , AK
United States
Alaska US
DSN:
317-552-xxxx
Space-A Signup:
Add Info:
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
- Passenger Terminal Web Site
- Online Flight Schedules: See Terminal Facebook Page
- AMCGRAM
- Terminal Hours: See AMCGRAM
- Terminal Dining: Elmendorf 3rd FSS offers two excellent dining facilities, the Kenai and the Iditarod Dining Facilities open to all active duty enlisted military and military retirees. Bldg. 8088, 552-3114 Breakfast: Mon - Sun 0530 - 0830 Lunch: Mon - Sun 1030 - 1300 Dinner: Mon - Sun 1630 - 1900 Midnight Meal: 2300 - 0100 (as of Jun 10)
- Lockers: None
- Internet/WiFi:
- USO: No
- Base Dining Facility:
Location Info:
61° 14' 51.342" N, 149° 49' 28.2576" W
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
- Billeting: (907) 552-2454 (lodging office approx 1.4 miles from the Pax Terminal).
- Distances from "Most" double-type lodging rooms: Lodging Office (1.2 miles), PAX terminal (0.2-0.5 miles), Iditarod Dining Facility (0.1 - 0.5 miles), Housing office to Iditarod Dining Facility (0.3 miles), PAX Terminal to BX Mall area (Hertz auto rental (3.2 miles)
- Off-Base Lodging: See AMCGRAM
Location Info:
61° 14' 33.8784" N, 149° 51' 22.5432" W
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
- Long-Term Parking is available approx xx miles from the terminal. Contact the Pax Reps for details upon arrival.
Billet Phone Number:
+1-907-552-2454
Fax:
+1-907-552-3996
Add Extra Info:
Topic Info:
- CONUS and Pacific via large cargo aircraft. Hawaii: 1 per week (as of Jan 13) Japan: 1 per week (as of Jan 13)
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
- On-Base Shuttle: An "on demand" Armed Services YMCA Alaska shuttle (Mon-Fri and limited weekend) is available by calling 907-384-3733. If calling from a 552- phone, dial 99-384-FREE. A base shuttle picks up/drops off at Iditarod Dining Facility, fitness center, hospital and lodging among other places; two routes that basically runs 06:00 - 17:00 M - F. Call +1-907-552-4475 for route and times.
- Rental Car (In Terminal): None in Terminal
- Rental Car (On Base): Hertz at Base Exchange
- Rental Car (Off Base):
- Thrifty, 3730 SPENARD ROAD (907) 276-2855
- E-Z Rent-A-Car, 3609 Spenard Rd (907) 562-8078
- Taxi/Shuttle: Yellow Cab, 907-222-2222 has base access (as of Jan 13). A ride to Anchorage Museum, cost about $10 which included tip and ride from Anchorage International Airport approximately $25 (Jun 10). Other taxi companies are available.
- Local Bus: PEOPLE MOVER BUS: This is the Anchorage public bus. There are three bus lines which go to Elmendorf, Lines 14, 75 and 102. Line 75 may go on base to hospital or may not. Adult ticket is $1.75 and Senior $.50 one way, Day Passes are available (Jun 10). Pick up point is just outside the Government Hill Gate. The Government Hill Gate is approximately a one mile walk from the North Star Inn Lodging Office but you could get a lift from the YMCA taxi to the gate if the walk is too far. The Line 14 bus runs once an hour. If you take the bus all the way to the Downtown Transit Center, you can transfer to bus #7 or 7A which go to the airport. Actually, only alternating 7 or 7A go there, so look for the little airplane logo on the bus, or ask the driver to make sure.
- Local Rail:
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
- YMCA SHUTTLE: available for trips on base (very large base) for $1/rider M - F 07:00 - 21:00. Expect 15 - 30 minute wait for pickup or call ahead to schedule 907-384-3733. The YMCA is located upstairs in the Kashim Club and is a wonderful resource. They have travel information, snacks, games, etc. Downstairs is the Warehouse Grill which has basically fried food but is open when the dining hall isn't.
Add Topic:
Topic Info:
Please help keep this information current for your fellow travelers and send any updates or corrections to [email protected]
Add Topic:
Terminal Web Page:
IATA (With URL): | https://www.spacea.net/joint-base-elmendorf-richardson |
We are looking for a full-time creative individual with understanding of both the print and interactive design process to join our suburban Philadelphia firm. Wide range of project assignments include: website design and development, branding/identity, wearables, and social media campaigns.
This position requires a strong graphic designer who can move effortlessly between UI design, branding, and front-end development (CSS). Our ideal candidate will have the passion and the skill to work with our team to bring their designs from concept stage through production/programming to completion.
Please submit work samples, cover letter and resume to Amy Siano, amysiano@4×3.net. | https://philadelphia.aiga.org/4x3-llc/ |
Wikipedia says acoustics refers to the science of production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. For most recording engineers, the term acoustics refers to the sound of a room. If you’ve ever looked at most digital reverb processors, you’ve noticed that the patches are sometimes defined by room names (such as small room, bathroom, cathedral, or large hall). That’s because the sound of the room is mostly determined by its reverb, or the way it reflects sound. Some rooms have a lot of reflections, and some have very few. The important thing to understand is that every room has some sort of reflection.
Different types of recordings require different types of recording rooms. In a professional studio, the recording ... | https://www.safaribooksonline.com/library/view/your-cubase-studio/9781598634525/9781598634525_ch03lev1sec1.html |
In fact, I frequently get asked questions like this:
You should know that the hardest part of becoming a programmer is not learning the domain specific knowledge of a single programming language, but instead learning how to figure out the things that you don’t know. It’s the procedural knowledge about how to teach yourself foreign concepts that is the hardest part to master when becoming a full-stack web developer
This means even though there will overlap of a small percentage of the domain specific knowledge, this will make your coding skill progression a negligible amount easier in the grand scheme of things.
If you’re thinking about making the correct long-term decision that will produce the least amount of friction, and ultimately give you the highest chance of success, you should be asking a different question altogether. The right question to ask is:
What is the right tool for the job?
This means when you evaluate technologies you should evaluate different technologies based on merits of the technology – not the hype, “number of Google Searches” or a number of irrelevant details.
Let’s think about a practical problem you could potentially face outside the coding world. The analogy holds true in the coding world as well.
Problem: You Need to Build A Bookshelf
Potential Solution #1
First, we could use a wide variety of different tools. We could use a saw to cut the wood, nails to connect the pieces of wood, a hammer to drive the nails through the wood, wood-glue in some places that aren’t appropriate for nails. A drill could come in handy to, depending on the blueprints we’re using.
Potential Solution #2
Or, we could just use a hammer. Instead of cutting the wood with a saw, we could use the opposite side of the hammer to split the pieces of wood into smaller pieces. We could connect the pieces of wood with nails we drive into the wood with the hammer. We could avoid using blueprints, because those would just be another thing we’d have to learn about how to use.
Now, let’s return to our argument in this case:
If all I need to learn is how to use a single tool like a hammer won’t building bookshelves be 4 times as easy for me as someone who uses a hammer, a saw and glue, and blueprints? Doesn’t that mean all things considered, if I work as hard as someone who uses all the other tools combined I can produce 4 times the amount of bookshelves.
NodeJS, ExpressJS, AngularJS and MongoDB are all excellent tools at solving some problems, but in many cases there are different specific tools that will work better in a wider range of cases. You should always try to understand which problem a specific technology and available alternatives solve before you choose a tool to complete the job.
As someone starting out, determining the right tool for the job can be a difficult task. In order to understand the right tool for the job you’ll need to understand the problems at hand. To understand the problems that each tool solves, you’ll need to understand a variety of moving pieces and how web applications are built at a high level.
Without knowing anything about how web applications are built, we’re likely to believe anything that we read about the “latest programming language” hype that anyone tells us.
This post will teach you exactly how to evaluate different technologies when learning to become a web developer.
First, we’ll cover the difference between front-end and back-end, what a web application is, how databases work and what our server does.
Then, with the context we need to understand the problems that the specific technologies solve for us, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different technologies. | http://landratsamt-doebeln.net/DeutscheBahn/rails-web |
One will find a range of fashion in Turkey today, from traditional to modern, from religious to secular. In urban areas dress appears Western for the most part, but reflects a synthesis of traditional, Islamic, and Western designs. İstanbulite, Melisa Akbulut, on her personal style:
“I think a person’s style provides information about [their] character and mood. . . I would describe my personal style as simple. I usually wear a sweater, a shirt inside of the sweater. After that, I combine it with a jean.” Melisa Akbulut
The rest of this chapter will provide a chronology of Turkish clothing developments which led up to the state of fashion in Turkey today.
Pre-Ottoman to Ottoman Period
Turkish fashion finds its roots in functionality. Historically, the most common form of transportation in Central Asia was horseback riding. This mode of transportation meant that clothing had to be functional and, as a result, most was unisex. Due to their practicality, leather and felt were the most common materials used. As tribes from Asia began to settle in Anatolia, the new cultures brought along changes in clothing. The varying climate in the area meant that clothing needed to be useful in all conditions, which lead to the use of removable fur linings.
Later, during the Tanzimat and Meşrutiyet periods of the 19th century, socio-economic status began to heavily influence clothing styles. Commoners maintained traditional clothing styles, while royals or wealthy folk changed their style to redingot, which consisted of a waistcoat, jacket, tie, and high-heeled shoes (Turkish Cultural Foundation). Even so, as the Ottoman Empire expanded, local clothing traditions became more fixed. By this time, weaving had become prominent throughout Turkey and was commonly used to make clothes.
Socio-Economic Status and Clothing Differences
Upper-class or royal people in the Ottoman Empire wore fur-lined, embroidered kaftans. The middle class wore cübbe and hırka, a specific style of jacket. The lower class also wore a different style of jacket, called cepken or yelek. Bashlyks, a type of hat, were the most important status signifier: kavuk was the most common type, and a tradesmanship was formed due to the significance of bashlyks in the 17th Century.
Ottoman Sultan Fashion
In the 16th century, economics, politics, and arts thrived as the Ottoman Empire entered the Golden Age. Textiles also reached a peak with the introduction of weaving, especially metallic threads. Sultans took the utmost pride in their fashion, wearing robes or kaftans of the finest, most expensive materials. The designs for court clothing were made by specific people in the palace called hassa nakkaşları. Due to high demand, there were also places in Bursa and Istanbul that made the designs. Specific fabrics were used for the Sultan’s clothing, such as brocade, velvet, metallic silk, taffeta, cashmere, and cotton. These materials were occasionally ordered from areas in the West (for example, Italy). Sultans specifically wore kaftans, şalvar (a type of pant), and an inner robe, as well as headgear. The headgear went through five types over the span of the Ottoman Empire. For formal or official events, Sultans wore an inner robe with long sleeves that buttoned from the elbow down to the wrist and consisted of cuffs, a short kaftan made of heavier silk material, and a long outer-robe with fur lining and buttons made of jewels (Turkish Cultural Foundation).
Oya in Anatolia
Oya, also known as Turkish lace, has a different name depending on what implement is used to create it. Oya made with a sewing needle was made by aristocrats. Crochet oya is made with a thicker needle and looks less delicate, while shuttle oya is more often produced by women in provincial areas. Hairpin oya uses beads, sequins, pearls, or coral on a single-colored thread. Beaded edges are a very popular embellishment in Turkey. Headdresses and scarves are traditionally decorated with oya, as well as undergarments, outerwear, towels, and napkins. Oya is commonly used by young women to express their feelings or mark life events. Floral oya is worn atop a woman’s head. The flowers vary depending on the age of the woman. Older women use wildflowers, while younger women use roses, carnations, jasmine, and many other flowers. Women at the age of forty specifically wear a bent tulip (Turkish Cultural Foundation).
The Hat and Dress Revolution of 1925
After the Republic of Turkey was established in 1923, Atatürk believed that wearing modern clothing represented civility. His instituted a number of clothing reforms aimed at modernization, which at that time meant Westernization. , This included outlawing the fez, the banning of Islamic robes and veils, and the general encouragement of Western styles. These reforms were meant to demonstrate Turkey’s commitment to modernization and promote national unity.
20th Century Fashion
Ataturk’s reforms in the early twentieth century greatly increased Turkish women’s rights and freedoms, whose appearance in public symbolized equality in the late Ottoman Empire. Thus, this time period signified a rapid change in fashion for women. As women gained more personal liberty and felt the pressure of the national movement to modernize, their clothing became more Westernized. With European influence, women began to wear more expressive outdoor clothing, in colors that had been restricted in the past (İnal, 2011, p.234). They also began to wear a new type of outdoor clothing, çarşaf, instead of the traditional outdoor robe, ferace. This was then shortened and tightened to reveal the contours of the body.
Veils were either made transparent or were completely replaced with an umbrella used to hide the face. Surprisingly, this innovation wasn’t due to government reforms. Rather, this public presence of women’s faces had more to due to with women joining the workforce as men left for war. Thus, practicality also played a role in the transformation towards Western styles.
Some women wore a new style of headscarf called rusbaşı that showed some of their hair and neck. Comfortable shoes and new accessories were also introduced. Skirts were shortened and pants were worn by women of specific industries. Women began to wear their hair short, following trends in Europe and the United States. Women in Istanbul, specifically, were heavily influenced by Parisian fashion.
Islamic Dress
Islamic dress has continually been a source of tension in Turkey. In the 1970s, headscarves were regulated, and women were asked not to cover their hair at their workplace. A new way of wearing the headscarf came into fashion in the 1990s among the urban middle class. The style was larger, used pins, and covered both the hair and neck completely. In 1982, the headscarf was banned at universities. This ban was also put into order in other public institutions in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, including the military, parliament, and courtrooms. This was widely debated, and some women were even denied access to education due to wearing a headscarf. The Justice and Development Party, or AKP, attempted to overturn this ban in 2008, but it did not pass. They continue to develop new amendments to reduce restrictions regarding the veil. Due to more recent changes in politics, though, the ban has been lifted in most universities.
Islamic Fashion Commercialized on the Runway
Islamic clothing has been used as a symbol for religious freedom in contemporary Turkey, especially as headscarves are taking over the runway. Headscarves are now colorful with many patterns, with the most popular being yellow, blue, camouflage, and tropical leaves. Istanbul wants to become the Islamic fashion capital—they hosted the Istanbul Modest Fashion Week, which featured designers from all over the Islamic world. The market for Islamic fashion is now increasing as mainstream designers, including Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY, have designed their own lines of Islamic fashion for Ramazan.
Defining Factors of Turkish Fashion
Turkish clothing has continually been defined by economics, social structure, geography, climate, and available materials. In early periods, clothing signified social status, while traditional dress remained prevalent throughout the country. Certain regional specialties in textiles or in styles can also reveal ethnicity. At the same the Ottoman empires diverse religious and cultural communities expressed their identities in their dress.
Today, one’s clothing choices still can reveal information about them. For example, you can identify where a person is from in Turkey based on how they’re dressed, as fashion varies significantly between each of the seven regions. Sometimes, one can even distinguish what village they’re from! In addition to the types of cloth, or the way clothing is tailored, other expressions can give clues to identity. For example, in Turkoman villages, the way a woman wears her hair communicates her relationship status.
Traditionally, clothing was handmade and its style depended greatly on location as it was made from natural, available materials. Today, modern clothing is ready-to-wear and bought in stores. It is influenced both by traditional, Ottoman styles and European trends. Clothing continues to be an important device in which one can communicate their social status, wealth, piety, and personality. | https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/windowsintoturkishculture/chapter/turkish-fashion/ |
Pop Bits: Ocasek's second album, This Side of Paradise, spawned his biggest solo hit, the #15 Pop/#1 Rock/#8 AC track "Emotion in Motion." For a follow-up, this track was selected. It would do well at Rock reaching #8, but it didn't maintain the more mainstream audience from his previous single and it dropped off the Pop chart after a couple of months in the bottom quarter. The album would get to #31, but that was a far cry from the multi-platinum efforts put forth by his band The Cars. This song would be Ocasek's last solo effort to reach the Pop chart. His next album, 1991's Fireball Zone, would produce the #11 Rock track "Rockaway," but it wasn't enough to promote the album and it failed to chart. Over the years, Ocasek would release four more solo albums while heading up a Cars reunion album in 2011. In 2018, he and the rest of The Cars would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ocasek would die of natural causes in September of 2019.
ReduxReview: Since Ocasek wrote and produced a good chunk of The Cars' material, it was probably natural for him to just stay the course with his own solo works. Because of that, tracks like this sound as if they could be by The Cars. Ocasek didn't stray from his tried and true formula and I'm not sure that served him well for his solo efforts. This track even featured synth sounds/effects found on other Cars songs. I guess that's not a bad thing, but I would think that the object of doing a solo album away from your established band would be to do something different that you couldn't do with the band. Ocasek didn't necessarily do that. He basically made a Cars album. This track in particular sounds like a Cars track that was left off of their 1984 album Heartbeat City. It's actually not a bad track and if been released in the line of singles from that album, it probably would have done better. But by this point, it sounded like a retread of a Cars tune and it didn't go over very well. It's kind of too bad as I'd consider it one of his most enjoyable solo tracks even though it doesn't break any new ground. He'd pull away into his own lane with his next solo album, but by then it was kind of too late.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: In addition to his days with The Cars and his solo career, Ocasek became a well-respected producer for other artists. He produced the second albums for pioneering bands Suicide (1980's Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev) and Bad Brains (1983's Rock for Light). While the albums didn't necessarily succeed commercially, both were critically lauded. In 1994, Ocasek would help to introduce a new band to the masses. He produced the self-titled debut album for Weezer, commonly known as the Blue Album. Now considered a classic, the LP featured popular tracks like "Buddy Holly" and "Undone - The Sweater Song." It would go on to sell over three million copies. Ocasek would produce two more albums by the band. He would also produce a couple of tracks for No Doubt's 2002 double-platinum disc Rock Steady. | http://www.popredux80.com/2019/12/true-to-you-by-ric-ocasek.html |
Pages :
Secrets of the Tarot PDF DownloadAre you looking for read ebook online? Search for your book and save it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Download Secrets of the Tarot PDF full book. Access full book title Secrets of the Tarot by Anthony Wolff. Download full books in PDF and EPUB format.
Secrets of the Tarot
Have You ever wondered what the future may hold for you? Have you ever wished you could have insight into your own path and have the answers you've always wanted NOW?? Written for the reader as well as those just interested in the mysteries of the ancient Tarot Deck, Secrets of the Tarot, is the only guide you'll need to one of the oldest divination methods in history. In this book you'll learn the true meanings behind every card in the deck. You'll learn how to lay spreads and interpret them as well as how the cards relate to each other. For the readers, there is a section on how to conduct your first reading (and how to get paid to do so). Whether you are a reader or someone who enjoys getting readings, this book will help you to fully understand the mysteries of the Tarot. | https://www.cherjournal.net/data/tarot-of-little-secrets/ |
What if the city decided to put a stadium in the middle of your local park?
Don’t worry, though. The city would rebuild most of the displaced athletic facilities in several other places. Your old park is dilapidated, and the new one would have a sparkling new running track and state-of-the-art fields.
But instead of being set inside a large, green space surrounded by hundreds of mature trees, the fields would be scattered on separate parcels, including the tops of parking garages. The new recreational spaces would be closer to the highway and train tracks and an additional five-minute to half-hour walk from where people live. Most of the trees would be cut down. The new stadium would go smack in the middle of the community’s current park, next to a residential area.
That’s the parkland trade the city agreed to in the South Bronx, allowing the New York Yankees plan to build their long-desired new stadium in Macombs Dam Park. If this were to happen on the Upper East Side of Manhattan or in a middle-income neighborhood of Queens, there would be a howl of protest louder than when the Red Sox beat the Yankees in 2004.
New York State common law requires that when parkland is taken away from the public’s use, it must be replaced by new parkland nearby of equal or greater value. The parks department says that in return for losing Macombs Dam Park and part of John Mullaly Park, residents would end up with more acres of parkland and far superior playing fields. Residents say they would be shortchanged.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, and state legislators have fast-tracked the plan, which includes a stadium with fewer seats but with luxury boxes and wider concourses, as well as four new garages to hold about 5,000 cars. In June of 2005, the state legislature swiftly passed the necessary approval to take the park, before most residents were aware it was happening. Last month, the City Planning Commission, whose members are appointed by the mayor, voted unanimously in favor of the plan. The plan will be final if the City Council approves it in April.
Opposing the plan are park advocates, fiscal watchdogs, and mass transit supporters, as well as residents of the neighborhood and nearby South Bronx communities, who were not consulted when the Yankees and the city worked out the deal. The local community board voted two to one against the plan in November of 2005, but the board has only an advisory role. Tony Costa, a long-time resident and member of Save Our Parks, one of the groups fighting the stadium, said, “The Yankees made the plan and then said, â€Come on, why don’t you love it?’”
The taking of parkland for the stadium and parking garages raises a number of public health and environmental justice concerns. The area’s residents are mostly black and Hispanic, including many recent immigrants from Africa and Central America. It has some of the highest rates of asthma and obesity in the city, yet the lowest ratios of parkland to 1,000 residents. With public funding for four new parking garages -- but not for a stop on the Metro North line that goes right through the area -- the plan seems guaranteed to increase traffic and pollution.
There are other problematic aspects to the plan, including the taxpayers’ contribution to its financing and overblown projections of economic returns to the city and neighborhood, which are addressed in a recent report by Good Jobs New York and Tom Angotti’s Gotham Gazette article, Yankee Stadium Without Tears. But let’s leave those issues aside and look more closely at the parkland exchange.
What Would Be Lost
Macombs Dam Park and a third of the adjacent Mullaly Park. The stadium and a VIP parking garage would go in the middle of a long rectangle of recreational space that residents consider their Central Park. Nearly 400 mature trees, which beautify the neighborhood and filter pollutants, would have to be chopped down. The apartment buildings across the street, which were designed to be opposite the park, would face directly onto massive stadium walls to be built right up to the sidewalk.
The part of Macombs Dam Park that now wraps around the existing stadium would be replaced with parking garages, decked over to allow athletic facilities on top. The garages would be built on land that slopes down, so the playing fields would be level with the adjacent land.
The park space slated to be taken contains four baseball diamonds, one soccer field, 32 handball courts, two basketball courts, and 16 tennis courts. One of the most popular features is the Joseph Yancey Track and Field, used by school teams for practice and meets and by residents of all ages for exercise.
The plan pushes the recreational space away from the community and toward the waterfront, the Metro-North tracks, and the Major Deegan Expressway. The tennis courts, which also draw people from Manhattan and other parts of the Bronx, would be on the waterfront and a greater distance from the subway stop.
Macombs Dam Park is a community park where residents come to toss a football, take a stroll, and just enjoy the grass and trees. Families often gather on weekends to picnic while watching the men play soccer in the middle of the track.
During the three- to five-year construction period, residents would lose the use of most of the athletic fields. The parks department says it would try to minimize the disruption by phasing in construction and creating interim fields and by helping teams find other places they can play, giving youth teams priority for the easier-to-reach fields. According to the Environmental Impact Statement, a temporary running course in one location or another would be available throughout construction for walking, jogging and recreational running, but would not be suitable for competitive track meets.
What Would Replace the Lost Parkland
The current version of the project, called the “Alternate Plan” in the Environmental Impact Statement, provides 27.5 acres of replacement recreational space to the south of the existing parkland. It would include three ball fields on the current Yankee Stadium site and a track, a soccer field, and basketball courts on the roofs of parking garages. The rest would be in bits and pieces, including tennis courts about a half mile away on the waterfront and two tiny pocket parks, including one next to the spot where the subway emerges from the tunnel.
The swap provides a few additional acres of open space with pretty much the same recreational uses as the existing park. The details would be adjusted to meet the needs of the community when a final design is created, said Joshua Laird, assistant commissioner of planning at the parks department. He said the department is also considering building a special “destination” playground, the kind of place around which parents would plan a weekend outing with their kids. The department also hopes to bring more maintenance to the area through the community benefits agreement being negotiated with the Yankees.
Residents are particularly unhappy with the garage-top facilities. With the high rates of childhood asthma in the area, one concern is exposure to exhaust. Laird said that there will be no stacks or grilles in the park and that exhaust will be vented so as not to affect people using the space.
Residents also don’t like the replacement of natural fields with artificial ones. Synthetic turf is more durable than grass, which is quickly worn to dirt with the hard use city ball fields get, and the parks department is installing the artificial stuff in fields all over the city. But because synthetic turf is much hotter than grass, the rooftop fields, which would lack the trees of the existing park, would likely get steaming in the summer. Laird said that trees would be planted between playing fields in pockets where the soil could be deeper, although it’s hard to believe anything could grow successfully except small ornamental trees. There is also a possibility that security concerns would make these spaces off limits on the team’s 80-plus game days.
The tennis courts would be moved to the Harlem River waterfront. At present, that is a 30-minute walk through a run-down, deserted area, across a scary covered pedestrian bridge over the Metro North tracks and then underneath the elevated expressway. (The Yankees rejected this area for the stadium because of its limited public access.) The area immediately surrounding the courts would be landscaped and include a pedestrian esplanade, but it would remain isolated along an industrial stretch. There is a construction demolition debris plant a pier away on one side; stadium parking would go on the other.
According to Laird, however, plans are in the works to transform the area. “Part of the reason people have been skeptical about the waterfront is that they have in their minds’ eye the conditions today,” he said. The parks department would replace the pedestrian bridge and make it handicapped-accessible. The city is backing a developer’s proposal to replace the nearby Bronx Terminal Market with a million-square-foot mall of big-box stores, a large project whose environmental impacts have not been considered in conjunction with the Yankee Stadium plan.
As for the trees, there really is no way to give the neighborhood back what would be destroyed. The environmental impact statement said the city would mitigate the loss of the 40-year-old trees by planting “from between 8,356 trees of a 3½ inch caliper to 29,248 trees of a 2-inch caliper within the replacement recreational facilities and along streets.” Laird said that the department figures on planting between 8,000 and 12,000 street and park trees, but many would have to go outside the area that would suffer the loss. Some would even be planted outside the neighborhood. In addition, newly planted street trees have a very low survival rate due to the city’s hot, dry conditions and to errant trucks and automobiles.
The Trade-off
The main benefit for the community to the parks swap is that it will replace the old track, fields, and courts, which are in poor condition because the parks department hasn’t had the maintenance funding to care for them properly or capital funds allocated to replace them. Given enough money, the parks department can undoubtedly design beautiful new recreational facilities.
But a park is more than the sum of its fields and courts. It is the breeze under the spreading arms of a tree, the fresh smell in the air after a rain, the feeling of being in the middle of a green space apart from brick and concrete. It is a place close by where neighbors come together and community is formed. It makes city life a little easier when you can see a bit of green and sky across the street or down the block. Are these luxuries only for people in affluent neighborhoods?
Even opponents of the plan want the Yankees to stay in the Bronx and to get a modern stadium. But especially in a neighborhood that is already short on green space and long on health problems worsened by the lack of exercise and fresh air, taking a tree-lined community park and replacing it with artificial playing fields farther from where people live should be the last resort, used only for something that has a clear public good.
It is a dangerous precedent to take land held in the public trust for the benefit of a private corporation. Supporters say the new stadium will bring jobs to an economically stressed community. If a few hundred new minimum-wage and temporary construction jobs (that may or may not go to local workers) justifies giving away parkland to baseball’s wealthiest team, then why not let businesses build in every park?
In the rush to get approval, the city and the Yankees have dismissed alternatives that would let the team have its stadium and at the same time allow the community to keep its park. Elected officials need to subject the plan to greater scrutiny and to negotiate a better deal for the neighborhood and the city. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, going forward with the current plan would be making a wrong mistake. | http://anneschwartz.com/parks-columns/yankee-stadium-parkland-swap.html |
The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not Gamasutra or its parent company.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are soley my own
A Puzzling Challenge
How do you keep players engaged through 1000+ levels of content without continually introducing new mechanics? This task is no small feat, yet it is the objective of many game designers working in evergreen games as service titles, such as the puzzle game genre on mobile.
I’ve been working on mobile puzzle games for the past seven months (at a mobile game company called Storm8), and it’s been an interesting experience learning about the way game design concepts are employed in this field. In this post I want to focus specifically on game design in relation to content creation, the levels that ultimately make up the bulk of the player’s experience.
As a game designer working on mobile puzzle games, it is likely at some point you will be doing content creation in support of a live game. In live support, eventually resources will become scarce for implementing new mechanics, but it will be necessary to continue to use the provided tools to create interesting and previously unseen combinations to keep players engaged. Don’t despair! The match3 system is mercifully robust, and it is likely you will have a collection of obstacles at your disposal with some natural interactions that can elicit meaningful puzzles. In this post I want to focus on a tool of traditional game design, the ‘Interest Curve’, and how it can be an asset for structuring levels to engage players.
The Interest Curve
As game designers, our goal is, generally speaking, to make games that excite and engage the player. One way of thinking of each level in a game, puzzle games included, is a microcosm of the emotional arc of the full experience. So, each level should provide the player with a similarly developed arc of interest. Enter the Interest Curve:
The image above (taken from The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell) shows the conventional interest curve, in which each point represents a moment of strong engagement (i.e fun) for the player. This is a concept that is probably very familiar to people working in games, so forgive me if I’m reiterating. However, in the form shown, this is still a very abstract concept. To make it work for us in practice, we need to map it to more concrete concepts within the games we are working on/discussing, in this case mobile puzzle games.
Feeling of Progress
The peaks on the Interest Curve could take on any number of forms of content depending on what game you are working on. For example, in a first person shooter, both finding a rare weapon on the map or an enemy encounter could register as equally engaging to players depending on the context. When considering puzzle games I have found moments of progress to be the most relevant mapping for those peaks. This is still abstract but we can get more specific. Anecdotally, a strong motivator and reward for most players is a feeling of progress. This can manifest itself differently for different players and across different games. A Startcraft 2 player may feel strongly rewarded when they detect that their skill at a certain opening is increasing, as reflected by a better competitive ranking. In mobile puzzle games, the two main forms of progress within a level are progress on the board (visual progress, the changing of space) and progress towards goals (collecting required recipes, etc).
Board Progression
Board progression refers to the difference between the visual state of the board at the start of a level and after a playthrough. This doesn’t necessarily need to be tied to recipe progression, but I’ve found the effect to be strongest when altering the space through play corresponds to the player approaching successfully completing the stage. The images above are of a level I made for Storm8’s Candy Blast Mania. I consider this level, level 1177, one my most successful designs. You can see a very noticeable difference between the opening game board and the board at the end game. The player must clear jawbreakers (stationary obstacles that block the flow of pieces) in order to fulfill a recipe, but this also increases the usable space of the board and allows them access to the cannons at the bottom of the board which add a score multiplier. Outlining the flow of the level, and how you expect the board to change throughout a playthrough is a good starting point for designing a level with a good sense of progress for players.
Goal Progression
In match3, bubble shooters and many other mobile puzzle games the player has a set goal count they are working toward collecting (a target score, 100 specific color pieces, etc). Generally the player should be collecting these at a good pace so they can be close to victory at the level’s conclusion, whether or not they actually win. However, it is possible to structure levels in a way to ‘spike’ the collection of certain of certain objectives so the player sees a surge of progress. One way of doing this is to have the player gradually open the space of the level (such as in the examples above and below) so that towards the end of their playthrough they have more bonus matches from pieces that fall in. These ‘surges’ of progress towards objectives are another way to add or emphasize peaks of interest in engagement arc of your level. Believe it or not, watching the tiles drop in, and hoping enough matches come together to tick down the counter giving you the win can be a pulse pounding experience!
In the above image of level 34 from Rovio’s Nibblers, you can see that the opening board has very constrained space, but as the board opens up towards the end game, the player has a high chance of special tiles forming from tiles falling in (these take the form of hungry, friendly fish in Nibblers). These special tiles allow the player to quickly collect high numbers of their needed pieces.
Games like King’s Farm Heroes Saga and Candy Blast Mania have a built in bonus mechanic that amplifies the values of certain pieces based on adjacent matches, and Candy Blast Mania even has a specific on board fixture that can increase bonuses specifically for this purpose.
A Piece of the Puzzle
Using an interest curve for structured player progression is an important element of level design for match3 and puzzle games, but it is only one element. Interaction between mechanics, robust existing mechanics that designers have to work with, and defying player expectations are but a few of the many that can come into play, and I hope to analyze some of these at a later point. For now, I hope you enjoyed reading and feedback is welcome! | http://owlandfox.co.uk/designing-levels-for-mobile-puzzle-games/ |
On an early Tuesday morning Johnny and his girlfriend Michelle were outside jogging. They had traveled down a new road neither of them had ever been to before. Serrano Road is a long country road just outside of their town called Ashland. Jogging is one of the activities they really like doing together. In fact every day they would always try to stick to the same routine. They would wake up in the early AM for a light jog, and then decide whether or not they could run for a longer amount of time, and most of the time they could. On this day they decided to go where they had never gone before, a road that they had only past and never explored. Johnny had found it on a map and he convinced Michelle to jog with him, and she agreed.
Turning left onto the road they stayed on the edge trying to avoid all of the traffic. There was nothing but open fields and mountains to look at in almost every direction. There was a huge lake that they past on the right. It was a very beautiful day which made their jog that much better.
“I don’t think you can keep up Johnny!” Michelle said with a smirk.
“I’m running slow for you because I don’t want to lose you in my dust!” Johnny replied.
A cool breeze made its way down the street. It cooled both of them off and seemed to give them more energy.
“Where were you taking me tonight? I forget, so you'll have to remind me,” Michelle asked.
“Over to Sean’s house, and then to that new movie,” He smiles at her.
“That movie is gross! I don’t know why you like it”
“Blood and guts have always been the best part!” And he gives a wink.
“Yeah right, next time we are gonna see a movie I like.”
“As long as it isn’t The Notebook again I’ll be happy.”
Rounding a curve lightning could be seen in the distance. Thunder soon followed. A major storm was on the way, but that would never stop them. They jogged in all weather, and even if it was hailing outside with a tornado roaring in the background they would still do it. There was no tornado or hail today though, lucky for them.
“How much longer is this road?” Michelle asked.
“I’m not sure, I just know it’s gonna take us back into town.”
“Where at in town?” She looked up at the dark clouds in the sky.
“Over by the old bar, you know the one that burnt down.”
“Oh okay, that place always creeps me out.”
“Why?”
“Well, look at it. It’s burnt and there is no other buildings around. It’s just strange looking.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll run past it fast.”
On the right side of the road was a small gas station. It was run down and had a sign that said, “Fill er up!”
“Let’s get a drink, Michelle. I’m thirsty.”
“Okay, I need one to.”
They ran up to the entrance and went inside. It was an old building; the floor was made of wood, a dull unfinished wood. It was obvious no one ever took care of it. The ceiling had a few water stains from leaks in the roof. There was a strong smell of mildew, and something they just couldn’t put their finger on. There was no attendant behind the register. The TV above the register was turned on so there had to be someone here. The cooler in the corner housed a lot of different drinks. Standing in front of it they were trying to decide what they wanted.
“What do you want, Johnny?”
“I want the regular soda pop right there," he points. "It looks so damn good!”
“You know we can’t have that, too much sugar.”
“Yeah I know, but you asked me what I wanted, so I told you.”
“Well, what don’t you want?”
“That tasteless bottle of water right there,” and he sadly points at the bottle of water.
“That’s exactly what I don’t want, so I guess we found a winner.”
Grabbing two bottles of water out of the cooler, they shut the door. Michelle saw a reflection in the glass of a weird looking guy. It was the attendant standing right behind them.
“Whoa! You scared me!” Michelle said to the strange individual. The attendant, whose name appeared on his jacket, was Judd. He was standing so close to Michelle that she could smell his breath. (He must have had tuna for lunch) “Um, hi. We just want to buy these.”
The guy just stood there and smiled at Michelle.
“Hey buddy, you wanna cash us out or what?” Johnny said while clicking his fingers in the guy’s face. With a smile Judd points to the register with his right hand, and walks over to it. Michelle looked back at Johnny giving him a grossed out look.
“What a weirdo,” she whispered. Judd stood behind the counter waiting for them, still staring at Michelle. They both walked up to the register handing him the water. While staring like a weirdo who only has perverted thoughts in his mind, he never took his eyes off of her as he said, “two dollars, please.”
Johnny sets the money on the counter and grabs the water bottles. He wraps his arm around Michelle.
“Let’s get out of here baby,” he gave her a kiss, and they made their way out of the store. Judd was staring at them with a very jealous look on his face.
“He don’t deserve her. Not one bit,” and he spits in the garbage can which sat next to him.
“Let’s never come back to this place, Johnny.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
They both finished their water bottles in no time. Johnny thought about screaming chug, chug, chug as Michelle drank the last of hers. He liked to drink beer at parties and was no stranger to chugging some down. Michelle never drank since she thought beer had way too many calories. It wasn’t worth it to her, not after all of the exercise she does during the day. She didn’t want to ruin it with booze.
“Okay, let’s go,” Johnny said. As they continued down the road Michelle couldn’t stop thinking about that weird gas station attendant. What if he follows us, she thought.
Judd had always been a strange individual, and most people around town knew him as the crazy gas station guy. There were stories made up about him, none of them where true though. At least the ones that people were talking about. Nobody really knew if he was a psychopath. He definitely looked like one though. That was the first time Michelle has ever met the guy, and it was guaranteed she would remember him as a psychopath now. It was also guaranteed she would remember that horrid tuna breath he had.
It starts to rain. The cool water hitting them on the top of their heads felt great. After a long jog it’s just what they needed.
“We’re almost done, and I can’t wait to get home,” Johnny said.
“Yeah, me to. I’m hungry.”
“Maybe we’ll stop at that old bar on the way back, huh?”
“Shut up!” she said with a smile.
“Okay, I guess we can skip the bar. Malone's is close so we’ll go there.”
“Yeah, I like that place. There is so much to choose from.”
“I’ve been eating healthy all week. I think I’m gonna go for the double cheeseburger!”
“Johnny, you pig!”
“Yeah, but I’m a hungry pig! Ha!”
Not too far ahead was some old abandoned train tracks. The last time they were used had to be fifty or so years ago. The town of Ashland used to use the tracks to transport goods to, and from the city. Later, the saw mill bought them, and used them to move wood from place to place. The company went bankrupt and lost everything. Ashland never had any more use for the tracks so they just sat there unused, and forgotten about. Weeds have since taken up residence on the tracks. In some areas you couldn’t even tell there were tracks there. All you could see was just weeds and more weeds. They both came to a stop next to the tracks.
“I never knew these tracks were here, Johnny.”
“Yeah, I didn’t either. Look it’s broken up there.”
The track had a broken rail. If a train where to travel on these tracks then it would surly derail. There was no worry of that, though, because trains were obsolete in this town.
“Well, I guess we should get going,” Johnny said.
“Wait, look at that.”
“What, where?” He was looking around everywhere.
“Over there,” she points. “It’s a tunnel.”
Indeed it was a tunnel; a dark and very ominous tunnel. It was the kind of tunnel that looked like it would kill you if you entered. The kind of tunnel that could be hiding anything. Maybe a street bum waiting for someone to wander in, and then BAM! He would gut you like a fish! The tunnel looked massive from where they were standing. It had huge walls on both sides of the opening. People had spray painted graffiti on them. There was one picture that displayed eyeballs. It looked as if they were staring at you, and right below them was written, “He’s watching you!”
“That’s really sick!” Michelle said.
“Yeah, I know. I’m disgusted by it, and I wonder who is watching us?”
“No, I mean sick, as in cool,” she was smiling at him.
“Uh… yeah. I knew that,” he gave an awkward smile back to her.
“No you didn’t. You’re dumb, tee-hee!”
“Look, let’s just go.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We’re almost done.” Michelle started crossing the tracks but Johnny grabbed her arm and pointed at the tunnel.
“Hey, you’re going the wrong way baby. Home is this way,” and they were both staring into the dark abyss.
“What? You must be crazy if you think I’m going in there!”
“Now you’re the one being dumb. It would be so much faster if we went through this tunnel. Plus I’d like to see what it looks like on the inside.”
“No, I’m not going in there!”
“Please, I promise everything will be okay.”
“Johnny…”
“I’ll let you choose the movie tonight.”
“What if I want to stay home and watch The Notebook again?”
“Fine… even if it’s that movie again.”
“Okay!” A great big smile was on her face.
Stepping onto the train tracks, they took a moment to look into their future. They were about to enter into a tunnel that looked like something out of a nightmare. It wasn’t even possible to look all of the way through because the tunnel curved to the left. Now what was beyond that curve, they didn’t know. Taking in deep breaths, they both started walking toward the tunnel. At that moment a loud truck pulled up onto the tracks behind them. It was a blue Ford pickup. Judd was behind the wheel.
“Hey! Where are you two going?” He shouted at them. He sounded like a hillbilly from one of those scary torture movies. Johnny looked back at him.
“We’re going home, and you should mind your own business.”
“Yer gonna take that purrty little thing into that there tunnel? You must be crazy!” Michelle just kept her head down trying to ignore the madman. She was more scared of him than the tunnel.
“Get lost pal,” Johnny gave him a pissed off look, and put his arm around Michelle. He told her to keep walking forward, and to ignore the crazy man in the truck.
“Yer CRAZY! That there tunnel is not...” They could no longer hear him because they were too far away. Coming closer was the tunnel, and yet maybe they should have listened to the nut. Here is what he said.
“Yer CRAZY! That there tunnel is not safe. People disappear in there!” Seeing as how they were no longer listening to him, he slams on his gas pedal sending his truck forward. The smell of burning rubber was left in the air.
The two joggers came to a stop near the entrance of the tunnel. The darkness inside was scary, but there was no turning back now.
“I can’t see anything, Johnny.”
“I can’t either. This tunnel really gives me the creeps.”
“How about we go the other way? Don’t you think that would be a good idea?”
“We’re already here, so why go back? Besides this tunnel can’t be that big.”
“Okay, but let’s be quick. Let’s run through.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
They began traversing the dark tunnel at a walking pace, so much for running.
At first it was hard to see anything at all, but soon after entering their eyes had adjusted to the darkness. Small rats could be heard stomping their tiny feet across the ground. Cracks in the walls of the tunnel were leaking water. There were branches and weeds sticking out in other areas. Some of the branches reminded Michelle of an arm reaching out to grab her. On the ground lay garbage; some empty bottles and food wrappers. Probably thrown there by the locals of Ashland. Who in their right mind would casually walk through this dank pit is unknown, but they sure liked to litter. Who in their right mind? Johnny and Michelle of course. Coming up to the bend, Michelle began to hear voices. They were so muffled she couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Do you hear that Johnny?”
“Yes, I can’t understand what they are saying though. Where is it coming from?”
“I’m not sure, but it almost sounds like it’s coming from the walls,” and it was. Michelle got really close to the wall and put her ear against it. Making sure to wipe any dirt away that might have been there. Through the wall she could hear someone screaming, like they were being tortured. A plea of “No, please stop!” was heard.
“Someone’s being tortured behind this wall Johnny!”
“No, that can’t be what’s going on,” his eyes were wide, and he didn’t want to tell Michelle that he was getting a little nervous. It’s not everyday you hear torture sounds coming from behind an old abandoned tunnel wall.
“I know what I heard, listen for yourself,” and he did. He heard the voices as well. They were screaming for mercy only wanting the pain to stop. Johnny jumped back looking confused, and a bit startled. He knew he should have run out of there, but he didn’t.
“Johnny, we need to go and get help.”
“But it doesn’t make sense, on the other side of this wall is nothing!”
“What do you mean nothing?”
“The wall isn’t too thick, and on the other side of it is a steep hill that goes down pretty far. Those voices shouldn’t be there. They can’t be there,” but yet they were. There was no room for anyone to stand outside let alone torture someone. The screams they were hearing had to be coming from the wall itself. That cracked, wet, thin wall…
“Come on Johnny, let’s go,” she began to pull him along.
“Yeah, sure.”
Moving very quickly around the bend they came to another straight away. The tunnel looked like it went on for miles. They couldn’t hear the voices anymore but drips of water, and a strange mushy sound filled the area.
“Hey, I thought you said it would be quicker to go this way?”
“I thought it was going to be, I swear. I looked on a map of this road before we left, and it showed a small bridge here. It shouldn’t be this long.”
“A small bridge? This is a tunnel not a bridge.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“We have to turn back Johnny, I don’t want to go up there,” she said while looking at the long dark disturbing tunnel.
“Okay, baby, let’s turn back,” and that’s what they did. That mushy sound was on Michelle’s mind to. What could it be? There was already rats and voices in this damn place, who knows what else. As they rounded the bend back to where they came they were in shock at what they saw. Another long dark tunnel!
“Oh my god! This doesn’t make any sense,” Michelle said, but they had just heard voices coming from a wall so nothing made much sense. They stood there staring off into the dark distance, confused, and not knowing where to go. Do they turn around and continue the way they were going? Or do they keep heading through the new section of the tunnel that just appeared…
Michelle was really starting to get scared. She was holding back some tears. Johnny was just mystified, and he couldn’t understand what was going on, but he knew they had to get out of there.
“Which way Johnny?”
“I don’t know…” and he really didn’t.
“This was all your idea! And now we’re lost,” and they were.
“Look, we should just turn around and keep going the way we were. There has to be an exit that way.”
“There was an exit this way to, but now it’s gone,” and it was.
“Listen baby, we are going to be fine. Let’s just keep going the way we were, okay?” The voices could be heard again. They were getting louder, but still muffled.
“Okay, let’s go,” Michelle said while staring off into the darkness. She was trying to see who or what those voices were coming from.
Making a U turn again, they made their way around the bend for the third time. This time they were going to keep going forward into the darkness, into the unknown. Was this tunnel going to lead them to an exit on the other side? The mushy sound got louder…
“Ewe, what the hell is that?”
“Don’t worry about it, just keep going.” They take a couple of steps, then a couple more, Squish!
“Ahhh! What is that?” Michelle screamed. Looking down she had stepped on a worm. Not just one worm but thousands. The floor was coated with worms, mostly maggots, and she couldn’t help herself any longer, she let out a very loud scream.
“AHHHHHH!” Johnny grabbed her by the arm pulling her his way. He began to run through the tunnel as fast as he could go, and Michelle kept up as best as she could. Squish… Squish… Squish… Squish… Slip… Michelle had slipped and fallen down. She lands on her butt with both of her arms touching the ground. Touching… the worms. Her hands were now coated with the little slimy critters. They began to crawl up her arms, and all over her body. She screams again with her eyes closed. Shaking her head back and forth, she leaps to her feet jumping up and down. Johnny was holding his ears. The sound of his shrieking girlfriend really hurt.
“Don’t just stand there, help me!” She said, and he helped her. They both brushed the worms off of her body as best as they could. She once again screams, and then they both take off running.
Squish… Squish… Squish, and then there were no more squishy sounds. No more worms below their feet, and that was a good thing. Michelle could still feel them crawling on her, though.
“They’re still on me! Ewe, Get em off! Please! Ewe!”
“Calm down baby, there is no more,” and there wasn’t. The worms had all fallen off.
Looking ahead into the darkness, they saw no light, no exit, but more darkness, and more tunnel…
“Why is this tunnel so long?” Michelle asked.
“I don’t know, but as far as we went we should have been in Ashland by now.”
“Well, we’re not,” she snapped.
“We should have listened to Judd…” Johnny admitted. “Let’s keep walking, baby. We’ll get to the end. We have to. I mean, it can’t go on forever…”
But maybe it does go on forever? Hours later, they are still walking, trying to find an exit that seems not to exist. Bend after bend, mile after mile, it just kept going. They were both tired from the jogging they had done, and it was starting to seem like they might never get out of this death trap. Maybe they should have gone the other way? After a few more steps, they stop for a while to rest. Johnny sat on a rock that was lying on the ground, and Michelle propped herself up against the wall.
“I can’t go on Johnny,” she was really tired.
“Yes, you can. We’re almost there. I can feel it!”
“You keep saying that, but we both know we’re screwed.”
“No, we’re not screwed. Everything will be okay, and we’ll both be out of here. You’ll see, baby.”
“Yes we are, Johnny. We’ve been walking for miles. There is no exit coming.”
“Don’t give up, we’ll get out of here. I guarantee you.”
“Look, let’s just rest. In a bit we can try again.”
They both fell asleep pretty quickly. Even with all of the noises around it wasn’t that difficult. The time flew by though, as it always does when you are sleeping. When they awoke there were more voices haunting them.
The voices were still just a bunch of mumbles. Screams could be heard every now and then. The voices had traveled to where they were. Michelle woke up first. She ran over to Johnny and shook him awake. The voices in the walls seemed to grow more violent, more intense than before. Like they were upset that the two joggers were here.
Scared of what they were hearing, both Johnny and Michelle ran as fast as they could. Down through the dark endless abyss. The voices were following them, and the faster the two ran the faster the voices followed. They soon came to another bend in the tunnel; it curved off to the right. Running and walking for hours has tired them out immensely. Not to mention the strange torturous voices stalking them. Making their way around the bend they were greeted with a cave in of rocks.
“Oh no! Where do we go now?” Behind them, the voices traveled to their location, and stopped. Looking back for something to jump out at them, nothing did. It was quiet, quiet and very dark.
“Damn it!” Johnny screamed. There was no way around the boulders. This way was a dead end. Michelle plopped down on the ground. Her head coming to a rest on one of the rocks.
“We’re gonna die, Johnny!” Michelle said while crying.
“No! No we’re not. Let’s go back the other way. We can make it.”
“It’s too far, how would we make it?”
“We’ll make it because we have to!”
“I don’t think I can make it, Johnny.”
“You can make it, just get up. I’ll carry you if I have to.” Johnny pulled her up off the ground. With heavy feet they began the long trip back. Ahead of them was the last bend they had gone around, and as soon as they made their way past it, they were horrified at the site in front of them. There was another cave in, and boulder’s were everywhere. They were trapped…
“Oh my god, why…” Michelle said. Johnny let out a loud scream followed by multiple profanities, he was very frustrated. Going back over to where the first cave in was, he struck his fists against the rocks. A loose rock came falling out. In its place was a small hole. He could see some light on the other side.
“Look! Look baby! It’s the way out!”
“It is?”
“Yes, look!” Peering through the hole she could see the light. She started jumping up and down with excitement. They were finally going to get out of this tunnel.
“Come on Johnny, let’s dig,” and they did. They dug for what seemed like an hour. Moving small rocks and huge boulders, they picked some of them up and rolled the heavier ones to the side. Dirty and sweaty they had dug a pathway through the stones. Holding hands they looked at one another and smiled. After traversing a horrible cursed tunnel, they were leaving.
Johnny and Michelle walked slowly through the pathway. The light was getting brighter, so bright that they had to close their eyes. The sun was hitting both of them all over. The cold dark tunnel was behind them, and the warmth of the sun felt so good. The red glow of… red glow?
Opening his eyes Johnny saw fire and brimstone all around him. There were little creatures jumping and shouting everywhere. Screams of torture could be heard plain as day. They were in the room where the voices were coming from. They were in…
“I guess you were right baby, we’re not getting out of here.”
“I love you, Johnny.”
“I love you to baby.”
They both held onto one another while the path they had cleared closes up behind them. In front of them the little creatures leap their way over to where the two joggers were standing. Judd was right, they should have never entered this tunnel in the first place. | https://hubpages.com/literature/The-Tunnel |
---
abstract: 'We performed a statistical analysis of half-power pulse–widths of the core components in average pulsar profiles. We confirmed an existence of the lower bound of the distribution of half-power pulse–width versus the pulsar period $W_{50}\sim2^{\circ}.45 \; P^{-0.5}$ found by Rankin (1990). Using our much larger database we found $W_{50}=(2^{\circ}.51\pm0^{\circ}.08) \; P^{-0.50\pm0.02}$ for 21 pulsars with double–pole interpulses for which measurement of the core component width was possible. On the other hand, all single–pole interpulse cases lie in the swarm of pulsars above the boundary line. Using the Monte Carlo simulations based on exact geometrical calculations we found that the Rankin’s method of estimation of the inclination angle $\alpha\approx asin(2^{\circ}.45\; P^{-0.5}/W_{50})$ in pulsars with core components is quite good an approximation, except for very small angles $\alpha$ in almost aligned rotators.'
author:
- |
Krzysztof Maciesiak$^{1}$[^1], Janusz Gil$^{1}$\
$^{1}$Kepler Institute of Astronomy, University of Zielona Góra, Lubuska 2, 65-265 Zielona Góra, Poland
date: 'Accepted . Received ; in original form '
title: |
On the pulse–width statistics in radio pulsars.\
II. Importance of the core profile components
---
\[firstpage\]
stars: pulsars: general – stars: neutron – stars: rotation
Introduction
============
It is generally accepted that the elements of mean pulsar profiles can be divided into core and conal components (@r83, Rankin (1990, hereafter @r90), @r93). The core component usually occupies central parts of the profile and is often flanked by one or two pairs of conal components. The importance of the conal profile components was recently studied statistically by Maciesiak, Gil & Ribeiro (2011; hereafter @mgr11). These authors used recently large data sets of pulsar periods, profile widths and inclination angles resulted from large pulsar surveys conducted in recent years. They also compiled the largest ever database of pulsars with interpulses (IP), divided into the double–pole (DP–IP) and single–pole (SP–IP) cases (see Table \[tab.1\] in this paper). The IP pulsars constitute about 3 percent (2 and 1 percent for DP–IP and SP–IP cases, respectively) of the pulsar population. The DP–IP pulsars (almost orthogonal rotators) tend to be younger or middle aged, while SP–IP pulsars tend to be older (see Figure 6 in @mgr11). This suggest a secular alignment of the magnetic axis towards the spin axis over a timescale of about $10^7$ years.
The interpulse emission is important also for the statistics of the core profile components in pulsars. Rankin (1990; hereafter R90) measured the half-power (50% of the maximum intensity) widths of core components in a number of pulsars (about 100), including those showing the interpulse emission. She found that the distribution of pulse–widths has a clear lower bound $2^{\circ}.45 \; P^{-0.5}$ populated by DP–IP cases, in which the inclination angle $\alpha$ must be close to $90^{\circ}$. The rest of pulsars including SP–IP cases lied in a swarm of data points above the lower bound. @r90 described this distribution by a simple mathematical expression $$W_{50} = 2^{\circ}.45 \; P^{-0.5} / sin \alpha,
\label{eq.1}$$ indicating that the core component widths depend only upon the pulsar period $P$ and the inclination angle $\alpha$ between the rotation and magnetic axes of the neutron star and they are almost insensitive to the impact angle $\beta$ of the closest approach of the observer’s line–of–sight to the magnetic axis (for description of pulsar geometry see Paper I or Figure \[figure.b1\] in the on-line Appendix \[appendix.b\]). The above equation represents a useful method of estimation of the inclination angle $\alpha$ in pulsars with core component in the mean profile. In this paper we attempt to revisit and verify these important and intriguing results, using a more abundant database that we compiled in @mgr11).
Importance of the core pulsar emission
======================================
[|r|l|l|r|c|c|c|c|c|]{} & & & & & &\
& & & & & && &\
& & & & & & & &\
1\. & J$0534+2200$ & B$0531+21$& 0.033 & 13.49 & $13.5\pm1$ & & DP & T/K\
2. & J$0627+0706$ & & 0.476 & 3.55 & & & DP & K10\
3. & J$0826+2637$ & B$0823+26$& 0.531 & 3.36 &$3.38\pm0.1$ &$3.47\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
4. & J$0834-4159$ & & 0.121 & 7.04 & &$7.0\pm1$ & DP & K03\
5. & J$0842-4851$ & B$0840-48$& 0.644 & 3.05 & &$3.1\pm0.5$ & DP & M11\
6. & J$0905-5127$ & & 0.346 & 4.17 & &$5.0\pm1$ & DP & WJ\
7. & J$0908-4913$ & B$0906-49$& 0.107 & 7.49 &$7.5\pm0.4$ &$7.5\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
8. & J$1057-5226$ & B$1055-52$& 0.197 & 5.52 &$<6$ &$5.8\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
9. & J$1126-6054$ & B$1124-60$& 0.203 & 5.44 & & & DP & WJ\
10.& J$1244-6531$ & & 1.547 & 1.97 & & & DP & K09\
11.& J$1413-6307$ & B$1409-62$& 0.395 & 3.90 & &$ 4.1\pm1$ & DP & M11\
12.& J$1549-4848$ & & 0.288 & 4.57 & &$ 5.0\pm1$ & DP & A\
13.& J$1611-5209$ & B$1607-52$& 0.182 & 5.74 & &$ 5.1\pm1$ & DP & WJ\
14.& J$1613-5234$ & & 0.655 & 3.03 & & & DP & R – M01\
15.& J$1627-4706$ & & 0.141 & 6.52 & & & DP & R – L\
16.& J$1637-4553$ & B$1634-45$& 0.119 & 7.10 & & & DP & WJ\
17.& J$1705-1906$ & B$1702-19$& 0.299 & 4.48 &$4.5\pm0.3$ &$ 5.5\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
18.& J$1713-3844$ & & 1.600 & 1.94 & &$ 2.1\pm0.5$& DP & K03\
19.& J$1722-3712$ & B$1719-37$& 0.236 & 5.04 & &$ 6.0\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
20.& J$1737-3555$ & B$1734-35$& 0.398 & 3.88 & &$ 4.65\pm1$ & DP & M11\
21.& J$1739-2903$ & B$1736-29$& 0.323 & 4.31 & &$ 4.8\pm1$ & DP & T/K\
22.& J$1825-0935$ & B$1822-09$& 0.769 & 2.79 &$2.8$ &$2.8\pm0.25$& DP & T/K\
23.& J$1828-1101$ & & 0.072 & 9.13 & & & DP & M02\
24.& J$1842+0358$ & & 0.233 & 5.08 & &$7.0\pm1$ & DP & R – L\
25.& J$1843-0702$ & & 0.192 & 5.59 & &$5.8\pm1$ & DP & H\
26.& J$1849+0409$ & & 0.761 & 2.81 & &$3.0\pm0.6$ & DP & L\
27.& J$1913+0832$ & & 0.134 & 6.69 & & & DP & M02\
28.& J$1915+1410$ & & 0.297 & 4.49 & & & DP & R – L\
29.& J$1932+1059$ & B$1929+10$& 0.227 & 5.14 & $5.15\pm0.1$&$5.3\pm0.2$ & DP & T/K\
30.& J$2047+5029$ & & 0.446 & 3.67 & &$3.88\pm0.5$& DP & J\
31.& J$2032+4127$ & & 0.143 & 6.47 & & & DP & C\
1. & J$0828-3417$ & B$0826-34$& 1.849 & 1.80 &$40$ &$ 70$ & SP & T/K\
2. & J$0831-4406$ & & 0.312 & 4.39 & & & SP & R – K03\
3. & J$0953+0755$ & B$0950+08$& 0.253 & 4.87 & &$ 30$ & SP & T/K\
4. & J$1107-5907$ & & 0.253 & 4.87 & &$ 50$ & SP & R – L\
5. & J$1302-6350$ & B$1259-63$& 0.048 & 11.21 & &$ 39$ & SP & T/K\
6. & J$1424-6438$ & & 1.024 & 2.42 & & & SP & R – K03\
7. & J$1637-4450$ & & 0.253 & 4.87 & &$ 19$ & SP & R – L\
8. & J$1806-1920$ & & 0.880 & 2.61 & & $20$ & SP & M02\
9. & J$1808-1726$ & & 0.241 & 4.99 & &$ 97$ & SP & L\
10.& J$1851+0418$ & B$1848+04$& 0.285 & 4.59 & & $20$ & SP & T/K\
11.& J$1852-0118$ & & 0.452 & 3.64 & &$ 20$ & SP & H\
12.& J$1903+0925$ & & 0.357 & 4.10 & &$ 155$ & SP & M11\
13.& J$1946+1805$ & B$1944+17$& 0.441 & 3.69 & & $7$ & SP & T/K\
Table \[tab.1\] contains 44 known IP cases divided into double–pole (DP–IP) and single–pole (SP–IP) cases (see @mgr11 for details). This table presents for each case the values of $W_{50}$ predicted by Equation (\[eq.1\]) with $\alpha =90^{\circ}$ derived by @r90, as well as those measured by @r90 and measurements made in this paper based on IP studies presented in @mgr11. Among 31 DP–IP and 13 SP–IP cases 21 and 11 measurements of $W_{50}$, respectively, were possible. We utilized the ATNF[^2] data base [@manchester05], where the values of overall half-power widths were tabulated. If needed, the raw data for individual profiles were available for inspection and/or processing[^3]. Figure \[figure.1\] shows the plot $W_{50}$ versus $P$ for DP–IP case only. Red open symbols represent measurements of @r90 presented in her Table 3, while black filled symbols represent our measurements[^4] presented in Table \[tab.1\] in this paper. We added the case of longest period radio pulsar J$2144-3933$, as its $W_{50}$ value (ATNF database) falls close to the value predicted by @r90 for DP–IP pulsars. Although, the interpulse has not been found in this pulsar, this seems consistent with its very narrow pulse profile (interpulse could be just missed by our line–of–sight). This pulsar was identified as the core profile case [@young99] and it had the narrowest pulse profile among all pulsars known at that time.
![Plot of $W_{50}$ vs. $P$ for 21 DP–IP pulsars. Five cases marked by red circles were taken from Table 3 in @r90 and the rest of points represent our new measurements (see Table \[tab.1\]). The red solid line represents the original fit of @r90, while the black line represents the fit to all data points. We also added the longest period radio pulsar J$2144-3933$ marked in blue to show that it follows the boundary. However it was not included in the fitting procedure as it did not had the IP emission. \[figure.1\]](fig1.eps)
The formal fit to all data points (excluding J$2144-3933$) is $$W_{50} = (2^{\circ}.51\pm0^{\circ}.08) \; P^{-0.50\pm0.02},
\label{eq.2}$$ which is represented by the black line in Figure \[figure.1\]. This is very close to the fit corresponding to the data of R90 (marked in red) $W_{50} = (2^{\circ}.46\pm0^{\circ}.09) \; P^{-0.50\pm0.02}$, represented by red line in Figure \[figure.1\]. Therefore, the lower bound found by @r90 still appears clearly in our larger data set analysed in this paper. This is illustrated in Figure \[figure.2\], which contains $W_{50}$ measurements of DP–IP (red), SP–IP (green) and core components of other pulsars (data of @r90 marked by black dots (Table \[tab.c1\] in the on-line Appendix \[appendix.c\]) and our new measurements marked by black stars (Table \[tab.c2\] in the on-line Appendix \[appendix.c\]). At least from the first sight the Rankin’s Equation (\[eq.1\]) seems well established. The important case of extremely broad profile pulsar B$0826-34$, with core component width being close to $70^{\circ}$, is marked (see also caption to Figure \[figure.5\]).
![Similar as in Figure \[figure.1\] but with measurements of core widths for a number of other pulsars, including SP–IP cases marked in green. Dots represent the measurements of @r90 while stars represent our measurements. For DP–IP cases marked in red, the open symbols represent measurements of @r90, while filled symbols represent our measurements. The important case of B$0826-34$ is also marked. \[figure.2\] ](fig2.eps)
 to 20mm
[|l|c|c|c|c|]{} & & & &\
& & & &\
\
J$1759-2205$ & 0.461 & 3.61 & 3.05 & MR11\
J$1912+2104$ & 2.232 & 1.64 & 1.60 & MR11\
J$1917+1353$ & 0.194 & 5.56 & 7.40 & MR11\
J$1941-2602$ & 0.403 & 3.86 & 3.66 & MR11\
\
J$0735-62 $ & 4.865 & 1.11 & 0.15 & KKL11\
J$1047-58 $ & 1.231 & 2.21 & 1.08 & KKL11\
J$1226-32 $ & 6.193 & 0.98 & 0.70 & KKL11\
J$1423-56 $ & 1.427 & 2.05 & 1.14 & KKL11\
J$1514-59 $ & 1.046 & 2.40 & 1.14 & KKL11\
J$1554-52 $ & 0.125 & 6.93 & 2.88 & KKL11\
J$1654-23 $ & 0.545 & 3.32 & 0.66 & KKL11\
J$1707-44 $ & 5.764 & 1.02 & 0.76 & KKL11\
J$1724-35 $ & 1.422 & 2.05 & 1.49 & KKL11\
J$1807-25 $ & 2.764 & 1.47 & 0.52 & KKL11\
J$1819-1458$ & 4.263 & 1.19 & 0.25 & HEY11, KHS09\
J$1826-1419$ & 0.771 & 2.79 & 0.93 & MLK09\
J$1841-14 $ & 6.598 & 0.95 & 0.14 & KKL11\
J$1854+03 $ & 4.558 & 1.15 & 1.25 & KKL11\
J$1848-12 $ & 6.795 & 0.94 & 0.11 & MLL06\
J$1913+1330$ & 0.923 & 2.55 & 0.78 & MLK09\
\
J$0531+2200$ & 0.033 &13.49 & 4.4 & R90\
J$1028-5819$ & 0.091 & 8.12 & 0.63 & KJK08\
J$1225-6035$ & 0.626 & 3.10 & 2.24 & KBM03\
J$1855+0527$ & 1.393 & 2.08 & 0.78 & KEL09\
\
J$0627+16$ & 2.180 & 1.66 & 0.05 & DCM09\
J$1909+06$ & 0.741 & 2.85 & 0.73 & DCM09\
J$1946+24$ & 4.729 & 1.13 & 0.31 & DCM09\
$\dag$ There were also two recycled pulsars (J$1410-7404$ and J$2129+1210$G) below this line, which we did not show according to strategy adopted in Paper I.
Figure \[figure.2\] was prepared using $W_{50}$ measurements of the core profile components. However, one can ask the question how would this figure look like if one used all $W_{50}$ measurements available in the ATNF database (without distinctions into core and conal components). Some of the measurements corresponding to profiles dominated by prominent core components would just reproduce the Figure \[figure.2\]. However, those measurements which correspond to the conal profiles should lie above the Lower Boundary Line $2^{\circ}.5\: P^{-0.5}$ (LBL hereafter), which should still appear as the prominent feature. Figure \[figure.3\] presents a plot of all 1522 values of $W_{50}$ versus pulsar period, which were available in the ATNF database (excluding millisecond and other recycled pulsars). Apparently, the bulk of the measurements lies above the LBL ($W_{50}=2^{\circ}.37\: P^{-0.5}$ after rescaling to 1.37 GHz). The widths of DP–IP (red symbols with error bars) and SP–IP (green symbols) were added for the reference and comparison with Figure \[figure.2\].
It is natural why the absolute majority of points lies above the lower boundary line. Indeed, if these are core components and/or conal components surrounding the core ones, then they must obey the lower boundary limit as discussed in this paper (for geometry of conal components see @r93, @gks93 and @kramer94). Therefore, the real question is why there is a small number of points below the LBL (assuming that these measurements are not erroneous)? Taking into account the scatter of red data points and their errors in Figure \[figure.3\] it is instructive to introduce the Lower Boundary Belt $W_{50}=(2^{\circ}.37^{+1^{\circ}.43}_{-0^{\circ}.87})\: P^{-0.5}$ (LBB hereafter; marked by two grey dashed lines), which should not be mistaken with the formal fit expressed by Equation (\[eq.2\]). We took every effort to identify points lying below or within the LBB (Table \[tab.2\]). It is extremely interesting that most of these points were Rotating RAdio Transients (RRATs; @mclaughlin06) marked by orange stars, or other sporadically emitting pulsars. RRATs are repeating sources with pulsar underlying periodicity, detectable via their extremely strong sporadic single pulses. A good example is the case of J$1819-1458$ marked by the orange error bar in Figure \[figure.3\], whose length represents individual measurements of different events [@hu11], with the average value of $W_{50}=0^{\circ}.25$ (Table \[tab.2\]). Interestingly, the width of the mean profile obtained by folding of large number of individual events of this relatively frequent RRAT is about $10^{\circ}$, well above the LBB. However, the most interesting fact is that the width of the central component of this profile is about $1^{\circ}.4\pm0^{\circ}.4$ (Figure 1. in @karastergiou09), which fits to the LBL/LBB $W_{50}=2^{\circ}.37\: (4.3)^{-0.5}=1^{\circ}.14$ very well. This strongly suggest that most of data points below the LBB in Figure \[figure.3\] represent a single events of RRATs activity, whose pulse–widths are much smaller than their underlying pulse windows.
Another small group of three data points below the LBB represents the Single Pulse (SP) detected pulsars (green stars) in the Arecibo PALFA survey [@deneva09]. One of them J$0627+16$ has the narrowest ever measured width of $0^{\circ}.05$ (Table \[tab.2\]), which corresponds to the lowest known duty cycle of about 0.01 percent (compared to the typical value of about 5 percent).
Yet another group of data points below the LBB represents the young energetic PSRs (Table \[tab.2\]) marked in magenta. It is interesting that the main pulse of the Crab pulsar (marked by diamond) seems to belong to this category as well. It is well known that the precursor of the main pulse in the profile of B$0531+21$ behaves like typical core component, while the main-pulse and the interpulse show rather untypical properties (e.g. @r90).
We also checked the group of pulsars with partial cone profiles but no single case was found below the LBB in Figure \[figure.3\]. In the long list of such pulsars recently published by @mitra11 we identified only four cases (Table \[tab.2\]) lying within the LBB (blue circles). This paradoxical at first sight result means that the opening angles of core and conal beams are about the same.
In summary, the lower boundary with the slope following $P^{-0.5}$ is a prominent feature in the distribution of pulse–width $W_{50}$ versus pulsar period $P$, especially if extended to the concept of narrow lower boundary belt (Figure \[figure.3\]) with the width determined by scatter and errors of $W_{50}$ measurements of core components in DP–IP pulsars (red data points). There is a small number of data points below the LBB but all of them represent some unusual species, mostly transients and intermittent pulsars, whose sporadic emission is much narrower than their underlying pulse windows. Finally, it is worth noting that the existence of LBL or even LBB is not depending neither on the method$^{3}$ nor on the accuracy of the measurements of core widths in DP–IP pulsars. Indeed, the LBL is still apparent when the red symbols are removed from Figure \[figure.3\], as clearly visible in Figure \[figure.8\].
Geometry of the core emission
=============================
The period dependent lower boundary in $W_{50}$ pulse–widths revealed in pulsar data, translates into the period dependent lower limit for the half-power beam widths of the transversal structures in the overall pulsar beam. Geometry of pulsar emission is described by the well known formula $$W_{50}=4 \; \arcsin\left[\frac{\sin\left[\left(\rho_{50}+\beta\right)/2\right] \;\sin\left[\left(\rho_{50}-\beta\right) /2\right]}{\sin\alpha\ \; sin\left(\alpha+\beta\right)}\right]^{1/2},
\label{eq.3}$$ (@gil81 [@gil84], Gil, Kijak & Seiradakis (1993); hereafter GKS93), where $\alpha$ is the inclination angle (of the magnetic axis to the rotation axis), $\beta$ is the impact angle (of the closest approach of the line–of–sight to the magnetic axis) and $\rho_{50}$ is the opening angle of the pulsar beam corresponding to half-power maximum beam width (FWHM). This equation holds generally on the sphere centered on the pulsar and the only assumption about the pulsar beam that has to be satisfied is the phase symmetry about the fiducial plane $\varphi_0$ containing both pulsar axes and the observer’s direction (Figure \[figure.b1\] in the on-line Appendix B). One should realise that the illustration of circular beam presented in Figure \[figure.b1\] represents only a cross-section of a certain intensity level of the beam with the pulsar centered celestial hemisphere. It says nothing about the internal structure of the beam, neither the angular nor the radial intensity distribution. The core pulsar beam can be modelled by a gaussian distribution of the mean intensity $I$, symmetric about the magnetic axis (beam axis). Thus, it can be described by the function $$I=I_0 \; \textnormal{exp}[-k(\rho/\rho_0)^2],
\label{eq.4}$$ where $I_0=I(\beta=0)=I_{max}$, $I(\rho_0)=I_0 \; \textnormal{exp}(-k)=I_{min}$ and $k$ is an arbitrary steepness parameter. For a certain impact angle $0 << \beta < \rho$ the observer will detect a local intensity maximum $$I_m(\beta) = I_0 \; \textnormal{exp}[-k(\beta/\rho_0)^2]$$ and thus we can write Equation (\[eq.4\]) in the form $$I(\rho,\beta)=I_m(\beta) \; \textnormal{exp} \left[-\frac{k}{\rho_0^2}(\rho^2-\beta^2)\right],
\label{eq.5}$$ where $I_m(\beta)$ is the local peak intensity which can be determined from observations. R90 used slightly different approach and assumed that the angular distribution of the core pulsar beam is well approximated by a bivariate gaussian function $$I(\beta,\varphi) \propto \; \textnormal{exp} -[(\beta-\beta_0)^2/2\rho_{\beta}^2 + (\varphi - \varphi_0)^2/2\rho_{\varphi}^2],$$ whose breadth (FWHM) is invariant along any set of parallel paths. Thus, she concludes, ”the angular width of core beams can only be weakly dependent on the centrality of traverse and the effect of the impact angle $\beta$ on the observed width of the core components may be quite weak”. However, one should realise that approximation described by the above equation is a true representation of gaussian intensity distribution of the pulsar beam only in a special case when $\varphi\sim\rho$, that is $\beta\approx0^{\circ}$ and $\alpha\sim90^{\circ}$ (Equation \[eq.3\]). Only then the above function $I(\beta,\varphi)$ is equivalent to $I(\rho,\beta)$ expressed by our exact Equation (\[eq.5\]). In general, although the projection of the line–of–sight cut through the gaussian beam is indeed independent of the impact angle $\beta$, the observed pulse–width (not a beam width) $W=2\varphi$ may depend on both $\alpha$ and $\beta$. To examine this problem exactly we will use Equation (\[eq.3\]) equipped with the relationship $$\rho_{50}(\beta) = \left(\rho_{50}^2 + \beta^2\right)^{1/2}
\label{eq.6}$$ valid only for a gaussian beam shape (see Figure \[figure.b2\] for illustration). Here $\rho_{50} = \rho_{50}(\beta=0)$ is the half-power beam width, while $\rho_{50}(\beta)$ is the opening angle of pulsar beam measured at FWHM level by the observer with the impact angle $\beta$. Following Figures \[figure.1\] and \[figure.2\] it is quite reasonable to adopt for the half-power width of the core beam $$\rho_{50}=1^{\circ}.2\: P^{-1/2},
\label{eq.7}$$ which seems quite well established observationally[^5]. The natural $P^{-1/2}$ factor undoubtedly means that the radiation associated with $W_{50}$ of core components is emitted tangentially to dipolar magnetic field lines, but the value of the numerical factor close to $1^{\circ}.2$ is not yet clear (see Conclusion section).
The results of calculations of $W_{50}(\alpha,\beta,\rho(\beta))$ for different values of the pulsar period $P$ are presented in Figure \[figure.4\]. Three different panels correspond to different periods $P$ equal to 1, 0.1 and 0.01 seconds, respectively. Four solid lines in each panel correspond to different values of the impact $\beta$ and opening $\rho_{50}(\beta)$ angles marked by red, green, dark blue and light blue colours (the latter corresponds to the value of about $0.9\: \rho_{50}(\beta)$). The dashed orange line represents the maximum difference between the solid lines (red and light blue). As one can see for $P=1$s a significant residual occur only for very small inclination angles $\alpha<5^{\circ}$ (almost aligned rotators). For shorter periods the residuals are larger. However, even for 10 millisecond periods the errors made due to neglecting $\beta$ are negligible for inclinations angles $\alpha > 30^{\circ}$. Thus, one can generally state that neglecting $\beta$ in estimating the core width is quite well justified by results of strict calculations, especially for larger inclinations angles. For orthogonal rotators (DP–IP) it can be treated as an exact result. Thus, Equation (\[eq.1\]) proposed by @r90 should be regarded as a very good tool for estimating the inclination angles using the core pulse–widths. In Figure \[figure.5\] we superposed on the data from Figure \[figure.2\] the results of simulations of $W_{50}$ performed using a technique developed in Paper I applied to core emission (see on-line Appendix \[appendix.a\]). Although these were strict calculations, including simulations of both inclination angle $\alpha$ (different ranges of this angle are marked with different colours) and impact angle $\beta$, their results are fully consistent with Equation (\[eq.1\]). This equation was derived by @r90 assuming $\beta=0$, based on the claim that the core width is almost completely insensitive of the value of the impact angle $\beta$. Pulsars with interpulses corresponding to DP–IP and SP–IP models are marked by red and green symbols, respectively. All DP–IP cases lie on the boundary line (to within error bars), as expected. A very interesting case of almost aligned rotator PSR B$0826-34$ is marked in Figure \[figure.5\]. The inclination angle of this extremely broad profile pulsar was estimated as having very small value $\alpha < 5^{\circ}$ [@gupta04] or even $\alpha<1^{\circ}$ [@esamdin05], which is consistent with results of our simulations.
![Calculations of $W_{50}$ vs. $\alpha$ using Equations (\[eq.3\]), (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]). Different panels correspond to different periods $P$, while four different colours of solid lines correspond to different values of $\beta$ and $\rho_{50}(\beta)$. The asymptotic values $2\rho_{50}(0)$ are marked in the lower right corner of each panel. The dashed orange lines describe the maximum difference between the solid colour lines. \[figure.4\]](fig4.eps)
![The results of the Monte Carlo simulations of pulse–widths superposed on the Figure \[figure.2\]. Six different ranges of the inclination angle $\alpha$ are marked by different colours. The DP–IP and SP–IP cases are marked by red and green symbols, respectively. The opened red symbols represent measurements of R90, while filled red symbols represent our new measurements (see Table \[tab.1\]). The solid line represents the fit to red marked data points expressed by Equation (\[eq.2\]). For a very wide profile pulsar B$0826-34$ with SP–IP the simulations indicate the value of the inclination angle $\alpha<1^{\circ}$, which is consistent with an independent estimate of @esamdin05 $\alpha=0^{\circ}.5$ for this almost aligned rotator. \[figure.5\]](fig5.eps)
Inclination angles and pulse–widths
===================================
As demonstrated in Figure 4 using Monte Carlo simulations we can calculate the pulse–widths $W_{50}$ of the core emission for large population of pulsars. These calculations are based on Equations (\[eq.1\]) and (\[eq.3\]), with $\alpha$ and $\beta$ values drawn from suitable distributions described in Paper I (see on-line Appendix A). On the other hand we can calculate values of $W_{50}$ using Rankin’s Equation (\[eq.1\]), with $\alpha$ and $P$ values generated by Monte Carlo simulations. Figure \[figure.6\] presents comparison of $W_{50}$ values obtained by these two different methods. Six different ranges of $\alpha$ values are marked by different colours, while values of $\beta$ are represented by the length of vertical bars with the same scale as that of the ordinate axis. Of course, the correlation is perfect for very small $\beta\sim0^{\circ}$. As one can see the correlation is also very good for larger $\beta$ (corresponding to longer vertical bars), provided that inclination angles are not too small ($\alpha > 20^{\circ}$). The points above and below the perfect correlation line correspond to positive and negative values of the impact angle $\beta$, respectively. Generally one can say, that except of cases of almost aligned rotators both methods give very similar results. This further confirms usefulness of Rankin’s method expressed by her simple Equation (\[eq.1\]).
![Comparison of $W_{50}$ values obtained by means of Equation (\[eq.1\]) and simulations based on Equations (\[eq.3\]), (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]). Six different ranges of $\alpha$ values are marked by different colours, while values of $\beta$ are represented by the length of vertical bars with the same scale as that of the right-hand side ordinate axis. \[figure.6\]](fig6.eps)
Finally, we can make a direct comparison of Rankin’s method of inclination angle estimations represented by Equation (\[eq.1\]) with strict calculations based on Equations (\[eq.3\]), (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]). This comparison is presented in a form of scatter plot in Figure \[figure.7\]. The ordinate (vertical) axis represents $\alpha$ calculated from Equation (\[eq.1\]) with $W_{50}$ calculated from Equations (\[eq.3\]), (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]), where $\alpha$, $\beta$ and $P$ were taken from Monte Carlo simulations, while the abscissa (horizontal) axis represents directly simulated values of $\alpha$. Red and green colours correspond to positive and negative values of $\beta$ (for details of simulations and detection conditions see Appendix \[appendix.a\]). The blue line represents the maximum relative difference between scattered points (in the same scale as for $\alpha$ axes but expressed in percents), thus it describes an accuracy of determination of $\alpha$. As one can see, for almost orthogonal rotators the difference between the two methods is about 10 percent. However, for almost aligned rotators the error can reach or even exceed 100 percent. For intermediate values of $\alpha$ the accuracy is in the range of 20 – 30 percent. This means that Rankin’s method of estimating the inclination angle from the width of the core component is quite good an approximation, provided that these values are not too small. In particular, this method should not be applied to extremely broad profile pulsars for which one can expect very small inclination angles $\alpha\le5^{\circ}$.
![Scatter plot of inclination angles $\alpha$ obtained using Rankin’s method (Equation (\[eq.1\])) and Monte Carlo simulated values. Red and green colours on the scatter plot correspond to positive and negative values of the impact angle $\beta$, respectively. The blue solid line represents the maximum relative difference between two methods (in percents according to the right–hand side ordinate scale). \[figure.7\]](fig7.eps)
Conclusions
===========
![Plot of pulse–width $W_{50}$ versus period $P$ for 1495 normal pulsars from the ATNF database. \[figure.8\]](fig8.eps)
The most important result of our paper is a clear confirmation of the lower limit in the distribution of half-power pulse–width $W_{50}$ in core components of pulsar profiles when presented versus the pulsar period $P$ using much bigger database than that used originally by @r90. As illustrated in Figures \[figure.1\], \[figure.2\], \[figure.3\] and \[figure.8\] this limit is represented by the line $W_{50}=2^{\circ}.5\: P^{-0.5}$ at 1 GHz and $W_{50}=2^{\circ}.37\: P^{-0.5}$ at 1.4 GHz. It seems that more appropriate description of the lower boundary limit is the lower boundary belt (LBB) $W_{50}=(2^{\circ}.37^{+1^{\circ}.43}_{-0^{\circ}.87})\: P^{-0.5}$, which accounts for scatter and errors in $W_{50}$ measurements. Strictly speaking, the widths of the LBB was determined by the scatter and errors of DP-IP cases marked as red symbols in Figure 3. However, the normal data points seem to populate the belt marked in Figure 8 in similar manner as the DP-IP cases do in Figure 3. The concept of LBB is based not only on core widths of DP–IP pulsars (like in @r90) but here it is based on all $W_{50}$ measurements of normal pulsars available in the ATNF database, without distinctions into core and conal components, of course. This is dramatically illustrated in Figure \[figure.8\] containing 1495 data points. This figure is a reproduction of Figure \[figure.3\] with all special points described in the legend omitted. Apparently, the existence of the lower boundary limit in the pulse–width measurements discovered by Rankin (1990) does not depend neither on the method nor on the errors of measurements of the core widths in DP-IP pulsars. The unweighted formal fit to the points within LBB (between dashed lines) is $W_{50}=(2^{\circ}.86\pm0^{\circ}.07)\: P^{-0.51\pm0.02}$.
The existence of the lower bound in the distribution of $W_{50}$ versus pulsar period $P$ is very intriguing and requires solid and convincing explanation. The exponent $-0.5$ is evidently related to the geometry of dipolar field lines in the radio emission region, while the value of the numerical factor about $2^{\circ}.5$ is a little more mysterious. @r90 argued that the core component widths are intimately related to the polar cap geometry at the stellar surface, whose bundle of the last open dipolar field lines have an angular extent (opening angle $2\rho$) very close to $2^{\circ}.45 \: P^{-1/2}$. Although this natural and very appealing explanation is commonly accepted, it is not free from theoretical and interpretational problems. First of all, the coherent radio emission cannot originate at or very near the polar cap, because there are no plasma instabilities available in this region. Recently, a modern version of this idea is discussed, with arguments that the core emission originates below the conal one but the former is emitted well above the polar cap surface. For example, @mitra07 argued that in PSR B$0329+54$ the emission of its core component originates over a range of altitudes (up to about 100 km) above the star surface (see also @gil91). This broadens the required opening angle by a factor of about square root of the normalised emission altitude, that is about 3. If this is a case then one has to conclude that the core radio emission is related to an innermost subset of the open dipolar magnetic field lines. The problem therefore is to identify structures within the overall pulsar beam with an angular extent corresponding to the observed lower boundary limit. We plan to devote to this problem the forthcoming Paper III of this series.
The interpretational problems mentioned above do not affect the approximate method of estimating the inclination angle $\alpha$ in any pulsar with a core component proposed by @r90. We have shown by means of Monte Carlo simulations based on the strict geometrical calculations that this method offers quite good an approximation with the accuracy of 5, 10, 20 and 50 percent for $\alpha\sim90^{\circ}$, $\alpha\sim50^{\circ}$, $\alpha\sim25^{\circ}$ and $\alpha\sim10^{\circ}$, respectively (Figure \[figure.7\]). This method cannot be used in almost aligned cases with very small values of $\alpha$.
Acknowledgments {#acknowledgments .unnumbered}
===============
We thank Prof. R.N. Manchester for invitation of K.M. to Australia, support and access to the ATNF pulsar data. This paper includes archived data obtained through the Australia Telescope Online Archive and the CSIRO Data Access Portal (http://datanet.csiro.au/dap/). We are grateful to Dr. D. Mitra for critical reading of the manuscript and insightful comments.
[299]{} Camilo F., Ray P.S., Ransom S.M., et al., 2009, ApJ, 705, 1 D’Amico N., Stappers B.W., Bailes M., et al., 1998, MNRAS, 297, 28 Deneva J.S., Cordes J.M, McLaughlin M.A., et al., 2009, ApJ, 703, 2259 (DCM09) Esamdin A., Lyne A.G., Graham-Smit F., Kramer M., Manchester R. N., Wu, X., 2005, MNRAS, 356, 59 Gil J. 1981, Acta Phys. Polonicae, B12, 1081 Gil J., Gronkowski P., Rudnicki W., 1984, A&A, 132, 312 Gil J., 1991, A&A, 243, 219 Gil J., Kijak J., Seiradakis J.H., 1993, A&A, 272, 268, GKS93 Gupta Y., Gil J., Kijak J., Sendyk, M., 2004, A&A, 426, 229 Hankins T.H., Fowler L.A., 1986, ApJ, 304, 256 Hobbs G., Faulkner A., Stairs I.H., et al., MNRAS, 2004, 352, 1439 Hu H.D., Esamdin A., Yuan J.P., et al., 2011, A&A, 530, 67 (HEY11) Janssen G.H., Stappers B.W., Braun R., et al., 2009, A&A, 498, 223 Karastergiou A., Hotan A.W., van Straten W., et al. 2009, MNRAS, 396, 95 (KHS09) Keane F.E., Kramer M., Lyne A.G., et al., 2011, astro-ph.1104.2727 (KKL11) Keith M.J., Johnston S., Kramer M., et al., 2008, MNRAS, 389, 1881 (KJK08) Keith M.J., Eatough R.P., Lyne A.G., et al., 2009, MNRAS, 395, 837 (KEL09) Keith M.J., Johnston S., Weltevrede P., Kramer M., 2010, MNRAS, 402, 745 Kolonko M., Gil J., Maciesiak K., 2004, A&A, 428, 943 Kramer M., Wielebinski R., Jessner A., Gil J., Seiradakis J.H., 1994, A&AS, 107, 51 Kramer M., Bell J.F., Manchester R.N., et al., 2003b, MNRAS, 342, 1299 (KBM03) Lorimer D.R., Faulkner A., Lyne A.G., et al., 2006, MNRAS, 372, 777 Maciesiak K., Gil J., Ribeiro V.A.R.M., 2011, MNRAS, 413, 1314 Manchester R.N., Lyne A.G., Camilo F., et al., 2001, MNRAS, 328, 17 Manchester R.N., Hobbs G.B., Toeh A., Hobbs M., 2005, AJ, 129 McLaughlin M.A., Lyne A.G., Lorimer D.R., et al., 2006, Nature, 439, 817 (MLL06) McLaughlin M.A., Lyne A.G., Keane E.F., et al., 2009, MNRAS, 400, 1431 (MLK09) Mitra D., Rankin J., Gupta Y., 2007, MNRAS, 379, 932 Mitra D., Rankin J., 2011, ApJ, 727, 92 (MR11) Morris D.J., Hobbs G., Lyne A.G., et al., 2002, MNRAS, 335, 275 Rankin J., 1983, ApJ, 274, 333 Rankin J., 1990, ApJ, 352, 247 Rankin J., 1993, ApJ, 405, 285 Ribeiro V.A.R.M., 2008, On the Shape of Pulsar Emission, MSc Thesis, The University of Manchester Taylor J.H., Manchester R.N., Lyne A.G., 1993, ApJS, 88, 529 Weltevrede P., Johnston S., 2008, MNRAS, 391, 1210 Young M.D., Manchester R.N., Johnston S., 1999, Nature, 400, 848
\[sec.appendix.online\]
Monte Carlo simulations of the core emission {#appendix.a}
============================================
To simulate the core pulsar emission we use the technique described in our Paper I and adapt it to the specifics of coral beams. We will simulate only normal pulsars, that is excluding all millisecond, binary and other recycled pulsars. In addition to Equation (\[eq.3\]) we will use Equations (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]) valid exclusively for gaussian core beam. Following a technique used in Paper I we will usually make a number of subsequent steps.
1. Generate the pulsar period $P$ as a random number with the parent probability density function $f(P)$ corresponding to log–normal distribution function (Equation (8) in Paper I, which seem to best suited statistically for representing the true parent distribution of pulsar periods).
2. Generate the inclination angle $\alpha$ as a random number with the parent probability density function $f(\alpha)$ corresponding to Equation (7) in Paper I, which seems to be best suited for reproducing the right ratios of interpulse cases in pulsar population.
3. Generate the observer angle $\xi=\alpha+\beta$ as a random number with the parent probability density function $f(\xi) = sin \xi$.
4. Calculate the impact angle $\beta = \xi - \alpha$.
5. Calculate the opening angle $\rho_{50}$ for the 50 percent of the maximum intensity of the core component according to Equation (\[eq.6\]).
6. Check the detection condition: $\rho_{50} > 3^{\circ} P^{-1/2}$. To the next steps only detected pulsars are taken. The numerical factor $3^{\circ}$ for low intensity edge of gaussian core beams was adopted arbitrarily, but its value influences only the number of detected pulsars and has no important meaning for conclusions of this paper.
7. Calculate the pulse–width of the core component at the 50 percent of the maximum intensity level:
8. $W_{50}^{R90}$ according to the Equation (\[eq.1\]) using simulated $\alpha$ and $P$ values.
9. $W_{50}^{sim}$ according to the Equation (\[eq.3\]), where $\rho_{50}$ is calculated from Equations (\[eq.6\]) and (\[eq.7\]).
10. Calculate $\alpha^{R90}$ angle according to Equation (\[eq.1\]), where $W_{50}=W_{50}^{sim}$.
For more technical details on Monte Carlo simulations of pulsar radio emission see Paper I.
Geometry of pulsar radiation {#appendix.b}
============================
Figure \[figure.b1\] represents a general view of the geometry of pulsar radiation emitted tangentially to dipolar magnetic field lines and intersected with the celestial sphere centred on the neutron star.
Figure \[figure.b2\] presents 3-D geometry of the gaussian core pulsar beam, while Figure \[figure.b3\] presents intersection of this gaussian beam with the pulsar centered celestial sphere.
![Geometry of the pulsar radiation. Schematic picture of the celestial hemisphere centered on the pulsar. The fiducial plane $\phi=0$ is set by the rotation $\mathbf{\Omega}$ and the magnetic $\mathbf{m}$ axes. The following angles are marked: longitudinal phase angle $\phi$ measured from the fiducial plane $\phi=0$, the inclination angle $\alpha$, the impact angle $\beta$, the observer angle $\xi=\alpha+\beta$, the opening angle of the beam of radiation $\rho$ and the polarisation angle $\psi$. \[figure.b1\]](figb1.eps){width="8cm" height="6cm"}
![The scheme of the gaussian-shaped distribution of the radiation intensity on the pulsar beam centred on the magnetic axis $\mathbf{m}$ inclined to the rotation axis $\mathbf{\Omega}$ at $\alpha$ angle. Two different trajectories are marked: central (red) and side (green), corresponding to the impact angle $\beta=0$ and arbitrary $\beta$, respectively. In both cases the 50 percent level of the local maximum is showed. It is easy to see that in both cases the half-width of the appropriate 2-D Gauss function is the same ($\rho_{50}$). However, the corresponding widths of the observed radiation are different $\phi_{50}(\beta)<\phi_{50}(0)$. Note that $\rho_{50}^2(\beta)=\rho_{50}^2+\beta^2$ for gaussian beam. \[figure.b2\]](figb2.eps)
![The gaussian–shaped pulsar beam presented in Figure \[figure.b2\] is projected on the spherical surface centered on the NS. Note that $W_{50}(\beta)<W_{50}$, where $W_{50}(\beta)=2\phi_{50}(\beta)$ and $W_{50}=2\phi_{50}$. \[figure.b3\]](figb3.eps)
New database of pulse–width $W_{50}$ of core components {#appendix.c}
=======================================================
In this section we present a number of tables containing measurements of FWHM pulse–widths of core components that were possible to make judging from published profiles. The references to appropriate papers are given.
[|l|l|l|l||l|l|l|l|]{}
\
\
& & & &
& & &\
1 & 0531+21p & 13.5 & 0.0331 & 6 & 1055-52 & 5.3 & 0.197\
2 & 0531+21 & 4.4 & 0.0331 & 7 & 1702-19 & 4.5 & 0.2989\
3 & 0823+26 & 3.38 & 0.5306 & 8 & 1822-09 & 2.8 & 0.7689\
4 & 0826-34 & 40 & 1.8489 & 9 & 1929+10 & 5.15 & 0.2265\
5 & 0906-49 & 7.5 & 0.1067 & 10 & 1736-29 & – & 0.3228\
\
\
1 & 0105+65 & 5. & 1.2836 & 24 & 1844-04 & 6. & 0.5977\
2 & 0136+57 & 7. & 0.2724 & 25 & 1859+03 & 5.25& 0.6554\
3 & 0154+61 & 6. & 2.3517 & 26 & 1900+05 & 6.8 & 0.7465\
4 & 0355+54 & 8. & 0.1563 & 27 & 1900+01 & 4.4 & 0.7293\
5 & 0540+23 & 8.6 & 0.2459 & 28 & 1907+02 & 4.1 & 0.9898\
6 & 0611+22 & 7.5 & 0.3349 & 29 & 1907+10 & 6.1 & 0.2836\
7 & 0626+24 & 7.2 & 0.4766 & 30 & 1907-03 & 6.3 & 0.5046\
8 & 0740-28 & 10. & 0.1667 & 31 & 1911-04 & 3. & 0.8259\
9 & 0835-41 & 3.7 & 0.7516 & 32 & 1913+10 & 4.3 & 0.4045\
10 & 0940-55 & 7. & 0.6643 & 33& 1914+13 & 6. & 0.2818\
11 & 0942-13 & 4.6 & 0.5702 & 34& 1915+13 & 6. & 0.1946\
12 & 0959-54 & 3.9 & 1.4365 & 35& 1924+16 & 5.7 & 0.5798\
13 & 1154-62 & 13. & 0.4005 & 36& 1929+20 & 5.3 & 0.2682\
14 & 1240-64 & 7.2 & 0.3884 & 37& 1930+22 & 6.5 & 0.1444\
15 & 1449-64 & 8.5 & 0.1794 & 38& 1933+16 & 5.25& 0.3587\
16 & 1556-44 & 9.0 & 0.2570 & 39& 1946+35 & 5.5 & 0.7173\
17 & 1557-50 & 7.0 & 0.1926 & 40& 1953+29 & 40 & 0.0061\
18 & 1641-45 & 6.7 & 0.4550 & 41& 1953+50 & 5.8 & 0.5189\
19 & 1642-03 & 4.2 & 0.3876 & 42& 2002+31 & 2.24& 2.1112\
20 & 1706-16 & 5.5 & 0.6530 & 43& 2053+36 & 9.35& 0.2215\
21 & 1749-28 & 5. & 0.5625 & 44& 2113+14 & 7.4 & 0.4401\
22 & 1839+09 & 4.5 & 0.3813 & 45& 2217+47 & 5. & 0.5384\
23 & 1842+14 & 8.2 & 0.3754 & 46& 2255+58 & 10. & 0.3682\
\
1& 0329+54 & 5.5 & 0.7145 & 20 & 1907+00 & 2.43& 1.0169\
2& 0450+55 & 7.2 & 0.3407 & 21 & 1907+03 & 15. & 2.3302\
3& 0450-18 & 7. & 0.5489 & 22 & 1911+13 & 4.4 & 0.5214\
4& 0656+14 & 8. & 0.3848 & 23 & 1913+16 & 14. & 0.0590\
5& 0736-40 & 14. & 0.3749 & 24 & 1914+09 & 6. & 0.2702\
6& 0919+06 & 5. & 0.4306 & 25 & 1916+14 & 3.5 & 1.1810\
7& 1112+50 & 4.6 & 1.6564 & 26 & 1917+00 & 2.18& 1.2722\
8& 1221-63 & 6. & 0.2164 & 27 & 1919+14 & 8. & 0.6181\
9& 1451-68 & 11.5& 0.2633 & 28 & 1920+21 & 3.4 & 1.0779\
10& 1508+55 & 5. & 0.7396 & 29 & 1926+18 & 3.9 & 1.2204\
11& 1541+09 & 32. & 0.7484 & 30 & 1952+29 & 4.8 & 0.4266\
12& 1558-50 & 4. & 0.8642 & 31 & 2003-08 & 10. & 0.5808\
13& 1604-00 & 5.1 & 0.4218 & 32 & 2020+28 & 4. & 0.3434\
14& 1700-32 & 4. & 1.2117 & 33 & 2045-16 & 4.0 & 1.9615\
15& 1727-47 & 5. & 0.8298 & 34 & 2111+46 & 11.7& 1.0146\
16& 1747-46 & 3.5 & 0.7423 & 35 & 2224+65 & 9.5 & 0.6825\
17& 1804-08 & 7. & 0.1637 & 36 & 2319+60 & 6. & 2.2564\
18& 1821+05 & 5.4 & 0.7529 & 37 & 2327-20 & 2. & 1.6436\
19& 1826-17 & 9. & 0.3071 & & & &\
\
& & & &
& & &\
\
1 & 0523+11 & 4.2 & 0.3544 & 8 & 1831-04 & 23. & 0.2901\
2 & 0621-04 & 6. & 1.0390 & 9 & 1857-26 & 8. & 0.6122\
3 & 1039-19 & 4. & 1.3863 & 10 & 1905+39 & 4. & 1.2357\
4 & 1237+25 & 2.7 & 1.3824 & 11 & 1910+20 & 3. & 2.2329\
5 & 1737+13 & 4.1 & 0.8030 & 12 & 1919+21 & 3. & 1.3373\
6 & 1738-08 & 4. & 2.0430 & 13 & 2028+22 & 3.5 & 0.6305\
7 & 1745-12 & 4. & 0.3941 & 14 & 2210+29 & 4.3 & 1.0045\
[|c|c|c|c|]{}
\
\
Name B & $P$ & $W_{50}$ (1.418 GHz)& $W_{50}^{core}$ (1 GHz)\
& \[s\] & \[$^{\circ}$\] & \[$^{\circ}$\]\
0609+37 & 0.298 & 6.2 & 6.4\
0940+16 & 1.087 & 9.1 & 9.4\
1848+04 & 0.285 &18.6 & 19.3\
1859+01 & 0.288 & 4.6 & 4.8\
1904+06 & 0.267 & 9.7 & 10.0\
1918+26 & 0.785 & 4.1 & 4.2\
1944+22 & 1.334 & 6.5 & 6.7\
2027+37 & 1.217 & 4.8 & 5.0\
2034+19 & 2.075 & 3.6 & 3.7\
2035+36 & 0.618 & 3.6 & 3.7\
\
Name B & $P$ & $W_{50}$ (0.43 GHz)& $W_{50}$ (1 GHz)\
& \[s\]& \[$^{\circ}$\] & \[$^{\circ}$\]\
0045+33 & 1.218 & 5.6 & 3.2\
1915+22 & 0.426 & 15.6 &14.3\
1922+20 & 0.238 & 17.0 &15.6\
1929+15 & 0.314 & 10.8 & 9.9\
\
Name J & $P$ &$W_{50}$ (1.374 GHz) & $W_{50}$ (1 GHz)\
& \[s\] & \[$^{\circ}$\] & \[$^{\circ}$\]\
0957-5432&0.2035&6.4 & 6.6\
1049-5833&2.2022&5.4 & 5.6\
1123-6102&0.6402&5.6 & 5.8\
1144-6217&0.8506&4.2 & 4.3\
1252-6314&0.8233&8.8 & 9.1\
1348-6307&0.9278&11.0& 11.4\
1349-6130&0.2594&22.2& 22.9\
\
\
Name J & $P$ & $W_{50}$ (1.374 GHz)& $W_{50}$ (1 GHz)\
& \[s\] & \[$^{\circ}$\] & \[$^{\circ}$\]\
0942-5552& 0.6644 &9. &9.3\
1121-5444&0.5358 & 14.1 &14.6\
1157-6224&0.4005 & 11.7 &12.1\
1225-6408&0.4196 & 6.9 &7.1\
1326-5859&0.4780 & 5.7 &5.9\
1534-5408&0.2897 & 7.6 &7.8\
1703-4851&1.3964 & 3.4 &3.5\
1749-3002&0.6099 & 21. &21.7\
1801-2920&1.0818 & 8. &8.3\
1807-0847&0.1637 & 9. &9.3\
1849-0636&1.4514 & 7.4 &7.6\
1857+0057&0.5369 & 4.9 &5.1\
1909+0007&1.0169 & 2.8 &2.9\
1909+0254&0.9899 & 4.0 &4.1\
1910-0309&0.5046 & 5.4 &5.6\
\
Name J & $P$ &$W_{50}$ (1.374 GHz)& $W_{50}$ (1 GHz)\
& \[s\] &\[$^{\circ}$\] & \[$^{\circ}$\]\
1717-3953& 1.0855&31. & 32.0\
1728-4028& 0.8663&5.6 & 5.8\
1822-0848& 0.8348&10. & 10.3\
1827-0750& 0.2705&12.5& 12.9\
\[lastpage\]
[^1]: E-mail:[email protected]
[^2]: http://www.atnf.cisiro.au/research/pulsar/psrcat/
[^3]: http://datanet.csiro.au/dap/
[^4]: We measured or estimated $W_{50}$ of the core components in 21 DP-IP and 11 SP-IP pulsars. In a few cases of DP-IP cases it was possible to obtain the so-called log-polar representation [@hankins86] of the profile and measure the core widths quite accurately. However, in most cases the estimate was done by means of the visual inspection of the profile and a reasonable judgement. For example, if the profile was apparently complex but its components could not be resolved we used the following method: we estimated the half-power width of the entire envelope of main pulse or inter-pulse and then we divided the obtained result by an integer following from the complexity of the envelope (mostly 3). In such cases quite conservative errors were given. Our measurements were consistent with those of @r90 in all cases where the comparison was possible. In fitting procedures we used mostly our new measurements except five cases for wich the estimates given by R90 were more accurate than ours.
[^5]: The exact value that should appear in Equation (\[eq.7\]) is just a half of the 2.45 factor from Equation (\[eq.1\]). Of course such a four significant figures accuracy is not important, we nevertheless used it in our numerical calculations.
| |
Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application.
OR
Quinelle Croft Ryan, age 89, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2022, at Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City. Mrs. Ryan was born in Lulu, FL, on March 14, 1933, to the late Nelson and Lillian Cason Croft. She spent most of her life in Lulu except the years she was traveling with her husband while he was in the military. She was a devoted wife and mother who actively participated in whatever organization, club, or team her children were in. Mrs. Ryan was also a faithful member of the Lulu Avent Christian Church and would donate to almost any Christian charity. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her husband John P. Ryan, Sr.
Mrs. Ryan is survived by her children, John P. Ryan, Jr., Sherry (Richard) Shane, Valerie (Michael) Raymond, and Amy (Augustin) Fernandez; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; her brothers, Eulyn Pete (Lois) Croft, Nelson (Sandra) Croft, and James (Julia) Croft; and numerous extended family.
A Celebration of Mrs. Ryan’s life will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Starts at 11:00am (Eastern time)
Mt. Zion/Swift Creek Cemetery
Visits: 195
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the | https://www.archerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/quinelle-ryan |
How much is 10 cents +6 dimes + 5 cents equal? is it equal to a dollar?
- Next What happens to earnings in a cooperative? • They are used to pay middlemen for services. • They are shared with member
- Previous Two closely wound circular coils have the same number of turns, but one has twice the radius of the other. | https://www.letsfindanswers.com/how-much-is-10-cents-6-dimes-5-cents-equal-is-it-equal-to-a-dollar/ |
Weddingwed•ding (wed′ing),USA pronunciation n.
- the act or ceremony of marrying;
marriage;
nuptials.
- the anniversary of a marriage, or its celebration: They invited guests to their silver wedding.
- the act or an instance of blending or joining, esp. opposite or contrasting elements: a perfect wedding of conservatism and liberalism.
- a merger.
adj.
- of or pertaining to a wedding: the wedding ceremony; a wedding dress.
Dressesdress (dres),USA pronunciation n., adj., v., dressed or drest, dress•ing.
n.
- an outer garment for women and girls, consisting of bodice and skirt in one piece.
- clothing;
apparel;
garb: The dress of the 18th century was colorful.
- formal attire.
- a particular form of appearance;
guise.
- outer covering, as the plumage of birds.
adj.
- of or for a dress or dresses.
- of or for a formal occasion.
- requiring formal dress.
v.t.
- to put clothing upon.
- to put formal or evening clothes on.
- to trim;
ornament;
adorn: to dress a store window; to dress a Christmas tree.
- to design clothing for or sell clothes to.
- to comb out and do up (hair).
- to cut up, trim, and remove the skin, feathers, viscera, etc., from (an animal, meat, fowl, or flesh of a fowl) for market or for cooking (often fol. by out when referring to a large animal): We dressed three chickens for the dinner. He dressed out the deer when he got back to camp.
- to prepare (skins, fabrics, timber, stone, ore, etc.) by special processes.
- to apply medication or a dressing to (a wound or sore).
- to make straight;
bring (troops) into line: to dress ranks.
- to make (stone, wood, or other building material) smooth.
- to cultivate (land, fields, etc.).
- [Theat.]to arrange (a stage) by effective placement of properties, scenery, actors, etc.
- to ornament (a vessel) with ensigns, house flags, code flags, etc.: The bark was dressed with masthead flags only.
- [Angling.]
- to prepare or bait (a fishhook) for use.
- to prepare (bait, esp. an artificial fly) for use.
- to fit (furniture) around and between pages in a chase prior to locking it up.
- to supply with accessories, optional features, etc.: to have one's new car fully dressed.
v.i.
- to clothe or attire oneself;
put on one's clothes: Wake up and dress, now!
- to put on or wear formal or fancy clothes: to dress for dinner.
- to come into line, as troops.
- to align oneself with the next soldier, marcher, dancer, etc., in line.
- dress down:
- to reprimand;
scold.
- to thrash;
beat.
- to dress informally or less formally: to dress down for the shipboard luau.
- dress ship:
- to decorate a ship by hoisting lines of flags running its full length.
- [U.S. Navy.]to display the national ensigns at each masthead and a larger ensign on the flagstaff.
- dress up:
- to put on one's best or fanciest clothing;
dress relatively formally: They were dressed up for the Easter parade.
- to dress in costume or in another person's clothes: to dress up in Victorian clothing; to dress up as Marie Antoinette.
- to embellish or disguise, esp. in order to make more appealing or acceptable: to dress up the facts with colorful details.
Chiffonchif•fon (shi fon′, shif′on),USA pronunciation n.
- a sheer fabric of silk, nylon, or rayon in plain weave.
- any women's dress ornament, as ribbon or lace.
adj.
- (of dresses, scarves, etc.) resembling or made of chiffon.
- (in cooking) having a light, frothy texture, as certain pies and cakes containing beaten egg whites.
Howdy folks, this picture is about Wedding Dresses Chiffon #11 Topwedding. It is a image/jpeg and the resolution of this attachment is 900 x 1200. This photo's file size is only 99 KB. Wether You ought to save This attachment to Your laptop, you may Click here. You also also download more images by clicking the following photo or read more at here: Wedding Dresses Chiffon.
Wedding Dresses Chiffon #11 Topwedding can be a holy issue could be an experience of the lifetime for somebody. Wedding celebration can be an event that will not be forgotten any time in the future, and everybody wishes her marriage party wedding or appears extremely desirable. One of the most significant factors in a wedding or a wedding is currently choosing the right arrangements for just two creatures who will function as the fresh ship sailed existence.
Each match also needs things that are different with all the idea Design Wedding or Marriage special and memorable. Groom and just about all the possible bride wish to demonstrate the various in selecting and best Design Wedding. Only choosing the accessories that are right can cause a revered atmosphere also information. The initial and foremost before making any period should identify in advance the topic of picking Wedding Dresses Chiffon you need, particularly selecting wedding designs.
Would you like even a combination of both, Intercontinental or the standard wedding decorations. Before they meet to choose the design providers Decoration Wedding appeared more perfect, the prominent colour style was popular and settled. Do not neglect to tell along with of the wedding dress to complement the section. | https://www.nedtegnelser.com/92055/wedding-dresses-chiffon-11-topwedding.html |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2018/042753, which was filed on Nov. 20, 2018, and which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Ser. No. 2017-231701, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, the entire disclosure of each of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present disclosure relates to an oscillation observation device, an oscillation observation method, and an oscillation observation program which measure an oscillation of an object such as a ship in a translational direction.
TERMINOLOGY
It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of the processes described herein may be embodied in, and fully automated via, software code modules executed by a computing system that includes one or more computers or processors. The code modules may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all the methods may be embodied in specialized computer hardware.
Many other variations than those described herein will be apparent from this disclosure. For example, depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of any of the algorithms described herein can be performed in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the algorithms). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events can be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or on other parallel architectures, rather than sequentially. In addition, different tasks or processes can be performed by different machines and/or computing systems that can function together.
The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a processor. A processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor can include electrical circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processor includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, a processor may also include primarily analog components. For example, some or all of the signal processing algorithms described herein may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, to name a few.
Conditional language such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, are otherwise understood within the context as used in general to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and; or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
Any process descriptions, elements or blocks in the flow diagrams described herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or elements in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments described herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executed out of order from that shown, or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced embodiment recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).
For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the floor of the area in which the system being described is used or the method being described is performed, regardless of its orientation. The term “floor” can be interchanged with the term “ground” or “water surface.” The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms such as “above,” “below,” “bottom,” “top,” “side,” “higher,” “lower,” “upper,” “over,” and “under,” are defined with respect to the horizontal plane.
As used herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “mated,” and other such relational terms should be construed, unless otherwise noted, to include removable, moveable, fixed, adjustable, and/or releasable connections or attachments. The connections/attachments can include direct connections and/or connections having intermediate structure between the two components discussed.
Unless otherwise noted, numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers, and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. Features of embodiments disclosed herein preceded by a term such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent the feature with some variability that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result for that feature.
It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
BACKGROUND
A ship oscillates due to waves etc. During a mooring or a loading/unloading, amplitude of the oscillation may increase due to a sympathetic vibration (resonance) of waves. Particularly, an oscillation of the ship in the front-and-rear direction or in the left-and-right direction (i.e., an oscillation in a translational direction may cause a collision of the ship to a quay, which may cause various failures of the ship. Moreover, damage to port facilities is concerned. Therefore, various technologies to measure the oscillation of the ship are considered.
One example of these technologies utilizes carrier phases of positioning signals. By utilizing the carrier phases, an oscillation is calculated highly precisely. As the technology utilizing the carrier phases, a real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) is considered. As illustrated in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the real-time kinematic positioning is provided with a reference station in addition to a receiver which measures a deviation using positioning signals. The receiver communicates with the reference station to acquire positioning information including an amount of change of the carrier phases from the reference station. The receiver uses the positioning information to measure the deviation of the receiver, and calculates an amount of oscillation using the deviation.
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS OF CONVENTIONAL ART
Patent Documents
[Patent Document 1] JP1998-048321A
[Patent Document 2] JP2000-171540A
However, when the real-time kinematic positioning is used, the reference station must be provided, and the receiver must include a communicating part which communicates with the reference station. Therefore, a configuration for measuring the oscillation cannot be simplified.
On the other hand, although the oscillation can be measured based on a positioning result using code phases of positioning signals, a precision of a calculation degrades.
Moreover, although an inertial sensor may be used to measure the oscillation, it is not easy to match the front-and-rear direction and the left-and-right direction of a ship with a detecting direction of the inertial sensor.
Note that, although a ship is illustrated as an example in the above description, other objects which oscillate have similar problems.
Therefore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to observe an oscillation of an object highly precisely in a simple configuration.
SUMMARY
An oscillation observation device according to the present disclosure includes a first receiver and processing circuitry. The first receiver is configured to measure carrier phases of positioning signal. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a velocity of an object by using an amount of change in the carrier phases measured by the first receiver, and calculate an amount of oscillation of the object in a translational direction using the velocity.
In these configurations, the oscillating amount of the object in the translational direction is calculated using the velocity which is highly precisely calculated using the carrier phases.
According to the present disclosure, the oscillation of the object can be observed highly precisely in the simple configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a functional block diagram of an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2
is a view which defines directions of an oscillation in the present disclosure.
FIG. 3
is a graph illustrating an observation result of the oscillation.
FIG. 4
is a flowchart illustrating Method 1 of an oscillation observation method of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5
is a flowchart illustrating Method 2 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6
is a flowchart illustrating Method 3 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure,
FIG. 7
is a functional block diagram of an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8
is a flowchart illustrating Method 4 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9
is a functional block diagram of an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10(A)
FIG. 10(B)
is a view illustrating a first mode of a display of an amount of oscillation, and is a view illustrating a second mode of a display of the amount of oscillation.
FIG. 11
is a view illustrating a third mode of a display of the amount of oscillation.
FIG. 12
is a functional block diagram of an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13
is a functional block diagram of an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1
An oscillation observation device, an oscillation observation method, and an oscillation observation program according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although a ship is illustrated as an example of an observation target of an oscillation, a configuration of the present disclosure may be applied for any object which oscillates. is a functional block diagram of the oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1
10
201
202
211
212
211
212
220
230
30
211
212
230
30
230
30
999
As illustrated in , the oscillation observation device may include antennas and , receivers and (which is also referred to as a first receiver and a second receiver ), an acceleration sensor , a processor , and an oscillating amount calculator . The receivers and , the processor and the oscillating amount calculator may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits etc. the processor and the oscillating amount calculator may also be referred collectively to as processing circuitry .
10
100
100
20
20
201
202
220
20
100
201
202
FIG. 2
The oscillation observation device may be installed in a ship as illustrated in . In the ship , a deviation observation sensor may be installed. The deviation observation sensor may be provided with at least the antennas and , and the acceleration sensor . The deviation observation sensor may be installed in the ship in an environment with unobstructed sky view. Therefore, the antennas and can receive positioning signals from positioning satellites. The positioning signals may be signals transmitted from positioning satellites of a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) such as GPS (Global Positioning System). The positioning signals may be signals in which carrier signals are modulated by codes unique to respective positioning satellites. On the carrier signals, a navigation message including satellite orbit information which indicates an orbit of each positioning satellite may be superimposed.
201
202
100
201
211
202
212
The antennas and may be arranged, for example, in a direction connecting a bow and a stern of the ship . The antenna may output the received positioning signals to the receiver . The antenna may output the received positioning signals to the receiver .
211
201
211
211
211
201
211
230
201
The receiver may acquire and track the positioning signals received by the antenna . The receiver may measure code phases and carrier phases of the positioning signals. The receiver may analyze a navigation message superimposed on the positioning signals to acquire satellite orbit information. The receiver may use the code phases to calculate a position of the antenna in the NED coordinate system. The receiver may output to the processor the measured value of the carrier phases, the satellite orbit information, and the position of the antenna .
212
202
212
212
212
202
212
230
202
The receiver may acquire and track the positioning signals received by the antenna . The receiver may measure code phases and carrier phases of the positioning signals. The receiver may analyze a navigation message superimposed on the positioning signals to acquire satellite orbit information. The receiver may use the code phases to calculate a position of the antenna in the NED coordinate system. The receiver may output to the processor the measured value of the carrier phases, the satellite orbit information, and the position of the antenna .
220
220
230
The acceleration sensor may be so-called a “sensor utilizing an inertia force,” and measure an acceleration in three orthogonal axes of a ship coordinate system. The acceleration sensor may output acceleration to the processor .
230
230
201
202
201
202
201
202
201
230
201
202
20
200
The processor may acquire positions of the positioning satellites from the satellite orbit information. The processor may calculate, based on the positions of antennas and and the positions of the positioning satellites, directional cosines with respect to the antennas and . The directional cosine may be an angle formed between a baseline vector connecting the antenna and the antenna , and a baseline vector connecting the antenna and each positioning satellite. The processor may calculate, based on the positions of the antennas and and the positions of the positioning satellites, an attitude angle of the deviation observation sensor , i.e., an attitude angle of the ship .
230
230
230
230
220
230
The processor may calculate an amount of change of the carrier phases based on the values of the carrier phases measured at a plurality of time points. The processor may use the amount of change in the carrier phases and the acceleration to calculate a velocity in the NED coordinate system. At this time, the processor may use the attitude angle and the directional cosines so as to integrate the computation of the amount of change in the carrier phase and the computation of the acceleration which are different in the coordinate system. According to such processing, the processor can calculate the velocity highly precisely. Moreover, by using the acceleration of the acceleration sensor , the processor can calculate the velocity even if there is a period when the positioning signals cannot be received. Therefore, robustness of calculating the velocity may improve.
230
30
The processor may output the velocity and the attitude angle to the oscillating amount calculator .
30
100
100
100
FIG. 2
The oscillating amount calculator may use the velocity to calculate the amount of oscillation in a translational direction of the ship . As illustrated in , the amount of oscillation in the translational direction may be comprised of an amount of oscillation in the front-and-rear direction of the ship (SU), and an amount of oscillation in the left-and-right direction of the ship (SW).
30
30
The oscillating amount calculator may use the attitude angle to calculate a coordinate transformation matrix between the NED coordinate system and the ship coordinate system. The oscillating amount calculator may convert, using the coordinate transformation matrix, the amount of oscillation in the NED coordinate system into the amount of oscillation in the ship coordinate system, so as to calculate the oscillating amount SU in the front-and-rear direction, and the oscillating amount SW in the left-and-right direction.
10
10
10
According to such a configuration and processing, the oscillation observation device can calculate the amount of oscillation in the translational direction without using a reference station. Moreover, by calculating the amount of oscillation by using the velocity based on the carrier phases, the oscillation observation device can calculate the amount of oscillation highly precisely. That is, the oscillation observation device can observe the oscillation of the object highly precisely in the simple configuration.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
is a graph illustrating an observation result of the oscillation. In , a horizontal axis is time, and a vertical axis is the oscillating amount SU in the front-and-rear direction. In , a solid line indicates a result according to the configuration of the present disclosure, and a broken line indicates a result according to a comparative configuration (RTK).
FIG. 3
As illustrated in , in the configuration of the present disclosure, the oscillation can be observed as precisely as the configuration using RTK with the reference station.
10
10
FIG. 4
In the above description, the processing of the oscillation observation device may be executed by being divided into each functional part. However, the processing executed by the oscillation observation device may be programmed and stored in a storage medium so that the program is executed by a processing device such as a CPU. In this case, a method and a program for observing the oscillation may follow a flowchart described below. is a flowchart illustrating Method 1 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure. Note that details of each processing should be referred to the description of the functional parts described above, and omitted below.
10
102
103
104
The processing device may measure the amount of change in the carrier phase of the received positioning signals (Step S The processing device may execute positioning of the plurality of antennas by using the code phases of the received positioning signals (Step S). The processing device may calculate the directional cosines based on the positions of the positioning satellites from the satellite orbit information, and the positions of the plurality of antennas (Step S). The processing device may calculate the attitude angle based on the positions of the positioning satellites, the positions of the plurality of antennas, and the directional cosines (Step S).
105
106
107
108
The processing device may acquire the acceleration measured by the acceleration sensor (Step S). The processing device may use the amount of change in the carrier phases and the acceleration to calculate the velocity (Step S). The processing device may calculate the amount of oscillation based on an integral of the velocity (Step S). The processing device may use the attitude angle to execute the coordinate transformation of the amount of oscillation from the NED coordinate system to the ship coordinate system (Step S), Note that the coordinate transformation from the NED coordinate system to the ship coordinate system may be executed with respect to the velocity, and in this case, the coordinate transformation is not executed with respect to the amount of oscillation.
30
30
In the configuration described above, the oscillating amount calculator may perform filtering on the amount of oscillation. The oscillating amount calculator may include a filtering module. The filtering module may suppress a bias component (drift component) included in the amount of oscillation. The bias component may be a frequency component of about zero [Hz] which is unnecessarily added at the time of integration of the velocity. For example, the filtering module may include a low-pass filter and a difference calculating module. The low-pass filter may extract the bias component included in the amount of oscillation. The difference calculating module may subtract the bias component from the amount of oscillation.
According to such a configuration, the amount of oscillation may be calculated further highly precisely.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
109
This processing may also be implemented by a method and a program for observing the oscillation based on a flowchart illustrated in . is a flowchart illustrating Method 2 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure. The processing illustrated in is different from in that Step S is added, and other processing is similar to . Therefore, only different processing is described.
109
The processing device may execute the filtering on the amount of oscillation after the coordinate transformation for suppressing the bias component (Step S).
30
30
20
100
100
Moreover, in the above configuration, the oscillating amount calculator may perform a lever correction. The oscillating amount calculator may store a sensor vector Db indicative of a position of the deviation observation sensor , having an oscillation center position of the ship (e.g., a center of gravity of the ship ) as an origin of the ship coordinate system. The sensor vector Db may be indicated in the ship coordinate system.
30
30
30
30
b
n
The oscillating amount calculator may integrate the velocity to calculate an amount of deviation. The deviation amount may be obtained in the NED coordinate system. The oscillating amount calculator may use the attitude angle to calculate a coordinate transformation matrix Cfor a transformation from the ship coordinate system to the NED coordinate system. The oscillating amount calculator may use the deviation amount, the coordinate transformation matrix, and the sensor vector Db so as to calculate an amount of oscillation which is a deviation amount at the origin in the ship coordinate system. That is, the oscillating amount calculator may perform the lever arm correction to the amount of oscillation.
b=C
•Δ×n−Db
nb
In detail, when the amount of oscillation in the translational direction is Δ×b, and the deviation amount described above is Δ×n, the amount of oscillation in the translational direction Δ×b may be calculated based on the following equation.
Δ×
nb
b
n
“C” may be an inverse matrix of the coordinate transformation matrix C, and “•” may indicate an inner product calculation of the vector.
10
According to this, in the amount of oscillation, components in rotational directions (components in roll, pitch, and yaw directions) may be suppressed. Therefore, the oscillation observation device can calculate the amount of oscillation in the translational direction further highly precisely.
100
20
Note that by using this lever arm correction, the amount of oscillation at an arbitrary position of the ship can be calculated. In this case, a sensor vector Dbb may be stored in advance, having a start point at the position where the amount of oscillation is to be calculated, and an end point at the position of the deviation observation sensor , and the sensor vector Dbb may be used instead of the sensor vector Db described above.
FIG. 6
FIG. 6
FIG. 6
FIG. 4
101
106
This processing may be implemented by a method and a program for observing the oscillation based on a flowchart illustrated in , is a flowchart illustrating Method 3 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure. In the processing illustrated in , Steps S to S are similar to , and subsequent processing is different. Therefore, only different processing is described.
201
202
100
201
202
201
202
The processing device may calculate the deviation amount at the position of the antenna based on the velocity. Note that a distance between the antennas and may be significantly shorter than respective distances between the oscillation center position of the ship , and the antenna and the antenna . Therefore, the deviation amount at the antenna and the deviation amount at the antenna can be deemed as the same.
100
122
The processing device may execute the lever arm correction with respect to the deviation amount so as to calculate be amount of oscillation at an arbitrary position of the ship (Step S).
Note that, in the configuration and the processing described above, although only one of the filtering and the lever arm correction is performed, both of the filtering and the lever arm correction may be performed.
FIG. 7
Next, an oscillation observation device, an oscillation observation method, and an oscillation observation program according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. is a functional block diagram of the oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7
10
10
220
203
213
213
230
10
10
As illustrated in , the oscillation observation device A of Embodiment 2 is different from the oscillation observation device of Embodiment 1, in that the acceleration sensor is omitted, and an antenna and a receiver (which is also referred to as a third receiver ) are added. Accordingly, processing by a processor A is different. Since other configurations and processing of the oscillation observation device A are similar to those of the oscillation observation device , description of the similar configurations and processing is omitted.
101
201
202
203
211
212
213
230
30
211
212
213
230
30
The oscillation observation device may include the antennas , , and , the receivers , , and , the processor A, and the oscillating amount calculator . The receivers , , and , the processor A, and the oscillating amount calculator may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits etc.
203
201
202
203
213
The antenna may be arranged at a position which is not on a straight line connecting the antennas and . The antenna may receive positioning signals and output them to the receiver .
213
203
213
213
213
203
213
230
203
The receiver may acquire and track positioning signals received by the antenna . The receiver may measure the code phases and the carrier phases of the received positioning signals. The receiver may analyze a navigation message superimposed on the positioning signals to acquire satellite orbit information. The receiver may use the code phases to calculate a position of the antenna in the NED coordinate system. The receiver may output to the processor A the measured value of the carrier phases, the satellite orbit information, and the position of the antenna .
230
211
212
213
201
202
203
230
201
202
203
230
30
The processor A may calculate the velocity in the NED coordinate system based on the amounts of change in the carrier phase from the receivers , , and , the positions of the positioning satellites based on the satellite orbit information, and the positions of the antennas , , and . Moreover, the processor A may calculate the attitude angle based on the positions of the positioning satellites from the satellite orbit information, and the positions of the antennas , , and . The processor A may output the velocity and the attitude angle to the oscillating amount calculator .
10
10
10
According to such processing, the velocity is calculated highly precisely by using the carrier phases. Therefore, similar to the oscillation observation device of Embodiment 1, the oscillation observation device A can measure the oscillation of the object highly precisely in the simple configuration. Moreover, since the acceleration sensor is not used in the oscillation observation device A, maintenance becomes easy and correction of a sensor bias etc, is not required.
10
10
FIG. 8
In the above description, the processing of the oscillation observation device A may be executed by being divided into each functional part. However, the processing executed by the oscillation observation device A may be programmed and stored in a storage medium so that the program is executed by a processing device such as a CPU. In this case, a method and a program for observing the oscillation may follow a flowchart described below. is a flowchart illustrating Method 4 of the oscillation observation method of the present disclosure. Note that details of each processing should be referred to the description of the functional parts described above, and omitted below.
201
202
203
The processing device may measure the amount of change in the carrier phase of the received positioning signals (Step S). The processing device may execute positioning of the plurality of antennas by using the code phases of the received positioning signals (Step S). The processing device may calculate the directional cosines based on the positions of the positioning satellites from the satellite orbit information, and the positions of the plurality of antennas (Step S).
204
205
206
207
The processing device may calculate the attitude angle based on the positions of the positioning satellites, the positions of the plurality of antennas, and the directional cosines (Step S). The processing device may use the amount of change in the carrier phase to calculate the velocity (Step S). The processing device may calculate the amount of oscillation based on the integral of the velocity (Step S). The processing device may use the attitude angle to execute the coordinate transformation of the amount of oscillation from the NED coordinate system to the ship coordinate system (Step S).
10
10
The filtering or the lever arm correction may also be applied to the oscillation observation device A of this embodiment, similar to the oscillation observation device .
FIG. 9
Next, an oscillation observation device, an oscillation observation method, and an oscillation observation program according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. is a functional block diagram of the oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9
10
10
40
10
10
As illustrated in , the oscillation observation device B of Embodiment 3 is different from the oscillation observation device of Embodiment 1 in that a display unit is added. Since other configurations and processing of the oscillation observation device B are similar to those of the oscillation observation device , description of the similar configurations and processing is omitted.
30
40
40
FIG. 10(A)
FIG. 10(B)
The oscillating amount calculator may output the amount of oscillation to the display unit . The display unit may display the amount of oscillation. illustrates a first mode of a display of the amount of oscillation, and illustrates a second mode of a display of the amount of oscillation.
FIG. 10(A)
100
101
102
101
102
In the first mode illustrated in , a ship mark M, an oscillating amount mark M, and an oscillating amount mark M may be displayed. The oscillating amount mark M may indicate a direction and a magnitude of the oscillating amount SW in the left-and-right direction. The oscillating amount mark M may indicate a direction and a magnitude of the oscillating amount SU in the front-and-rear direction.
FIG. 10(B)
100
111
112
113
120
111
112
113
100
120
In the second mode illustrated in , the ship mark M, a positional mark M, a positional mark M, a positional mark M, and a display table M may be displayed. The positional marks M, M, and M may indicate positions of the ship where the amount of oscillation is calculated. The display table M may indicate the direction and the magnitude of the oscillating amount SW in the left-and-right direction, and the direction and the magnitude of the oscillating amount SU in the front-and-rear direction, at each position.
10
With these configurations, the oscillation observation device B may allow, for example, an operator to easily and visually recognize the amount of oscillation in the translational direction.
40
FIG. 11
FIG. 11
FIG. 11
A display on the display unit may be as illustrated in . is a view illustrating a third mode of a display of the amount of oscillation. In three orthogonal axes in , a first axis indicates a frequency, a second axis indicates a power spectral density, and a third axis indicates a time point.
30
40
The oscillating amount calculator may apply Fourier transformation on the amount of oscillation to calculate a frequency spectrum, and output it to the display unit .
FIG. 11
40
10
As illustrated in , the display unit may display a temporal change characteristic of the frequency spectrum of the amount of oscillation. According to this configuration, the oscillation observation device B may allow, for example, the operator to easily and visually recognize the temporal change of the amount of oscillation in the translational direction and the frequency spectrum.
FIG. 12
FIG. 12
10
10
202
212
220
230
10
10
Next, an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawing. is a functional block diagram of the oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in , the oscillation observation device C of Embodiment 4 is different from the oscillation observation device of Embodiment 1 in that the antenna , the receiver , and the acceleration sensor are omitted. Accordingly, processing of a processor C is also different. Since the other configurations and the processing of the oscillation observation device C are similar to those of the oscillation observation device , description of the similar configurations and processing is omitted.
230
211
230
30
The processor C may use the amount of change in the carrier phase outputted from the receiver to calculate the velocity. The processor C may output the velocity to the oscillating amount calculator .
10
10
10
100
10
Also in this configuration, the oscillation observation device C can observe the oscillation of the object highly precisely in the simple configuration similar to Embodiment 1. Moreover, since the oscillation observation device C does not use the acceleration sensor, maintenance may be easy and a correction of a sensor bias etc. may not be required. Furthermore, since the oscillation observation device C is comprised of one antenna and one receiver, the configuration of the oscillation observation device may further be simplified compared to that of the oscillation observation device .
10
10
Note that the filtering may also be applied to the oscillation observation device C similar to the oscillation observation device .
FIG. 13
FIG. 13
10
10
202
212
230
10
10
Next, an oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawing. is a functional block diagram of the oscillation observation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure. As illustrated in , the oscillation observation device D of Embodiment 5 is different from the oscillation observation device of Embodiment 1 in that the antenna and the receiver are omitted. Accordingly, processing of a processor D is also different. Since the other configurations and processing of the oscillation observation device D are similar to those of the oscillation observation device , description of the similar configurations and processing is omitted.
230
211
220
230
30
The processor D may use the amount of change in the carrier phase outputted from the receiver , and the acceleration of the acceleration sensor so as to calculate the velocity. The processor D may output the velocity to the oscillating amount calculator .
10
10
10
10
Also with this configuration, the oscillation observation device D can observe the oscillation of the object highly precisely in the simple configuration similar to Embodiment 1. Moreover, since the oscillation observation device D is comprised of one antenna, one receiver, and the acceleration sensor, the configuration of the oscillation observation device D may further be simplified compared to that of the oscillation observation device .
10
10
Note that the filtering may also be applied to the oscillation observation device D of this embodiment similar to the oscillation observation device .
Moreover, in the oscillation observation device, the oscillation observation method, and the oscillation observation program of each embodiment described above, the oscillating amount SU in the front-and-rear direction, and the oscillating amount SW in the left-and-right direction may be calculated as the amount of oscillation in the translational direction. However, the amount of oscillation in the up-and-down direction may be calculated. | |
This site is NOT affiliated with the Philadelphia Flyers or the National Hockey League. The views and opinions of this site are strictly ours and no one else's. Content of this site is checked for accuracy, but not flawless. Please double check any information regarding schedules, etc. Please report any inaccuracies to [email protected].
Shop for great Flyers gifts for your home or office thru the link below:
Shoot-out in the Saddledome sinks Flyers 6-5, Flames score with :07 left
Friday 9pm @ Oilers
Next Game:
Think the Flyers have enough to respond and make the playoffs?
NHL.com's highlights and box score from Flames game
Robert Hagg registered an assist, 4 hits and 3 blocked shots against the Flames on Wednesday night.
Which Philly sports team are you watching most these days?
Flyers, every game I can 30.3% (10 votes)
76ers, looking like a promising team again 24.24% (8 votes)
E-A-G-L-E-S! I will peek at the others as time allows 21.21% (7 votes)
I watch them all equally, I am a sports fan 21.21% (7 votes)
Waiting on Phillies, filling in the space with whatever is on TV 3.03% (1 votes)
Total Votes: 33
Can't stop watching the Flyers win or lose. Everything else is as I have time.
Last weeks poll::
Sean Couturier scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season against the Flames on Wednesday night. He added an assist, hit and 3 blocked shots in 26 minutes of ice time.
Dale Weise registered his 4th goal of the season in the second period to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead against the Flames on Wednesday night.
The Flames scored two goals in the last 1:08 and Philadelphia area product Johnny Gaudreau scored in the first minute of OT to down the Flyers in Calgary.
The Flyers got goals Couturier (2), Dale Weise, JVR, and Travis Sanheim. Couturier's second goal in the third period came short-handed and gave the Flyers a 5-4 lead.
Anthony Stolarz went the distance for the Flyers stopping 35 shots, including 12 of 13 on the Flames power play.
Phil Varone made his second straight start, this time only playing 6 minutes. The Flyers play in Edmonton Friday night and Vancouver Saturday before returning home for 3 games the week before Christmas. | http://www.flyers.com/ |
Recent progress and breakthroughs in computer vision are becoming more and more upfront and visible thanks to the constant evolution of ICT applications in our daily lives. Application concepts like Industry 4.0 or Internet of Things, where integration of the virtual and physical world is an objective in itself, and also application in the services we habitually use on internet (banking e-commerce, social media, eLearning, etc.) are driving the ongoing application of related technologies in the development of these concepts. In all these fields computer vision has not only a promising future but an exponentially expanding field of application, as new services crop up in which to apply it.
Examples such as driverless cars, drone-based quality-control, classification and recognition, traffic cameras that recognize diverse driver-behavior patterns, virtual reality or breaking news about Amazon’s intention to patent pay-by-selfie technology all show the wide range for potential application of computer vision.
The different approaches to this challenge take in detection of objects, extraction of certain visual characteristics and their subsequent association, the use of classifiers together with automatic learning techniques for decision-making and automatic image annotation and recommendation of tags.
These ongoing computer vision developments center not only on image acquisition, processing and analysis (recognition of objects and decision-making) but also a better understanding of images, representing a quantum leap in the approach to the problem. Understanding of images depends to some extent on cognition, which takes in tasks involving not only recognition but also reasoning on the image or set of images dealt with; to achieve this, the models need to comprehend the interactions and relations between the objects making up said images.
To make headway in this “understanding” of images it is necessary to build up complex systems that tackle the problem in different phases. Use here is being made of the concept of Deep Learning, a branch of machine learning and AI based on a set of algorithms that attempt to model high-level abstractions in data by using multiple processing layers, with complex structures or otherwise, composed of multiple sigmoid (non-linear) functions. In general unsupervised training is used in phase I together with supervised training in phase II. The overall aim of this approach is to seek learning at various levels of abstraction that, taken together, produce understanding. The use of sigmoid functions enables complex, non-lineal problems to be solved. Deep Learning techniques have been under study for some time. They grew from such concepts as Neocognitron, which is a multi-layer, hierarchical neural network proposed by Kunihiko Fukushima in the eighties of last century. It is a model that has adapted very well to pattern recognition, and research is still underway on its use in cognition, driven by improvements in computation and the exponential increase of network training use cases.
There are various architectures for implementation of a Deep Learning solution. The commonest and one of the most important involves neural networks. As a first approach multi-layer neural nets are used; these model the learning process by means of diverse sigmoid functions in various layers, where layer k computes an output vector hk using the output hk-1 of the previous layer, starting with the input x = h0. In all layers except the input layer, a certain operation called activation function is carried out, one of the aims of which is to keep the processing result of said layer within the estimated range. Other alternatives to multi-layer neural networks are the so-called autoencoders which are neural networks, or more strictly unsupervised learning algorithms possessing very few layers, normally two or three. An auto-encoder can be trained to encode the input x into some representation c(x) so that the input can be reconstructed from that representation, i.e., it applies backpropagation.
Sequential use of autoencoders generates the architecture known as “Stacked Autoenconders” where another self-learning autoencoder is applied to the hidden-layer result and so on, whereby, although the architecture gets more complicated, the result is learning with more complex characteristics. For self-learning purposes, greedy algorithms are normally used. These heuristically choose the best option in each layer with the aim of obtaining an optimal overall solution (these algorithms have also produced very good results in genome sequencing where graph theory is applied to reassemble (and sequence) the DNA chains from sequences or small chunks generated by chemical processes).
Other architectures are those known as “Restricted Boltzman Machines”, which are generative neural nets whose learning includes distributions of probability on the basis of a set of inputs. Closely related to these are the Deep Belief Networks, which are neural networks that also use autoencoders; these are probabilistic generative models comprising multiple layers in which the weights of the hidden layer neurons are initialized casually by binary patterns.
But the testing of all of these architectures and the building up image-based cognitive learning systems from them call increasingly for robust and tried-and-tested mechanisms of large datasets for supervised learning. One example of systems of this type is Visual Genome.
Visual Genome is a dataset for modelling relationships between diverse image objects. It stores annotations of objects, attributes and relations existing in an image to learn these models. Each image has around 21 objects, 18 attributes and 18 pairwise relationships between objects.
Understanding of scenes will facilitate development of applications such as image searches, answers to questions and robotic interactions.
Visual Genome consists of a dataset, a knowledge base and a continual effort to connect structured image concepts with language. It allows a multi-perspective study of an image to be carried out, from information at the level of pixels as objects to relations requiring an inference and, even more, deep cognitive tasks such as answers to questions. It is a broad set of data for training and comparative assessment of the new generation of computer vision models. With Visual Genome it is hoped that these models will enable a broader understanding of the visual world to be developed, complementing computing object-detecting capacities with the ability to describe those objects and explain their interactions and relations. Visual Genome is a major formal representation of knowledge for visual understanding and a set of descriptors for translating visual concepts into language.
Visual Genome’s dataset is made up by seven main components: region descriptions, objects, attributes, relationships, region graphs, scene graphs and question-answer pairs. To make further headway in research into the comprehensive understanding of images, the first step is the collection of descriptions and question-answers that are raw texts without any restrictions on length or vocabulary. The next step is to extract objects, attributes and relationships to build up graph scenes representing a formal description of each image. This work is being done by means of a crowdsourcing platform designed to feed the database. The chosen platform for this task is Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT), which is a commercial system designed for simple work at a unit price calling for human intervention where there are applicants or workers and providers or vendors, in this case Visual Genome. This system ensures continual database feeding, filling in the information of each image.
Visual Genome is an evolution of a first project called ImageNet, which is a great hierarchical image database (over one million as of today); the images are content-tagged so that each node of the hierarchy is represented by hundreds or thousands of images. Every year now the ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge is held and the competitors normally use, as might be expected from all the above, Deep Learning neural networks.
Similar systems to Visual Genome include Microsoft Common Objects in Contex (COCO), an image object recognition database. Google, Facebook and others run similar initiatives, such as MetaMind, which works on automatic image recognition using machine learning and Big Data to obtain descriptions by means of natural language of the physical world. Another, possible closer-to-hand example is Snapchat which uses Deep Learning[i] with more of a fun-based approach. All this gives an idea of the importance of these techniques in terms of their capacity to generate future products and services.
Related Links
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/141001/20160315/smile-amazon-wants-patent-for-pay-by-selfie-technology.htm
Cognition: mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. It encompasses processes such as knowledge, attention, memory and working memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning, problem solving and decision making, comprehension and production of language, etc. Cognitive processes use existing knowledge and generate new knowledge. | https://www.gmv.com/blog_gmv/language/en/computer-vision/ |
COURT I -S
DIVISION II
NIL! AUG - 5 AM 10: 37
STATE Of WASHINGTON
BY
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF W} INGTON
DIVISION II
In re the Marriage of: No. 44814 -9 -II
NISHAT KHAN,
Appellant,
PUBLISHED OPINION
and
AZAD KHAN,
Respondent.
MAxA, J. — Nishat Khan appeals the trial court' s spousal maintenance order, claiming
the court erred by limiting the duration of the awarded maintenance. Nishat' s former husband,
Azad Khan,' is obligated to support her pursuant to an affidavit of support he signed under
federal immigration law as the sponsor of her application for permanent legal residency. Nishat
argues that the trial court erred in not enforcing this obligation through the maintenance award.
We hold that Nishat' s right to support under federal immigration law is a contract right separate
from any rights she had as a result of her marriage, and that this contract right need not be
enforced through maintenance payments in a dissolution proceeding. Therefore, the trial court
did not err in failing to award maintenance in an amount and duration equal to Azad' s
independent support obligation under federal immigration law and we affirm.
1 Because Nishat and Azad Khan share a last name we refer to both by their first names,
intending no disrespect.
FACTS
Azad, a United States citizen, and Nishat met in India in 2009. In January 2010, Nishat
entered the United States on a K1 ( fiancee) visa. She and Azad married shortly thereafter. Azad
sponsored Nishat' s application for permanent residency, and as part of this process was required
to sign on her behalf an affidavit of support under section 213A of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, which is known as United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS)
864.;
Form I - see 8 U. S. C. §§ 1182( a)( 4), 1183a. By signing the affidavit, Azad agreed to
provide the financial support necessary to maintain Nishat at an income level at least 125 percent
above the federal poverty line.
After nearly two years of marriage, Azad and Nishat separated in December 2011. Azad
petitioned for dissolution of marriage in January 2012. Neither the petition nor Nishat' s
response referenced Azad' s I -864 support obligation. Pursuant to temporary orders, Azad paid
maintenance of $ 000 per month (for 12 months) and contributed to Nishat' s moving expenses
2,
and attorney fees. At trial, Nishat sought continued maintenance. She argued that Azad' s I -864
support obligation was a basis for a maintenance award.
The trial court concluded that under state law maintenance was not appropriate for
several. reasons. Nevertheless, it awarded Nishat maintenance of $ 000 per month through June
2,
2013, three months from the date of the dissolution decree. The trial court based its maintenance
award on a perceived conflict between Azad' s I -864 obligation under federal law and
Washington dissolution law. It concluded that Nishat' s I -864 rights preempted state law and
limited its ability to impute income to Nishat based on her earning capacity and education, and
2
stated that in awarding maintenance it was balancing federal and state law. Nishat appeals the
duration of the maintenance award.
ANALYSIS
A. AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT ( FORM 1 - 864)
A family- sponsored applicant for permanent residency must prove that he or she is not
likely to become a public charge. See 8 U.S. C. § 1182( a)( 4). To satisfy this requirement, the
applicant' s family sponsor may be required to execute and submit a legally enforceable affidavit
of support on Form 1 - 864. 8 U. S. C. §§ 1182( a)( 4)( C)( ii), 1183a( a)( 1). The sponsor must agree
to " provide support to maintain the sponsored [ immigrant] at an annual income that is not less
than 125 percent of the [ f]ederal poverty line during the period in which the affidavit is
enforceable." 8 U.S. C. § 1183a( a)( 1)( A).
The support obligation under I -864 continues indefinitely unless the sponsored immigrant
1) becomes a United States citizen, ( 2) has worked or is credited with 40 qualifying quarters of
coverage ( as defined by the Social Security Act, 42 U. S. C. § 413), ( 3) no longer has lawful
permanent resident status and departs the United States, ( 4) becomes subject to removal but
obtains a new grant of adjustment status, or ( 5) either the sponsor or the sponsored immigrant
dies. 8 U. S. C. § 1183a( a)( 2) -( 3); 8 C.F. R. § 213a.2( e)( 2). Dissolution of the marriage between
the sponsor and the sponsored immigrant does not terminate the support obligation. Liu v. Mund,
686 F. 3d 418, 423 ( 7th Cir. 2012); USCIS Form 1 - 864, at 8( rev. Mar. 22, 2013); USCIS Form I-
864 Instructions at 10 ( rev. March 22, 2013); see 8 C. F. R. § 103. 2( a)( 1) ( incorporating the
USCIS Form 1 - 864 instructions as part of the regulations governing the affidavit of support).
3
The affidavit of support creates a binding contract between the sponsor and the federal
government, with the intended immigrant as the third -
party beneficiary. The sponsored
immigrant can enforce the support obligation against the sponsor. 8 U. S. C. § 1183a( a)( 1)( B).
And by signing the affidavit, the sponsor agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any
federal or state court that has subject matter jurisdiction of a lawsuit to enforce the I -
864
obligations. 8 U. S. C. § 1183a( a)( 1)( C).
B. MAINTENANCE PRINCIPLES
We review a maintenance award for an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage ofZahm, 138
Wn.2d 213, 226 -27, 978 P. 2d 498 ( 1999). " ` A trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is
manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or untenable reasons.' " In re Marriage
of Valente, 179 Wn. App. 817, 822, 320 P. 3d 115 ( 2014) ( quoting In re Marriage ofLittlefield,
133 Wn.2d 39, 46 -47, 940 P. 2d 1362 ( 1997)). " ` The only limitation on amount and duration of
maintenance under RCW 26. 09. 090 is that, in light of the relevant factors, the award must be
just.' " Valente, 179 Wn. App. at 821 ( quoting In re Marriage ofBulicek, 59 Wn. App. 630, 633,
800 P. 2d 394 ( 1990)).
Under RCW 26. 09. 090, a trial court may award maintenance in a dissolution proceeding
after considering all relevant factors, including but not limited to ( a) the financial resources of
the party seeking maintenance; ( b) the time necessary to acquire education and training to enable
the party seeking maintenance to find employment; ( c) the standard of living established during
the marriage; ( d) the duration of the marriage; ( e) the age, physical and emotional condition, and
financial obligations of the spouse seeking maintenance; and ( f) the ability of the spouse from
whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting
those of the spouse seeking maintenance. The trial court must consider all of the statutory
factors, but the factors are not exclusive. In re Marriage of Washburn, 101 Wn.2d 168, 179 -80,
677 P. 2d 152 ( 1984).
Here, the trial court determined Nishat was not entitled to maintenance based on
traditional Washington law analysis," i.e., consideration of the RCW 26. 09. 90 factors. Clerk' s
Papers at 42. Nishat does not challenge this determination.
C. I-
864 OBLIGATION AND MAINTENANCE AWARD
Nishat and Azad both agree that Azad owes an ongoing support obligation under I -
864.
The question is whether that obligation must be enforced through a maintenance award in the
dissolution proceeding. Nishat argues that it is proper for a trial court to award maintenance
based on a spouse' s I -864 support obligation. Azad argues that a maintenance award cannot be
used to guarantee a spouse' s I -
864 obligation, which remains enforceable regardless of any
maintenance award. The relationship between a maintenance award in a dissolution action and a
person' s I -864 obligation to a former spouse under federal immigration law is an issue of first
impression in Washington. We agree with Azad.
The few published cases in other jurisdictions are split on this issue. See Liu, 686 F. 3d at
419 -20 ( the right of support conferred by federal law exists apart from whatever rights the
sponsored person might or might not have had under state divorce law); Love v. Love, 33 A.3d
1268, 1273 -75 ( Pa. Super. Ct. 2011) ( trial court erred in fashioning spousal support award
without applying husband' s I -864 obligation; trial court should have considered I -864
obligations as an allowable deviation from the spousal support guidelines).
5
We hold that a maintenance order need not include enforcement of a person' s I -864
obligation. Three primary considerations support this conclusion. First, there is no " conflict"
between federal law regarding I -864 obligations and Washington dissolution law because they
are independent of each other. Nothing in the federal statutes or regulations provides that an I-
864 obligation must be included in a maintenance award or otherwise be enforced in a
dissolution action. On the contrary, federal law expressly provides that a spouse' s I -864
obligation does not terminate upon dissolution of the marriage between the sponsor and the
immigrant. USCIS Form I -
864 Instructions at 10; see Liu, 686 F.3d at 423; Shumye v. Felleke,
555 F. Supp. 2d 1020, 1024 ( N. D. Cal. 2008). This provision suggests that a spouse' s I -
864
obligation exists independent of any dissolution proceedings, including any maintenance award.
Second, RCW 26. 09.090 governs the award of maintenance in Washington. This statute
lists the factors that a trial court must consider in determining the amount of maintenance. RCW
26. 09. 090 does not provide that one spouse' s contractual obligation under federal immigration
law to make payments to the other spouse must be enforced through a maintenance award.2 And
although the statutory factors are not exclusive, a trial court cannot rely solely on a non -statutory
factor in making a maintenance determination without also fairly considering the statutory
factors. See In re Marriage ofSpreen, 107 Wn. App. 341, 349 -50, 28 P. 3d 769 ( 2001).
2
By contrast, a maintenance award must reflect binding contracts regarding parties' rights and
property, including making provisions for maintenance, made in contemplation of marriage
antenuptial / renuptial agreements) and in contemplation of dissolution (separation contracts).
p
expressly allows spouses to enter into separation contracts providing for
See RCW 26. 09. 070( 1) (
the maintenance of either of them); In re Marriage ofBurke, 96. Wn. App. 474, 477; 980 P.2d
265 ( 1999); In re Marriage of Shaffer, 47 Wn. App. 189, 193 -94 & n. 1, 733 P. 2d 1013 ( 1987).
Nishat does not argue that Form I -864 should be enforced as a prenuptial agreement, and there is
no basis for such an argument.
6
Here, the trial court found that under Washington law it would not award any
maintenance for several stated reasons. However, in an attempt to balance federal and state law
the trial court awarded $2000 per month in maintenance for an additional three months. Nishat
argues that once the trial court acknowledged that Azad' s I -
864 obligation could be considered in
awarding maintenance, it was required to continue maintenance for as long as Azad had a
payment obligation under I -
864. However, because we hold that a trial court need not enforce a
spouse' s I -
864 obligation through a maintenance award, we hold that the trial court did not err in
3
failing to extend the maintenance payments indefinitely.
Third, the beneficiary of an I -864 obligation will not be left without remedy if that
obligation is not included in a maintenance award. Nishat argues that if the maintenance award
does not incorporate Azad' s full I -864 obligation, she may be precluded from enforcing that
obligation in a subsequent action. We disagree.
Some courts in other jurisdictions have held that an action to enforce a former spouse' s I-
864 obligation is precluded under certain circumstances when the I -864 support issue was raised
in a prior dissolution proceeding. See, e. g., Schwartz v. Schwartz, 409 B.R. 240, 249 ( B. A' P. 1st
Cir. 2008) ( denying former wife' s affidavit of support claim in former husband' s bankruptcy
proceeding because claim had been ( or could have been) made in earlier state court divorce
action); Nguyen v. Dean, No. 10- 6138 -AA, 2011 WL 130241, * 3 -4 ( D. Or. Jan. 14, 2011)
3
The trial court' s award of maintenance for three months apparently was based on the trial
court' s understanding that it must enforce Azad' s I -864 obligation through maintenance.
Although we hold that a trial court is not required to include the I -
864 obligation in a
maintenance award, we need not address whether a trial court in the exercise of its discretion
could incorporate the I -
864 obligation into a maintenance award.
7
holding that former wife' s claim seeking support from former husband based on 1- 864 in federal
court was precluded because the I -
864 affidavit of support was entered into evidence in their
underlying divorce proceedings and considered by the state court judge when determining
spousal support amount). But such a holding would be inappropriate here, where the trial court
did not adjudicate an action for breach of the sponsor' s I -864 obligation.
As Azad acknowledges, an order of maintenance is not an adjudication of his obligation
under I -864. And Azad concedes that termination of maintenance does not terminate his I -864
obligation. Because we hold that an I -
864 obligation is separate from any rights or obligations
imposed by marriage, Nishat will not be precluded from asserting her I -864 contract right in a
separate action.
We affirm the trial court' s maintenance award, and hold that a trial court need not enforce
a spouse' s I -
864 obligation through a maintenance award.
We concur:
8
| |
TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The described technology relates generally to determining the schema of a web database.
The World Wide Web ("web") provides vast amounts of information that is accessible via web pages. Web pages can contain either static content or dynamic content. Static content refers generally to information that may stay the same across many accesses of the web pages. Dynamic content refers generally to information that is stored in a web database and is added to a web page in response to a search request. Dynamic content represents what has been referred to as the deep web or hidden web.
Many search engine services allow users to search for static content of the web. After a user submits a search request or query that includes search terms, the search engine service identifies web pages that may be related to those search terms. These web pages are the search result. To quickly identify related web pages, the search engine services may maintain a mapping of keywords to web pages. This mapping may be generated by "crawling" the web to identify the keywords of each web page. To crawl the web, a search engine service may use a list of root web pages to identify all web pages that are accessible through those root web pages. The keywords of any particular web page can be identified using various well-known information retrieval techniques, such as identifying the words of a headline, the words supplied in the metadata of the web page, the words that are highlighted, and so on.
These search engine services, however, do not in general provide for searching of dynamic content, which is also considered noncrawlable content. One problem with searching dynamic content is that it is difficult or impossible to directly obtain the schemas of the corresponding web databases without the cooperation of the web site that provides the web database. A schema defines the information or attributes that are stored in the database. For example, a web database for a seller of books may have a schema for its catalog of books (i.e., a web database) that includes a title attribute and an author attribute for each book. Without knowing the schema, it would be very difficult for a search engine service to crawl the content of a web database to determine what information is available for searching. Even if the schema of a web database were known, a search engine service would still need to determine how to crawl the web database to retrieve its content. Assuming that a search engine could retrieve the content of web databases, the search engine service would still need to identify when attributes of different schemas represent semantically equivalent attributes. For example, bookseller web sites may have catalogs that specify whether the book is paperback, hardcover, or compact disc. One bookseller's web site may name this attribute "type," and another bookseller's web site may name the same attribute "format." To allow effective searching of dynamic content across multiple web sites, a search engine service needs to know the meaning or semantics of the attributes of the web databases.
It would be desirable to have a technique that would automatically identify schemas associated with web databases and to identify attributes of different schemas that represent the same semantic content.
A method and system for identifying schemas of web databases is provided. A schema matching system generates a mapping between an interface schema and a result schema of a web database, which is used to represent the underlying database schema. The schema matching system also generates a mapping of the interface attributes and the result attributes of the web database to global attributes of a global schema whose semantics are known. Using these mappings, a search engine service can formulate queries using the global attributes, map those queries to the corresponding interface attributes, submit the query, and retrieve the values from the result attributes that correspond to the desired global attributes.
Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates various schemas of a web database for a bookseller.
Figure 2 illustrates intra-site and inter-site matching in one embodiment.
Figure 3 illustrates one pass of the partitioning of the schema matching system in one embodiment.
Figure 4 is a block diagram that illustrates components of the schema matching system in one embodiment.
Figure 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the match intra-site component in one embodiment.
Figure 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the generate cube component in one embodiment.
Figure 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the update cube component in one embodiment.
Figure 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the project cube component in one embodiment.
Figure 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the calculate EMI component in one embodiment.
Figure 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the generate match matrix component in one embodiment.
Figure 11 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the match inter-site component in one embodiment.
Figure 12 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the calculate estimated vector similarity component in one embodiment.
Figure 13 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the cross-validate component in one embodiment.
A method and system for identifying schemas of web databases is provided. In one embodiment, a schema matching system generates a mapping between an interface schema and a result schema of a web database, which is used to represent the underlying database schema. The interface schema of a web database represents the attributes of the database that can be used for searching. The result schema of a web database represents the attributes of the database that are displayed as part of the search result. The mapping indicates which interface attribute has the same meaning (also referred to as corresponds to or matches) as which result attribute. The schema matching system also generates a mapping of the interface attributes and the result attributes of the web database to global attributes of a global schema whose semantics are known. Using these mappings, a search engine service can formulate queries using the global attributes, map those queries to the corresponding interface attributes, submit the query, and retrieve the values from the result attributes that correspond to the desired global attributes. In this way, the schema matching system identifies schemas of a web database that can be used for searching the web database.
Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates various schemas of a web database for a bookseller. The web database includes a database schema 101, an interface schema 102, and a result schema 103. The database schema represents the underlying schema of the web database, which in this example includes the attributes title, author, publisher, ISBN, format, and publication date. The web site provides a search web page so a user can visit to search for books. The interface schema for this web database includes the attributes title, author, format, and ISBN. A user can specify search strings for any combination of interface attributes for searching the book database. The "your search" feld of the web page allows a user to search within all attributes of the web database. The result of the search is displayed on a result web page. The result schema for this web database includes title, author, publisher, format, and publication date. The result of a search will typically provide multiple entries for each entry of the database that matches the search request. Each entry of a result typically contains a value for each of the result attributes. In this example, the interface schema has an attribute (i.e., ISBN) that is not included in the result schema, and the result schema has an attribute (i.e., publication date) that is not included in the interface schema.
In addition to using an interface schema and a result schema for a web database, the schema matching system also uses a domain-specific global schema. A global schema for a domain represents the set of attributes that are generally used by web databases within that domain. For example, web databases within the domain of books typically have attributes that include title, author, and publisher, and web databases within the domain of automobiles typically have attributes that include make, model, and year. A global schema may also have sample global attribute values associated with it. For example, the publisher attribute of a book domain may have global attribute values that include "Random House" and "MIT Press."
To generate the mappings, the schema matching system initially identifies the global schema for the domain of the web database and the interface schema and result schema of the web database. (Techniques for identifying these schemas are described below.) The schema matching system generates queries from global attribute values (e.g., from a sample set of values) of the global attributes and submits those queries via the interface web page to the web database (e.g., sending an HTTP request that corresponds to the submitting of a query via the search web page). The schema matching system analyzes the result presented by the result web page to determine which interface attributes correspond to which result attributes ("interface-to-result correspondence"), which global attributes correspond to which interface attributes ("global-to-interface correspondence"), and which global attributes correspond to which result attributes ("global-to-result" correspondence). These correspondences are referred to as "intra-site" matching since the interface and result schemas correspond to the schemas of a single web site. The schema matching system identifies that an interface attribute may correspond to a result attribute based on when a value of the result attribute matches the value of the interface attribute used when searching. For example, when the title interface attribute is given the value of "Harry Potter," many entries of the result will likely have the value of "Harry Potter" in the title result attribute. In contrast, when the author interface attribute is given the value of "Harry Potter" for a search, only a few entries of the result will likely have the value of "Harry Potter" in the title interface attribute. As such, the title interface attribute likely corresponds to the title result attribute, but the author interface attribute likely does not correspond to the title result attribute.
In one embodiment, the schema matching system may also generate mappings between interface schemas and result schemas of different web sites. The schema matching system analyzes the results of the queries submitted as described above and identifies which interface attribute of one web site's schema corresponds to which interface attribute of another web site's schema ("interface-to-interface correspondence") and which result attribute of one web site's schema corresponds to which result attribute of another web site's schema ("result-to-result correspondence"). For example, the schema matching system may identify that the type interface attribute of one web site may correspond to the format interface attribute of another web site. These correspondences are referred to as "inter-site" matching since schemas are matched between different web sites. The inter-site matching information may be used when searching multiple web databases within a domain. The inter-site matching information may also be used to help validate whether intra-site matching is correct.
Figure 2 illustrates intra-site and inter-site matching in one embodiment. Oval 202 represents the schemas relating to web databases within a book domain. Each site 1..N has an interface schema ("IS") and a result schema ("RS"), and the domain has a global schema ("GS"). The lines between the representations of the schemas represent the intra-site and inter-site matching. For example, the line between IS of site 1 and GS represents the intra-site global-to-interface correspondence, the line between IS of site 1 and RS of site 1 represents the intra-site interface-to-result correspondence, and the line between IS of site 1 and IS of site 2 represents the inter-site interface-to-interface correspondence between site 1 and site 2.
In one embodiment, the schema matching system generates an occurrence cube that identifies, for each combination of global attribute, interface attribute, and result attribute of a web database, the number of times that a global attribute value for that global attribute occurs in that result attribute when the global attribute value is used as the value of that interface attribute when searching For each interface attribute, the schema matching system submits multiple queries. Each query has the value of that interface attribute set to a different global attribute value. For example, if the global attributes include a format attribute with values of paperback, hardback, and compact disc and an author attribute with a value of kowling, then the schema matching system submits a query with the title attribute set to paperback, a query with the title attribute set to hardback, a query with the title attribute set to compact disc, and a query with the title attribute set to Rowling. For each other interface attribute, the schema matching system submits queries for the global attribute values of a paperback, hardback, compact disc, and Rowling. For each query result, the schema matching system counts the number of times that the global attribute value of the query occurs as a value in each result attribute. For example, when a query is submitted with the title interface attribute set to paperback, it is likely that very few or no matches will be found, which indicates that the title interface attribute probably does not match the format global attribute. In contrast, when a query is submitted with the format interface attribute set to paperback, it is likely that many matches will be found and the search term "paperback" will be found in many entries of the result within the format result attribute, which indicates that the format global attribute, format interface attribute, and format result attribute likely correspond to one another. A high count for a particular global attribute, interface attribute, and result attribute combination, especially relative to other combinations, may indicate that those attributes likely correspond, i.e., they represent the same semantic content.
IS
GS
IS
GS
ij
IS
IS
GS
GS
IS
m
i
j
After generating an occurrence cube, the schema matching system creates occurrence matrices for the global-to-interface correspondence, the global-to-result correspondence, and the interface-to-result correspondence. In one embodiment, the schema matching system creates an occurrence matrix by projecting a dimension of the occurrence cube onto a plane. To generate the occurrence matrix for the global-to-interface correspondence, the schema matching system sums the count of occurrences for all the result attributes for each global attribute and interface attribute combination. The schema matching system generates the occurrence matrices for the global-to-result correspondence and the interface-to-result correspondence in a similar matter. Table 1 is an example of an occurrence matrix for the global-to-interface correspondence.
Although the magnitude of a count is an indication of the correspondence between pairs of attributes, the relative magnitude is more indicative of a match than the absolute magnitude. In particular, a high occurrence count may not represent corresponding attributes. For example, the matrix element for Author and Publisher (534) is the highest value in the matrix, but Author and Publisher do not semantically correspond to each other. Generally, given a particular matrix element , its relative magnitude among all elements for its interface attribute and global attribute is more important than its absolute magnitude. For example, Keyword, which may include the "your search" field and which is not a real attribute for the book domain, has a similar performance for all global attributes, which indicates that it may not be a good match for any one of the global attributes. The element of Publisher and Publisher (468) is not the highest one among the elements for Publisher. However, it is relatively larger than the other elements for Publisher.
EMI
(
) =
log
S
1i
, S
2j
m
ij
M
m
ij
M
m
i
+
M
m
+
j
M
*
MAP
(
)
=
match when
≥
|
k
≠
j
and
≥
|
k
≠ i
S
1i
, S
2j
e
ij
e
ik
e
ij
e
ik
EMI
i
S
j
S
M
m
m
MAP
i
S
j
S
e
i
S
j
S
.
th
th
th
th
th
th
1j
2j
i
+
j
+
IS
GS
1
2
ij
1
2
To identify which pair of attributes corresponds, the schema matching system estimates a mutual information content of the pair of attributes. Mutual information is also referred to as cross-entropy and information gain. The schema matching system considers each schema to represent a partitioning of the web database by the schema's attributes. Pairs of attributes from different schemas whose partitions overlap the most are likely to correspond. In one embodiment, the schema matching system estimates mutual information between a pair of attributes according to the following equation: where is the estimated mutual information between the attribute of schema and attribute of , is is and is The EMI matrix for the occurrence matrix of Table 1 is shown in Table 2. The schema matching system detects a match between attributes when one EMI matrix element is larger than the other elements for the same interface attribute (i.e., in the same row) and also larger than the other elements for the same global attribute (i.e., in the same column). The corresponding attributes have a larger overlap in information content between each other than their overlap with other attributes of the opposite schema as shown by the rectangles. For example, the EMI matrix element for Author and Author (i.e., 0.11) is the largest one for both the author interface attributes and the author global attributes, and it is a correct match. The match of attributes is represented by the following equation: where indicates whether the attribute of schema matches the attribute of schema and is the EMI matrix element for the attribute of schema and the attribute of schema
S
S
.
EVS
i
S
j
S
a
S
,
b
S
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
ik
1
jk
2
Table 3
T<sub>G</sub>
A<sub>G</sub>
P<sub>G</sub>
I<sub>G</sub>
A<sub>1</sub>
93
498
534
0
T<sub>1</sub>
451
345
501
0
P<sub>1</sub>
62
184
468
2
K<sub>1</sub>
120
248
143
275
I<sub>1</sub>
0
0
0
258
Table 4
T<sub>G</sub>
A<sub>G</sub>
P<sub>G</sub>
I<sub>G</sub>
T<sub>2</sub>
166
177
118
0
A<sub>2</sub>(P)
39
331
406
0
I<sub>2</sub>
0
0
0
18
th
th
In one embodiment, the schema matching system identifies matches between attributes of different web databases. The schema matching system identifies matches based on the similarity between vectors of corresponding occurrence matrices for the web databases. For example, Table 3 represents the global-to-interface occurrence matrix for schema and Table 4 represents the global-to-interface occurrence matrix for schema The global schema GS is {Title, Author, Publisher, ISBN}, the interface schema IS for site 1 is {Author, Title, Publisher, Keyword, ISBN}, and the interface schema IS for site 2 is {Title, Author, ISBN}. Attribute A1 is represented by the vector of the first row of Table 3, and attribute A2 is represented by the vector of the second row of Table 4. The schema matching system calculates the similarity between two attributes using the following equation: where is the estimated vector similarity between the attribute of schema and the attribute of schema , represents the values of the occurrence matrix for schema and represents the values of the occurrence matrix for schema .
2
2
2
Table 5 represents the estimated vector similarities derived from Table 3 and Table 4. The schema matching system detects a match between attributes when one EVS matrix element is larger than the other elements for the same interface attribute of one web site and also larger than the other elements for the same interface attribute of the other web site. The rectangles of Table 5 depict the largest similarity values in both its row and column, which also shows the correct matching. Although the second attribute of IS, Author, is incorrectly matched to Publisher of GS, the schema matching system uses inter-site matching to correct the matching.
In one embodiment, the schema matching system cross-validates the global-to-interface correspondence, the global-to-result correspondence, the interface-to-result correspondence, the interface-to-interface correspondence, and the result-to-result correspondence to identify and correct matches that may be incorrect. The schema matching system clusters the interface attributes (and similarly the result attributes) into multiple clusters based on the global attributes to which they match. For example, the attributes of the various web databases that have been matched to a certain global attribute represent one cluster. This clustering is based on the intra-site matching. The inter-site matching can also be used to cross-validate the clusters. If the intra-site and inter-site matching was completely correct, then each attribute of a web database would map to only attributes of other web databases that are within the same cluster. In other words, attributes of the web databases would consistently map to each other and to the global attributes. In one embodiment, the schema matching system represents attributes of the web database schemas as vertices and inter-site matching as edges between the vertices. The schema matching system partitions the vertices such that the edge-cut is minimized. The edge-cut is the sum of weights of all edges (e.g., each edge has the same weight) between partitions. By minimizing the edge-cut, the schema matching system minimizes the number of edges between vertices of different clusters.
A
S
B
S
C
C
A
B
S
C
i
1
j
2
1
2
i
k
2
1
In one embodiment, the schema matching system approximates the minimizing of the edge-cut by using the initial clusters as the initial partition and moving vertices from one cluster to another as long as the number of cuts would decrease. In general, a vertex is moved to the cluster in which most of its neighbors reside. Neighbor vertices have an edge between them. Since a vertex needs to be moved if many of its neighbors are moved, the schema matching system may use multiple passes so that the edge-cut converges on a local optimum. When the edge-cut converges, the schema matching system resolves cross cluster matching between attributes of site and of site contained in two clusters and by discarding the cross cluster match and re-matching to attribute of site clustered into , or vice versa.
1
a
2
a
p
3
a
p
4
a
5
a
p
a
p
a
a
α
p
α
α
A
B
, B
C
, C
D
, Dp
E
, E
A
B
A
A
A
B
A
B
Figure 3 illustrates one pass of the partitioning of the schema matching system in one embodiment. In this example, the global schema contains two attributes {Author, Publisher}, and five web databases contain the IS attributes IS = {}, IS = {}, IS= {}, IS = {}, and IS = {}. Clusters 301 and 302 illustrate the initial clusters of the attributes (represented by vertices) based on which global attribute they match to (by intra-site matching), and the edges between pairs of attributes indicate that the attributes match (by inter-site matching). In the initial state, is wrongly matched to the Publisher global attribute and also wrongly matched to while it has been correctly matched to three other attributes in the Author category. Therefore, the schema matching system moves to decrease the number of edges across clusters from 3 to 1. The move corrects the matching attribute of from the Publisher to the Author global attribute. After the move, the schema matching system removes the edge between and and adds a new edge between and (the attribute of site 2 that is matched to the Author global attribute). Clusters 311 and 312 represent the corrected correspondences.
Global Viewing of Heterogeneous Data Sources.
Global schemas, interface schemas, and result schemas can be identified using various techniques. Some techniques for identifying global schemas rely on the names of the attributes and the structure of elements. (See S. Castano, V. Antonellis, and S. Vimercati. IEEE Trans. Data and Knowledge Eng., vol. 13, no. 2, 2001; and B. He, and C.C. Chang. Statistical Schema Matching across Web Query Interfaces. Proc. ACM SIGMOD Conf., 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference.) Other techniques rely on formal ontologies. (See B. He, and C.C. Chang. Statistical Schema Matching across Web Query Interfaces. Proc. ACM SIGMOD Conf., 2003; and F. Hakimpour, and A. Geppert. Global Schema Generation Using Formal Ontologies. Proc. 21st Conf. on Conceptual Modeling, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference.) The sample global attribute values can be collected from various sample web databases or generated manually. The interface schema of a web database can be identified from input-related tags of the query web page as defined by the HTML specification. Some techniques for identifying a result schema generate wrappers to extract embedded semi-structured data content from dynamic template-generated web pages. (See A. Arasu, and H. Garcia-Molina. Extracting Structured Data from Web Pages. Proc. ACM SIGMOD Conf., 2003; C.H. Chang, and S.C. Lui. IEPAD: Information Extraction based on Pattern Discovery. Proc, 10th World Wide Web Conf., 681-688, 2001; V. Crescenzi, G. Mecca and P. Merialdo. ROADRUNNER: Towards Automatic Data Extraction from Large Web Sites. Proc. 27th VLDB. Conf., 109-118, 2001; and J. Wang and F. Lochovsky. Data Extraction and Label Assignment for Web Databases. Proc. 12th World Wide Web Conf., 187-196, 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference.) One technique generates a regular-expression wrapper based on nested repeated-pattern discovery in HTML pages. (See J. Wang and F. Lochovsky. Data Extraction and Label Assignment for Web Databases. Proc. 12th World Wide Web Conf., 187-196, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.) One skilled in the art would appreciate that each of these schemas could also be identified manually or by a combination of manual and automated means.
Figure 4 is a block diagram that illustrates components of the schema matching system in one embodiment. The schema matching system 410 connects to a various web database site 401 via a communications link 402. The schema matching system includes a match intra-site component 411, a match inter-site component 412, a cross-validate component 413, a generate cube component 414, a project cube component 415, a calculate EMI component 416, and a generate match matrix component 417. The schema matching system also includes a cube store 421, a projection store 422, an EMI store 423, and a match store 424. The match intra-site component invokes the generate cube component to generate an occurrence cube and invokes the project cube component to generate the global-to-interface, global-to-result, and interface-to-result occurrence matrices. The match intra-site component also invokes the calculate EMI component to calculate the estimated mutual information based on occurrence matrices and invokes the generate match matrix to identify which pairs of attributes match. The match inter-site component uses the occurrence matrices to calculate the estimated vector similarity and invokes the generate match matrix to identify matches. The cross-validate component changes the matching for attributes that appear to be incorrectly matched. The cube store contains the occurrence cubes, the projection store contains the occurrence matrices, the EMI store contains the EMI matrices, and the match store contains the match matrices.
The computing device on which the schema matching system is implemented may include a central processing unit, memory, input devices (e.g., keyboard and pointing devices), output devices (e.g., display devices), and storage devices (e.g., disk drives). The memory and storage devices are computer-readable media that may contain instructions that implement the schema matching system. In addition, the data structures and message structures may be stored or transmitted via a data transmission medium, such as a signal on a communications link. Various communications links may be used, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or a point-to-point dial-up connection.
The schema matching system may be implemented in various operating environments that include personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The schema matching system may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.
Figure 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the match intra-site component in one embodiment. The component identifies the global-to-interface, global-to-result, and interface-to-result correspondences for a web database. In block 501, the component invokes the generate cube component to generate the occurrence cube. In blocks 502-506, the component loops selecting pairs of the schemas (i.e., global and interface, global and result, and interface and result) and generates a match matrix representing the correspondence of each pair. In block 502, the component selects the next pair of schemas. In decision block 503, if all the pairs of schemas have already been selected, the component completes, else the component continues at block 504. In block 504, the component invokes the project cube component to generate the occurrence matrix for the selected pair of schemas. In block 505, the component invokes the calculate EMI component to estimate the mutual information between pairs of attributes of the selected pair of schemas. In block 506, the component invokes the generate match matrix component to generate the match matrix indicating the attribute correspondences for the selected pair of schemas. The component then loops to block 502 to select the next pair of schemas.
Figure 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the generate cube component in one embodiment. The component generates an occurrence cure for a web database based on the global schema, interface schema, and result schema. An occurrence cube is a three-dimensional matrix that maps each combination of global attribute, interface attribute, and result attribute to a count. The count is the number of times that a result entry for a query with that interface attribute set to a global attribute value of that global attribute had that global attribute value in that result attribute. In block 601, the component selects the next global attribute. In decision block 602, if all the global attributes have already been selected, then the component returns, else the component continues at block 603. In block 603, the component selects the next global attribute value for the selected global attribute. In decision block 604, if all the global attribute values for the selected global attribute have already been selected, then the component loops to block 601 to select the next global attribute, else the component continues at block 605. In blocks 605-609, the component loops selecting each interface attribute and submitting a query with that interface attribute set to the selected global attribute values. One skilled, in the art will appreciate that the domain of values for some interface attributes may be limited. For example, if an interface attribute is represented by an HTML SELECT element, then the domain of its values may be limited to the values in the associated OPTION element. In such a case, the component may only submit queries for global attribute values that are "similar" to an option value. A global attribute value may be considered similar if it contains an option value. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other measures of similarity may be used. The queries for CHECKBOX and RADIOBOX elements can be handled in a similar manner. Since the domain of values for a TEXTBOX may be unknown, the component may exhaustively submit queries using all global attribute values for an interface attribute represented by a TEXTBOX. In one embodiment, the component sets the value for only one interface attribute for each query. The values of other interface attributes may have a default value as defined by the web site. In block 605, the component selects the next interface attribute. In decision block 606, if all the interface attributes have already been selected, the component loops to block 603 to select the next global attribute value for the selected global attribute. In block 607, the component formulates a query using the selected interface attribute and the selected global attribute value. In block 608, the component submits the formulated query to the web site. In block 609, the component updates the occurrence cube based on the result of the query and then loops to block 605 to select the next interface attribute.
Figure 7 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the update cube component in one embodiment The component is passed an indication of a global attribute, a global attribute value, and an interface attribute and a query result. In block 701, the component selects the next entry or row of the result. In decision block 702, if all the entries of the result have already been selected, then the component returns, else the component continues at block 703. In block 703, the component selects the next result attribute or column. In decision block 704, if all the result attributes have already been selected, then the component loops to block 701 to select the next entry of the result, else the component continues at block 705. In block 705, if the global attribute value is equal to the value of the selected result attribute of the selected entry, then the component continues at block 706, else the component loops to block 703 to select the next result attribute of the selected entry. In block 706, the component increments the count within the occurrence cube for the passed global attribute, passed interface attribute, and selected result attribute. The component then loops to block 703 to select the next result attribute of the selected entry.
Figure 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the project cube component in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the component generates the occurrence matrix for the global-to-interface correspondence. The schema matching system may generate occurrence matrices for the global-to-result correspondence and the interface-to-result correspondence in a similar manner. In this embodiment, the component sums the counts of the result attributes for a global attribute and interface attribute pair to project the three dimensions of the occurrence cube into the two dimensions of the correspondence matrix. One skilled in the art will appreciate that projections techniques other than a straightforward summation can be used. For example, the component may use a weighted summation where the weight is based on a confidence derived during the automatic identification of the result schema. In block 801, the component selects the next global attribute. In decision block 802, if all the global attributes have already been selected, then the component returns, else the component continues at block 803. In block 803, the component selects the next interface attribute. In decision block 804, if all the interface attributes have already been selected, then the component loops to block 801 to select the next global attribute, else the component continues at block 805. In block 805, the component selects the next result attribute. In decision block 806, if all the result attributes have already been selected, then the component loops to block 803 to select the next interface attribute, else the component continues at block 807. In block 807, the component increments the count in the occurrence matrix for the selected interface attribute and global attribute by the count from the occurrence cube for the selected global attribute, interface attribute, and result attribute. The component then loops to block 805 to select the next result attribute.
Figure 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the calculate EMI component in one embodiment. This component uses the Equation 1 to estimate the mutual information for pairs of attributes in an occurrence matrix. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques may be used to estimate a likelihood that pairs of attributes match. The component is passed an occurrence matrix and returns an EMI matrix. In block 901, the component calculates the sum of all counts within the occurrence matrix. In block 902, the component calculates the sum of the counts within each row of the occurrence matrix. In block 903, the component calculates the sum of the counts within each column of the occurrence matrix. In blocks 904-908, the component loops selecting each pair of attributes of the occurrence matrix and determines a likelihood that the attributes match. In block 904, the component selects the next row of the occurrence matrix. In decision block 905, if all the rows of the occurrence matrix have already been selected, the component returns, else the component continues at block 906. In block 906, the component selects the next column of the occurrence matrix. In decision block 907, if all the columns of the occurrence matrix have already been selected, then the component loops to block 904 to select the next row of the occurrence matrix, else the component continues at block 908. In block 908, the component calculates the estimated mutual information for the attributes represented by the selected row and column. The component then loops to block 906 to select the next column.
Figure 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the generate match matrix component in one embodiment. The component is passed a matrix, such as an EMI matrix, that indicates the likelihood that pairs of attributes match. If a likelihood for a pair of attributes is the highest likelihood for both attributes (e.g., the highest in the row representing one attribute and the highest in the column representing the other attribute), the component finds that the attributes match. In block 1001, the component selects the next row of the passed matrix. In decision block 1002, if all the rows of the passed matrix have already been selected, then the component returns, else component continues at block 1003. In block 1003, the component selects the next column of the passed matrix. In decision block 1004, if all the columns of the passed matrix have already been selected, then the component loops to block 1001 to select the next row of the passed matrix, else the component continues at block 1005. In decision block 1005, if the value of the selected row and column is the highest within that row, then the component continues at block 1006, else the component loops to block 1003 to select the next column. In decision block 1006, if the value of the selected row and column is the highest within that column, then the component continues at block 1007, else the component loops to block 1003 to select the next column. In block 1007, the component sets the value of the match matrix for the selected row and column to indicate a match and then loops to block 1003 to select the next column of the selected row.
Figure 11 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the match inter-site component in one embodiment. The component identifies which attributes (interface and result) of one web site match which attributes of another web site. The component uses the occurrence matrix of the global-to-interface correspondence of the web sites to identify the matches for the interface schemas and the occurrence matrix of the global-to-result correspondence of the web sites to identify the matches for the result schemas. In block 1101, the component invokes the generate cube component to generate the occurrence cube for site A. In block 1102, the component invokes the project cube component to generate the occurrence matrices for site A. In block 1103, the component invokes the generate cube component to generate the occurrence cube for site B. In block 1104, the component invokes the project cube component to generate the occurrence matrices for site B. In block 1105, the component invokes a calculate estimated vector similarity component for the interface attributes to generate a likelihood that pairs of interface attributes from site A and site B match. One skilled in the art will appreciate that many different techniques may be used to estimate this likelihood and that vector similarity is just one example. In block 1106, the component invokes the generate match matrix component passing the estimated vector similarity matrix for the interface attributes to generate a matrix indicating which pairs of interface attributes match. In block 1107, the component invokes a calculate estimated vector similarity component to generate the estimated vector similarity matrix for the result attributes. In block 1108, the component invokes a generate match matrix component to generate a matrix indicating which pairs of result attributes match. The component then completes.
Figure 12 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the calculate estimated vector similarity component in one embodiment. The component is passed an occurrence matrix for an interface-to-interface correspondence or a result-to-result correspondence and determines the likelihood that each pair of attributes matches. In block 1201, the component selects the next attribute of site A. In decision block 1202, if all the attributes of site A have already been selected, then the component returns, else the component continues at block 1203. In block 1203, the component selects the next attribute of site B. In decision block 1204, if all the attributes of site B have already been selected, then the component loops to block 1201 to select the next attribute of site A, else the component continues at block 1205. In block 1205, the component calculates the estimated vector similarity for the selected attributes according to Equation 3 and then loops to block 1203 to select the next attribute of site B.
Figure 13 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing of the cross-validate component in one embodiment. When the inter-site matches indicate that an intra-site match is incorrect, the component changes the matches of the attributes. In block 1301, the component selects the next global attribute. In decision block 1302, if all the global attributes have already been selected, then the component completes, else the component continues at block 1303. In block 1303, the component selects the next web site. In decision block 1304, if all the web sites have already been selected, then the component loops to block 1301 to select the next global attribute, else the component continues at block 1305. In decision block 1305, if the selected web site has an attribute that matches the selected global attribute, then the component continues at block 1306, else the component loops to block 1303 to select the next web site. In decision block 1306, if the selected attribute should be moved to another global attribute, then the component continues at block 1307, else the component loops to block 1303 to select the next web site. In block 1307, the component changes the selected attribute to match to a different global attribute. In block 1308, the component changes the selected attribute's intra-site matches. The component then loops to block 1303 to select the next web site.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that although specific embodiments of the schema matching system have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except by the appended claims. | |
This is on the Bruce Trail, out near Hamilton. We are doing a car shuffle, so a few extra cars will be appreciated.
Take the next exit, north on Highway 6.
About two kilometers later, at the first set of traffic lights, turn right onto Highway 5, Dundas Street.
Drive east thru most of town and turn right, south, on Mill Street.
At bottom of the hill turn right into the parking lot. It is just past the overhead train track bridge.
We will start the car shuttle about 11:30. Please go Waterdown first. We need the cars for the shuttle.
Turn left, north, out of the parking lot.
Turn left, west, at Highway 5.
Turn left, south, at Highway 6.
Take the first exit onto York Road, and turn right, southwest.
The parking lot is about two kilometers from Highway 6, down York Road. It is on the right, and is not marked. You will pass Old Guelph Road and Valley Road on the way. If you get to the railroad overpass you have gone too far. This is the same parking lot as last spring's Royal Botanical Gardens Hike.
We will hike north on the side trails to the main Bruce Trail. Then we will turn right and take the trail to Waterdown. It is only about ten kilometers, but is very hilly. The gorge at the end is spectacular. Also, the Highway 6 road detour has been eliminated by a tunnel. | http://hphc.ca/Waterdown4.html |
Status: 10/29/2021 8:14 a.m.
In the Corona crisis, many could barely spend their money. Since then, there has been even more in non-interest-bearing current accounts – which leads to high losses when prices rise. There is no shortage of alternatives.
The total wealth of German households is racing from record to record. In July it exceeded the gigantic seven trillion euros threshold for the first time, according to calculations by the Bundesbank. Nevertheless, many people find it increasingly difficult to increase their savings. Because many consumers have been stashing more money in their current accounts and in low-interest savings accounts since the Corona crisis, their assets are steadily losing value. This is especially true in times of rising inflation.
According to calculations by DZ Bank, deposits, bonds and insurance will be devalued by an average of 2.3 percent this year. The resulting loss of purchasing power in private financial assets is likely to amount to 116 billion euros. That is around 1,400 euros per person, says Michael Stappel, chief economist at DZ Bank and author of a study on the savings behavior of Germans.
Passbook is still very popular
The reason for the high losses in value is the fact that many people still invest their savings predominantly in current accounts and / or traditional savings accounts. In a Postbank survey, both are more popular than they have been in ten years. According to this, 62.5 percent of savers are currently parking money in the non-interest-bearing checking account. Ten years ago it was only 38.2 percent. Almost every second saver also uses a classic savings account, which is also a high.
According to the survey, the popularity of overnight money accounts has also increased, although more and more credit institutions are charging penalty interest for higher amounts. Postbank has found that 30 percent of German savers prefer to store their money at home, a good ten percent more than last year.
Losses from inflation
A Yougov survey on behalf of the comparison portal Check24 also came to the result that in the course of the pandemic, above all the investments in the current account and the bunkering of cash increased – also for larger sums, especially since trips have been canceled, restaurants and retailers close for months had to. According to the survey, a third of German citizens have more than 5000 euros in their current account or keep it at home in the form of cash. With four percent it is even more than 50,000 euros.
According to calculations by DZ Bank, 28 percent of the total financial assets of private households are in sight deposits such as current accounts and in the form of cash. “This means that the investment backlog has reached a record this year,” says economist Stappel. It is apparently not clear to many people that their financial assets stored in this way are losing value at a rate of inflation of currently 4.5 percent. “Every third saver does not even know this connection,” says Karsten Rusch, an expert on securities at Postbank.
Increased interest in securities
On the other hand, a rethink seems to be taking place. Even if many Germans are still very risk averse when it comes to their investments, awareness of stocks has increased during the pandemic. In the first half of 2021, according to the DZ-Bank study, private households invested more than double what they spent on stocks and funds in an average pre-crisis half-year. “It is still too early to speak of a new equity culture, but there is a hype surrounding securities. Almost nine percent of financial assets are now in shares,” explains Michael Stappel.
This statement is also confirmed by the Postbank survey. According to this, 31 percent of those surveyed stated that they also rely on securities when saving. In a similar survey in 2011, this proportion was 17.3 percent. Last year it was 29.9 percent. Nevertheless, the share of securities savings in this country is still significantly below the level in most of the neighboring countries or the USA.
It doesn’t work without stocks and funds
“In the current environment of low interest rates, you can’t avoid investing in stocks and funds if you want to compensate for inflation,” says Postbank expert Rusch. DZ Bank economist Stappel expresses himself similarly. Because the compound interest effect has largely disappeared and inflation is picking up again, private households would have to set aside more in order to achieve their savings targets, according to the expert. Private investors are all the more forced to open up to alternative investments with higher potential returns. In plain language, this means: if you want to achieve a return above inflation, you have to take higher risks – that is, invest your savings in listed securities.
DZ Bank does not expect inflation to decline until next year at the earliest – to 2.2 percent. Because interest rates are expected to remain unchanged, there is a so-called negative real interest rate. The savings on sight and call money accounts lose value again. This form of saving is therefore hardly suitable for long-term asset accumulation, for example for old-age provision. Banks and, in the meantime, even savings banks are therefore recommending increasing the use of securities. But politics must finally react, according to DZ Bank, which like many others is in favor of reforming state-subsidized and funded old-age provision, i.e. the Riester pension.
ETF vouchers at the supermarket checkout
Some banks are now taking unusual approaches to take away people’s fear of the capital market and lower their inhibitions. The Berlin Quirin Bank, for example, with its subsidiary quirion, offers voucher cards for stock market index-based asset management – at the tills of the Edeka supermarkets. The cards with a balance of 25 euros, 50 euros or 100 euros are activated at the supermarket checkout and can then be redeemed online. The bank wants to “reach those who have not yet dealt with investing in the capital market”. | https://gounna.com/2021/10/29/inflation-and-zero-interest-rates-savers-lose-billions-of-dollars/ |
New User? Start here.
Error goes here
Provide an executive summary of your company’s background relating to business structure,
operations, services and all other business activities that are conducted, etc.
Part A2 (10 marks)
Use the annual report for the year ending 2013 & 2014. Your group will need to review the
major sections of this report in order to familiarize yourselves with the content of each of the
financial statements and appropriate notes to the financial statements.
Review the balance sheet of the company and indicate the amount of the following:
a) Total current assets
b) Total non-current assets
c) Total current liabilities
d) Total non-current liabilities
e) Total stockholder’s equity
Compare the above figures with the previous year and compute the percentage increase or
decrease and comment on the comparative financial condition of the company.
Part A3 (10 marks)
Review the income statement and indicate the following:
a) Total (operating) revenues
b) Cost of Goods Sold (if relevant)
c) Total expenses (before income taxes)
d) Any non-operating (or extraordinary) gains and losses
e) Earnings per common share
decrease and comment on the comparative financial operation of the company.
Part A4 (10 marks)
Review the statement of cash flows for the most recent year and indicate the
following:
a) net cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities
b) net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities
c) net cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities
d) net increase (decrease) in cash during the year
Analyse the Cash Flow Statements for the last 2 years and comment on the cash
position of the company.
Part A5 (10 marks)
Review the stockholders' equity section in your chosen company's most recent year-end
balance sheet and compare that with the previous year-end balance sheet. Compare percentage
increase or decrease.
List the stockholders' equity account balances and number of outstanding shares
from these two balance sheets and compute the increase or decrease for each
during this past year.
Hi I got this assignment good marks thanks for your help . I got 8/10 which is good marks . Thanks
With a pool of 3000+ homework helper, MyAssignmenthelp.com has been successfully providing homework help services for over a decade now. We have become the best homework solver online with years of experience in academic writing. Our experts have played a vital role behind our overwhelming success. Their knowledge and commitment to provide high quality homework assistance has gained us the status of best homework help provider in this industry. Our services have satisfied the needs of many students so far who often search can someone write my homework online.
We Will Use Your Email For :
Are you confident that you will achieve the grade? Our best Expert will help you improve your grade
FY026 Preparing For Success At University Knowledge And Creativity
401080 Research Protocol Design And Practice
SPE211 Foundations In Social Policy
SAP101 Australian Society, Systems And Policies
101644 Community Management And Organisations
CMST100 Management
NUR 5701 Political Philosophy And Social Change
PHIL 4525 Virtual Ethics
HSV 585 Human Service
HSCO506 Discussion Thread: Guidelines For Using Prayer
Just refer 5 friends to earn more than $2000.
33845 Genuine Reviews With a Rating of 4.9/5.
Assignment: 8 Pages, Deadline:
8 days
Passed my subject because of you. Thank you........................................................................
User ID: 2***76 Sydney, Australia
Essay: 1 Page, Deadline:
17 days
Instructors comments on marking :
The depression rate has been increased by 31% among teenagers in America as a consequence of the excessive us ...
User ID: 6***41 Campbell River, Canada
Assignment: 0 Pages, Deadline:
4 days
Grate job on my assignment. I got a 100 on it. thank you. I have two questions? 1)Whats The distance from Clarksville,TN to Dayton, Ohio? What's the ...
User ID: 7***74 United States
Essay: 5 Pages, Deadline:
6 days
Great job by an incredible organization that truly goes above and beyond to assist in any matter. I truly thank you again for your help.
User ID: 5***89 Hillsborough, United States
Programming: 4 Pages, Deadline:
30 days
Very Good Team and they attend to you whenever u need them and make all the changes required as soon as possible.
User ID: 6***7 Brisbane, Australia
Assignment: 4 Pages, Deadline:
16 days
This was short assignment but i was satisfied with the work. I got good grades and passed the assignment. The assignment was overall good. I ordered i ...
User ID: 6***34 Canada
Essay: 4 Pages, Deadline:
6 days
the revised version of the assignment was ok, based on the feedback for all the parts.
User ID: 5***77 Australia
Home Work: 4 Pages, Deadline:
4 days
My assignment always done on time sometime before the given time. MY ASSIGNMENT team is very responsive.
User ID: 4***34 United States
Assignment: 4.8 Pages, Deadline:
5 days
My Assignment was done very good. Good work and it was delivered on time. Very responsive.
Thesis: 6 Pages, Deadline:
9 days
YOU WORKED HARD ON THIS ASSIGNMENT AND DID EXACTLY WHAT WAS ASKED. THANKS, AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO DO WELL ON THE NEXT WORK.
User ID: 4***64 United States
It is too easy to create or access your own library, just enter your email and make your search
easy.
MyAssignmenthelp.com stores a huge
COLLECTION OF QUESTIONS AND SAMPLES, which you can refer to any time you want.
Every time you find something useful, you can save that using the bookmark tool. From the next time,
you
can access that from your personalized library.
With this feature, you get to create your own collection of documents. You get free
access to
choose and bookmark any document you wish.
Accessing the collection of documents is absolutely easy. Once you bookmark a sample,
you can
access its content with a few clicks on your mouse.
This personalized library allows you to get faster access to the necessary documents.
You no
longer need to spend hours to locate the sample you need.
Finding a sample from a list of thousands is nothing less than spotting a needle in a
haystack.
Personalizing your own library relieves you from that stress.
On APP - grab it while it lasts!
*Offer eligible for first 3 orders ordered through app!
ONLINE TO HELP YOU 24X7
OR GET MONEY BACK!
OUT OF 33845 REVIEWS
Received my assignment before my deadline request, paper was well written. Highly
recommend. | https://myassignmenthelp.com/answers/hi5001-accounting-for-business-decision-provide-an-executive-summary-of-your-comp.html |
Since Harambe, a 17-year-old silverback gorilla was shot dead at Cincinnati Zoo after a 4-year-old kid managed to get into his enclosure, many people were arguing that there was no need to kill the animal, claiming that he was actually trying to take care of the boy. However, Amanda O’Donoughue, a former zookeeper, has a whole different opinion which she expressed on a Facebook post a few days ago.
More info: Facebook
“An adult male silver back gorilla has one job, to protect his group”
“Now Gorillas are considered ‘gentle giants’ at least when compared with their more aggressive cousins the chimpanzee, but a 400+ pound male in his prime is as strong as roughly 10 adult humans. What can you bench press? OK, now multiply that number by ten. An adult male silverback gorilla has one job, to protect his group. He does this by bluffing or intimidating anything that he feels threatened by.”
Image credits: Amanda O’Donoughue
The scene of Harambe with the kid is “pretty much the stuff of any keeper’s nightmares”
“I have watched this video over again, and with the Harambe’s posturing, and tight lips, it’s pretty much the stuff of any keeper’s nightmares, and I have had MANY while working with them. This job is not for the complacent. Gorillas are kind, curious, and sometimes silly, but they are also very large, very strong animals. I always brought my OCD to work with me. checking and rechecking locks to make sure the animals under my care and I remained separated before entering to clean.”
Harambe wasn’t trying to protect the kid – he used him to intimidate people
“I keep hearing that the Gorilla was trying to protect the boy. I do not find this to be true. Harambe the Gorilla reaches for the boy’s hands and arms, but only to position the child better for his own displaying purposes. Males do very elaborate displays when highly agitated, slamming and dragging things about. Typically they would drag large branches, barrels and heavy weighted balls around to make as much noise as possible. Not in an effort to hurt anyone or anything (usually) but just to intimidate. It was clear to me that he was reacting to the screams coming from the gathering crowd.”
Image credits: Courtesy Cincinnati Zoo
Why tranquillizers weren’t an option
“They didn’t use Tranquilizers for a few reasons, A. Harambe would’ve taken too long to become immobilized, and could have really injured the child in the process as the drugs used may not work quickly enough depending on the stress of the situation and the dose B. Harambe would’ve have drowned in the moat if immobilized in the water, and possibly fallen on the boy trapping him and drowning him as well.”
Image credits: William Philpott
“I can’t point fingers at anyone in Harambe’s death, but we need to really evaluate the safety of the animal enclosures from the visitor side…I know one thing for sure, those keepers lost a beautiful, and I mean gorgeous silverback and friend. I feel their loss with them this week. As educators and conservators of endangered species, all we can do is shine a light on the beauty and majesty of these animals in hopes to spark a love and a need to keep them from vanishing from our planet. Child killers, they are not. It’s unfortunate for the conservation of the species, and the loss of revenue a beautiful zoo such as Cinci will lose.”
| |
Students investigate the distance a toy car will travel by changing the slope of a ramp.
The suggested time for this activity is approximately 1 hour.
Context
Students discuss that a force can be defined as a push, a pull or a twist and that forces effect the movement of objects. Students investigate a range of factors that will affect the movement of objects.
Outcomes
Skills
Knowledge and understanding
Resources
- A variety of toy cars (those with pre-made ramps would be ideal)
- Lengths of cardboard, wood or plastic in order to make ramps
- Duct tape or masking tape to make strong ramps or to attach the ramp
- Materials to be used for either informal or formal measurement
Work, health and safety
Check relevant Work, health and safety guidelines.
Evidence of work for assessment purposes
- Labelled drawing or photo of the experimental set up
- A description of how the slope of the ramp was changed in the course of the experiment
- Table of results showing distances travelled by the car
STEM teaching and learning activities
- Students explore different ways of making a ramp that their toy car can travel along.
- Students explore ways to increase and decrease the slope of the ramp.
- Students predict the effect that the slope of the ramp will have on the distance travelled by the car.
- Students design and make a ramp that will enable them to carry out the investigation.
- Students determine how to measure the distance the car travels.
- Review the use of a table to record results. See Constructing and using tables.
- Students carry out the experiment, gather and record data.
- Students compare their data with that gathered by other groups and discuss the possible reasons for variation.
- Teacher leads a discussion to determine whether these variations are significant in terms of the reliability of the results.
Vocabulary list
Ramp – a surface connecting two different levels
Slope – the steepness or angle of the ramp
Data – facts and figures, collected during an investigation, which can be used to construct a graph and make conclusions
Gravity – a non-contact force that pulls objects towards the centre of the Earth
Key inquiry questions
Where should you set up the ramp?
The ramp should be set up in an area that is long enough to allow room for the car that rolls down the highest ramp to come to a stop on its own. There should be no obstacles in the way. The surface on which the car will travel should be the same all along its path.
How can you increase the slope of the ramp?
If you keep the length of the slope the same, the way to increase the slope is to increase the height/angle of the ramp. This can be done by placing blocks under one side of the ramp. Some students might recognise that they are actually making the shape of a triangle enclosed by the floor/base, the ramp and the height support. This may provide some discussion on different aspects of triangles.
From which point do you measure the distance that the car travels?
In order to compare results, the distance that the car travels must be measured from the same point. The easiest point to start the measurement is the point where the ramp meets the ground. Provided students use the same ramp for all trials, they could measure the distance from the top of the ramp to the point where the car stops.
What does changing the height of the ramp do?
By increasing the slope of the ramp (making it higher), the effect of the force of gravity in the direction of the slope is greater because the pull to the centre of the earth is more direct. One would expect that the steeper the ramp, the further the car will travel. Students will intuitively respond that the car is travelling faster. This is because the effect of the force drawing the car to the centre of the earth is greater.
Note: the force of gravity is the same at all points; it is the effect of the force that changes. The greater the effect of the gravitational force, the more easily the car will overcome the force of friction on the ramp. This means that the car will travel more quickly, build up speed and thus travel for a greater distance once it leaves the ramp.
How does friction affect the movement of the car?
The investigation will work best if the surfaces along which the car travels are smooth (to reduce the effect of friction). The most important consideration is that the surfaces along which the car travels are the same for each trial.
Additional information
The following statement outlines some common preconceived ideas that many students hold, which are scientifically inaccurate and may impede student understanding.
The force of gravity changes as the slope of the ramp increases.
The force of gravity essentially remains the same no matter where on earth you are. The effects of the force of gravity may change, eg we weigh marginally less on the top of Mount Everest than on the equator.
Support materials
- PBS Learning Media: Ramp and Roll
- Ramps – a free online game
Adjustments for the diversity of learnersDoes the mass of the car make a difference to the distance travelled by the car?
Design and make a roller coaster – YouTube video: How roller coasters work
Investigate where ramps are used in your community. Discuss why ramps are useful.
Is there a point where increasing the angle of the ramp will not increase, or even reduce, the distance travelled?
Review
In this STEM activity, your students explored the concepts of forces and motion. These concepts will be further developed through all Stages of Technology and Science including Physics Stage 6. Students form the basis of an understanding of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion.
Students will have designed and carried out an investigation. Recording the results has provided practice in accurate measurement, making tables and recording data. Proficiency in these skills is vital for your students to analyse information and become critical thinkers. | http://syllabus.nesa.nsw.edu.au/stem-support/stem-stage1-activity2/ |
For more than three decades, Addison has hosted one of the nation’s most impressive and unique Independence Day celebrations in the country–Addison Kaboom Town! This annual celebration will return on July 3 after having a virtual event in 2020 due to the pandemic.
In addition to the 25-minute fireworks show, this year's festivities will include the Addison Airport Freedom Flyover which will feature multiple historic plane flyovers, similar to the Salute to Heroes event last May. A townwide party, the fireworks and flyover viewing options include watch parties at many of Addison’s 180+ restaurants or 22 hotels, and a limited-capacity party at Addison Circle Park.
This year, due to limited park capacity, free tickets will be required for entry. Those tickets will be available beginning at 10am on June 21 at AddisonKaboomTown.com, and are expected to sell out quickly. | https://www.dfwworld.org/events?cgid=1&ceid=270019&cerid=0&cdt=7%2F3%2F2021 |
- "Middle" shutter hinges are used with our "L Type" shutter hinges as a middle hinge. They are typically used with taller shutters to keep the shutter in alignment, to help keep the shutter from warping and to give the shutter a more decorative look.
- These shutter hinges are for "inset" shutters. Inset shutters are installed flush with the window frame when in the closed position (covering the window).
- The hinges are available in 3 different offsets (1/2",1-1/2" and 2-1/4") . The offset gives a "throw" which allows the shutter to lay flat against the house when in the open position.
- The "throw" is approximately double the offset. For example a hinge with a 1/2" offset has about 1" of throw.
- Vertical strap measures 1-3/8" wide and 7" tall.
- Shutter may be lifted off of pintles after installation.
- Hinge and pintle are zinc chromate plated for corrosion resistance and then finished in wrought iron black for a traditional look. | https://www.hardwaresource.com/middle-shutter-hinge.html |
Mind and Body
Basketball Researchers Discover "Principal Cause of Arguments in Ballgames"
"It is about time."
In the chaos beneath the basket, determining who last touched a ball careening out of bounds can be the difference between clinching a national title and walking away with second place. Players will swear up and down that the ball definitely deflected off the other person, regardless of what really happened. According to the authors of a study published Wednesday in Science Advances, that disagreement may have deep roots in the brain, touching at how each person experiences reality differently.
In the paper, Ty Tang, a graduate student at Arizona State University, presents evidence that humans are poorly equipped to make impartial judgements due to a phenomenon called “egocentric temporal order bias” or ETO, a new term coined by Tang and psychology professor Michael McBeath, Ph.D. In the world of basketball, ETO works something like this: if two players touch a ball at the same time, each player is biased to believe that they were the ones who touched the ball first. So clearly, the ball that was flung far into the stands came off of the other guy.
"We were just thinking about strange perceptual phenomena that we experience on a daily basis."
Tang tells Inverse that the basketball example crystallizes a key consequence of ETO — two people will have entirely different experiences of the same event, and they are destined to forever disagree because of it, even outside the realm of basketball.
“We were just thinking about strange perceptual phenomena that we experience on a daily basis,” Tang tells Inverse. “It really resonated with me because I have this friend that I play video games with, and he swears on his life that he did something first, and then something else happened. But it always seemed strange to me. Computers don’t have the ability to lie to you about the order of events.”
The Point of Subjective Simultaneity
To test whether humans really do show a bias to believe that their actions come first, Tang had 16 Arizona State students play a timing game. The game itself seems a bit complicated, but the data it yielded illustrated just how powerful this bias is.
In that experiment, Tang strapped a sensor to each student’s left hand and had them sit across from one another at a table with a divider between them. The students then rested both their right and left hands on the table and were given a simple instruction: After the light goes off, tap the sensor on your opponent’s left hand.
The students played 50 rounds of this game, and then they were asked to make a judgement call. Had they managed to tap their opponent’s sensor first, or did their sensor get tapped by their opponent first?
Overwhelmingly, Tang found that all participants were 67 percent more likely to report that they tapped their opponent first. In a followup experiment in which students played against computerized opponents, the same pattern emerged. Students were 75 percent more likely to report that they tapped the computer’s sensor first.
Using that data, Tang calculates that most of us believe that our actions happen exactly 50 milliseconds before someone else’s. That means that when we truly believe that we experience something simultaneously — say we agree that we both touched the basketball at the same time — the other person probably actually beat us to it.
“If someone touches a basketball 50 milliseconds before you, that’s about the point that you feel like it’s simultaneous,” adds Tang.
Where Does ETO Come From?
In the paper, Tang suggest that ETO is actually part of a larger framework of perception called the constructive model of perception. Each day, we’re actively generating our perception of reality using all of our senses. In the basketball example, that means that we’re either using our sense of touch to gauge when we make contact with that loose ball or making a prediction about how soon we’ll encounter it all in the space of that single moment.
"…this external stimulus that you’re not expecting takes an extra little bit of time to register.”
Then, all of a sudden something unexpected happens — another player also reaches for the ball.
“Even if we know that it’s going to happen, we don’t know when it’s going to happen,” says Tang. He supposes that “this external stimulus that you’re not expecting takes an extra little bit of time to register. That’s why we perceive our action as happening first.”
In short, any attempt to figure out who really hit the ball out during a pickup game is probably doomed from the start, and the authors make the case that their findings go a long way to explaining why players will probably never agree.
“Briefly, we have identified what may be a principal cause of arguments in ballgames, and it is about time,” they wrote.
Egocentric temporal order bias will need to be replicated in further studies to determine just how real this phenomenon is. If it holds true, this paper points to a new way of understanding how humans see the world — apparently, with at least a 50 millisecond bias towards our own actions — even outside the realm of basketball.
Abstract: Temporal order judgments can require integration of self-generated action events and external sensory information. We examined whether conscious experience is biased to perceive one’s own action events to occur before simultaneous external events, such as deciding whether you or your opponent last touched a basketball heading out of bounds. Participants made temporal order judgments comparing their own touch to another participant’s touch, a mechanical touch, or an auditory click. In all three manipulations, we find a robust bias to perceive self-generated action events to occur about 50 ms before external sensory events. We denote this bias to perceive self-actions earlier as the “egocentric temporal order” bias. Thus, if two players hit a ball nearly simultaneously, then both will likely have different subjective experiences of who touched last, leading to arguments. | https://nc.inverse.com/article/55209-basketball-conflict-science-perception |
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
EMBODIMENTS
EXAMPLE 1
The current total market value for silver inks is estimated to be approximately $8 billion annually. A current main use for silver inks is for printing conductive lines and interconnects between electric parts in devices. Devices utilizing silver inks include, for example, home appliances, such as in control panels of the home appliances, for example for flat membrane sensors and switches, consumer electronics, computers, cell phones and solar panels.
Fabrication of electronic elements using liquid deposition techniques is of profound interest as such techniques provide potentially low-cost alternatives in applications such as thin film transistors (TFTs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), RFID tags, photovoltaics, and the like. However the deposition and/or patterning of functional electrodes, pixel pads, and conductive traces, lines and tracks which meet the conductivity, processing, and cost requirements for practical applications have been a great challenge.
While the market for silver paste is well established in the above-mentioned applications, there are great opportunities if problems with silver ink were solved, such as low conductivity or high sheet resistance when compared with pure metals, and cost, in view of the rising cost of silver.
Thus, a performance concern with most commercially available conductive inks, for example conductive inks comprised of a conductive flake such as silver, binder and solvent, is that the conductivity is too low when compared with pure metal. For commercial silver ink pastes from suppliers such as DuPont or Henkel, a sheet resistivity of the inks ranges from 12 to 25 mΩ/sq./mil.
Conductive inks with a reduced sheet resistance would be a great enabler for the use of the inks in a wide range of products requiring exceptional conductive interconnections between electronic components, such as sensors, photovoltaic panels, flat OLED lighting and so on. Furthermore, conductive inks with increased conductivity may allow for the printing of thinner lines, therefore reducing materials costs.
There thus remains a need for conductive inks exhibiting improved sheet resistivity and conductivity.
The above and other issues are addressed by the present application, wherein in embodiments, the application relates to a method of forming a printed pattern on a substrate, comprising printing a pattern onto the substrate with a conductive ink comprised of a conductive material, a thermoplastic binder and a solvent, curing the printed, and fusing the printed pattern by feeding the substrate with the printed pattern thereon through a fusing system operated at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 130° C. above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic binder and at least 120° C. at a minimum, a pressure of from about 50 psi to about 1500 psi, and a feed rate through the fusing system of about 1 m/min to about 100 m/min.
Also described herein is a method of forming a printed pattern on a substrate, comprising printing a pattern onto the substrate with a conductive ink comprised of a conductive material, a thermoplastic binder and a solvent, curing the printed pattern, and fusing the printed pattern by feeding the substrate with the printed pattern thereon through a fusing system operated at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 130° C. above a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic binder and at least 120° C. at a minimum, a pressure of from about 50 psi to about 1500 psi, and a feed rate through the fusing system of about 1 m/min to about 100 m/min, wherein the fused printed pattern has a sheet resistivity of 10 mΩ/sq./mil or less.
Further described is a continuous method of forming a printed pattern on a substrate, comprising in a continuous manner, feeding a substrate through a printing apparatus for printing a pattern onto the substrate with a conductive ink, a curing apparatus for curing the printed pattern and a fusing apparatus for fusing the cured printed pattern, wherein the printing comprises printing a pattern onto the substrate, the conductive ink comprising a conductive material, a thermoplastic binder and a solvent, and the fusing comprises fusing the printed pattern by feeding the substrate with the printed pattern thereon through a fusing system operated at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 130° C. above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic binder and at least 120° C. at a minimum, a pressure of from about 50 psi to about 1500 psi, and wherein a feed rate through the continuous method is about 1 m/min to about 100 m/min.
In this specification and the claims that follow, singular forms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural forms unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. All ranges disclosed herein include, unless specifically indicated, all endpoints and intermediate values. In addition, reference may be made to a number of terms that shall be defined as follows:
“Optional” or “optionally” refer, for example, to instances in which subsequently described circumstances may or may not occur, and include instances in which the circumstance occurs and instances in which the circumstance does not occur.
The phrases “one or more” and “at least one” refer, for example, to instances in which one of the subsequently described circumstances occurs, and to instances in which more than one of the subsequently described circumstances occurs.
The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity). When used in the context of a range, the modifier “about” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.”
Described herein is a print process that achieves printed conductive inks with improved sheet resistivity and conductivity, as compared to the same printed conductive inks printed via conventional processes.
In a conventional printing process, a conductive ink is printed, generally via screen printing, to form a desired pattern of the conductive ink upon a substrate. Following the printing of the conductive ink, the printed portion is subjected to a drying or curing process to remove solvent from the ink and solidify the ink upon the substrate. In the present process, it has been found that if the above cured ink is further subjected to an additional fusing step, the sheet resistivity is surprisingly lowered, and the conductivity of the printed ink surprisingly increased, compared to conventional printed inks.
The process herein thus comprises printing a pattern onto a substrate with a conductive ink by a printing process, subjecting the printed pattern of ink to curing, for example at a temperature of from about 120° C. to about 250° C., and for a time sufficient to remove substantially all solvent from the conductive ink, and subjecting the pattern of ink to fusing by feeding the printed pattern through a fusing system operated at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 130° C. above a glass transition temperature (Tg) of a thermoplastic binder of the conductive ink, but at least 120° C. at a minimum, a pressure of from about 50 psi to about 1500 psi, and a feed rate there through of about 1 m/min to about 100 m/min.
As the conductive ink to use in the processes herein, any suitable conductive ink may be used. The conductive ink desirably includes at least a conductive material, a thermoplastic binder and a solvent.
As the conductive material, any material in particulate form may be used, wherein the particle has an average size of from, for example, 0.5 to 15 microns, such as 1 to 10 microns or 2 to 10 microns. While the particle may be of any shape, desirably the conductive material is of a two dimensional shape, such as a flake shape, including rods, cones and plates, or needle shape, and having, for example, an aspect ratio of at least about 3 to 1, such as at least about 5 to 1.
The conductive material may be comprised of any conductive metal or metal alloy material. Suitable conductive materials may include, for example, metals such as at least one selected from gold, silver, nickel, indium, zinc, titanium, copper, chromium, tantalum, tungsten, platinum, palladium, iron, cobalt, and alloys thereof. A combination comprising at least one of the foregoing can be used. The conductive material may also be a base material coated or plated with one or more of the foregoing metals or alloys, for example silver plated copper flakes. For cost, availability and performance reasons, desirable conductive materials comprise silver or silver plated materials.
The conductive material may be present in the conductive paste in an amount of from, for example, about 50 to about 95 weight percent of the ink, such as about 60 to about 90 weight percent or about 70 to about 90 weight percent.
The ink also includes at least one thermoplastic binder. The binder is desirably a material that possesses a reasonably high viscosity to allow the ink to retain the pattern following printing with a Tg that allows the thermoplastic material to be melted or softened, and shear thinned, at reasonable temperatures (lower Tg being desirable for this aspect) yet also allows for the printed ink to be robust (requiring a higher Tg). The binder may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw), as measured by any accepted methodology, of from 10,000 to 600,000 Daltons (Da), such as from about 25,000 to about 250,000 Da or from about 30,000 to about 250,000 Da. The Tg of the binder is from, for example, 55° C. to about 150° C., such as from about 60° C. to about 100° C. or from about 60° C. to about 80° C.
The at least one thermoplastic binder may be any suitable material. Example thermoplastic binder polymers include, for example, polyesters such as terephthalates, terpenes, styrene block copolymers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene copolymer, and styrene-ethylene/propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride terpolymers, ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylmethacrylate, and other poly(alkyl)methacrylates, polyolefins, polybutene, polyamides, and the like and mixtures thereof.
The at least one thermoplastic binder may optionally include functional groups such as hydroxyl group or carboxyl groups, that may assist in the dispersion of the binder in the solvent of the ink and/or the dispersion of the conductive material in the ink.
In embodiments, the binder is a polyvinylbutyral (PVB) terpolymer having the following formula:
1
2
3
wherein Ris a chemical bond, such as a covalent chemical bond, or a divalent hydrocarbon linkage having from about 1 to about 20 carbons, from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms or from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; Rand Rare independently an alkyl group, such as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and heptyl groups, an aromatic group or a substituted aromatic group having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms or from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; x, y and z represent the proportion of the corresponding repeat units respectively expressed as a weight percent, wherein each repeat unit is randomly distributed along polymer chain, and the sum of x, y and z is about 100 weight percent; x is independently from about 3 weight percent to about 50 weight percent, from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent, from about 5 weight percent to about 25 weight percent and from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent; y is independently from about 50 weight percent to about 95 weight percent, from about 60 weight percent to about 95 weight percent, from about 75 weight percent to about 95 weight percent and from about 80 weight percent to about 85 weight percent; z is independently from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent, from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 3 weight percent.
The polyvinylbutyral terpolymer may be derived from a vinyl butyral, a vinyl alcohol and a vinyl acetate, and has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about 10,000 to about 600,000 Da, such as from about 40,000 to about 300,000 Da or from about 40,000 to about 250,000 Da. The Tg of the PVB terpolymer binder is from, for example, about 60° C. to about 100° C., such as from about 60° C. to about 85° C. or from about 62° C. to about 78° C. A representative composition of the polyvinylbutyral terpolymer constitutes, on a weight basis, about 10 to about 25% hydroxyl groups, calculated as polyvinyl alcohol, about 0.1 to about 2.5% acetate groups calculated as polyvinyl acetate, with the balance being vinyl butyral groups.
1
2
3
In embodiments, the PVB terpolymer has Rbeing a bond and x represents the amount of vinyl alcohol units in the terpolymer, Rbeing a 3 carbon atom alkyl group and y represents the amount of vinyl butyral units in the terpolymer, and Rbeing a 1 carbon atom alkyl group and z represents the amount of vinyl acetate units in the copolymer. The PVB terpolymer is a random terpolymer.
The properties of the PVB terpolymer may be adjusted by adjusting the content of the different units making up the terpolymer. For example, by including a greater amount of vinyl acetate units and a lesser amount of vinyl butyral units (less y and more z) can yield a more hydrophobic polymer with higher heat distortion temperature, making it tougher and better adhesive. Also, including lower amounts of vinyl alcohol (hydroxyl) units may broaden the solubility properties.
Examples of polyvinylbutyral terpolymers include, for example, polymers manufactured under the trade name MOWITAL (Kuraray America), S-LEC (Sekisui Chemical Company), BUTVAR (Solutia), and PIOLOFORM (Wacker Chemical Company). The PVB terpolymer may be prepared as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0043512, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In further embodiments, the binder of the ink may include the PVB terpolymer discussed above, and also include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer. The PVP may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from, for example, about 5,000 to about 80,000, such as about 40,000 to about 70,000. Commercial sources for PVP include Aldrich and ISP Corp. (K-30, with a Mw of about 60,000). The glass transition temperature of the PVP may be from, for example, 125° C. to 180° C., such as from about 150° C. to about 170° C.
The PVP, when used with PVB, is added in an amount of from, for example, about 0.1 to about 3 weight percent of the ink composition, such as from about 0.1 to about 1.5 weight percent or from about 0.2 to about 0.8 weight percent. The weight ratio of PVP to PVB is, for example, from about 1:3 to about 1:30, for example from about 1:3 to about 1:25 or from about 1:5 to about 1:20. At a ratio including more PVP than a ratio of PVP to PVB of 1:3, the ink tends to not have a shear thinning profile suitable for application, which is a profile indicating a reduced viscosity upon shear thinning but rapid viscosity recovery following removal of shear thinning forces.
The inclusion of the PVP allows the ratio of overall polymer binder to conductive material to be reduced, and allows the viscosity profile of the ink to be tuned, offering a compromise between shear thinning behavior (better flow during application) and reduced resistivity.
As to the PVB terpolymer and the PVP, the material and amounts of each to use in the binder depends upon the printing procedure used to apply the ink to a substrate. For screen printing, where viscosity recovery is needed following application to the substrate, a weight ratio of PVP to PVB in the range of, for example, about 1:3 to about 1:30, achieves an ink with this property, along with an ink (including the conductive material therein) having a viscosity in the range of from, for example, about 10,000 to about 70,000 cps. For gravure printing, an ink with little to no PVB may be appropriate, because the viscosity recovery property is not required, and lower viscosity inks may be used, for example having a viscosity of 50 to 2,000 cps. For lithographic and flexographic printing, higher viscosities, for example of 50,000 cps or more, are required, and thus little to no PVP should be included in the ink.
The binder of the conductive ink may be present in an amount of less than about 10 weight percent of the ink, such as for example from about 0.1 to about 8 weight percent, or from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent, of the ink.
The binder may be made to have a different Mw and Tg in order to assist in imparting a different viscosity to the ink. Different liquid deposition techniques, for example such as screen printing, offset printing, gravure/flexographic printing and the like, require the use of inks having different viscosity requirements, as discussed above. The viscosity may be measured by a variety of methods, but herein is reported as measured with an Ares G2 (TA Instruments). In addition, use of more binder in the ink, and/or less solvent, may act to increase the viscosity of the ink.
The ink also includes at least one solvent. Any solvent capable of dissolving the polymer binder of the ink may be used. The solvent may be a single solvent or a mixture of solvents that dissolve the thermoplastic binder and that can evaporate following printing while being dried under mild drying conditions such as, for example, about 50° C. to about 250° C. The solvent may be an ester-based solvent, ketone-based solvent, glycol ether-based solvent, aliphatic solvent, aromatic solvent, alcohol-based solvent, ether-based solvent, water and the like, depending on the type of substrate on which the ink is to be applied, the printing method used to print the ink, and the like. Example solvents include, for example, water, n-heptane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane and ethyl cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, methanol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, 3-methoxybutanol, diacetone alcohol, butyl glycol, diols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and hexylene glycol, ether alcohols such as butoxyethanol, propoxypropanol and butyldiglycol, ethers such as ethylene glycol di-C1-C6-alkyl ethers, propylene glycol di-C1-C6-alkyl ethers, diethylene glycol di-C1-C6-alkyl ethers, such as butyl carbitol (diethylene glycol monobutyl ether), and dipropylene glycol di-C1-C6-alkyl ethers, tetrahydrofuran, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, diethyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, 2,4-pentanedione and methoxy hexanone, esters or ether esters such as ethyl ethoxypropionate, methyl glycol acetate, ethyl glycol acetate, butyl glycol acetate, butyl diglycol acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, ethoxypropyl acetate, methoxybutyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, pentyl acetate, hexyl acetate, heptyl acetate, ethylhexyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, propyl propionate, butyl propionate, pentyl propionate, butyl butyrate, diethyl malonate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl succinate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dibutyl phthalate and dibutyl sebacate, terpenes such as α- or β-terpineol, hydrocarbons like kerosene, or any combination thereof.
The solvent may be used in an amount of from about 5 to 50 weight percent of the ink, such as from about 5 to about 35 weight percent or from about 5 to about 25 weight percent. The type and amount of solvent or solvents can be adjusted to optimize printing with the ink for the particular printing method, apparatus speed, and the like.
The conductive inks may contain optional additives such as, for example, a plasticizer, a lubricant, a dispersant, a leveling agent, a defoaming agent, an antistatic agent, an antioxidant and a chelating agent as necessary or desired.
The conductive inks may be made by any suitable method. One example method is to first dissolve the binder(s) in the solvent(s) of the ink, which may be done with the accompanying use of heat and/or stirring. The conductive material may then be added, desirably at a gradual rate of addition to avoid lumping. Heat and/or stirring may again be applied during the addition of the conductive material.
The conductive inks are used to form conductive features on a substrate by printing. The printing may be carried out by depositing the ink on a substrate using any suitable printing technique. The printing of the ink on the substrate can occur either on a substrate or on a substrate already containing layered material, for example, a semiconductor layer and/or an insulating layer.
Printing herein refers to, for example, deposition of the ink composition on the substrate. Printing can also include any coating technique capable of forming the ink into a desired pattern on the substrate. Examples of suitable techniques include, for example, spin coating, blade coating, rod coating, dip coating, lithography or offset printing, gravure, flexography, screen printing, stencil printing, stamping (such as microcontact printing), and the like.
The substrate upon which the conductive ink is deposited may be any suitable substrate, including, for example, silicon, glass plate, plastic film, sheet, fabric, or paper. For structurally flexible devices, plastic substrates, such as for example polyester, polycarbonate, polyimide sheets and the like may be used.
Following printing, the patterned deposited ink is subjected to a curing step. The curing step is a step in which substantially all of the solvent of the ink is removed and the ink is firmly adhered to the substrate. Curing herein does not require a crosslinking or other transformation of the binder, although if a crosslinkable binder is used in the ink it may be crosslinked during the curing step if desired. The curing step is done by subjecting the deposited patterned ink to a temperature of, for example, about 50° C. to about 250° C., such as from about 80° C. to about 220° C. or from about 100° C. to about 210° C. When the curing step is completed, the solvent is essentially evaporated. By removal of substantially all of the solvent is meant that >90% of the solvent is removed from the system. The ink film that remains is essentially only conductive material and binder. The print is not damaged by touching, or in other words is free of tack. The ink film should not offset or transfer onto a different substrate by touching when maintained at a temperature below the Tg of the binder. The length of time for curing may vary, as understood by practitioners in the art, based upon the amount of solvent in the ink, the viscosity of the ink, the method used to form the printed pattern, the temperature used for curing, and the like. For screen printing, the curing may take from, for example, about 5 to about 120 minutes. For offset printing, the curing may take from, for example, 20 seconds to 2 minutes. For gravure and flexographic printing, the curing may take from, for example, 20 seconds to 2 minutes. Longer or shorter times may be used, as necessary.
The heating for curing can be performed in air, in an inert atmosphere, for example, under nitrogen or argon, or in a reducing atmosphere, for example, under nitrogen containing from 1 to about 20 percent by volume hydrogen. The heating can also be performed under normal atmospheric pressure or at a reduced pressure of, for example, from about 1000 mbars to about 0.01 mbars.
As used herein, “heating” encompasses any technique(s) that can impart sufficient energy to the patterned ink to cure the ink. Examples of heating techniques may include thermal heating, infra-red (“IR”) radiation, a laser beam, flash light, microwave radiation, or UV radiation, or a combination thereof.
In the fusing step, the cured patterned ink is subjected to a temperature of 20° C. to 130° C. above the Tg of the binder(s) of the ink, such as 20° C. to 100° C. or 30° C. to 80° C. above the Tg of the binder(s). The fusing should subject the patterned ink to a temperature of at least 120° C., for example to a temperature of at least about 130° C. or at least about 140° C. The fusing temperature is achieved via heating such as discussed above. The inks are thus robust, particularly as compared with commercial conductive inks. The ink, fusing device and process are such that even with these high temperatures for fusing, the conductive paste does not offset (transfer onto the fusing apparatus such as a fuser roll).
In addition to the temperature, the fusing also subjects the cured patterned ink to pressure. The pressure may be from about 50 psi to about 1500 psi, such as about 50 psi to about 1200 psi or from about 100 psi to about 1000 psi. The temperature and pressure is desirably applied by feeding the substrate having the cured patterned ink through one or more sets of fuser rolls maintained at the necessary or desired temperature and nip pressure conditions. The feed rate through the one or more sets of fuser rolls is, for example, about 1 m/min to about 100 m/min, such as about 5 m/min to about 75 m/min or from about 5 m/min to about 60 m/min.
As the fuser rolls, any fuser roll materials may be used. For example, the top roll may be a very hard material such as steel, optionally coated with a release agent to assist in avoiding offset, and the bottom roll may be a softer roll, for example a roll coated with a rubber and the like.
In embodiments, the one of the pair of fuser rolls that contacts the printed ink may be made to include a removable release layer on a surface of the roll, such as an oil or wax, to assist in preventing offset of the printed pattern. Suitable oils are chosen from silicon oils and functionalized silicone oils. Specific examples of suitable silicone oils include, for example, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Suitable functionalized oils are chosen from, for example, amino-functionalized PDMS oils and mercapto-functionalized PDMS oils.
Also, the one of the pair of fuser rolls that contacts the printed film may be made to have a surface, for example as a layer or coating, comprised of a material with good release properties. Suitable surfaces may be made of polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA), poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropyl vinyl ether), fluorinated ethylenepropylene copolymer (FEP), copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, copolymers of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene, and tetrapolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene, and combinations thereof.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
10
20
30
15
10
40
45
10
18
An example process of the application is illustrated in . In , substrate has a conductive paste ink printed thereon in a desired pattern in printing step . The printed paste ink is then cured in curing step , resulting in a cured printed pattern on the substrate . The cured printed pattern on the substrate is then fed to a fusing step . In this step, a pair of heated fuser rolls applying heat and pressure to the substrate having the cured printed pattern thereon. The end product includes substrate with the fused patterned ink thereon.
While the curing and fusing steps are separately described, these steps may be performed simultaneously, for example both being done in conjunction with the fusing step. In other words, the heat applied during the fusing step may also act to cure the printed ink, thereby resulting in process efficiencies. In such embodiments, the curing apparatus is within the fusing apparatus such that the apparatus should be considered one and the same.
The process of forming the patterned ink on a substrate, curing the patterned ink and fusing may be done in an inline continuous manner, or it may be done in discontinuous steps. When the ink is deposited by way of screen printing, the process is typically too time consuming to be done in an inline continuous manner. In screen printing and other discontinuous processes, the cured patterned ink on the substrate may be stored for some time between the curing and the fusing steps. That is, it is not necessary for the fusing to be done in any certain amount of time following the curing. Processes utilizing deposition methods such as offset printing and gravure/flexographic printing are conducive to use with an inline continuous process.
In the inline continuous process, the substrate material, which may be stored in roll or stacked form for easy continuous feeding through the continuous process, is first fed to the printing apparatus where the ink is printed in the predetermined desired pattern onto the substrate. The printed substrate is then continuously progressed from the printing apparatus to a curing station where heat to effect curing is applied. The item is then continuously fed on through to the fusing system where pressure and heat are applied to fuse the ink. As above, the curing and the fusing may optionally be conducted in a single step. The end product may be collected following exit from the fusing system, and subjected to further processing if needed or desired. For example, the end product may be collected on a take up roll, if appropriate, may be cut and collected, and the like. The feed rate of the materials through the process may be set to the needed speed for printing and curing, and may be the same feed rate as discussed above for the fusing feed rate.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
50
52
54
60
70
An example of the inline continuous process is illustrated in . In , printing is first achieved in printing step . For ease of illustration, illustrates two options for continuous printing, even though both options are not present in a same apparatus. In printing option A, the printing is achieved by offset printing . In printing option B, the printing is achieved by flexographic/gravure printing . In both printing options, the resulting substrate with the patterned ink printed thereon proceeds to the curing step and then to the fusing step .
The processes described herein utilize a fusing step that is believed to impart to the patterned ink improved properties such as, for example, improved sheet resistivity and conductivity, and improved surface roughness. While not known with certainty, it is believed that the additional fusing step may improve the characteristics of the printed pattern in several respects as compared to conventionally formed printed patterns. For example, the fused printed pattern exhibits improved conductivity and reduced sheet resistivity without having to materially alter the conductive ink. This may be due to the fusing creating better contact among the conductive materials of the ink, for example by causing the conductive materials to be packed together more densely in the printed pattern and/or by removing air pocket from the printed pattern. Improved conductivity translates into cost savings because the amount of ink required for printing is reduced. Other possible benefits may include (1) a reduced surface roughness, and (2) a better adhesion of the printed pattern to the substrate. Small surface roughness is preferred for printed electronics, especially for multiple layer integration.
The fused printed patterned inks herein exhibit a significantly improved sheet resistance and conductivity compared to the same inks not subjected to the fusing procedure. For example, whereas DuPont 5025 is reported to have a sheet resistance of 12-15 mΩ/sq./mil, the present processes are able to achieve printed inks with a very low sheet resistance, for example of 10 mΩ/sq./mil or less, such as 9 mΩ/sq./mil or less. The sheet resistivities are also significantly improved, for example are decreased by 20% or more, for the same ink not subjected to the fusing procedure.
The resulting elements may be used as electrodes, conductive pads, interconnect, conductive lines, conductive tracks, and the like in electronic devices such as thin film transistors, organic light emitting diodes, RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, photovoltaic, displays, printed antenna and other electronic devices which require conductive elements or components.
The embodiments disclosed herein will now be described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it being understood that these examples are intended to be illustrative only and the embodiments disclosed herein is not intended to be limited to the materials, conditions, or process parameters recited herein. All percentages and parts are by weight unless otherwise indicated.
In this example, two sample inks were prepared using 2 to 5 micron silver flakes, binder and solvent. The two sample inks had the following compositions in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Sample Ink 1
Sample Ink 2
Wt %
m (g)
Wt %
m (g)
Silver flakes (MR-
75.00
650.25
75.00
50.03
10F (Inframat))
Polyvinyl
—
0.375
0.25
pyrrolidone (55K)
Polyvinylbutyral
—
3.370
2.25
(Butvar B-74)
Polyvinylbutyral
3.75
32.51
—
—
(Butvar B-98)
Butyl carbitol
21.25
184.24
21.29
14.20
solvent
TOTAL
100.00
867.00
100.0
66.7
Note:
B-74 has a Mw of 120,000-150,000, and a Tg of 72-78° C. B-98 has a Mw of 40,000-70,000 and a Tg of 72-78° C.
The inks were prepared as follows: to a 250 mL beaker equipped with a stainless steel anchor mixing blade was added a 15 wt % solution of binder in butyl carbitol (amounts as specified in Table 1 for each ink). The mixture was heated to 55° C. with a hotplate and stirred at 500 RPM. Next, the silver flakes were added gradually to the mixture in stages to avoid lumping. The mixture was blended for 1 hour, then passed 3 times through a 3-roll-mill (Erweka model AR 400). The finished ink was isolated and transferred to an amber glass jar.
Sample inks 1 and 2, as well as a commercially available conductive ink (DuPont 5025) were coated by a doctor blade procedure with a gap of 2 mils onto a Mylar substrate. The samples were cured in an oven by heating at 120° C. for 20-30 minutes.
To measure conductivity of the deposited ink, a 2-point probe measurement was performed as follows: lines of about 100 mm length and about 2 mm width were cut into the film to test. Resistance was measured with a multimeter. Thickness of the line coating was measured in several places on the line and an average thickness was calculated. The sheet resistance is given by the following formula:
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><mrow><mi>Sheet</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mi>resistance</mi><mo>[</mo><mfrac><mfrac><mi>Ω</mi><mi>square</mi></mfrac><mi>mil</mi></mfrac><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mrow><mi>Resistance</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mi>Ω</mi><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>*</mo><mrow><mi>Thickness</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mi>mils</mi><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>squares</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mi>number</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mi>dimensionless</mi><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><mi>where</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mtext>:</mtext></mstyle></mrow></math>
<math overflow="scroll"><mrow><mrow><mi>squares</mi><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.8em" height="0.8ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mi>number</mi></mrow><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mi>Lenght</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mi>mm</mi><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>Width</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mi>mm</mi><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></math>
The sheet resistivity is specific to the ink. The lower the sheet resistance value, the better the conductivity. The goal is to minimize sheet resistance.
Samples of the deposited inks were subjected to fusing. Fusing comprised pressing the coated silver ink sample through a set of heated rollers. The rollers were heated at 130° C. for the experiments. The Nip pressure was set to about 1000 psi. The top roll was made of steel while the other roll was rubber coated. In the experiments, the fusing speed was set to 1 meter/minute.
The conductivity of each sample was measured before fusing, and the “Not Fused” value is reported in Table 2. The conductivity of each sample was also measured after fusing, and the sheet resistance value is reported in the “Fused” row of Table 2.
TABLE 2
Avg Sheet
Sheet
Resistance
Thickness
Resistance
(mΩ/square/mil)
L
W
(microns
(mΩ/square/
and % of the
Sample
Repeat #
(mm)
(mm)
(mils))
Squares
mil)
initial value
Sample
Not
1
100
2.0
6.4 (0.26)
50
13
12
Ink 1
Fused
2
100
2.0
6.2 (0.25)
50
10
3
100
2.0
6.4 (0.26)
50
11
Fused
1
100
2.0
6.0 (0.24)
50
8
8 (67%)
2
100
2.0
6.3 (0.25)
50
7
3
100
2.2
6.3 (0.25)
45
9
Sample
Not
1
100
2.0
11.6 (0.46)
50
13
13
Ink 2
Fused
2
100
2.0
11.4 (0.46)
50
12
3
100
2.0
10.6 (0.42)
50
13
Fused
1
100
2.0
11.6 (0.46)
50
8
9 (69%)
2
100
2.0
11.7 (0.47)
50
8
3
100
2.2
11.1 (0.44)
45
9
DuPont
Not
17
5025
Fused
Fused
13 (76%)
With all of the tested inks, including the commercially available ink, the fused pressed sample showed a significant decrease of the sheet resistance after fusing at a temperature in excess of 120° C. This translates into improved conductivity. A decrease by 33% of the initial sheet resistance was measured for the sample ink 1. These changes are significant and consistent for the samples tested. This process allows fabrication of silver coatings having very low sheet resistance, for example of 10 mΩ/sq./mil or less.
Sample ink 2 and the commercially available ink were also subjected to microscopy evaluation before and after fusing. The samples were sliced with a diamond knife and viewed in cross-section via SEM microscopy. The evaluation indicated that neither sample changed in thickness to any significantly measurable extent before and after fusing. For the commercial ink, no detectable change of the flakes packing was observed before and after fusing. For sample ink 2, the cross-sectional views indicated a more dense packing of the silver flakes after fusing than before, resulting in a larger flakes size by fusing.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, and are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a schematic of an example process of the application.
FIG. 2
is a schematic of an example continuous inline process of the application, utilizing either an offset printing process or a flexographic/gravure printing process. | |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/211,968, filed Jun. 16, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pocket-sized game scale and measuring device.
2. Description of Related Art
Hunting and fishing have always been great American past times. originally done as a necessity for food, hunting and fishing have developed into sports that are enjoyed by many Americans. The related art describes a number of devices that can be used to measure the weight and size of captured fish and game.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,962,570 issued to Nelson et al. outlines the use of a device that enables a person to more easily clean and scale fish without having that person's hands smell like fish. The device also has a supplemental spring scale that can accurately weigh a captured fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,907 issued to DePietro et al. outlines the use of a gaming hoist to hang game or other objects. The gaming hoist is portable and can be hung from an existing supporting structure. A winch and cable arrangement is also provided to hoist large gaming animals. No weighing arrangement to determine the weight of an animal being hung by the gaming hoist however, is provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,666 issued to Reder et al. outlines the use of a digital weighing scale that is used to weigh caught fish. The scale includes a Wheatstone Bridge and a strain gauge and is designed to be a portable and battery operated unit. The scale also has selective circuitry for reading the temperature of water. A choice of American or metric units of measure can be selectively utilized.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,174 issued to Letzo outlines the use of a fish scale that is connectable to a fishing rod or safety rail of a boat. The scale is a light-duty fish scale and is not intended for use with large ocean fish. The scale is a coil spring pulltype activated weight scale, which conveniently indicates the weight of small freshwater fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,188 issued to Ewing outlines a fishing rod that also has the capability to weigh and measure fish. The handle of the fishing rod has a calibrated compression spring and hook, which is used to weigh a caught fish, which is attached to the end of the hook. There is also calibrated indicia over the length of the rod which can be used to measure the length of a caught fish.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,999 issued to Yang outlines a portable device that is used to measure the weight of caught fish. A spring scale and hook are utilized to weigh the caught fish. The scale can also be easily calibrated and also includes a compass as part of the device.
Each of the devices described in each of the above patents are useful devices. However, what is really needed and what is not described in the related art is a device that can be used to weigh and measure the size and weight of captured hunting game. A similar device is described in the Ewing patent, but that device is used for measuring and weighing fish and not captured hunting game.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
The invention is a pocket-sized scale and measuring device used to weigh and measure captured small game such as turkey, pheasant, grouse, squirrel, ground hog raccoon, etc. The first embodiment utilizes a digital scale that can weigh a small game animal, while holding the animal with a cable loop and slide lock. A sturdy handle is part of the rectangular thermoplastic housing. The housing also has a picture and listing of some common small game animals. A retractable tape measure is provided to measure the approximate length of a captured small game animal. A portable battery power source is provided. A second embodiment is also described with a spring mechanized scale as well as a cable loop and slide lock, and retractable tape measure.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device that can weigh and measure captured small game animals.
It is another object of the invention to provide a digital scale to weigh small game animals.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device with a sturdy handle to weigh and capture small game animals.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable pocket-sized scale and measuring device to weigh and measure captured small game animals.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an environmental, perspective view of a pocket-sized game scale and measuring device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a frontal perspective view of the first embodiment of a digital pocket-sized game scale and measuring device.
FIG. 3
is a frontal perspective view of the second embodiment of a pocket-sized spring game scale and measuring device.
FIG. 4
is an electrical diagram of a digital pocket-sized game scale and measuring device.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
10
1
The present invention is a pocket-sized game scale and measuring device , as depicted in FIG. .
10
20
10
30
20
40
30
10
10
2
The first embodiment of the pocket-sized game scale and measuring device is comprised of a rectangular thermoplastic housing for holding the components of the device , a weighing means for measuring the weight of a captured game animal, a measuring means for measuring the length of a captured game animal, a handle formed from a corner of the rectangular thermoplastic housing and a picture of a variety of game animals with the name of each game animal placed next to the animal's picture. The handle makes for an easy and stable grip for the device as a captured animal is being weighed. The device is designed to weigh and measure small game animals such as turkey, pheasant, grouse, squirrel, ground hog, coyote and raccoon, as are shown in FIG. .
10
50
60
50
80
50
10
The pocket-sized game scale and measuring device utilizes a weighing means that is in the form of a digital scale with LED display and cable loop with a holding means for holding the captured game animal while being weighed. The LED display can display the weight of the weighed animal in kilograms or pounds, as indicated by the indicator lights underneath the LED display . A toggle switch (not shown) is provided on the side of the device to indicate whether pounds or kilograms are to be displayed.
70
60
82
84
The holding means is a manually adjustable slide lock that is looped around and drawn tightly around the feet of the captured animal for holding the animal while the animal is getting weighed. The cable loop can expand to about 10 inches in diameter and is made of steel cable and can comfortably weigh a small game animal of less than 50 lbs. There is also a cloth loop and “s hook” for hunters without the upper arm strength to hold up the captured game.
10
90
100
90
90
20
90
The device also utilizes a retractable metal tape measure that can be used to measure the length of a small captured game animal. A small metal tab is provided on the end of the retractable tape measure to help measure the length of any small captured game animal. The retractable tape measure can extend up to 36 inches and has a control tab (not shown) on the side of the rectangular thermoplastic housing that can temporarily freeze the length of the retractable tape measure .
10
110
3
60
70
20
30
90
100
The pocket-sized game scale and measuring device has a second embodiment which utilizes a weighing means that is in the form of a spring scale with weight indicia , as shown in FIG. . The holding means for holding the captured game animal while being weighed is the same cable loop and slide lock that is incorporated into the first embodiment of the invention. The rectangular thermoplastic housing , the handle and retractable tape measure and metal tab are also identical to that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4
10
120
10
130
80
50
outlines a basic wiring diagram of the digital embodiment of the device . The scale device is simply the spring scale assembly or digital assembly outlining one of the two embodiments of the device . The first embodiment utilizes a battery as a power source and incorporates the indicator lights and LED display .
60
70
10
90
100
20
Operation of the device is easy. The feet of a small game animal are encircled by the cable loop and slide lock while a user holds the device freely in midair. Both embodiments can accurately weigh a small game animal up to 50 lbs. The retractable tape measure and metal tab can also be used manually to give an approximate length of a small game animal up to 36 inches in length. The rectangular thermoplastic housing is made of sturdy thermoplastic that is well-known to those schooled in the art and is approximately 3″ in width by 4″, in length.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS | |
In total, the Index covers 21 unique indicators, out of which eight have been fully disaggregated by generation, resulting in 44 distinct data points. To be included in the Index an indicator must have available data for at least half of the sample countries. Values for each of the indicators come from publicly available data originally compiled by international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In addition to hard data, the Index uses qualitative survey data from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey.
As many of the concepts measured by the Global Human Capital Index are expressed as percentage rates, final scores can be roughly interpreted as a percentage reflecting the degree of effective human capital utilization in a given country relative to the ideal outcome. For example, the Primary education attainment rate indicator has a logical maximum value of 100% and a higher score reflects a more desirable situation. Conversely, for a number of indicators, such as Underemployment rate, the logical ideal value corresponds to 0%. All rankings on the Global Human Capital Index have been directionally oriented towards a score of 100 as the best possible human capital outcome and performance.
This latest edition of the Global Human Capital Index revises the choice of indicators and construction to improve the Report’s usability for different stakeholders. Country scores and rankings are therefore not strictly comparable to previous editions of the Report. For a detailed explanation of the Index methodology—and of methodology updates relative to previous editions of the Global Human Capital Report—please refer to the Technical Notes available in Appendix B of this Report. | https://reports.weforum.org/global-human-capital-report-2017/index-construction/ |
Kari Tsukumo – 九十九明里
Kari Tsukumo, known as Akari Tsukumo (九十九 明里, Tsukumo Akari) in the manga and Japanese versions, is the older sister of Yuma Tsukumo and daughter of Kazuma Tsukumo and Mira Tsukumo.
She and her brother live with their grandmother Haru. Kari doesn’t let Yuma Duel, according to the manga, Astral thinks it has something to do with the Emperor’s Key. However, Haru seems to allow Yuma to Duel without Kari finding out. In Episode 16, she discovered that Yuma had been Dueling despite her opposition, but apparently does not mind and now permits him to Duel.
Kari can be a tad self-centered at times, occasionally sending others out to find her scoops to make reports on, even if it is dangerous or hazardous. She can also be a tad aggressive, showing to be willing to physically attack Yuma when she caught him dueling.
Despite this, Kari genuinely cares for her little brother, and seems to be rather protective of him. She made a promise to her parents that she would do what she can to take care of Yuma.
In the past, Kari and Yuma were very close and didn’t like the fact that their parents went on so many trips. When her father injured himself during a snowstorm accident, she noticed the pendant in his hand as he was being taken to hospital.
Kari Tsukumo was also very jealous of the attention that Yuma received from their parents as he is the youngest. Her parents notice this and tell her that even though she thinks it, it isn’t true and that they pay more attention to Yuma because he is frail, and that they will rely on Kari to look after Yuma while they go on trips.
While Kari was at high school, she developed a relationship with Charlie McCay, a gambler who was known for being a daredevil. | https://www.yugioh-world.com/anime/character-bios/kari-tsukumo/ |
Service Hours The services shall be provided during the working hours and days as defined by the Contractor.
Shift Hours All shifts assigned by the Employer must conform with the following guidelines:
Summer Hours It is agreed by both parties that the following hours of work and working conditions shall apply to Field employees working outside of the reporting location as per Clause 11.02(a) of the Collective Agreement:
Overtime Hours Except as otherwise provided in this section, all hours worked in excess of the established work day, before or after an employee's regular scheduled shift, or on any regularly scheduled day off, shall be considered overtime. All paid vacation time, paid holidays, paid sick leave, compensatory time off, and paid leaves of absence shall be considered as "time worked" for purposes of this Article. Part-time employees whose established work day is less than eight (8) hours shall not be considered to be working overtime until having completed eight (8) hours of work.
Hours This notice shall include reasons for the introduction of this shift. The Employer and the Union shall meet within fourteen (14) days to discuss the introduction of the shift and the feasibility of available alternatives to same. If there are no mutually acceptable alternatives, then the following shall apply.
Extra Hours For the purpose of Clause 20.13, extra hours means any hours available to be worked in excess of an employee’s regular schedule. The Corporation shall determine the extra hours it requires in each circumstance, and offer such hours to employees working in that Post Office in accordance with the provisions of this Clause.
TEACHING HOURS A. Teachers shall be at their assigned classroom within the building as follows: For the 2020 – 2021 school year: High School: 7:55 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Middle School: 7:50 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. Elementary: 7:45 a.m. – 3:05 p.m. It is agreed that the above times may be changed, by no more than twenty (20) minutes, by the Board upon prior notice to the Association. All teachers shall have a regular workday which will not exceed seven (7) hours forty-five (45) minutes, inclusive of lunch period. All teachers are responsible for the supervision of pupils during the passing of students between classes. In performing this duty teachers shall be stationed in the hallway area near their classrooms or at their classroom door. It is recognized that circumstances may occasionally require the presence of the teacher elsewhere. On days preceding holidays, teachers are free from duty when buses transporting students to their homes leave the building. Adjustments in the teacher workday, beyond those identified above, may be necessary to comply with requirements of the Revised School Code and/or State Aid Act for additional instructional hours to be provided to students in order to assure full receipt of foundation allowances and other appropriations. Implementation of any adjustments not addressed above shall be subject to negotiation between the Board and the Association at that time.
Minimum Hours (a) Where an auxiliary employee is called to work but is informed on arrival at the work site she will not be required to work that shift, the employee is entitled to a minimum of two (2) hours’ pay. Where an auxiliary employee is called to work, begins her duties and is subsequently informed she will not be required to work the full shift, the employee is entitled to a minimum of four (4) hours’ pay.
Consecutive Hours The regular hours of work each day shall be consecutive except that they may be interrupted by unpaid lunch periods. No split shifts will be implemented without the mutual agreement of the Local Union and the Appointing Authority. Each party may cancel such agreement with thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. | https://www.lawinsider.com/clause/one-hour |
Khao Mok Gai, or Thai biriyani chicken and rice, is one of the most popular southern Thai street food dishes. Found in nearly every market in Thailand (not exclusively in the south), this Thai-Muslim street staple is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. Yellow curried rice is served with a juicy and crispy piece of Hat Yai fried chicken and topped with crunchy bits of deep-fried onion.
|Khao Mok Gai - southern Thai-style yellow biriyani rice with fried chicken|
The main feature of the dish, and what makes it so special, is the unique yellow rice, which is cooked and steamed with all sorts of delicious herbs. The most important ingredient is turmeric, which gives the dish its iconic yellow color. Thai yellow curry is one of the least spicy Thai curries, and is distinctly sweet and herbal, with aromas of cardamom, garlic, and turmeric.
|yellow curry biriyani chicken in Hat Yai, Thailand|
The rice is served from a huge pot of steaming biriyani, and is topped with crispy fried chicken right out of the fryer and dripping in oil. Southern Thai chicken is popularly known as the best and most delicious in all of Thailand. It gets its unique and aromatic flavor after marinating overnight in a unique blend of sauces, including just a dash of fish sauce for a special umami flavor.
The dish is not complete without a healthy sprinkle of crispy fried onions on top.
Dietary Notes
☪️ Halal
Price
This is a cheap and popular street food dish, and can generally be found for around 50 THB per serving (about $1.50).
Where to find it
This dish can be found throughout southern Thailand. I bought this dish at the street market in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand. As it is one of the most popular southern Thai street food dishes, it can be found in nearly every market in Thailand, not just in the south. | https://www.theworldofstreetfood.com/2021/11/southern-style-biriyani-chicken-in-hat.html |
# Auray station
Auray (French: Gare d'Auray) is a railway station in Auray, Brittany, France. The station was opened on 21 September 1862 is located at kilometric point (KP) 584.946 on the Savenay–Landerneau railway. The station is also the starting point for the Auray–Quiberon railway and Auray–Pontivy railway. The station was built by the operator of the Paris - Orleans railway line. Today, the station is served by TGV (high speed), Intercités (long distance) and TER (local) services operated by the SNCF. The line to Pontivy was opened in December 1864, and the line to Quiberon was opened in July 1882. The Auray - Pontivy railway line closed to passenger traffic in October 1949, and is now only used to transport freight. The station is 2 km north-west of the centre of Auray.
## Train services
The station is served by high speed trains to Quimper and Paris, and regional trains to Quimper, Vannes, Nantes and Rennes. In summer there is a train service to Quiberon. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auray_railway_station |
Unique seating capacity and well above-average interior space are just two of the many advantages of the new Max range of tenders. Its large diameter buoyancy tube also means maximum comfort and minimum spray. This stable and safe range is especially suited to four-stroke engines.
Large diameter buoyancy tube, wooden bench with new quick release fitting system enabling it to be fitted or removed in a few seconds
Aero floor, Aluminium engine mounting plate
Inflated Keel
Length:
Dimensions: (Metres/Ft-In)
Overall length: 2.40 / 710
Inside length: 1.5 / 411
Overall width: 1.42 / 48
Inside width: 0.7 / 24
Buoyancy tube diameter: 0.36 / 12
Capacity:
Passengers (ISO): 3
Maximum payload (kg / lbs): 250 / 551
Total weight (Kg - lbs): 25/55
Airtight compartments: 2+1+1
Outboard:
Shaft: Short
Max. recommended power (Hp/Kw): 4/3
Max. power allowed (Hp/Kw): 4/3
Max. weight of outboard (Kg - lbs): 27/60
Maximum speed (Km/h - Mph): 8
Folded Length:
(Metres/ft-In)
Folded boat bag (length x width x height): | http://www.bombard-ribs-boats.co.uk/acatalog/Bombard-Max-2-Aero-Max_2_Aero.html |
Does HNS conduct camps year round for boys and girls?
Yes, HNS believes in developing the necessary skills for boys and girls.
What age group attends your camp and how will they be divided?
For camps, we will accept 5 year old to 14 year olds. When youth arrive, we will do an evaluation and divide participants into groups by skill set or ages. If your child can play two levels up, we will place him against the better talent. We will always make sure each child is placed in a situation to learn and succeed.
What is the coach; participant ratio?
Our average camp is six hours long. During those times, we have one counselor: 8 to 12 participants. Participants will be introduced to their counselors at the beginning of camp. Participants will get some background on their counselors past experience in sports and academics. After a short Q & A from the participants, we will move to the next scheduled activity. | http://hoopsnsand.com/camp-faqs/ |
Topplistorna hämtas med hjälp av iTunes.
This week we’re going back to our first interview of 70 Over 70 with Sister Helen Prejean, who has dedicated her life to ending the death penalty in America. Sister Helen’s interview helped set the tone for our show, and as 70 Over 70 comes to an end—yup, we’ve only got a few episodes left—we wanted to revisit this first conversation and share Sister Helen’s thoughts on what it really means to be present, how to show up for others, and why gratitude is so important at any stage of life.
--
Know someone who should be on 70 Over 70? We’re looking for all types of stories and people to feature at the top of the show. To nominate yourself or someone else, email [email protected] or call 302-659-7070 and tell us your name, age, where you’re from and what you want to talk about. | https://poddtoppen.se/podcast/1565264740/70-over-70/revisiting-our-first-episode-with-sister-helen-prejean |
RIVERSIDE, CA - Department heads in Riverside County, Calif., government will no longer be eligible to use county-owned cars for business or pleasure under a policy approved last week by the Board of Supervisors, according to Southwest Riverside News Network.
In a 5-0 vote, the board agreed to change the county's Executive Vehicle Benefit policy so that managers utilize their own automobiles, though they will continue to receive reimbursement from the county for business-related travel.
The change will affect 14 executives, according to county Purchasing & Fleet Services Department chief Bob Howdyshell.
Board members and other elected officials will have the option of continuing to use county-owned vehicles or driving their own, with a monthly stipend of $550 to offset the costs of maintenance and gas.
Elected officials driving their own autos will continue to be reimbursed for mileage at the federally-approved rate of 50 cents per mile, which kicks in after the first 600 miles driven, according to the Department of Human Resources.
The new policy requires detailed record-keeping to distinguish between travel for business and pleasure for tax purposes, county officials said.
A proposal was put forth to increase the monthly stipend to $850 per month, but Supervisor Bob Buster opposed the fatter monthly payout.
"This is another way the top leads the way to restructuring pay and benefits and also reflects what our longer-term financial situation is," the supervisor said.
Supervisors Jeff Stone and John Benoit supported the new policy, while emphasizing their desire to retain county-owned vehicles, citing the thousands of miles they log in county-related travel each month.
Benoit said he would put 7,000 miles on his car this month alone.
"This is an interesting discussion and one that's important to have — trying to reduce the costs of the county," he said. "I'm trying to do all I can in that regard. But there's a lot of travel involved in doing the job I was elected to do."
The new policy will not affect employees who drive county vehicles. A year ago, the number of take-home cars was estimated at 1,000. The latest figures were not immediately available, according to the Southwest Riverside News Network. | https://www.government-fleet.com/71617/riverside-county-department-heads-no-longer-allowed-to-use-county-cars |
Subsets and Splits
No saved queries yet
Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.