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Wondering what to do with Easter lilies after the holiday? With a little care they can be planted outdoors, and thrive.
K-State Research and Extension horticulture expert Ward Upham suggests planting them outside.
“Though lilies are not reliably hardy in Kansas, many gardeners have success if they follow a few simple rules,” Upham said.
Upham’s tips for success include:
- Remove the flower stalk. The lily will use energy to produce seed from the stalk. To keep the lily flourishing, remove its stalk after the flowers have faded.
- Take care of the lily inside until frost has passed. Take care of it as usual. “Keep soil moist but never waterlogged,” Upham said. “Don’t allow water to sit in the tray. Continue to fertilize.”
- Move the pot outside when the weather is warmer. Upham said to sink the pot into the soil until up to its brim. Placing it in dappled shade will reduce the amount of watering required. Continue to water and fertilize the lily. After the top growth has died down, the lily is ready to be fully planted in the ground soil.
- Transplant the lily to a well-dug hole in a sunny location. After choosing a spot that receives enough sunlight, the key to a healthy lily is good drainage. “Till or dig the soil six inches deep and add three inches of peat moss,” Upham said. “Mix the soil and peat moss together. This will form a berm that should drain very well.”
- Plant deep enough. Upham recommends planting the lily bulbs six inches deep and 12-18 inches apart. Water well and add mulch to conserve moisture. New growth may not appear until later in the summer, or the plant may stay dormant until the following spring, so remain patient.
- In the fall, cover the plant for winter. Straw, pine needles, wood chips, or other types of mulch can be spread over the lilies in order to protect it in the cold winter. “Use four inches of straw or three inches of any of the other materials,” Upham said.
- Once spring comes again, uncover the lily and begin care. Once the mulch has been uncovered from the lilies, new growth can emerge. Upham recommends performing a soil test in order to best fertilize your plants.
Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.
Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at [email protected], or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
_ _ _
KSU photo – Easter lilies can be planted outside after the holiday — with a little extra care. | https://www.ksal.com/easter-lilies-can-be-planted-outdoors/ |
The coronavirus COVID-19 crisis highlighted the long-term cracks – mental health of the people as well as lower income households and individuals which the government must address decisively to display the social and psychological resilience of the country, said Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Anthea Ong in Parliament on Monday (6 April).
During the Resilience Budget’s speech, Ms Ong raised her concern that the funding and resources to mental healthcare and support amid COVID-19 pandemic have falling outside from the government allocated budget.
She suggested government to be the ‘pilot’ in offering free mental healthcare consultation for Singaporeans to incentivise help-seeking of mental health and channel more resources to organisations whose provide free counselling services such as Samaritans of Singapore, AWARE, and Silver Ribbon.
She said, “We must enable quality mental healthcare and subsidise fees for individuals whose mental health has suffered due to Covid-19, especially for lower-income households.”
Referring the news of German State Minister’s suicide over COVI-19 related stress, Ms Ong concerned the frontlines that strained during this intense period and urged government to provide the necessary mental healthcare support for all civil servants and healthcare workers.
She proposed the government to appoint relevant experts to involve in the multi-ministry COVID-19 task force to advise on mental health implications and commensurate policy interventions.
“This proposal has been raised by mental health experts themselves,” said Ms Ong, noting that government should work out a budget based on the public health experts’ recommendations on mental health to prevent further public health crisis.
Aware of the COVID-19 crisis that triggered the fears of people, she suggested government to publisize the practical advice on maintaining mental well-being and publish the guidance on supporting employee’s mental health for all employers.
As Minister for Social and Family Development (MSF) Desmond Lee announced on Sunday (5 Apr) to set up National Care hotline to help those who need emotional support during COVID-19 crisis, Ms Ong relieved that government has responding to her call on initiating a national mental hotline for mental support while hoping it can be continue implementing after the crisis.
Resilience Budget is not enough to bail out a low-income household that loses its income, especially for those with several dependents
In light of COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Ong said the lower-income families and individuals will suffer more than most of the people in making ends meet during this unprecedented period.
She noted, “In 2018, about 300,000 residents earned less than $2,000 per month. Household expenses for the average Singaporean household in the lowest income quintile have consistently exceeded income for the past ten years.”
“Unfortunately, the Resilience Budget as announced last week is not enough to bail out a low-income household that loses its income, especially for those with several dependents,” she added.
As such, she urged the government to provide “more assistance, more quickly, and for longer” to support the low income families in coping their precarious situation.
While Ms Ong welcomed the extended period of government support assistance, she pointed out the application process for the assistance is taking time and worried that it will “reach breaking point at crunch time” if there are more applications coming in.
She said the physical crowding to apply for the government funds have to reduce as the country could not afford another risk of COVID-19 clusters in social service offices.
“Given these priorities, we may have to trade off the luxury of deep-diving every case to test its deservedness. For applicants, this also cuts out the need to apply in-person and prove their suffering over and over again,” she said.
Thus, she suggested Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to reduce the amount of evidence that needed to provide by applicants to prove their difficult situation and make it as unconditional help.
Besides, MSF officers could be authorised to investigate end-users whom they suspect are abusing the system.
She also recommended practicing the automatic disbursement for Temporary Relief Fund (TRF) and COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG) by distributing the funds based on the proxy indicators such as changes in CPF contributions or mechanisms such as self-declarations.
As the current beneficiary of ComCare assistance is not eligible to apply for TRF and CSG, Ms Ong suggested government to extend the Fund and Grant for them as well.
To alleviate the financial burden of residents, Ms Ong proposed to provide immediate relief in the form of HDB rental waivers until the end of year and further rebates to Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC).
Touching on the support giving to Food and Beverage (F&B) Businesses, Ms Ong urged that a national response such as government’s collaboration with F&B sector and food delivery companies can be implemented to provide food to the needy families, rather than a fragmented approach.
“This has a double advantage: it ensures food security for our lower income households and frees up household liquidity, whilst supporting our local F&B businesses and self-employed delivery riders,” she said.
Vulnerability of rental flat communities for COVID-19 infections risk
On top of the COVID-19 dormitory cluster, Ms Ong raised her concern on the vulnerability of rental flat communities for COVID-19 infections risk, saying that there is evidence of crowded housing related with the risk of acquiring respiratory infectious disease.
She added, “There are at least 1,425 households where 5 persons or more are crammed into a 1-room flat. Many more live in 2-room flats. Such crowded living conditions create a ripe environment for infection which in turn could spread to the wider community.”
Hence, she suggested improving the home environment with features such as ventilated corridors, rooms to enable distancing, and separate elevators serving different floors to protect the public health.
“We must rehome our most vulnerable in conducive spaces. We may not be able to do that for all during this crisis, but we can do it in time for the next, and our people will be more resilient for it,” she said. | https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2020/04/07/nmp-anthea-ong-pushes-govt-fund-for-mental-healthcare-support-lower-income-families-and-individuals-and-home-environment-resilience-against-respiratory-disease-risk/ |
Saigon Central Post Office is in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. The building was constructed in the early 20th century. It has a Gothic architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area.
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As one of the best architectural buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Every day there are many visitors come here to visit and explore. Built from 1886 - 1891 by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel, visitors will see the Saigon Post Office dressed in striking yellow paint in the afternoon sun of…
It's a landmark which is built in 1886. Again, just like a few other buildings in Sagon, it;s French colonial architecture that really stands out It is designed by Gustave Eiffel -the man who also engineered the Eiffel Tower in Páris
The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and perhaps the grandest post office in all of Southeast Asia. Located next door to Notre Dame Cathedral, the two cultural sites can be visited together and offers visitors a chance to imagine life in…
There place of history. nearly here is Notre Dame Cathedral. And there are Central Of CBD.
The Saigon Central Post Office (Vietnamese: Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn, French: Poste centrale de Saïgon) is a post office in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the city's cathedral. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the late 19th…
Poste centrale de Saïgon à travers des expériences Airbnb
Découvrez ce monument emblématique grâce aux expériences Airbnb, des activités en petit groupe animées par des habitants. | https://fr.airbnb.com/things-to-do/places/572445 |
CTCU's most valued assets are its employees. Therefore, we seek to attract and keep the best talent available. We empower our employees to succeed professionally and personally in their career goals. CTCU is committed to our employees through a variety of benefits including competitive compensation, training opportunities and comprehensive benefits. Community Trust Credit Union is seeking high energy, member focused individuals who are looking for a great career.
APPLICATION DOES NOT SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY. INFORMATION CANNOT BE SAVED. MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A PRINTER. | https://www.ctcu.org/about/employment |
Wellington city councillor Iona Pannett has missed the point with her objections to National War Memorial Park in Buckle St.
OPINION: Ms Pannett said at a council meeting last week that council support of the memorial marked a "black day for Wellington" and that she did not support "glorifying war".
In fact, confirmation that the memorial is to be built marks a proud day for Wellington.
Having said that, you would be hard pushed to find anyone who wants to glorify war.
The memorial is about honouring the many thousands of New Zealanders who have given their lives fighting for their country. It is about honouring heroism.
It is easy to sit here, the best part of three-quarters of a century since the outbreak of World War II, and call yourself a pacifist, as Ms Pannett does so proudly.
She can do that because she lives in a free country.
"If I had a child, I wouldn't want a bullet through their head," she explained to The Wellingtonian this week.
What parent would want that? How many parents were delighted to see their children, many not out of their teens, heading to war?
Ms Pannett might feel differently if World War II had gone the other way, as it might have done but for the brave efforts of so many, including New Zealanders.
Germany and Japan seemed intent on dominating the world and were ruthlessly setting about achieving those lofty ambitions.
What was to be done? Put our heads in the sand and hope they got bored and went away? That might not have been the most effective solution.
Nearly always, war is unjustified. It is entered into too eagerly - witness the recent US-led invasion of Iraq.
However, on rare occasions there is no other rational choice. World War II was one of those occasions.
It was significant that one of New Zealand's greatest Prime Ministers, Peter Fraser, was jailed as a conscientious objector during World War I, but led the country boldly during World War II.
Many of us have fathers, grandfathers or other relatives who died fighting for New Zealand.
A prominent memorial honouring their sacrifice is a proud day, not a black day.
During last week's council meeting, when the issue was discussed, there were somewhat muted suggestions that the memorial should also honour the conscientious objectors and those who died on the "other side".
That's missing the point. It's a memorial to honour the people who fought and died for New Zealand.
It is a pity Ms Pannett has put the spotlight on Memorial Park as negatively as she has.
It was one of the rare occasions when politicians from both sides of the spectrum rose to the occasion and worked well for a good outcome.
Memorial Park was initially driven by the Labour Party when it was in government, and National's Chris Finlayson, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, has doggedly forged on with the project.
Of course, there may be an unspoken agenda behind Ms Pannett's objections.
The Memorial Park project involves building a road. She is a committed opponent of roads.
Perhaps that's the prime reason for her objections, though she has chosen instead to focus on pacifism and "glorifying war".
- The Wellingtonian
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Want your children to help out with some urban planning these holidays? | http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/7766428/Wellingtonian-Editorial-Lets-be-proud-of-Memorial-Park |
In situations of mass disaster (1), which include airline crashes (2), terrorist attacks (2), large fires (3), and mass homicide (4), the human remains are often damaged beyond recognition (5). In these cases, bones and teeth are potentially the only acceptable source of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA (6). Previous studies have evaluated a plethora of techniques to purify DNA from hard tissue, but there is no consensus on the optimal process by which to extract and purify DNA from these samples. Not only are hard tissue samples difficult to process, in many cases the samples are subjected to extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperature. Thus, there is interest in obtaining information on DNA quality from samples exposed to high temperatures (7). This work hopes to fill the gap by: 1) optimizing a DNA extraction protocol from hard tissue; and 2) measuring the degree to which the DNA is degraded in an effort to link the quantity and quality of the DNA recovered to the outer appearance of the tooth. To accomplish this, individual teeth were burned in a furnace at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C for 10, 20, and 30 minutes. The optimal extraction procedure utilized Amicon® Ultra-4 Centrifugal 30K filter devices and the QIAGEN MinElute Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Purification Kit. Samples were quantified using the Quantifiler® Trio quantification kit to obtain the quantity and quality metrics. After heat exposure, each tooth was photographed and subsequently given a color designation or value: light yellow to beige teeth were assigned a value of 1; dark yellow to orange were assigned a value of 2; brown was assigned a value of 3; shiny black was assigned a value of 4; and black to light gray teeth were assigned a value of 5. Both carbonization and the early stages of calcination were observed. The mass of DNA per mass of tooth was determined by examining quantitative PCR (qPCR) results for both a large and small autosomal fragment. The degradation index, or DI, was also calculated from qPCR measurements. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the quantity of DNA recovered, the quality of the DNA obtained, and the designated color value. The highest recovery rates were obtained from teeth assigned a color value of 1 (unaltered beige) or 2 (yellow to orange). These teeth were exposed to either room temperature, 100 °C or 200 °C. At temperatures exceeding 300 °C, the amount of DNA recovered drastically decreased and was inconsistent. Some of the samples subjected to temperatures at and above 300 °C resulted in no quantifiable DNA. In contrast, the DI results suggested that when the teeth were subjected to temperatures ≤ 100 °C, the quality of the DNA was good, wherein the DI value was approximately 1. At 200 °C, the temperature began to impact the DI value, which increased with time to the point where a DI was no longer able to be calculated because the large autosomal fragment could not be detected. In conclusion, the current work compares five different methods of DNA extraction to establish a best practice extraction procedure for these difficult samples. Furthermore, this work suggests that examination of the tooth’s appearance can be used to deduce whether successful DNA recovery is likely. In summary, the results demonstrate that when the tooth sample was assigned a color value of 1, the quantity and quality of the DNA obtained was high. Once the color value of the sample rose to 2, the quantity and quality of DNA varied greatly and the probative value of the sample was diminished. Samples that exhibited large color changes or had begun the calcination process resulted in no recoverable DNA. | https://open.bu.edu/handle/2144/26625 |
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences researcher Professor Jimmy Botella said the technology could extract DNA and RNA from living organisms in as little as 30 seconds without specialized equipment or personnel.
Professor Botella, who led the research team with Dr Michael Mason, said current commercial kits could isolate DNA and RNA through a long and cumbersome process requiring specialized laboratory equipment that was impractical in the field.
The UQ research team initially developed the dipstick technology for particular plants and later found it could purify DNA from many agriculturally important species.
UQ’s commercialization company, UniQuest, has filed a patent application on the dipstick technology and is seeking commercial partners to help make it broadly available.
“Our technology eliminates the need for a specialized laboratory for sample preparation, and is a lot simpler, faster and cheaper than anything else available, making diagnostics accessible to everyone,” Professor Botella said. | https://speciality.medicaldialogues.in/dipstick-technology-could-revolutionize-disease-diagnosis/ |
Year-end fixed income survey 2018: Opposing viewpoints from global credit and interest rate managers
Throughout the year we ask leading bond and currency managers to consider valuations, expectations and outlooks for the coming months. Today, we’ve put the spotlight on the U.S. yield curve, high yield credit fundamentals and emerging market FX.
Opposing viewpoints from global credit and interest rate managers
For some time now, we have highlighted the dichotomy between the views of our global interest rate managers and our credit managers. Both have been, in our view, too optimistic in their outlooks – which, given their relationship, feels incongruous. Although we slightly digressed from this theme in the last survey, it has reared its head once more this time around as we continue to observe mixed signals.
Today, we’ve put the spotlight on:
- The U.S. yield curve
- High yield credit fundamentals
- Emerging market foreign exchange (EMFX)
Leading bond and currency managers (highlighted by our research process) were surveyed from 8 specialised areas: global interest rates, global investment grade and leveraged credit, emerging market local and hard currency debt, municipal bonds, securitised bonds and currencies. In September, we received answers from 53 investment managers from across the world.
Is a U.S. recession on the cards?
Expectations for U.S. interest rate hikes
Over the year, managers in our global interest rate survey have been relatively slow to get on board with the trajectory of the interest rate hikes made by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed). Indeed, the average respondent in the interest rate manager survey has tended to raise expectations only as market rates have moved up.
However, in our most recent survey, we have seen a shift in expectations. In total, 62% of interest rate managers now expect to see four or more interest rate hikes from the Fed over the next 12 months, up from 44% last quarter and 27% before that.
Expectations for the flattening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve
Alongside this, interest rate managers have also increased their expectations for the flattening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. 60% of managers overall (the highest we’ve seen since starting the survey1) expect to see the U.S. Treasury yield curve flatten over the next 12 months. This is a big jump up from only 42% last quarter.
We’ve highlighted before how the flattening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve is often a very typical signal that a recession is on the cards. In fact, this event has predicted all nine U.S. recessions since 1955.2 This increased conviction is a tell-tale sign that global interest rate managers are expecting – and preparing – for an eventual U.S. recession. However, as we stated last time, a flattening U.S. Treasury yield curve could have bad implications for credit. Despite this, we are continuing to see many credit managers remain bullish on corporate fundamentals (see below).
The outlook for credit: Watch this space
Mixed signals from rates managers and credit managers
Now that interest rate manager expectations have materially shifted towards multiple interest rate hikes and a flattening of the curve, will cracks in credit appear next? If these expectations end up being true, then it is likely that credit fundamentals will come under pressure. We would expect to see a more conservative outlook on corporate credit from credit managers. Yet, credit managers continue to paint a positive view of the corporate picture…
Credit fundamentals: The bullish view continues
In our last survey, we witnessed a sharp decline in the previously bullish view for credit fundamentals as it fell from 89% down to 55%. This quarter, positive sentiment has modestly increased upwards again to 63% of survey respondents describing the corporate fundamental picture as ‘improving’. Although this dipped last quarter, managers have maintained a continued bullish outlook overall throughout 2018. In our view, this strong outlook for credit fundamentals is at odds with the expectations of a flattening U.S. Treasury yield curve we saw earlier. If markets expect the likelihood of a U.S. recession to go up, why then be so aggressive on credit?
Signs that credit spreads are moving beyond fair value
Whilst credit managers observe improving fundamentals, there are however, some signs that they also feel spreads are no longer compensating for the ever-increasing risk of a recession. For example, this is the first quarter since our survey began that not one single respondent expects credit spreads to tighten over the next 12 months. And, given that spread tightening is generally associated with price appreciation (all else being equal), we can infer that credit managers foresee an asymmetric return profile with a deterioration of the risk reward pay-off.
Credit risk level is another trend that stands out as a sign that managers are starting to consider a more cautious approach. The number of survey respondents who plan to maintain their current credit risk has fallen significantly from 70% down to 53%. In fact, more managers than ever are planning to decrease their current credit risk levels – up from 25% last quarter to 47% this quarter.
What’s next for EM FX and the dollar?
Optimistic on a longer-term view
Respondents from our local currency emerging market debt (EMD) survey have significantly shifted their sentiment for EMFX on a 12-month outlook – showing the least amount of enthusiasm in 2018.3 Yet, on a three-year perspective, managers are the most enthusiastic we’ve seen for the year as a whole. Dedicated currency managers also agree and remain bullish overall. Together, this suggests that managers see EMFX as having better prospects that the U.S. dollar.
Given that managers are optimistic on a longer-term view, we can infer that broadly, market participants have the view that the U.S. dollar has reached – or has nearly reached – its peak. In simple terms – this means that our survey respondents believe that EMFX will rise and the U.S. dollar will fall over the next three years. However, it is clear to us that managers are struggling to predict the bottom of this selloff.
Mexican peso remains the favourite
Now that the NAFTA agreement has been resolved, the fundamental risk underpinning the Mexican peso has diminished. Although some may argue that this actually offered investors a very attractive risk premium at the beginning of the year, managers in our survey are more bullish on the Mexican peso than they’ve been at any point this year.
Predicting the future: Still as difficult as ever.
As we know, it is impossible to predict the future of the market, but our survey gives a nice opportunity to weigh in. We have seen the incongruent views of bullish rate markets and bullish credit markets move closer into alignment, as rate managers keep upgrading their expectations for the economy. However, given the rising central bank rates we can see how this may ultimately trip up credit investors, who continue to remain very bullish.
The expectations for curve flattening are bringing investors closer to a point where credit fundamentals may face a challenge.
Given this backdrop, investors may well need to focus on local currency EMD, which has already been dislocated and looks to be appealing to the specialist managers in the asset class.
Related Posts
Q2 Fixed Income Survey – the U.S. growth domino effect
Q4 2018 Global Market Outlook: Maximum pressure
Are U.S. recession risks increasing?
1 Survey began in Q2 2016.
2 Source:https://www.frbsf.org/economic-research/publications/economic-letter/2018/march/economic-forecasts-with-yield-curve/
3 In our Q1 2018 survey, local currency EMD managers were very bullish in their outlook for EM FX (versus the dollar) following positive performance from November 2016 – end January 2018. Despite this strong run, EM FX has had a tough year to date, falling roughly 13% from its high point against the USD earlier this year, with the accelerated decline kicking off on the 18th of April 2018, via the MSCI Emerging Markets Currency Index. | http://connect.russellinvestments.com/year-end-fixed-income-survey/ |
For the first time in history, researchers have discovered an animal without a brain that is capable of sleep.
A team of researchers have found compelling evidence that a species of brainless jellyfish can sleep in the same way other animals do.
Most brainless organisms -- such as jellyfish and corals -- do not sleep in the same way as other animals. This is because they do not have the advanced functions needed for such a process.
"It may not seem surprising that jellyfish sleepafter all, mammals sleep, and other invertebrates such as worms and fruit flies sleep," said study co-author Ravi Nath, a graduate student in Caltech's Sternberg laboratory, according to Gizmodo. "But jellyfish are the most evolutionarily ancient animals known to sleep. This finding opens up many more questions: Is sleep the property of neurons? And perhaps a more far-fetched question: Do plants sleep?"
In order for an animal to be asleep they must meet three requirements. They have to display inactivity, they need a decreased response to stimuli, and they must have negative reactions when deprived of their slumber.
To test this in the jellies, the researchers ran three separate trials to look at all of the above aspects. First, they set up cameras that tracked how many times the invertebrates pulsated over a 24 hour period. This revealed that, while the jellies pulsated 58 times per minute during the day, they only pulsated 39 times per minute at night.
Then, researchers tested the species' response to stimuli by allowing them to sit on a special platform. When the team removed the platform while the animals were awake, the jellies would quickly swim to the bottom of their tank. However, when the team removed the tank during sleep, the animals responded much more slowly.
For the final test, scientists kept the jellyfish awake by shooting jets of water at them throughout the night. Their responses showed this process made them visibly upset.
While the three tests are not definitive proof that the jellies sleep, it presents a compelling argument. However, as the research came from a lab setting, the team is not sure if the organisms would act the same way in the wild. They next plan to look at other basic organisms to see if they show similar behavior as well.
"We'd love to see whether there are other species of jellyfish that also sleep," said study co-author Claire Bedbrook, a doctoral student in bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology, according to Live Science. "We would also like to see whether or not sponges, the next level down, sleep."
The results from this study are published in Current Biology. | https://newsitr.com/post.php?n=jellyfish-may-be-capable-of-sleep-after-all-study-reports&id=131535 |
HRM7005 Reward Management
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module, you should be able to:
- Analyse the relationship between the environment, strategy and systems of reward management.
- Explore the conceptual apparatus and theoretical debates informing reward management.
- Critically discuss traditional, contingent and knowledge bases for transactional and relational rewards.
- Design internally consistent reward structures that recognise labour market and equity constraints.
- Analyse executive and expatriate rewards in an international context.
- Critically evaluate key issues in reward management.
- Evaluate major theories relating to motivation, commitment and engagement at work and how these are put into practice by organisations.
- Using financial information to inform decision making
Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard systems. You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.
Maximum word count: 5000 words
Please note the following:
Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.
The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations and references). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count.
Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a 10-percentage point deduction.
Assignment Task
This assessment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module.
You work in an insurance company. The company has always operated on a flat rate pay scheme, for all employees. It has now been decided that there should be some reward for performance. This reflects the feedback received from employees in a recent employee attitude survey. Employees commented that they did not think it fair that all employees received the same reward regardless of their level of contribution.
You are now planning the introduction of some form of performance related pay. In doing this you need to address several different issues, and in doing so you need to answer the following questions:
1. The reward system in an organisation is affected by both internal and external factors. (1250 words)
- Identify two internal and two external factors that need to be considered when introducing performance related pay and evaluate their impact on strategy and systems of reward management.
- Critically discuss the possible relationships between the assumptions of Human Capital theory and internal labour markets
2. It is likely that introducing performance related pay will have the potential to increase the cost of reward in the insurance company. The senior management have asked, therefore, for some way of evaluating whether the approach is successful. Explain an approach that could be used and critically evaluate the extent to which the pay structure considers labour market and equity constraints. (1250 words
3. Critically evaluate what you must consider when ensuring that the performance related pay scheme is both ethical and demonstrates a professional approach to an international Executive and Expatriate reward system. (1250 words)
4. Pay does not necessarily motivate individuals, but other aspects of reward might motivate.
- Critically analyse the impact that performance related pay might have on the employees.
- Critically assess the factors that determine the validity and reliability of market rate data in determining pay structures? | https://domyclasswork.com/hrm7005-reward-management/ |
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
The mission of New York Lawyers of the Public Interest (NYLPI) is to advance equality and civil rights, with a focus on health justice, disability rights and environmental justice, through the power of community lawyering and partnerships with the private bar.
Through community lawyering, NYLPI puts its legal, policy and community organizing expertise at the service of New York City communities and individuals.
NYLPI’s partnership with the private bar strengthens its advocacy and connects community groups and non-profits with critical legal assistance.NYLPI was founded in 1976 to serve the legal needs of underserved, underrepresented New Yorkers and their communities.
What began as a small-scale staff working to link low income clients and organizations with attorneys willing to volunteer pro bono legal services has grown into an unparalleled resource for low income, community-driven legal representation.
We have four main project areas:
The Pro Bono Clearinghouse;
The Disability Justice Program;
The Health Justice Program; and
The Environmental Justice Program. | http://www.nylscoalition.org/nylpi-new-york-lawyers-for-the-public-interest |
Please join me at this free, fun and interactive “talking fabrics” presentation on Wednesday at the downtown public library! Rochester’s Central Library is celebrating Black History Month by exploring Kente cloth and Adinkra symbols, two Ghanaian fabrics that function as a language.
As Egyptians used hieroglyphics and Millennials use emojis to communicate, Ghanaians use textile weaves and fabric patterns as a visual language to express themselves. Come learn how Ghanaians use Kente and Adinkra in their everyday life to communicate. | https://mansawear.com/ghanaian-emojis-kente-cloth-adinkra-symbols/ |
Kirkor Architects and Planners is a Canadian architectural design and planning firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Specializing in responsible development, the company is focused on architectural solutions that blend sustainable design and community integration. Currently, Kirkor is working as the architect of record on two landmark developments: the Bayside masterplan, and Aqualuna at Bayside, in the East Bayview district of downtown Toronto.
The firm has one location in Toronto, a second in Calgary, and roughly 115 employees company-wide. The majority of its projects are in Ontario, but it is currently working to expand its footprint, reaching new markets in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba through its Calgary office.
Kirkor was founded in 1981 as Kirshenblatt Korman Architects and has since grown to be recognized as a leader in the design of Canada’s urban residential landscape. The firm works closely with clients to help them find design solutions that are not only architecturally relevant and economically viable, but also sustainable and suited to the environmental standards and surrounding communities of the project site.
This is important – throughout Canada, different municipalities have different requirements and incentive programs to encourage sustainable building, quite apart from subtly differing local cultures and expectations.
Kirkor specializes in doing what it takes to thoroughly understand the vision and design needs of a given project, right through to creating the strategies to connect that vision with what the community is looking for.
Meeting the Green Standard
For example, in 2018 the City of Toronto introduced version 3 of its tiered ‘Green Standard’. This is a set of sustainable design guidelines for both public and private sector projects within the city.
The first tier of the standard is a set of requisite conditions that must be adhered to by all builders. Tiers two through four are voluntary guidelines that can make a project eligible for certain financial incentives.
The Green Standard prioritizes improved air quality, reduced energy expenditure and related carbon emissions, reduced storm-water runoff, diverting construction site waste from going to landfills, and decreasing building-related bird collisions.
Understanding this specification is a necessity for any company planning to build in Toronto. Understanding its higher tiers and how they can be integrated into an architectural design can provide a company with substantial benefits. Projects that implement tier two levels of performance may be eligible for a refund on some of the development fees paid to the city, for example.
Kirkor is an expert in Toronto’s Green Standard and in the range of similar standards for other Canadian municipalities. “That’s one of our focuses: really understanding what the requirements are and finding the best way to implement them not only into the building, but into the process of delivering the building as well,” says Partner Carlos Antunes.
The company works with experts in a wide range of disciplines to help determine the best possible way to incorporate each one into the overall process. For example, when working on a project with a geothermal component, Kirkor can help to find the most effective strategy for implementing that technology into the design.
The company is not itself an expert in geothermal systems, rather its expertise is in working closely with the client, the geothermal experts, and the sustainability consultants, and ultimately leveraging its own project experience toward finding a way to integrate the solution into the project.
Seeking the best fit
Kirkor’s greatest expertise is in determining whether a given solution that is being considered by the client is actually the best fit for the project; the firm is proud of its ability to set each project on the correct path.
This approach is heavily focused in the commitment to a working partnership – meaning, partners are deeply engaged in each and every stage of their projects with their clients throughout the entire process. Together with the principals and associates of the firm, Kirkor ensures that its vast project experience remains engaged with the client until the job is completed to full satisfaction. In an effort to execute consistent communication and maintain the historical working knowledge of the project, Kirkor appoints teams that are involved from the earliest concept phase all the way through to delivery.
As the concept evolves into an active project, more Kirkor experts will get involved and stay close to the project throughout. A key differentiator with Kirkor – something that the company’s leadership takes pride in – is that there is always senior staff involved, from start to finish.
“What happens on a lot of projects is that once it gets to a certain stage it will be handed off to the client and the partner will get further and further away from it. At Kirkor we expect a partner to be involved with the client and project every step of the way,” explains Antunes.
People first
In order to be a valuable on-site partner to its clients, the company believes in investing in its own staff. Whether an employee starts their journey with Kirkor as an intern or an architect, the leadership will put them in different roles over the course of a project to help them gain a more comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of what it takes to bring everything together. This enables employees to discover their strengths and improve where they might be falling short.
However they enter the business, Kirkor encourages people to find where they fit best so that they can bring as much value to the company and its clients as possible. This approach has enabled it to build a team of experts who are not only highly skilled, but also happy and motivated to do their best on every project. Beyond just pushing employees to better themselves through experiencing various roles on projects, Kirkor also encourages them to take external courses and additional training to improve their skills.
Kirkor focuses on residential, primarily mid- and high-rise projects, together with complex mixed-use programmes. Kirkor’s experience includes everything from “background” condominiums to large-site, mixed-use master planned communities, wood-framed mid-rise apartments to vertically integrated aging-in-place retirement projects, exciting retail masterplans to the most important community based projects which are transformative to those they touch.
Major projects
The Hines Tridel Bayside masterplan project is a major development in the East Bayfront district of Toronto. Situated on a 13-acre lot along the waterfront 1.5 kilometers from downtown, Bayside is a mixed-use community development that will offer over two million square feet of space for residential, commercial, and office applications.
The project was planned to also include four condominium developments for which Kirkor was hired as architect of record. The company was brought onto the project in the early schematic design phase to work on the concept with international design architects, 3XN and Arquitectonica.
After working with the design architect on the initial concept, Kirkor stayed on throughout the development of the project into construction on all four buildings. The project has been underway for nine years so far.
“We’ve worked very closely with the client and the design architect on what needs to be delivered. We’re the linchpin on how the whole thing comes together. Our role is pretty broad but at the end of the day our responsibility is to deliver a well-crafted building design ready for construction,” says Antunes.
Aqualuna at Bayside is a 17 story, 35,000 square meter mixed-use project within the Bayside development for which Kirkor is the architect of record. Designed by 3XN, this stunning structure will be a visual marker for the East Bayfront district.
In the initial plans, the building was designed to be a rectangular, box-shaped high-rise, but the design architects at 3XN brought a wonderful vision to the project. Inspired by the waterfront view of the waves across Lake Ontario, they designed the overall shape of the structure to have two peaks separated by a valley. This maximizes the waterfront views for each resident, as well as the natural light throughout the property.
Wave-shaped balconies extend from each unit, creating a highly dynamic and non-uniform façade. The structure’s unique silhouette will make it a landmark for the city. As the architect of record, Kirkor will help guide this project through each stage of its development, working closely with all teams.
No compromises
Working primarily in Toronto, Kirkor sits in the midst of a booming economy with constant growth. The demands of the residential sector are tremendous, and this means a great deal of available work for the company. As a result, Kirkor’s main challenge is finding qualified people to meet that demand. This means not only having the right people internally, but also finding contractors with access to enough experienced labour to build effectively and correctly.
Despite these challenges, Kirkor has managed to keep pace with demand and to deliver high quality projects throughout its operating territory. Numerous BILD awards for the quality of its work confirm its success in this regard.
After nearly 40 years in business, Kirkor has acquired a focused expertise and a great deal of project experience that has made it an asset to its clients. Hugely important is its keen understanding and ability to foresee the wide range of challenges that might arise and the subtle economics of project design. This expertise has enabled the company to become an asset to developers on large-scale projects such as the Bayside masterplan and the Aqualuna at Bayside project, among many others. | https://www.constructioninfocus.com/2020/08/smart-and-sustainable-design-for-canadian-developers/ |
In this paper, we study how earnings volatility induced by credit risk can impact share price performance for financial institutions under CECL and IFRS 9, and we quantify the benefit of an active credit risk management practice. Our study uses empirical data to show that a 1.0% increase in earnings volatility leads to a 15.6 bps decrease in equity value. When we look at the earnings volatility components, we find that a 1.0% increase in the volatility of change in the loss allowance leads to a 6.0% bps decrease in equity value, while a 10% increase in the volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs leads to a 10.5 bps decrease in equity value. This finding suggests that credit risk managers who diversify holdings and reduce earnings volatility without lowering profitability can increase shareholder value.
To quantify the benefit of having a sound credit risk management practice, we evaluate the historical performance of loan origination strategies that aim to minimize a credit portfolio’s credit earnings volatility via diversification. We perform backtesting using Moody’s proprietary Credit Research Database (CRD) data, which contains empirical, name-level financial information, including credit quality (Moody’s Analytics EDF™ (Expected Default Frequency) credit measures) associated with each name and whether and when a name defaults.
When assessing performance against market benchmarks, we find that reasonably parsimonious loan origination diversification strategies can reduce the volatility of change in loss allowance by up to 67% (implying a 4.0% increase in equity value) and the volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs by up to 63% (implying a 6.6% increase in equity value), which can boost equity value by a total of 10.6%.
In this paper, we investigate the relationship between accounting rules, credit earnings volatility, credit portfolio management, and share price performance. We explore the mechanisms through which accounting rules can affect a financial firm’s valuation. While this research is motivated, in part, by the volatility generated when using the forward-looking allowance under IFRS 9 and CECL, the value of active credit portfolio management is more broadly demonstrated by the impact of charge-off volatility on valuation. Our research aims to quantify the relationship between share price performance and the volatility in changes in allowance and net charge-offs plus write-downs. In addition, we demonstrate how credit portfolio management tools can help design portfolio strategies that minimize a credit portfolio’s credit earnings volatility through diversification, directly improving share price.
We first look at the relevance of earnings volatility. A number of factors come in to play. First, earnings feed into capital surplus; and high earnings volatility is associated with a higher likelihood of insolvency. Second, high earnings volatility can indicate questionable business practices and portfolio composition. We saw this trait during the 2007–2009 financial crisis, as the market reacted very negatively to news of concentrated portfolio composition and uncertainty. In some cases, there was a question as to whether organizations entered distress because of liquidity constraints, in part due to this issue. We argue that ultimately, volatility leads to higher capital costs, limited business opportunities, and lower valuation.
Our empirical analysis follows Rountree, Weston, and Allayannis (2008) who study the impact of earnings volatility on non-financial firms and conclude that a 1.0% increase in cash-flow volatility leads to a 15 bps decrease in firm value. We evaluate whether we can observe this dynamic within financial institutions, which differ fundamentally from non-financial firms with regard to the magnitude and role of allowance. To address this question, we examine credit earnings (i.e., earnings generated by a credit portfolio) and its components (including net charge-offs plus write-downs and change in allowance) using the Y-9C reports of U.S. public bank holding companies from 2000–2017.
We calculate the volatility of each item using a three-year rolling window and then analyze the impact these measures have on the market-to-book equity value using panel regressions. We find that a 1.0% increase in a portfolio’s credit earnings volatility leads to a 15.6 bps decrease in shareholder value. When we decompose credit earnings into net interest income, net charge-offs plus write-downs, and change in allowance, we find that the volatility of both net charge-offs plus write-downs and change in loss allowance have a statistically significant, negative impact on firm valuation. More specifically, a 1.0% increase in volatility of net charge-off plus write-downs leads to a 10.5 bps decrease in equity value, and a 1.0% increase in the volatility of change in loss allowance leads to an additional 6.0 bps decrease in equity value.
Our empirical research suggests that investors value smooth performance and care a great deal about the earnings volatility of banks. This finding has important implications for credit portfolio management. Given commercial banks can experience a significant increase in allowance and, therefore, earnings volatility in the face of IFRS 9 and CECL, the idea of using active credit portfolio management to help negate the impact of CECL and IFRS 9 on earnings volatility is more relevant now than ever.
The second half of the paper proposes a portfolio loan-origination strategy and studies its effectiveness in reducing earnings volatility and increasing shareholder value. The strategy allocates funds to newly originated assets across segments in a way that minimizes ex-ante portfolio earnings volatility through diversification while maintaining a target level of profitability. We backtest the performance against both U.S. and European loan portfolios and find the strategies can materially increase equity value.
More specifically, to study the effectiveness of a volatility-reducing strategy in the U.S., we evaluate the performance of portfolios constructed under the above-mentioned loan origination strategy (i.e., optimized portfolios) over time and compare that against the performance of actual U.S. bank’s portfolios from Moody’s CRD/LAS loan consortium database. We find that on average, such loan origination strategies can reduce realized portfolio earnings volatility by 32%, implying a 4.9% increase in shareholder value. For European banks, we construct portfolios using Moody’s CreditEdge™ data, where we use the debt of publicly traded firms to represent the credit market. In this case, we find we can reduce the volatility of net charge-off plus write-downs and the change in loss allowance by 59% and 35%, respectively, using the optimized strategy, which translates to a total increase in shareholder value of 8.3%.
We organize the remainder of this paper as follows: Section 2 describes the empirical analysis of credit earnings volatility’s impact on share price performance. Section 3 discusses the portfolio strategy and presents backtesting results for U.S. and European portfolios. Section 4 concludes.
Our initial sample includes all public U.S. bank holding companies with FR Y-9C reports from 2000-2017. We exclude private banks due to the lack of information on shareholder values. Due to the increase in the asset-size threshold for filing FR Y-9C reports from $150 million to $500 million, many smaller banks that filed reports between 2000–2005 stopped doing so after 2006. To make sure our sample remains consistent across time in terms of asset size, for the period 2000–2005, we only include banks that continued to file reports in 2006.
Observed discontinuities or jumps in data resulting from M&A activities are another complication of the Y-9C data. For example, if a reporting bank acquires assets from another bank, we observe a sharp rise in reported Y-9C line items, such as asset size and earnings of the acquiring bank, artificially increasing its earnings growth and volatility. To eliminate the effect of M&A, for each merger or acquisition, we retroactively transfer the appropriate dollar amount from the line items of the selling entity to those of the buying entity. This adjustment makes it as if the acquiring bank has always owned the acquired bank, so that the adjusted Y-9C line items are more representative of each bank's organic growth, rather than exhibiting jumps due to M&A activities.
Finally, to estimate the volatility of line items such as earnings from the quarterly income statement, we only include banks that have at least three years of consecutive quarterly observations from 2000–2017. Our final sample consists of 8,717 total bank-quarter observations, roughly 200 public U.S. banks in each period. Figure 1 presents the number of banks available in our final sample and their total asset values across time.
We supplement data from Y-9C reports with data from Moody’s CreditEdge database, which contains information on each bank’s market value of equity, Moody’s Analytics EDF (Expected Default Frequency) credit measure, and GCorr™ Corporate RSQs and asset returns. Expected Default Frequency is a measure of default risk, and GCorr Corporate RSQ is a measure of firms’ exposure to systematic risk, similar in spirit to the beta coefficient in a CAPM framework.
Based on the normalized earnings-related variables (summary statistic reported in Panel B), we construct their volatilities at each time as the standard deviation of the corresponding variable’s three-year trailing observations.4 For example, the credit earnings volatility of bank i at the end of Q4 2014 is the standard deviation of the quarterly credit earnings per book value of assets over the previous 12 quarterly observations (including Q4 2014) during years 2012–2014. We understand that at each time point, what matters significantly in evaluating a bank’s current value is the expectation of its future earnings. However, without knowing how investors form their expectations exactly, we assume they consult banks’ recent past performance for guidance.5 We measure asset growth as the three-year rolling average of the quarterly asset growth rate. The average asset growth of the sample is about 1.9%. We use the market-to-book equity value ratio as a proxy for bank equity value.6 The sample’s mean value is 1.38.
This section examines whether the volatility in earnings due to credit risk affects a bank's share price performance. Specifically, we estimate the change in a bank's equity value (again, measured as market-to-book equity value) due to an increase in the volatilities of credit earnings, change in loss allowance and net charge-offs plus write-downs. Following Rountree, Weston, and Allayannies (2008), we control for other factors that can potentially impact banks' market values, such as (1) bank size, measured by total assets; (2) capital structure, measured by debt-to-assets ratio; (3) systematic risk, calculated as the variance of a bank's asset return due to systematic factors; and (4) financial performance, measured by return on assets (ROA). While Rountree, Weston, and Allayannies (2008) use sales growth to capture the growth level for non-financial firms, we use asset growth rate for banks. In addition, we control for banks' non-performing assets, an indicator of bank asset quality and financial health.
Given the significant skewness present in many of the variables, we use the log transformation of market-to-book equity values, book value of assets, and volatility measures. This technique reduces the potential impact of outliers on the analysis. Furthermore, under this transformation, we can easily interpret the coefficients in the regression results as measuring the percentage change in a bank's equity value due to a one-percentage increase in earnings volatility.
We begin by testing whether credit earnings volatility negatively affects a bank's equity value and then further investigate how each component of credit earnings volatility incrementally contributes to the impact. Specifically, we perform a panel regression of log-transformed market-to-book equity values on the variables mentioned above with time-fixed effects. We add time-fixed effects to remove potential bias caused by market factors that impact both components of credit earnings volatility and equity value. For example, an oil price shock can decrease bank earnings with high exposure to the oil sector, resulting in banks' higher earnings volatility. In the meantime, a sharp decrease in oil prices can also cause negative market sentiment that depresses equity value. Without controlling for these types of market factors, the effect of credit earnings volatility on equity value is likely overestimated. Table 2 presents results of the panel regression with time-fixed effects.
Column (1) in Table 2 summarizes the regression of market-to-book equity value on credit earnings volatility, controlling for a wide range of factors that generally affect valuation. Credit earnings volatility has a statistically significant negative impact on market-to-book equity value, with a 1.0% increase in credit earnings volatility associated with a 15.6 bps decrease in equity value. Intuitively, earnings feed into capital surplus, and, thus, high earnings volatility is associated with high insolvency uncertainty and lower value. In addition, high earnings volatility is indicative of questionable business practices and portfolio composition, which can generate market concerns that lower market valuation.
The estimated effects of the other control variables we use are reasonable and consistent with the existing literature. We find that larger banks with higher total assets and smaller asset growth rates tend to have relatively lower equity values. As expected, higher return on assets (ROA) is associated with higher equity values. Higher debt-to-asset ratios can increase firms’ likelihood of bankruptcy and, thus, is associated with lower equity values. Systematic risk impacts equity value positively, consistent with Rountree, Weston, and Allayannis (2008). Finally, a larger percentage of non-performing assets indicates poorer financial health, leading to lower equity values.
To understand how different components of credit earnings affect a bank’s equity value, we decompose credit earnings into net interest income, change in loss allowance and net charge-offs plus write-downs and re-run the regression on these variables. Column (2) in Table 2 shows that volatilities of these variables all have statistically and economically-significant, negative impacts on equity value. Intuitively, higher volatilities can be the result of a poorly diversified portfolio, highly sensitive to the credit environment. They can also indicate the bank’s lack of reasonable, expected loan loss forecasts and a lack of understanding of their portfolio risk. Finally, higher volatilities may suggest that a bank frequently changes its portfolio’s risk profile. These issues can cause investor concerns that drive down the equity value. Specifically, we estimate that a 1.0% increase in the volatility of net interest income decreases equity value by 4.1 bps. This finding suggests that asset liability management that effectively lowers the volatility of net interest income can increase shareholder value. Our regression analysis also shows that a 1.0% increase in the volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs leads to a 10.5 bps decrease in equity value, and a 1.0% increase in the volatility of change in loss allowance leads to a 6.0 bps decrease in equity value.
Overall, our analysis suggests that bank investors value smooth performance, even after controlling for time-fixed effects and other factors such as risk, size, operating performance, leverage, and financial performance, etc.
In our baseline regressions above, we only control for time-fixed effects. This means that the variation in credit earnings volatility comes primarily from cross-sectional differences between banks. Intuitively, different levels of credit earnings volatility mainly reflect differences in banks’ credit portfolio management practices. As a result, the effect of credit earnings volatility on equity value estimated using the specification with time-fixed effects helps answer the question of how different credit portfolio strategies or credit portfolio management practices that reduce earnings volatility influence equity value, our key research question.
However, it is also possible that the cross-sectional difference in earnings volatility is driven heavily by unobserved bank characteristics that directly affect both a bank’s earnings volatility and its equity value. Such a possibility prevents us from claiming that our estimated coefficients in front of volatility variables measure the true causal effect of earnings volatility on share price performance.
To address this concern, we perform a set of panel regressions with both bank- and time-fixed effects. Columns (1) and (2) in Table 3 report the estimated coefficients of these regressions. We see that the effects of the volatility variables remain statistically and economically significant. Specifically, a 1.0% decrease in credit earnings volatility leads to a 10.3 bps increase in equity value, while a 1.0% decrease in the volatilities of loss allowance or net charge-offs plus write-downs increases equity value by 6.0 bps and 8.9 bps, respectively. Compared to the baseline regressions, the estimated effects of credit earnings volatility and volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs are only slightly smaller. These findings support our hypothesis that earnings volatility has a causal effect on banks’ shareholder value.
By using both time- and bank-fixed effects in the regression, we force the variation in credit earnings volatility to come only from the change in each bank’s credit earnings volatility over time. But credit earnings volatility for most banks exhibits small variation over time in the data, likely because most banks did not change their credit risk management practice materially during our sample period. Consequently, the estimated coefficients reported in Columns (1) and (2) of Table 3 may be influenced heavily by a few outlier banks. For this reason, we choose not to present the regression results controlling for both time- and bank-fixed effects as our primary findings.
Another concern in our baseline regression is the definition of volatility variables, which we calculate using a three-year trailing window. It is possible that our estimated coefficients are highly dependent on the choice of window size. To address this concern, we perform additional regressions using volatility variables calculated under a five-year trailing window. Column (3) in Table 3 shows the results of the regression using the same specifications as in Column (2) in Table 2, differing only in the way we calculate the volatility variables. In the baseline regressions presented in Table 2, we calculate all of the volatility variables and the asset growth variable using a three-year trailing window. For the regression in Column (3) of Table 3, we calculate the variables using a five-year trailing window. As the results suggest, the rolling window size shows a limited impact on the magnitude of the effects of volatility variables. Specifically, the coefficients for volatility of change in loss allowance and volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs are -0.046 and -0.124 when using a five-year trailing window, compared to -0.06 and -0.105 when using a three-year trailing window. Volatility of net interest income is also statistically significant at 7.8 bps.
Overall, our robustness tests lend support to the conclusion in the baseline specification, that the increase in the volatility of net interest income, net charge-offs plus write-downs, and change in allowance has a significant negative causal effect on equity valuation.
The panel regression in the previous section explores the average relationship between banks’ credit earnings volatility and their share prices over a very long period. In this section, we investigate how the impact of earnings volatility on share price changes over time. Specifically, for each quarter, we perform a cross-sectional regression across all banks within that quarter following specification (1) in Table 2. We then compare the coefficients for credit earnings volatility across time.
In Figure 2, the solid blue line plots the estimated coefficients of credit earnings volatility from the cross-sectional regressions in each quarter. We find that this coefficient has a clear cyclical pattern — it shows the largest magnitude during crises but becomes very small during benign periods. This pattern suggests that bank investors place a significantly higher premium on smoother performance during economic downturns.
One possible issue that undermines this argument is that earnings volatility may vary across banks more during crisis periods and less during other periods. Consequently, a regression analysis may have a hard time picking up the effects of earnings volatility during an economic boom than during a crisis, simply due to the lack of cross-sectional variation in the explanatory variables during the former period. However, in Figure 2, the dashed line shows that the standard deviation of banks’ earnings volatility stays relatively constant over time without a clear cyclical pattern, suggesting that the variation of earnings volatility across banks is, in fact, quite stable throughout time. Another potential explanation of the cyclical nature of the impact of earnings volatility is that the risk premium for uncertainty in earnings is higher during crises, driven by generally higher risk aversion levels in the market. To test this hypothesis, in Figure 3, we plot the estimated coefficients in front of credit earnings volatility against the market price of risk estimated by Moody’s CreditEdge and find a strong negative relationship. The evidence suggests that the market discounts earnings volatility more aggressively during periods where the market price of systematic risk is high.
The empirical findings in Section 2 suggest that bank investors do value smooth performance, and, thus, portfolio strategies that can effectively reduce credit earnings volatility help increase shareholder value. Various studies (for example, Levy, et al. and Levy and Zhang ) show that earnings volatility can increase significantly under CECL and IFRS 9 compared to incurred loss. This impact highlights the necessity of taking into account earnings volatility for credit portfolio management. However, can a portfolio management strategy reduce credit earnings volatility without hampering profitability? In addition, if it can, to what degree does such a practice raise the bank’s value?
To answer these questions, we design a portfolio management strategy where, over time, newly originated loans minimize ex-ante portfolio credit earnings volatility while maintaining expected target profitability. The bank then holds each loan throughout its maturity or default. Proceeds, including coupon and principal payments, along with default recoveries, constitute the funding budget for the next period’s loan origination. We benchmark performance against either a portfolio from a bank consortium or a benchmark intended to resemble the overall corporate debt market.
Section 3.1 presents a case study using U.S. banks’ actual portfolios in the Moody’s CRD/LAS dataset as the benchmark portfolios. Section 3.2 presents a case study using a synthetic European portfolio constructed using data from Moody’s CreditEdge as the benchmark portfolio.
For the case study of U.S. banks, we use Loan Accounting System (CRD/LAS) data extracted from Moody’s Analytics Credit Research Database. The CRD/LAS data includes loan-level variables such as loan type, loan origination and maturity dates, interest charged and outstanding balance, as well as borrower-level information such as industry, credit rating, and size. The data covers a large number of U.S. banks. In our study, we also complement the CRD/LAS dataset with Moody’s CRD default dataset. This dataset contains loan-level default information: whether a loan defaults and, if it does, the time of the default. This dataset allows us to track the default loss of our portfolios.
At the beginning of each year, set the universe of available new loans to be the observed new loan origination of the benchmark portfolio.
Divide this universe into segments, each containing 10 otherwise random loans in the same industry.8 The relative weight of each new loan in a segment remains the same as that in the benchmark.
Beginning at time t (ex-ante), we project an earnings distribution for time t + 1, which accounts for instruments’ default risk, credit migration risk, as well as the correlation between instruments’ changes in credit qualities. We then calculate the ex-ante earnings volatility based on the projected earnings distribution.
Calculation of realized earnings still follows Equation (1), but in this case, we stand at time t + 1, when we can observe the actual default and changes in credit qualities of the instruments from time t to t + 1. We then calculate realized earnings volatility as the time series volatility of the realized earnings.
Figure 4 presents realized earnings (after interest expense) of the benchmark and optimized portfolios aggregated across banks.9 The optimized portfolios have smoother performance, primarily due to a smaller decrease in earnings during the 2007–2009 crisis period. Specifically, realized earnings volatility for the benchmark portfolio is 1.21%, while the volatility of the optimized portfolios is only 0.79%, indicating a 32% decrease, and, thus, a 4.9% increase in equity value according to the empirical analysis presented in Section 2. In addition, average earnings for the optimized portfolios is 1.49%, slightly higher than that of the benchmark portfolios at 1.19%.
To better understand the main drivers, we look into the earnings components — default loss and change in loss allowance. Figure 5 demonstrates realized default loss is much lower for the optimized portfolios compared with the benchmark portfolios during the crisis period.10 The volatility of default loss for the optimized portfolios is only 37% (with volatility at 0.16%) for the benchmark portfolio (with volatility at 0.43%), which implies a 6.6% increase in equity value based on our empirical study.
The other important component contributing to earnings volatility is change in loss allowance. Figure 6 presents the level of loss allowance at the end of each year, and Figure 7 plots the change in loss allowance.
For the benchmark portfolios, although loss allowance peaked at the end of 2009, the largest increase in allowance occurred during 2008 (i.e., the large difference between loss allowance on 2008/12/31 and 2007/12/31) due to a significant deterioration in credit qualities during that period. A large increase in allowance contributes to the low level of earnings for the benchmark portfolios during 2008. Although optimized portfolios follow a similar trend as the benchmark portfolios, their changes in loss allowance are less sensitive during the cycle and show much lower volatility. In particular, volatility of change in loss allowance for the benchmark portfolio is 0.60%, while the volatility for the optimized portfolios is only 0.20%, a 67% decrease from the benchmark portfolio, indicating a 4.0% increase in equity value.
Figures 8 and 9 compare portfolio characteristics between the bank portfolios and the optimized portfolios. The optimized portfolios tend to favor instruments with lower probability of default and shorter maturities. We expect this finding, given we calculate loss allowance as the lifetime expected loss under CECL, and, thus, shorter maturity implies lower volatility, keeping everything else constant.
Tables 4–7 summarize the results at the individual bank level. Tables 4 and 5 show that, for all banks, optimized portfolios have lower earnings volatility, slightly higher average earnings (after interest expense), and higher earnings Sharpe ratios. Tables 6 and 7 show that volatilities for default loss and change in loss allowance are also always lower for the optimized portfolios. We observe that the improvement level from the optimization can differ significantly across portfolios. For example, as Table 4 shows, the volatility of earnings decreases by 56% for Bank 2 under optimization, while it only decreases by 16% for Bank 7. One of the reasons for the difference is that the maturities of instruments are much lower and have less differentiation in Bank 7’s portfolio.
Under CECL, the reduction in volatility by optimization is achieved primarily by shifting allocation from instruments with longer maturities and higher PD to instruments with shorter maturities and lower PD (without lowering profitability). In this case, a portfolio starting with a high proportion of short-maturity instruments has less room for volatility reduction.
This section presents backtesting results for the minimum variance strategy applied to a synthetic European portfolio. We create the benchmark portfolio using quarterly data of public European firms in CreditEdge January 1, 2000–December 31, 2017.
To construct the initial portfolio, we include all counterparties with liabilities exceeding $10 million USD, and assume one newly originated floating rate term loan for each counterparty, with maturity determined by a weighted average11 of one and seven years (representing current and long-term liabilities), and spread equal to the implied par spread. The reference rate is the three-month LIBOR rate. We determine the probability of default for each instrument using Moody’s Analytics EDF credit measures, and we set loss given default at 50%.
Once originated, an instrument is held until maturity unless the counterparty defaults or the counterparty drops out of the database. If the counterparty defaults, we use recovery for funding during the following period. If the counterparty leaves the database (without indication of default), we assume the loan sold at face value with cash returned for reinvestment. If an instrument matures, we assume a new loan originates from the same counterparty with updated maturity and spread information, if the counterparty continues to exist in the database. Another source of newly originated loans is the addition of new counterparties. Whenever a new counterparty enters the database, we assume a newly originated loan from that counterparty.
We assume both the benchmark and optimized portfolios begin with the same initial composition, with holdings of instruments proportion to the liability of their counterparties. In any case, portfolio growth only comes from free cash flow with no external cash infusions or depletion. We calculate free cash flow during each quarter as the sum of interest income, recovery from default, cash from matured loans, and loans sold.
For the benchmark portfolio, free cash flow is reinvested proportionally to the liability of the counterparties of the newly originated loans (i.e., proportional to the available credit in the market). For the optimized portfolio, we allocate free cash flow so that it minimizes the overall portfolio ex-ante earnings volatility, while maintaining the same level of expected earnings as the benchmark portfolio during that quarter. We conduct optimization at the country- and industry-level.
Loss allowance calculation under IFRS 9 is more complicated. Under CECL for U.S. portfolios, loss allowance is always calculated as lifetime expected loss, while under IFRS 9 for the European portfolio, loss allowance is calculated as one-year or lifetime expected loss according to the instruments’ stages. For our study, we use the following rule for determining an instrument’s stage:12 We categorize an instrument as Stage 2 if it satisfies either (1), the current PD to maturity exceeds 130% of the origination PD to maturity and the absolute PD level to maturity exceeds 0.66%; or (2), its PD level to maturity exceeds 2.5%.
Figure 10 shows the realized loss allowance for the two portfolios at the beginning of each quarter 2000–2017. The loss allowance of the optimized portfolio is always lower than that of the benchmark portfolio. It is also less volatile. The level of loss allowance increases for both portfolios during the periods of the dot-com crisis, the financial crisis, and the European debt crisis. While we see an increase in the loss allowance for the benchmark portfolio during the stock market sell-off 2015–2016, the loss allowance for the optimized portfolio is not impacted.
Figure 11 shows the change in loss allowance for the two portfolios. Similar to the case for U.S. portfolios, the optimized portfolio shows much smaller volatility of change in loss allowance at 0.11%, a 35% decrease from the benchmark portfolio at 0.17%. This decrease, in turn, translates to a 2.1% increase in equity value.
Figure 12 shows the realized default loss for the two portfolios. As shown, default loss is significantly lower for the optimized portfolio during the crisis period as well as the post-crisis period. Volatility of default loss for the benchmark portfolio is 0.44%, while the volatility for the optimized portfolio is only 0.18%, a 59% decrease, implying a 6.2% increase in equity value.
Figures 13 and 14 compare the average PD to maturity and average maturity between the two portfolios. Similar to the case for U.S. portfolios under CECL, the optimized portfolio favors safer instruments with generally lower PDs. However, the differences between the maturities of the two European portfolios under IFRS 9 are not as significant as seen for the case under CECL in Figure 9. In fact, under IFRS 9, safe instruments with long maturities are very attractive, because their incomes are higher due to longer maturities. However, they exhibit sensitivity to credit migration roughly equivalent to instruments with one-year remaining maturity (i.e., allowance is calculated as the one-year expected loss).
Figure 15 calculates the notional-based proportion of Stage 2 assets at each time point. As expected, the optimized portfolio contains a smaller proportion of Stage 2 instruments, given their propensity to exhibit higher earnings volatility. This difference is a primary driver for the optimized portfolio’s large reduction in earnings volatility. The difference in proportion of Stage 2 assets between the two portfolios is largest during the post-crisis period. Worth noting, there are a few notable periods where the optimized portfolio has a larger proportion of Stage 2 instruments. These occur primarily because the instruments’ changes of staging after loan origination and the inability to change loan holding amount after origination.
Our research shows how credit earnings volatility can impact share price performance for financial institutions. Results demonstrate that a 1.0% increase in credit earnings volatility is associated with a 15.6 bps decrease in equity value. When exploring earnings volatility components, we find that a 1.0% increase in the volatility of change in loss allowance leads to a 6.0 bps decrease in equity value, while a 1.0% increase in the volatility of net charge-offs plus write-downs leads to a 10.5 bps decrease in equity value. These findings suggest that credit portfolio risk management strategies can effectively reduce credit earnings volatility without decreasing income, helping to increase shareholder value. Studies show that earnings volatility can increase significantly under CECL and IFRS 9, which makes this research and conclusions very pertinent.
Our portfolio strategy minimizes ex-ante portfolio earnings volatility while targeting expected income at the benchmark level. We test the effectiveness of the strategy using both U.S. and European portfolios. For the U.S. portfolios, we use historical bank portfolio data from Moody’s CRD database as benchmarks. We find that the optimized portfolios constructed under the strategy can reduce the realized earnings volatility by 32% on average, suggesting a 4.9% increase in equity value based. In addition, the volatility of default loss and loss allowance are both much smaller for the optimized portfolios. Specifically, the realized volatility of default loss is reduced by 63%, and the realized volatility of change in loss allowance is reduced by 67%, suggesting an increase in equity value of 6.6% and 4.0%, respectively. For the European portfolios, we construct the benchmark portfolio using data from public European firms in Moody’s CreditEdge database. The optimized portfolio constructed under the portfolio strategy effectively reduces the volatility of default loss and loss allowance by 59% and 35%, respectively, implying an increase of 6.2% and 2.1% in equity value.
Our findings illustrate that these specific credit risk management strategies add value, helping to achieve stable performance. The value generated can be significant.
We would like to thank Chris Crossen, Bill Huang, and Yiting Xu for their contributions to this paper.
1 Net interest income calculated as interest income minus interest expense.
3 Rountree, Weston, and Allayannies (2008) normalize earnings using number of outstanding shares (adjusted for stock splits) and, thus, use earnings per share to calculate earnings volatility. Under their method, one firm with a smaller number of shares will have larger earnings volatility than another firm, even if the two firms remain the same in all other aspects. In contrast, we expect our earnings volatility measure to reflect the healthiness of a bank’s portfolio composition, or, in other words, the effectiveness of banks’ credit portfolio management. Therefore, we construct our normalized earnings in a way that abstracts from the impact of the number of shares.
4 The existing literature commonly uses a five-year rolling window (as in Rountree, Weston, and Allayannies (2008)). Essentially, we want the rolling window to incorporate long enough earnings dynamics, so that the calculated earnings volatility is meaningful, but not too long, so that the volatility constructed still reflects current/relevant information at each time point. We use both a three-year and a five-year window, and results are not sensitive to the final time period used. For completeness, we report both results (with results of the five-year rolling window reported in the alternative specifications).
5 Some of the literature assumes perfect foresight and, thus, uses future volatility. However, this assumption could be too strong to hold in reality.
6 The literature uses the ratio of market to book asset value as a proxy for firm value. In this paper, we use market to book equity value as our dependent variable, because we focus on the impact of earnings volatility on share price performance, rather than on firm value.
7 For the benchmark portfolios, we only include term loans and revolvers that have bank-provided coupon rates and probability of default values generated by Moody’s RiskCalc™ (using firms’ financial statement information).
8 In cases where a sector’s total number of loans is not a multiple of 10, one segment of the sector has fewer than 10 loans.
9 Due to confidentiality, we cannot present times series results for individual banks. We can interpret aggregate results as those of one large portfolio containing seven sub-portfolios optimized separately.
10 In the empirical section, default loss corresponds to net charge-offs plus write-downs.
11 The weight used for one year equals current liability over the sum of current and long-term liabilities.
12 Numbers calibrated based on historical data.
Levy, Amnon, Xuan Liang, Yanping Pan, Yashan Wang, Pierre Xuan, and Jing Zhang, “Measuring and Managing Credit Earnings Volatility of a Loan Portfolio Under IFRS 9.” Moody’s Analytics white paper, 2017.
Levy, Amnon and Jing Zhang, “Measuring and Managing the Impact of IFRS 9 and CECL Requirements on Dynamics in Allowance, Earnings, and Bank Capital.” Moody’s Analytics white paper, 2018.
Rountree, Brian, James P. Weston, and George Allayannis, "Do investors value smooth performance?" journal of Finance Economics, 90 (2008) 237-251. | https://www.moodysanalytics.com/articles/2019/earnings-volatility-share-price-performance |
# Cripto
Cripto is an EGF-CFC or epidermal growth factor-CFC, which is encoded by the Cryptic family 1 gene. Cryptic family protein 1B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CFC1B gene. Cryptic family protein 1B acts as a receptor for the TGF beta signaling pathway. It has been associated with the translation of an extracellular protein for this pathway. The extracellular protein which Cripto encodes plays a crucial role in the development of left and right division of symmetry.
Crypto is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored co-receptor that binds nodal and the activin type I ActRIB (ALK)-4 receptor (ALK4).
## Structure
Cripto is composed of two adjacent cysteine-rich motifs: the EGF-like and the CFC of an N-terminal signal peptide and of a C-terminal hydrophobic region attached by a GPI anchor, which makes it a potentially essential element in the signaling pathway directing vertebrate embryo development. NMR data confirm that the CFC domain has a C1-C4, C2-C6, C3-C5 disulfide pattern and show that structures are rather flexible and globally extended, with three non-canonical anti-parallel strands.
## Function
In the Nodal signaling pathway of embryonic development, Cripto has been shown to have dual function as a co-receptor as well as ligand. Particularly in cell cultures, it has been shown to act as a signaling molecule with the capabilities of a growth factor, and in co-culture assays, it has displayed the property of a co-ligand to Nodal. Glycosylation is responsible for mediating this interface with Nodal. EGF-CFC proteins’ composition as a receptor complex is further solidified by the GPI linkage, making the cell membrane connection able to regulate growth factor signaling of Nodal.
## Expression during embryonic development
High concentrations of Cripto are found in both the trophoblast and inner cell mass, along the primitive streak as the second epithelial-mesenchymal transformation event occurs to form the mesoderm, and in the myocardium of the developing heart. Though no specific defect has been formally associated with mutations in Cripto, in vitro studies that disrupt gene function at various times during development have provided glimpses of possible malformations. For example, inactivation of Cripto during gastrulation disrupted the migration of newly formed mesenchymal mesoderm cells, resulting in the accumulation of cells around the primitive streak and eventual embryonic death. Other results of Cripto disruption include the lack of posterior structures. and a block on the differentiation of cardiac myocyte,. both of which lead to embryonic death.
Cripto's functions have been hypothesized from these null mutation studies. It is now known that Cripto is similar to other morphogens originating from the primitive streak in that it is asymmetrically expressed, specifically in a proximal-distal gradient, explaining the failure of posterior structures to form in the absence of Cripto.
## The role in cancer
The high expression of Cripto-1 was detected in many types of cancer such as pancreatic, breast and colon cancer. The high expression levels were linked to poor survival rate in cancer patients. Its role was suggested to be through promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The Wnt signaling pathway/β-catenin and TGF-B/Smad pathway was shown to control epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer. Recently, Cripto-1 was proposed as cancer stem cell marker.
## Clinical significance
CFC1B has oncogene potential due to the tumor cell proliferation through initiation by autocrine or paracrine signaling. Furthermore, the cryptic protein is highly over-expressed in many tumors such as colorectal, gastric, breast, and pancreatic cancers in homosapiens. Cripto is one of the key regulators of embryonic stem cells differentiation into cardiomyocyte vs. neuronal fate. Expression levels of cripto are associated with resistance to EGFR inhibitors. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cripto |
The event will explore how the climate crisis affects conflicts and displacement in the Global South. What would be necessary adaptation strategies for disaster risk reduction in the poorer and most vulnerable countries of the Global South? How can high-risk, low-capacity countries be targeted for assistance to better protect themselves from the impacts of climate change? What is the status quo on climate change and displacement? What is the link between conflict and the climate crisis? Who is particularly affected by displacement? Is climate-related displacement female?
Background
Under the motto "Uniting the world to tackle climate change", the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) will take place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The conference is taking place against the backdrop of a climate crisis that is progressing ever faster and with ever greater consequences - as the forest fires in the Mediterranean regions and the floods in Germany this summer have shown very clearly. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report of August this year also speaks a clear language: the report assumes that climate change will increase in all regions in the coming decades. At 1.5°C global warming, there will be more and more heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2°C global warming, heat extremes would become more frequent and critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health would be reached, the report said.
People in the countries of the Global South are particularly affected by the short-term and long-term impacts of climate change. In a recent report, the World Bank projects that up to 216 million people will be internally displaced due to climate change by 2050. These people are less able to protect themselves from frequent and more intense weather-related events, such as floods, fires, droughts and storms, and are increasingly forced to leave their places of origin and seek new homes.
Podium
Adil Najam
(born in Pakistan) is an environmental and development researcher and expert in the field of climate change. Najam is Professor of Global Public Policy and Environment, and Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University in the United States. Earlier he was the Vice Chancellor of the Lahore University (LUMS) in Pakistan. In 2008, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed him to the United Nations Committee on Development Policy. Najam was also one of the co-authors for the Third and Fourth Assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); work for which the scientific panel was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the public understanding of climate change science.
Raya Muttarak
is the Program Director of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Program on Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) and Acting Research Group Leader of the Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG) research group. Since 2017, she has also been Director of Population, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital a cooperation between IIASA, the University of Vienna, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Muttarak's research focuses mainly on the reciprocal relationship between population and the environment. Her current research projects include: 1) Differential impacts of climate variability on human health, migration and child welfare, 2) Climate change attitudes, voting patterns and environmental behaviours, 3) Modeling and forecasting future vulnerability and adaptive capacity.
Jane Linekar
4Mi Global Coordinator, joined the Mixed Migration Centre as the Global Coordinator of the 4Mi project in May 2019, and is leading on a new project looking into climate and mobility in Africa. Jane was previously a researcher and managing editor at Geneva’s Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, and analysis team coordinator at ACAPS. She has also worked with a number of other international NGOs and think tanks.
Daniela Paredes Grijalva
is a DOC-ÖAW Fellow and a researcher at the Institute for Social Anthropology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. For her PhD project at the University of Vienna she investigates how (im)mobilities relate to environmental change in Indonesia. She has previously worked on transnational migration, gender, and social protection as a researcher and practitioner.
Michael Fanizadeh
is a political scientist. His main areas of work at VIDC Global Diaolgue are migration and development, human rights, and anti-discrimination, with a regional focus on the Middle East. In recent years, he developed a focus on social and political developments in Afghanistan. He is also head of the working group on migration and development in AG Globale Verantwortung, the umbrella organization of development and humanitarian NGOs in Austria. | https://www.vidc.org/en/detail/climate-crisis-boosts-displacement |
“The most important house to clean is your own body.” – Marina Abramovic
We all know the importance of cleanliness, and most of us think that by showering with soap, we’ve prevented potentially harmful bacteria from making us sick. Most days, you likely go through the motions on autopilot. As soon as your alarm buzzes in the morning, you get out of bed and head to the shower for your daily cleanliness routines. But do you really make a conscious effort to clean every inch of your body? Here are some body parts that you should clean more often to keep them healthy and safe from harmful bacteria:
Here Are 5 Body Parts You Need to Clean More Often
1. Scalp
You likely wash your hair regularly, but have you heard that using less shampoo is better for you? Daily shampooing apparently removes the natural and beneficial oils that make the hair healthier. Here’s a fun time comparison: Several decades ago, the New York Times advised women that it’s best to wash the hair twice a week, as opposed to once a month, based on the recommendations of specialists!
While a lot of people use shampoo to clean their hair, most don’t pay special attention to the scalp. The many sweat glands of this area will form flakes if not properly scrubbed and massaged. This is why your head itches if it’s not clean.
Ideally, you should spend two minutes scrubbing your scalp to get rid of the dead skin cells that build up every day. You should also massage your scalp to help increase the blood flow that gives your hair needed nutrients. But how often should you shampoo? It depends on your hair type, as too many shampoo chemicals can also be bad for the hair. If you have oily hair, you might need to shampoo every other day.
2. Belly Button
The navel or belly button is perhaps the most disregarded body part when it comes to cleaning. Bacteria easily build up in this dark, moist area. Some people’s belly button can smell really bad because of the accumulation of sweat and dirt. In some cases, the smell may be a symptom of a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection, or the belly button might have a wound or bruise that has remained untreated.
It’s quite simple to clean the gunk out of your belly button. Use a soft washcloth to gently massage your navel and use table salt to disinfect the area. Don’t use creams or other skin care products because these might leave residues that may cause more buildup.
3. Behind your ears
There are skin folds behind your ears that have a high concentration of sebaceous glands. These glands collect sweat and secrete sebum, so you’ll need to scrub and wash this area properly. The area behind your ears can smell like cheese because of bacteria growth. While this is normal, as your skin goes through the biological process of renewing itself, the odor won’t be pleasant – especially if other people smell it too.
Sometimes, blackheads also form behind your ears when it’s not clean or residues remain from shampoos and soaps. Before you shower, you might also want to swab this area with cotton soaked in white vinegar to kill the bacteria or germs. If you wear earrings, regularly remove and wash these too.
4. Tongue
Your tongue is like a sponge. It absorbs bacteria from the food and drinks you put in your mouth. If you’re not conscious about cleaning your tongue, you might develop stinky breath because of the bacteria buildup. A study says that 50 percent of halitosis, also known as bad breath, is due to tongue residues.
A simple remedy? Clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. Using the same toothbrush, reach the back of your tongue and gently scrape outwards towards the tip. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, using a tongue scraper would be better than a toothbrush.
In addition, you might want to gargle with a mouthwash after your clean your mouth. Choose a mouthwash that has cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in its ingredients as it can reduce bacteria buildup by 34.5 percent more than other types of mouthwash, as per clinical research.
5. Feet
Most people don’t scrub their feet when taking a shower but experts say this area must be cleaned as often as you wash your face or brush your teeth. It’s easy for the feet to come in contact with fungi and bacteria, which can lead to calluses and other skin irritations.
Apart from giving your feet TLC in the bathroom, apply lotion or moisturizer every day to maintain the suppleness of the skin. Don’t forget to pay attention to the areas between your toes, as well as the heel and ball of your feet. These are the areas that dry faster and dry skin might lead to an infection.
Trim and file your toenails every two weeks. Experts also recommend rotating the shoes you wear to air them out since the feet can sweat and leave residues.
Final thoughts
As a matter of good hygiene and wellness, mere positive thinking isn’t enough. Always take a few extra minutes to focus on cleaning these often-overlooked body parts. It’s not too late to develop this positive habit in your routine and you’ll feel loads better after. Cleanliness is next to godliness, after all! | https://www.powerofpositivity.com/body-parts-you-need-to-clean-more-often/ |
Key shipping players unveil roadmap for autonomous sea transport systems
Specifically, the roadmap was developed by SINTEF Ocean in Norway and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), with inputs from Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), as well as the Research Council of Norway (RCN).
Singapore and Norway are in the forefront of developing and adopting new technology needed to keep a continuous and high focus on our research and development activities to stay ahead.
The partners aspire to establish an open and international innovation ecosystem supporting new business models and new market opportunities. Priority research areas are smart ship interaction, digital interoperability and smart ports. International standards are key elements in a level playing field.
It is stated that the new collaboration extends the existing MoU between Singapore (MPA) and Norway (RCN) on marine and maritime research and development. This shows the importance of autonomy in the maritime strategies of Singapore and Norway and reflects the ambition of the two nations to take a leading role in the development of the next generation of sustainable shipping.
Dr. Vegar Johansen, president of SINTEF Ocean commented that
International collaboration is essential to further develop, and to successfully implement, smart and autonomous systems, and we are pleased to establish a committed collaboration with TCOMS in Singapore in this area. | https://sailor.news/uncategorized/key-shipping-players-unveil-roadmap-for-autonomous-sea-transport-systems/ |
July 26, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka will look at public-private partnerships (PPPs) in transport, utilities, ports, tourism, construction, housing, health care, financial services, information technology and mining and minerals sector, the new PPP chief said.
“We will look at PPPs in new projects in which the government has long term interests with the government opting for equity and land stakes,” Thilan Wijesinghe, appointed last week by the government to spearhead the PPPs, said.
“Projects in the pipeline include the elevated highway from the new Kelani bridge to Athurugiriya and the underground road to extend Marine Drive and connect with the port access road.”
Also inland water-based transport and inland air transport, light rail transit, utility projects in water, waste to energy, and industrial zones will be other projects in the piprline.
These projects will act as a catalyst of economic growth, he said. He was speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2017 in Colombo, Tuesday.
Power projects and toll roads are examples of new investments that would be looked at under this model.
“They will involve new investments and transfer of ownership or debt of unproductive government assets,” he said.
Privatization is not part of my mandate, he added.
Dead assets like the Hambantota port and the Hyatt will be transferred to the private sector under this model. However, he says the Colombo Hilton hotel would be privatized. | https://www.lankabusinessonline.com/privatization-is-not-part-of-my-mandate-new-ppp-chief/ |
Montreal, 18 February 2013 – In response to the call for champions in support of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Republic of Maldives has pledged to become the first nation where the entire country and its Exclusive Economic Zone will be a Biosphere Reserve.
“The whole country of Maldives will be a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve by 2017 – where public support for conservation of the country’s remarkable environment secures a vibrant green economy and a good quality of life for all Maldivians,” said Dr Mariyam Shakeela, Minister of Environment and Energy, Republic of Maldives.
The pledge by the Republic of Maldives, is in response to the call to Parties, partners and other stakeholders to take urgent action towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, made at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) in Hyderabad, India, and builds on the announcement made at the Rio+20 Conference.
The implementation plan, Maldives as a Biosphere Reserve: An Implementation Plan 2013-2017, sets a roadmap for 2013 to 2017, after which the plan will be updated based on progress and lessons learned. The plan will be implemented by and for different atolls in a stepwise fashion, based on their readiness to adopt the “Biosphere Approach”. The plan was endorsed by the cabinet of Ministers in January 2013, showing the commitment from all stakeholders to this plan.
The goal is to ensure that more than half of the country’s atolls are implementing the new approach by the end 2017, in order to trigger the application for Maldives as a Biosphere Reserve to be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias said: “This pledge from the Maldives is extraordinary in size and potential impact. We should expect that it will be an inspiration to other CBD Parties, including Small Island Developing States and donor countries, to work harder toward the achievement of all of the Aichi Targets.”
“Global progress in the development of marine protected areas and in the sustainable management of fish stocks is lagging considerably,” he added. “Although there are still more than seven years before the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Targets are to be fully implemented, as agreed in Nagoya at CBD COP 10, we will only reach these targets by making ambitious pledges as the Maldives has now done.”
Successful implementation of the Plan will depend on forging new partnerships, both horizontal and vertical: international partners working with the government to provide financial and technical support; government agencies working together and with NGOs, and public private partnerships at the local level.
The President of the Maldives signalled intentions in June 2012, at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, RIO+20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to significantly ramp up efforts to protect the marine environment. The president outlined plans to implement a de-centralised system for environmental management and sustainable development, and was inspired by the success achieved in designating Baa Atoll as the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Maldives.
The Hyderabad Call for Biodiversity Champions invites Parties and partner organizations to make pledges to support one or more Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The pledge can cover a particular region or sub- region, include financial, technical, or other forms of support; and be time-bound. Information on how to make a pledge can be found at: www.cbd.int/champions/
Two countries, India and the Maldives, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, have so far pledged their support to the Hyderabad Call for Biodiversity Champions. | https://icriforum.org/maldives-entire-country-to-become-unesco-biosphere-reserve-by-2017/ |
Mason County Memories: A look back at ‘Black Tuesday, 1929’
Pictured are two men employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), once of which was local Clarence Dailey. This photo was taken in 1935 at a CCC camp, possibly Camp Meigs.
Chris Rizer | Courtesy
Last week, I wrote a bit on Mason County during the Roaring ‘20s. This week, it only makes sense that I cover what came next.
On October 24th, 1929, the New York Stock Exchange began its brutal collapse, losing 11% that day before a brief recovery. On the 28th, it lost another 13%. Then, on the 29th, despite efforts by the Rockefeller and Morgan families, the stock exchange lost a further 12%. Known as Black Tuesday, this loss cemented the crash and formally began the Great Depression.
Over the next four years, the Depression continued to get worse. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a NY Stock Exchange index, continued to drop until hitting a record low of 41.22 on July 8th, 1932. Over 11,000 banks failed. Unemployment increased by nearly 607%, hitting a high of over 13 million people unemployed. Over a million families lost their farms. In parts of West Virginia, nearly 90% of children were starving. And that’s only a small piece of the effects.
By 1932, people were fed up with President Hoover’s poorly planned combination of tariffs and taxes that were, depending on which economist you ask, either making the Depression worse or doing nothing at all. They definitely weren’t helping. Their response was to elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt by a landslide, giving him 42 of 48 states. Mason County, and West Virginia, voted for FDR.
Soon after his election, FDR implemented what he called the New Deal. The idea was what historians generally call the 3R’s: relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform to prevent another Depression.
Under reform, the Glass-Steagal Act restricted the banking policies that had helped cause the Depression and established the FDIC to protect regular peoples’ bank accounts.
As for the relief and recovery, they were one and the same. Putting people back to work (relief) helps the economy (recovery). Roosevelt’s idea was that, at least until the Depression was over, the government could take the lead and create jobs of its own. So, part of the New Deal included programs like the Public Works Administration (PWA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), with a later bill establishing the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Together, those three programs employed over 12 million Americans, including quite a few here in Mason County.
The PWA was focused mostly on larger projects, like the Hoover Dam, so I’ll skip them for the time being. The WPA, however, did quite a bit of work around here. Their job was to build infrastructure. Roads, bridges, post offices, libraries, museums, zoos, city halls, and swimming pools all fell under the WPA’s authority. Around here, perhaps their most well-known project was the Pomeroy levee. There is also a WPA bridge that survives on Dr. Kyle McCausland’s farm. Sadly, these are the only two I know of that have been fully documented. I’m certain there are more projects that survive, but we need to find them before they’re lost.
The CCC was the other organization that did a lot of work in our area, focused mostly on conservation projects like state parks and forests, erosion and flood control, and wildlife management. With over 3 million young men employed, every state had dozens of CCC camps. Our closest camp in West Virginia was Camp Jackson near Ravenswood, but Ohio’s Camp Meigs, just a couple miles north of Pomeroy, was closer.
My own 3x-great-uncle, Clarence Dailey, was employed by the CCC during the Depression. I don’t know for certain, but since he lived in Hartford, we’ve always assumed he worked out of Camp Meigs. That’s him and a friend of his in the picture above, taken in 1935 at a CCC camp, possibly Camp Meigs.
These programs continued until World War Two, when the jobs supporting the war effort finally ended the Depression for most Americans and made the New Deal employment programs unnecessary. But if you know where to look, their story survives through their projects.
The next meeting of the Mason County Historical and Preservation Society will be Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Mason County Library in Point Pleasant, barring bad weather.
Pictured are two men employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), once of which was local Clarence Dailey. This photo was taken in 1935 at a CCC camp, possibly Camp Meigs.
https://www.mydailyregister.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/01/web1_1.18-MC-Mem.jpgPictured are two men employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), once of which was local Clarence Dailey. This photo was taken in 1935 at a CCC camp, possibly Camp Meigs. Chris Rizer | Courtesy
By Chris Rizer
Special to the Register
Chris Rizer is president of the Mason County Historical and Preservation Society, reach him at [email protected]. | |
The more data an organization has, the more places hackers have to hide for days, weeks or sometimes years.
We recently learned of a data breach at the Pentagon through a commercial vendor, which exposed approximately 30,000 travel records, including compromised personal information and credit card data of U.S. military and civilian personnel.
Although the breach was discovered on Oct. 4, 2018, it could have happened months before it was announced to the public in mid-October. This attack—the latest in what is becoming a common occurrence—shows yet another example of a large organization facing data loss, reputational damage and much more after a hack remained undetected for an extended period of time.
After a data breach has been discovered, investigators often find out that the hackers have been occupying their network for days, if not months—and sometimes years. For about 50 percent of cybersecurity respondents, a 2017 SANS Institute survey found the average time between an initial compromise and its detection—known as dwell time—is over 24 hours. Twenty percent reported dwell time of a month or longer.
Big Data Comes with Big Cybersecurity Risks
The recent Pentagon breach is certainly not the only data breach at the government level, and not even the first involving the Defense Department. In 2017, a security researcher found misconfigured Amazon S3 buckets exposing databases that contained 1.8 billion social and forum posts made by users all over the world. Just over a week later, the same researcher discovered another misconfigured S3 bucket that exposed what appeared to be classified information from U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. This is a recurring problem.
Large organizations—especially ones the size of the Defense Department—are usually responsible for massive amounts of data. The larger the organization or agency, the more logs and events it has, generated by everything from cloud services (such as AWS and Azure) and software-as-a-service applications to traditional network and on-premises data sources. It’s nearly impossible for security analysts to manually prioritize and shift through huge amounts of log data to find a security breach.
All of that data gives attackers more places to hide. For example, hackers can enter a network through a less sensitive—and thus less monitored—vector such as an unprotected cloud server, an internet-of-things device or a shared employee laptop. They can then move laterally from that single device to access critical resources spread across the organization.
Your Best Defense Is Anomaly Detection
An intrusion is most frequently detected by a noticeable or evident change, such as a rapid increase in network traffic, a suspicious system login location or time, or the unusual export of sensitive information, i.e. data exfiltration. But not all attacks have an obvious pattern.
Hackers who have gained access to your network will often conduct a “low and slow” attack. This is where they carefully and methodically move laterally across devices and users so as not to attract attention—exploring and strategizing on how best to exfiltrate your data.
Correlation rules are often used in cybersecurity, but they can only go so far in catching malicious activity. They often don’t successfully uncover an attack because they lack context, or miss new hacks that have yet to be discovered and defined.
These types of rules can also generate many false positives that overwhelm security teams; they often correlate incidents when a true security risk doesn’t exist. For example, a false positive alert may occur when a vacationing employee logs into their corporate account from a country known as a cyberattack source, and analysts can mistakenly assume they are an attacker. Therefore, correlation rules require constant maintenance by your security teams.
Machine Learning Can Cut Weeks to Seconds
This is where machine learning comes in. Unlike manual maintenance from your security team, machine learning is much faster at finding anomalous and suspicious user and device behavior. Its algorithms can baseline normal behavior in your network environment, then alert your security team whenever anomalous activity occurs.
Prebuilt security incident timelines can display the full scope and context of related event details, which means analysts no longer have to comb through massive amounts of raw logs to manually create a timeline as part of any investigation. As a result, analysts can detect breaches sooner and reduce the amount of time that attackers are “dwelling” in a network environment, significantly reducing the size of a breach and its devastating impacts.
These attacks can be personal. We all know that mega breaches can have major impacts and repercussions with hackers accessing personal information like birthdays, family names, hometown and our personal preferences and political affiliations.
With mega data breaches increasing greatly in sophistication and having worsening impacts, organizations and government agencies need to implement smarter security management solutions sooner rather than later.
Steve Grewal is a federal board adviser for Exabeam. | https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2018/11/pentagon-travel-record-breach-highlights-impact-hacker-dwell-time/153065/ |
Eton College founded the Tony Little Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning (CIRL) in May 2015. CIRL aims to improve learning outcomes for young people by sharing and refining Eton’s best practices and innovations in teaching pedagogy, learning and leadership in education. Within Eton, CIRL promotes a culture of evidence-informed practice, creative innovation and disciplined enquiry in teaching and learning.
The Tony Little Centre has established itself as a highly significant reference point for developing thinking across independent schools and beyond.Dr. William Richardson, then General Secretary of the Head Masters’ Conference
Vision
CIRL’s founding vision is to place Eton at the forefront of developments in school education by establishing a world-class school-based centre for innovation and research in learning; and by partnering with universities, schools, and researchers internationally to ensure awareness about the most promising research findings and innovations in education and translate them into practice.
Our mission has been to achieve this vision through an eight-fold approach of reflection, evaluation, research, collaboration, innovation, professional development, personalised learning, and partnerships.
CIRL won the 2020 TES Independent School Award for ‘Strategic Education Initiative of the Year’.
Teaching & Learning
CIRL includes a set of outstanding teaching and learning spaces that Masters and boys use to trial innovative teaching and learning platforms and practices.
Research Programmes
CIRL has a dedicated Researcher-in-Residence and a Head of Research Programmes. The Centre conducts small-scale studies at Eton and larger, cross-sector research studies at other schools on topics related to resilience and character education.
Journal
CIRL publishes the Eton Journal for Innovation and Research in Education twice a year, including articles by academics, teachers and boys on aspects of evidence-informed practice.
Conferences
CIRL hosts two conferences a year at Eton and presents at numerous schools and conferences on topics such as the future of education, evidence-informed practice and character education.
Blog
The Researcher-in-Residence publishes a weekly blog that summarises research findings about aspects of teaching and learning and offers advice on how these findings can be used in practice in a school setting.
Learning Support
CIRL houses the school’s Learning Support Centre and promotes a culture of personalised learning across the school.
Professional Development
CIRL works closely with the Director of Professional Development to provide a rich programme of ongoing training for masters in teaching and learning, including whole-staff and smaller, opt-in sessions with visiting speakers and our own expert staff.
Partnerships
CIRL plays a central role in Eton’s partnerships programme by arranging and hosting free professional development opportunities for schools in the Thames Valley Learning Partnership, and by providing free online training through the EtonX platform. | https://www.etoncollege.com/about-us/our-research-centre/ |
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. (Samuel Beckett)
Pippy Houldsworth Gallery is delighted to present Upstairs-Downstairs 1984-88: The Works on Paper a solo exhibition of previously unseen works by Jacqueline de Jong. This marks the first opportunity to see the complete group of the artist’s drawings related to her Upstairs-Downstairs paintings from the mid 1980’s, a series of works that is central to her wider oeuvre.
In 1985, de Jong was one of only 16 artists selected from 400 applicants to make work for the interior spaces of the new city hall in Amsterdam. The building had caused such controversy that it took over 60 years to come to fruition, but the final design by Wilhelm Holzbauer and Cees Dam was met with much acclaim, and City Hall was finally opened in 1988. De Jong was particularly interested by the central stairways and lobbies of this postmodern building, and subsequently made 27 paintings in response to these specific areas. The works remained in situ until parts of the building were demolished in 2017, after which they were acquired by the Amsterdam Museum.
The drawings featured in the exhibition at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery reveal the artist’s initial ideas for the commission, as well as glimpses into her working methods while contemplating it. Unlike their painting counterparts, the works on paper have remained removed from the public eye and in the artist’s own collection since inception. In the words of Juliette Desorgues, Curator of Visual Arts, MOSTYN, Wales:
Each drawing consists of bold, primary acrylic paint and thick black charcoal linework used to delineate monstrous, hybrid figures, set within a multitude of backgrounds, some representing claustrophobic interiors, or sea- and landscapes, and others devoid of any setting. A key common pictorial trope that defines the series as a whole is the presence of a central staircase, echoing the one found in the location it was commissioned for and which gave the series its suggestive title. At times sinuous, other instances imposing in stature, or depicted only faintly through a black line, the staircase becomes a theatrical prop which sets the stage for erotic, violent and humorous encounters.
As the title of the series suggests, the figures are in a process of constant movement ascending and descending the staircase. They hurriedly, humorously and violently enter and exit the picture plane. Like the Theatre of the Absurd, defined by post-war playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco and Jean Genet, which itself found inspiration in the silent films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, their behaviour twists and turns aimlessly. A theatrical or filmic performance of tragi-comic chaos unfolds on canvas.
It is the very medium of art itself that is subverted throughout de Jong’s aesthetic language. Her work moves playfully in a process of constant flux and experimentation, following Beckett’s staccato riddle which opened this text, caught in a play between failure and renewal. As we circle back to this Beckettian dictate, de Jong’s work may be defined as one of the most prescient and distinctive of the post-war era and beyond.
The exhibition runs concurrently with the artist’s solo museum survey exhibition, The Ultimate Kiss, inaugurated by WIELS, Brussels, in 2021; currently on show at MOSTYN, Wales; and touring to Kunstmuseum Ravensburg, Germany, later in 2022.
A small publication with the full text by Juliette Desorgues accompanies Jacqueline de Jong’s Upstairs-Downstairs 1984-88: The Works on Paper, and is available on request from Pippy Houldsworth Gallery. | https://www.houldsworth.co.uk/exhibitions/116-jacqueline-de-jong-upstairs-downstairs-1984-1988-the-works-on-paper/press_release_text/ |
The judiciousness of American felon suffrage policies has long been the subject of scholarly debate, not least due to the large number of affected Americans: an estimated 5.3 million citizens are ineligible to vote as a result of a criminal conviction. The political implications have brought the issue to the U.S. Congress: On March 16, 2010, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee held hearings on The Democracy Restoration Act of 2009. The act proclaims that the right of ex-convicts to vote in any federal election ‘shall not be denied or abridged’. This article offers comparative and international human rights perspectives, and aims to make two main contributions to the American and global discourse.
Part I offers comparative perspectives on challenges to disenfranchisement legislation, juxtaposing U.S. case-law against recent decisions rendered by courts in Canada, South Africa, Australia, and by the European Court of Human Rights. Due to its unique constitutional stipulations, as well as to its general reluctance to engage foreign legal sources, U.S. jurisprudence appears to be lagging behind an emerging global jurisprudential trend which increasingly views disenfranchisement as a suspect practice, and subjects it to ever-stricter judicial review. The discourse follows a ‘residual liberty’ approach according to which convicts remain rights-holders, views universal suffrage as the democratic ideal, and rejects regulatory justifications for disenfranchisement. The realization that the American legal position bucks a global trend may affect the debate about the pending Congressional bill, as well as prompt other initiatives.
Part II analyzes the international human rights treaty regime. It assesses, in particular, Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which proclaims that ‘every citizen’ has the right-to-vote ‘without unreasonable restrictions’. As the article discusses citizens, the analysis focuses on an interpretation of the phrase ‘unreasonable restrictions’, it is concluded that, while the treaty regime currently tolerates certain forms of felon disenfranchisement, there is a noticeable trend towards a more inclusive suffrage.
Against this background, the paper advocates drafting a new optional protocol to the ICCPR, which will proscribe disenfranchisement outright. Following the normative framework that, arguably, frames the transnational discourse, it is submitted that disenfranchisement should be considered a punishment which causes grave harms to individuals and collectives that outweigh its contentious social benefits. Furthermore, it is submitted that, since voting eligibility constitutes the essence of the right-to-vote, it should not be subjected to balancing/ proportionality review; rather, its use should cease. Moreover, the presumed facilitative nature of the right-to-vote makes it less susceptible to cultural relativity and deference-based objections to further international standardization.
The paper draws analogies between the proposed protocol and the ICCPR’s ‘Optional Protocol Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty’. The proposed protocol will set a higher standard for guaranteeing the right-to-vote of convicts. The invigorated transnational judicial discourse will impact more jurisdictions, so that more countries may decide to meet that standard. | https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1689665 |
Coping is anything we do to either change the situation that is causing us stress or to change the way we think and feel about the situation.
Coping mechanisms can be either problem focused or emotion focused.
One of the key issues with stress is that we typically feel out of control because we believe we don’t have the resources to meet the demands of the situation.
One of the cornerstones of coping is recognising what is within our control. Sometimes it will be within our power to alter the situation which is bothering us.
For example, a single father who finds it stressful having to organise both himself and his children before he leaves for work in the mornings may be able to wake up earlier, organise for a childminder to come to the house to help in the mornings or negotiate a later start time at work. These would be examples of problem-focused coping mechanisms.
However he may find that he has implemented some or all of the above and yet one morning he is stuck in traffic due to a road accident. In this situation he may start to worry about what his boss will say if he is late for work and start to feel stressed. However, there is little he can do practically to change the situation since the traffic conditions are not within his control. In this situation he might use emotion focused coping mechanisms.
Recognising unhelpful negative thoughts when we are stressed and consciously changing them can help us to feel better and switch off the body’s stress response.
Likewise, relaxing our bodies can also help us to think more clearly and therefore to feel better.
Engaging in activities which promote positive emotions can also help to relax the body and enable the mind to find more creative solutions to challenges.
So the man who is stuck in traffic might catch himself worrying that he will lose his job if he is late and remind himself that this is not likely and that his boss may well be stuck in traffic too. He may take a few moments to slow his breathing and stretch his tense muscles to relax himself physically. He might then sing along to some music he enjoys or find a radio station broadcasting something funny to help to shift himself into a more positive emotional state.
Coping can occur prior to a stressful situation, in which case it is known as anticipatory coping, or as a reaction to a current or past stressor.
Some coping behaviours are successful both at reducing the adverse impact of the current stressor and at promoting long-term health (e.g. exercise and meditation) or reinforcing helpful behaviours (seeking support and time management). These are sometimes referred to as adaptive coping mechanisms.
Other coping strategies may also successfully relieve stress in the short term, but have adverse effects on health and/or reinforce unhelpful behaviours in the long-term e.g. smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and overworking. These are sometimes called maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Some maladaptive coping mechanisms can be self-perpetuating e.g. a shy person avoiding social situations. This reduces the anxiety associated with interacting with others in the short term but also means that the person does not have the opportunity to practise social skills and so perpetuates the shyness.
People who cope well with stress typically use a range of different coping mechanisms. They are good at recognising what is within their control and taking appropriate problem focused steps to resolve the situation. They also tend to be good at recognising when they don’t have external control of a situation and taking appropriate steps to modify their emotional response.
The good news is that coping with stress is a skill that can be learnt and anyone can become better at it with self – awareness, reflection and practise.
The template here is designed for you to develop your own personalised stress management plan. It is completely free to download and you are very welcome to share it with anyone who may find it useful.
If you are really struggling to manage stress on your own there are many professionals who can help you. Your GP may be able to refer you to a counsellor or cognitive behavioural therapist on the NHS although there can be a long wait for these services in some areas.
You might also consider working privately with a counsellor or coach. Alternatively you might learn mindfulness or take up yoga. The important thing is to do something. If stress is making you feel really bad, please take action – there will be something you can do that will help you to feel better. | http://www.hippocraticcoach.co.uk/feel-better/coping-with-stress/ |
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has long been a way of life at Dole. Through innovative research, Dole has carefully integrated cultural, biological and, when necessary, chemical control measures into an all-encompassing pest management program that focuses on outbreak prevention. Dole’s pest control practices are constantly reviewed for their effectiveness, efficiency and environmental impact. Alternative methods are also subjected to rigorous evaluation to ensure that they offer a responsible and sustainable solution to the problem at hand.
Dole only uses conventional crop protection products as a last resort, meaning that pests are present in sufficient numbers to cause severe damage to fruit or vegetable quality. In such cases, Dole uses these products in limited quantities and with proper care so to respect health, safety and environmental standards, as well as maintain accordance with all applicable laws.
Dole makes extensive use of natural techniques, including biological controls (such as beneficial predatory wasps that attack certain harmful insect pests), bioantagonists (micro-organisms that infect specific pests), and alternative sources for fertilization and soil improvement (such as non-competing cover crops). Furthermore, the Company has a comprehensive research program dedicated to biological control agents (naturally occurring organisms that control pests and diseases) and also closely monitors worldwide scientific research in this area. | http://dolecrs.com/corporate-responsibility/environmental-policy/integrated-pest-management/ |
Good Morning, Mission! Welcome to Virus Village, your daily Covid-19 data dump.
Last March the Bay Area health directors got together and their cities took decisive action, ordering a shelter-in-place. Now San Francisco is hemming and hawing, trying to make “surgical” decisions based on limited or no data. Shelter-in-place is really the only way to curb the virus, but the federal government refuses to pay to make it work.
The weakness of healthcare for profit has been fully exposed during the pandemic with consistent shortages in PPE, testing supplies, quarantine options, etc. But far worse is the hospital system, which over the years has cut beds and staff to lower costs. Today California hospitals are quickly reaching their limits. The New York Times reports the richest state in the richest country in the world has only 1.8 hospital beds per 1000 residents, one third the number of beds per capita in Poland!
Privatization has its problems in other areas as well. In the wake of the recent scandals emanating from the Department of “Public” Works, the Board of Supervisors decided to check out the new contract with Recology. Was that 20 percent rate hike based based on performance, or bribery? Guess.
In a time of viruses and scandals, burgers may be your best bet.
Scroll down for today’s Covid numbers.
Between October 30 and November 28, the Mission reported a record 355 new cases for a cumulative total of 2125, or 35.6 cases per 1000 residents.
Covid-19 R estimation for California estimates San Francisco’s R number to be approximately 1.29 and California’s R number to be around 1.36, the highest in the nation. The ensemble of models estimates California at 1.12 and San Francisco at 1.25. In the absence of decisive public interventions, expect the virus to keep spreading quickly in the coming weeks.
For the week ending November 24, the seven-day average number of Citywide daily cases jumped to 148 or 17 cases per 100,000 residents. In three weeks, the average new case count rose 180 percent.
Despite high numbers, San Francisco hospitals must transfers again. For the week ending November 30, the weekly rate of change in Covid positive patients was 51 percent. During that week DPH reports the seven-day average availability of ICU beds was 34 percent and for Acute Care beds 33 percent. DPH reports SF hospitals have 100 percent of required PPE on hand, but make no mention of staff.
A nightmare in the making.
Expect new death numbers to be coming any day now. Perhaps the problem is not the uncertainty of death, but the uncertainty as to cause of death. | https://missionlocal.org/2020/12/12-2-tracker/ |
There are many slang words are used on the internet As communication chatting or texting. some Slangs full form and abbreviations that save our time and space. such as OMG, MSG, SYS, etc.
But sometimes these types of internet slang got too difficult to understand during chatting or texting. and in that situation, this Most popular Internet Slang Full-Form helps to understand Abbreviations for Texting.
In the beloved table, you got the answer of What are the most popular internet abbreviations for chatting. all the acronyms help to instant replay and massage.
What is Internet slangs
Slang is the language (words, phrases, and usages) of an informal register. that save our time while chatting. in the above section, A list of top internet slang full forms is given. This list of acronyms and slang will help you an instant replay. | https://onlinefullform.com/internet-slang-full-form-and-abbreviations/ |
This quick and easy Layered Italian Sausage Pasta Bake recipe is made with organic penne pasta, tomato sauce and 6-cheese Italian mix.
When you are hungering for hearty dinner recipe that won’t disappoint, look no further than this Layered Italian Sausage Pasta Bake. It combines cooked Italian sausage, organic penne pasta smothered in a rich puttanesca sauce and topped with lots of cheesy goodness.
Weekly meal prep doesn’t have to be a drag. I came to this conclusion long ago when I started to make this quick and easy layered penne pasta bake recipe.
It won’t take much effort on your part, just a pan to boil the pasta, a baking dish and a medium fry pan, if you don’t have cooked sausage at the ready.
How to Make Layered Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
This recipe uses simple pantry items like a one pound bag of Alessi Italian Penne Pasta, two jars of Alessi Puttanesca Sauce, one cup of chopped tomatoes and basil and one pound cooked Italian sausage.
Cooking Tip: If you don’t have penne pasta, ziti or mostaccioli pasta will do also nicely. Use same amount as in recipe below.
First prep your large baking dish (9×9 in or 2 1/2 quarts) with non-stick spray and begin layering with the sausage and tomato-basil mix.
Then, top with four ounces of a good Italian cheese blend.
At this point, top the cheese with a layer of sauce. By this time, the pasta should be al dente and ready to be added on top of the sauce.
For this task, I like to use a cooking spider because it really allows most of the pasta water to drain. Depending upon your baking dish, you’ll need approximately half of the cooked pasta or four cups. Be sure not to overfill as the pasta sauce might spill over.
I like to nudge my pasta sauce into the nooks and crannies. Layer generously but not to overfilling.
Add the rest of the cheese and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for approximately 45 minutes.
Cooking Tip: To avoid spillage, use a cookie sheet under the baking dish.
The Layered Italian Sausage Pasta Bake should have a nice light golden brown top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for five minutes before serving.
As you can see, there’s plenty for all.
And, hearty enough for a meal or two. Be sure to serve this dish with a side salad and some crusty bread. Enjoy!
More Recommended Pasta Recipes
For more delicious pasta dishes for you and your family, here are my favorite picks:
- Pasta e Fagioli or Italian Bean Stew
- 10 Minute One Pan Pasta Recipe
- Artichoke Hearts with Braised Sausage Pasta
- Easy Baked Italian Penne Pasta with Meat and Cheese Sauce
- Authentic Bolognese Ragu
- Baked Penne with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Vegetable Puttanesca with Sausage
Layered Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage cooked
- 1 cup tomatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp basil chopped
- 5 cups Alessi Putanesca Sauce
- 8 oz Sargento 6 Italian Cheese Mix
- 4 cups cooked pasta (Your choice of mostaccioli, penne or ziti. Start with a 1 lb bag of dry pasta.)
- non-stick spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Cook to al dente.
- In a medium fry pan, fry the Italian sausage until cooked. Approximately 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Prepare your baking dish by spraying with non-stick spray.
- Begin layering in this order: starting with the Italian sausage, followed by the chopped tomatoes, basil, 1/2 cheese mix, and 3 cups of puttanesca sauce.
- Add a layer of cooked pasta, topped with the rest of the puttanesca sauce and the rest of the cheese mix.
- Place the baking dish on a cookie sheet to catch any drippings.
- Bake Layered Sausage Pasta Bake in the oven for approximately 45 minutes or until the cheese is lightly golden brown. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with a side salad and crusty bread. Enjoy! | https://wisconsinhomemaker.com/layered-italian-sausage-pasta-bake/ |
"Science Diplomacy" Conference at the Nencki Institute
On Wednesday, November 28th, 2018, the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, organized a Conference on “Science Diplomacy”. The event took place in the Lecture Hall of the Center of Neurobiology of the Institute and was composed of an introduction to the field, followed by five presentations discussing various aspects of science diplomacy. The program of the Conference contained presentations by the following speakers:
- Prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyn, Director of the Nencki Institute, Opening and Introduction
- Prof. Zafra Lerman (USA), President of the Malta Conferences Foundation and Laureate of the Sacharov Prize, "Science Diplomacy for Peace in the Middle East - Challenges and Opportunities"
- Ambassador Tomasz Orlowski, former Chief of Protocol of the President of Poland, former Vice Minister of the Polish Foreign Ministry, former Ambassador to France and to Italy, "Politics is a science; diplomacy is an art (Metternich). What is the nature of relation between science and diplomacy?"
- Prof. Jerzy Duszynski, former Director of the Nencki Institute, former Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, current President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, “Science policy in the Polish Academy of Sciences”
- Prof. Malgorzata Moleda-Zdziech, director of the Polish Science Contact Agency in Brussels, “Lobbying for science”
- Prof. Maciej Nalecz, former director of the Nencki Institute, former director in UNESCO, Paris, professor at the Nencki Institute - "Science diplomacy in UNESCO: Focus on the SESAME Project”
In the Introduction, Professor Agnieszka Dobrzyn explained that science diplomacy is the use of scientific collaborations among nations, to address common problems, and to build constructive international partnerships. The name "science diplomacy" refers to three main types of activities: 1. “Science in diplomacy”, where science provides advice to inform and support foreign policy objectives; 2. “Diplomacy for science”, where diplomacy facilitates international scientific cooperation; and 3. “Science for diplomacy”, where scientific cooperation improves international relations. The conference focuses on the latter as the most important to the Nencki Institute, since scientific values of rationality, transparency and universality are the same the world over. They can help to underpin good governance and build trust between nations. Furthermore, science provides a non-ideological environment for the participation and free exchange of ideas between people, regardless of cultural, national or religious backgrounds. That is also why science can help solving conflicts. Cooperation on the scientific aspects of sensitive issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, water accessibility, food security or infectious diseases—can provide an effective route to other forms of political dialogue enabling a peaceful co-existence. And this is the essence of “science diplomacy”. Other speakers were discussing science diplomacy from various perspectives. A famous chemist (Prof. Zafra Lerman) showed how scientific collaboration can be used to break cultural and political barriers in the troubled Region of the Middle East. An experienced diplomat (Ambassador Orlowski) described his experience with “soft diplomacy”, i.e. the use of science and culture to attain diplomatic objectives. A Chief of a big national scientific organization (Prof. Jerzy Duszynski) exemplified actions of Polish science that help diplomacy, and his co-worker, Prof. Malgorzata Moleda-Zdziech, spoke about the need of lobbying for science on international political fora as European Commission or European Parliament. An experienced former UN Official, and our Colleague from the Nencki Institute (Prof. Maciej Nalecz) presented how a big intergovernmental organization, UNESCO, implements science diplomacy within its program, to meet the goal set in its Constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defense of peace must be constructed".
The Conference was closed by Prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyn, who expressed hope that the Nencki Institute may become more involved, and even lead, some science diplomacy actions in the future. | http://en.nencki.gov.pl/article/science-diplomacy-conference-in-the-nencki-institute |
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Anything sold as a preorder is not susceptible to a refund. If a refund is granted, a 15% fee may be deducted from the total, due to restocking and/or inventory fees. Shipping fees are Non Refundable.
If you would like to exchange an item, you must contact us within 7 days of reciept in the US and 14 days internationally. This DOES NOT mean that a refund will be granted.
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By clicking add to cart and completing your order, you agree to the terms and conditions above. The terms and conditions are subject to change. | https://shophausvonlila.bigcartel.com/terms-and-conditions |
What's the weather like in Costa Dorada?
Costa Dorada is an area along the west coast of Spain in the province of Tarragona. Located along the Mediterranean Sea, the area is known for its world famous beaches as well as numerous cities and towns with history that dates back to the Roman Empire. With dry and warm weather throughout much of the year, the region is a great holiday spot no matter the month.
March, April and May make up the spring months and are an excellent time to visit the region. This is still considered to be the off-season and some deals are to be had for both airlines and hotels. The season is mainly dry with rainfall amounts remaining consistent over the time period with 30mm expected each month. Additionally, each month sees an average of only 5 rain days, so much of spring is dry enough for visitors to take advantage of the numerous sites and festivals.
Temperatures begin to warm during the summer with average afternoon highs climbing from 19°C (66°F) in March to 22°C (72°F) by May. In the beginning of the season, visitors may want to be prepared for an unexpected cold snap, but by May the winter gear can be left behind. Average overnight lows are also moving upward from 8°C (46°F) to 13°C (55°F) by May.
While temperatures on land are warming, they are doing the same at sea. It might still be too cold for a swim, especially early in the season, but temperatures are quickly climbing to much warmer conditions. Average sea surface temperatures will climb from a brisk 13°C (55°F) in March to 17°C (63°F) by May.
The summer consists of June, July and August and represents the high time for visitors to decide to take a holiday to the region. Temperatures are at their warmest during this time of the year with August being the hottest month of the three. Average afternoon highs start out at 26°C (79°F) in June and climb to 29°C (84°F) by August. Combined with an average 13-14 hours of sunshine each day over the three months, visitors will need to pack plenty of sunscreen as they enjoy the warm temperatures and the sunny skies.
Overnight lows are also much warmer now than in the beginning of the year. At this point, all visitors need to pack are summer clothes meant to keep them cool and comfortable. Average overnight lows will range from 17°C (63°F) to 21°C (70°F). With temperatures like these, it is important to have a hotel room with air conditioning in order to stay comfortable.
Summer is also a great time to take advantage of the dry conditions and warm sea waters. June, July and August each receive an average of only 10mm of precipitation over a 1-2 day period. As a result, there is very little chance of having rain ruin any part of a holiday. Sea surface temperatures are also at their warmest all year in August when they average 25°C (77°F). This is plenty warm enough to enjoy the various water sports near the area.
Autumn makes up September, October and November and brings cooler weather and slightly wetter conditions to the region. While no one month is a washout, it will be important to consult an extended forecast to know what is best to pack. Rainfall amounts will range from 30mm in September to 50mm in October and 40mm in November. Each month averages about 6 rainfall days and there is a chance of thunderstorms mixed in with shower activity.
After a warm summer, temperatures are now beginning to cool off. Average afternoon highs will go from 28°C (82°F) in September to 20°C (68°F) by November. Average overnight lows will also be on the chilly side with temperatures falling from 19°C (66°F) in September to 10°C (50°F) by the end of the season. As a result, visitors will need to pack a light jacket with them, especially during November.
After a long summer of playing in the waves, sea surface temperatures are also beginning to cool off. Average sea surface temperatures will range from 23°C (73°F) to 17°C (63°F). With these falling numbers, if vacationers plan on spending time in the ocean, they need to plan a trip in September before it gets too cold to enjoy for the next several months. Despite the cool water temperatures, vacationers can still enjoy the beach with an average of 9-11 hours of sunshine each day. This is plenty of time to catch some rays even if going in the sea is out of the question.
Winter in Costa Dorada takes place over December, January and February and encompasses the coldest temperatures of the year. The coolest overnight lows are felt in January when temperatures dip to 6°C (43°F). Over both December and February, mornings are not much warmer as lows will drop to 7°C (45°F). This is plenty cold enough for visitors to need to pack long sleeves, a light jacket and pants. To find out just how cold it is going to be, it's always a good idea to check a forecast before leaving home.
The good news is that afternoon temperatures are much warmer over the three month period with temperatures averaging between 16°C (61°F) and 17°C (63°F). While still cool enough for a light jacket, vacationers can warm up in the 7-8 hours of sunshine the region receives each day.
Rain chances are hardly a concern over the winter months as the average rainfall amounts are between 20-50mm with January being the wettest of the three months. Much of the rain will fall over a 5-6 day period in each month. As a result, even January is mainly dry.
While it might be warm enough to see the sites on land, it is definitely too cold to go for a swim in winter. The average sea surface temperatures are between 13°C (55°F) and 15°C (59°F). It will be several months before waters warm enough for visitors to enjoy the sea and surf. | https://www.holiday-weather.com/costa_dorada/ |
2017 - Ongoing
This project was initially conceived as a commentary on “creative block” often experienced amongst artists, musicians and writers - showing the human form in a self imposed barrier regardless of the inspiration provided to them by their surrounding environment. During the course of it’s evolution over the past 3 years, I began to realize the impact the project could have as an activism piece towards the awareness of climate change and environmental disaster and serve as a way of possibly benefitting the world as opposed to simply making a statement. The box used in the piece is intended to represent the man made barriers we have set up against nature, both physically and mentally - the box suggests a disconnect and interruption with the natural world, and the surrounding environment. The human form, turned away both in ignorance to the gravity of the effect of the barriers and vulnerability at the same time because of it’s interconnection to it’s surrounding environment serves as an vessel for change. The current direction of this series is meant to spark an emotional response to the impact of climate change and environmental disasters in an effort to inspire change on an individual level.
This disconnect has created a mindset of humanity being separate from nature, and on an individual level, has fostered the mentality that climate change will not have a direct and personal effect on us and individual actions will make little difference in the race for affecting climate change. This project intends to use art in the form of photographs in various locations already impacted by climate change, or in need of protection, to alter that mindset and bring to light a new perspective that personalizes climate change and makes the issue more relatable on an individual level in order to convey the need for personal responsibility in response to this crisis.
The images from this series will serve as the catalyst for a new dialog and recognition of individual and personal responsibility we need to put forth in an effort to alter our current lifestyle to create positive and effective change. We are forever interconnected and dependent on nature, regardless of the barriers we construct - and this man made problem requires a man made solution. This project puts the individual in the forefront of the issue in areas that have already been notably impacted by climate change to show that regardless of our self imposed barriers to change and awareness, this issue is surrounding and affecting us all. We are as vulnerable to destruction as the world around us because we have become interdependent on each other to continue to survive and thrive. This series highlights that connection on a personal, human level.
Art has the unique distinction of being a medium that can elicit emotional response to issues. The goal of this series is to inspire people to take action by highlighting the gravity of the situation in a real, personal and tangible way - by connecting the human element with the environment and showing that if we continue to ignore this issue, ultimately we are doing detriment to ourselves. | https://phmuseum.com/sarahpezdek/story/torpor-f5fcbdf4c3 |
Why are fragments used in Android?
Fragments always exist within the context of a given Activity and can always access that Activity. By storing the information of interest within the Activity, the Fragment for each screen can simply access the object reference through the Activity.
What is fragment and activity in Android?
Activity is the part where the user will interacts with your application. … Fragment represents a behavior or a portion of user interface in an Activity. You can combine multiple fragments in a single activity to build a multi-pane UI and reuse a fragment in multiple activities.
Are fragments good or bad?
Using Fragments is a well tested Android pattern. They provide you with a handy, small scale View Controller with a fully managed lifecycle. That’s neat. But Fragments are not always the right tool for the job.
What do fragments do?
Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence.
Is it better to use activity or fragment?
It is always hosted by an activity. It has its own layout and its own behavior with its own life cycle callbacks. We can add or remove fragments in an activity while the activity is running.
…
Difference Table.
|Activity||Fragment|
|Activity can exist without a Fragment||Fragment cannot be used without an Activity.|
Why are fragments important?
Fragments are Android’s solution to creating reusable user interfaces. You can achieve some of the same things using activities and layouts (for example by using includes). However; fragments are wired in to the Android API, from HoneyComb, and up.
What is a fragment and examples?
A fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It is not a complete sentence, but it could be a phrase. Examples of Fragment: the boy on the porch. to the left of the red car.
What are the four types of fragments?
Fragments
- Prepositional Phrase Fragments. Prepositional phrase fragments involve prepositions (for, to, during, through, etc.). …
- Infinitive Fragments. …
- -ing Fragments. …
- Dependent Clauses. …
- Fragments using subordinate clauses. …
- Relative pronoun fragments.
How do you use fragments?
There are two ways to add a fragment to an activity: dynamically using Java and statically using XML. Before embedding a “support” fragment in an Activity make sure the Activity is changed to extend from FragmentActivity or AppCompatActivity which adds support for the fragment manager to all Android versions.
What is fragments in Android with example?
Android Fragment is the part of activity, it is also known as sub-activity. There can be more than one fragment in an activity. Fragments represent multiple screen inside one activity.
…
Android Fragment Lifecycle Methods.
|No.||Method||Description|
|11)||onDestroy()||allows the fragment to do final clean up of fragment state.|
What is an activity?
An activity provides the window in which the app draws its UI. This window typically fills the screen, but may be smaller than the screen and float on top of other windows. … Typically, one activity in an app is specified as the main activity, which is the first screen to appear when the user launches the app.
Why do writers use fragments?
Sentence fragments in fiction can be a useful way of conveying pace, tone, and intensity. However, overuse can lead to lazy writing—fragments should be used sparingly, and for a good storytelling purpose.
Are fragments still used in Android?
Fragments have existed for years (back in the days the support library backported them to Android 1.6) and Google continues to improve them. And actually there has been a lot of new stuff added recently, including ViewModels and LiveData which play very well with Fragments.
Are sentence fragments OK?
For formal writing, it’s important to be able to write complete sentences: sentence fragments must be avoided at all costs. But in creative writing, fragments can be okay—if you know what you’re doing. There are many situations in your creative writing when you will want to deliberately use a sentence fragment. | https://linuxcentro.net/android/what-are-fragments-in-android-studio.html |
When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
Are the links functional?
Relevance
The importance of the information for your needs
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?
Authority
The source of the information.
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net
Accuracy
The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?
Purpose:
The reason the information exists
What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
Meriam Library - California State University – Chico
https://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf
OpenSources Steps for Analyzing Websites by Melissa Zimdars
Step 1: Title/Domain Analysis
If words like “.wordpress” or “blogger” are in the domain that usually signifies it’s a personal blog rather than a news source. If slight variations of well known websites appear, such as “.com.co,” this is usually a sign that the website is fake version of a source. However, remember that foreign reputable news organizations may have these country-specific domains.
Step 2: About Us Analysis
I usually google every title/domain name/anyone listed in the “About Us” section to see if anyone has previously reported on the website (snopes, hoax-slayer, politifact, factcheck.org, etc.) or whether it has a wikipedia page or something similar detailing its background. This is useful for identifying and correctly interpreting lesser known and/or new websites that may be on the up-and-up, such as satirical sources or websites that are explicit about their political orientation.
Then I look for information about the credentials and backgrounds of affiliated writers (is it a content mill or do they pay their writers?), editors, publishers, and domain owners (who.is etc.). It’s also useful to see if the website has a “Legal” or “Disclaimer” section. Many satirical websites disclose this information in those sections.
A total lack of About Us, Contact Us, or any other type of identifying information may mean that the website is not a legitimate source of information.
Step 3: Source Analysis
Does the website mention/link to a study or source? Look up the source/study. Do you think it’s being accurately reflected and reported? Are officials being cited? Can you confirm their quotes elsewhere? Some media literacy and critical scholars call this triangulation: Verify details, facts, quotes, etc. with multiple sources.
Step 4: Writing Style Analysis
Does the website follow AP Style Guide or another style guide? Typically, lack of style guide may indicate an overall lack of editing or fact-checking process. Does it frequently use ALL CAPS in headlines and/or body text? Does the headline or body of the text use words like WOW!, SLAUGHTER!, DESTROY!? This stylistic practice and these types of hyperbolic word choices are often used to create emotional responses with readers that is avoided in more traditional styles of journalism.
Step 5: Aesthetic Analysis
Like the style-guide, many fake and questionable news sites utilize very bad design. Usually this means screens are cluttered with text and heavy-handed photoshopping or born digital images.
Step 6: Social Media Analysis
Look up the website on Facebook. Do the headlines and posts rely on sensational or provocative language-- aka clickbait-- in order to attract attention and encourage likes, clickthroughs, and shares? Do the headlines and social media descriptions match or accurately reflect the content of the linked article? (this step isn’t particularly good at helping us find fake news, but it can help us identify other misleading news sources)
By considering all of these areas of information we can determine which category or categories a website may occupy, although all categorizations are by necessity open to discussion and revision.
You can also be mislead by a URL that makes sense until you dissect the URL.
Examples:
The .co domain is actually registered in the country of Colombia, which can be confusing for someone who leaves off the "m" in .com.
Just because a URL ends in .org, does not necessarily indicate that it is a trustworthy source.
Ask Us: Get research assistance from the MU Libraries' staff via email, phone, or in person at the library. There's also a searchable list of frequently asked questions. You can chat with a librarian 24 hours a day (M-F) and Saturday and Sundays starting at 10 a.m. You can contact your subject librarian to ask questions or to set up an appointment to meet one-on-one.
Call Us: 573-882-3362
Text Us Your Questions: 573-535-6818
Email Us: [email protected]
Research Consultation: a free one-on-one consultation with a librarian. | https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/c.php?g=932987&p=6724921 |
When asked what it means to have fresh leadership in Maine museums, Jacqueline Terrassa, the new director at the Colby College Museum of Art, answered by looking inward to the heart of her own museum in Waterville and its mission of collecting, displaying and interpreting American art.
“It goes to the question of what is American art,” said Terrassa, who arrived at Colby in October, moving from Chicago by way of her native Puerto Rico, where her family resides. “What is America, who is an American and what is American art?”
As a Puerto Rican, Terrassa’s perspective on America is hemispheric. The term “America” does not represent a country, but encompasses the regions of South, Central and North America. Thus her perspective on American art is broader than the national-identity version of art history, which suggests American art begins around the founding of this country, continues through the late 20th century and is defined by the geographic constraints of the 50 United States – but rarely includes art from places like Puerto Rico, which is part of the United States, or Cuba, which is part of America.
As the broader culture grapples with questions of equity – Who counts and to what degree do they count? Who has the power, and who has the voice? – new leadership in Maine museums means there’s more power and more voice among people who often hold neither: women and people of color. Since March, when the pandemic arrived, five prominent art and cultural institutions in Maine have changed senior leadership. In each instance but one, the new leader is a woman or a person of color.
That means there’s new perspective on the Maine art scene, and a bit more equity. In a state that counts itself as 94 percent white, every bit counts.
“If we create room where the 6 percent feel they belong and they have ownership and voice, it is to the benefit of the rest,” Terrassa said. “A truly inclusive environment is to the benefit of everybody.”
In addition to Terrassa, the new directors include Christopher Newell, an artist, educator and Passamaquoddy tribal member who joined the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor as executive director in March; Amanda Lahikainen, an educator from Michigan, who was hired as executive director of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in May; Jenn Pye, the longtime curator at the Monhegan Museum of American Art, who replaces a retiring volunteer director who guided the museum from its infancy; and Timothy Peterson, who arrives in January from Minnesota as executive director at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, replacing Suzette McAvoy, who has retired.
There will be more change in 2021. Carolyn Eyler has retired as gallery director at the University of Southern Maine, opening up another opportunity for fresh perspective. Her replacement has yet to be named. And the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is without an executive director following the departure of Amy Lent in September.
Newell, who also serves as an advocate for Wabanaki culture beyond the walls of the museum, said the growing diversity among museum leaders is significant because it represents a “shift in power” and ensures the perspectives of many people will be considered when exhibitions are planned. “When the voice of a museum changes, power dynamics also shift,” he said.
At the Abbe, that means the museum now speaks in the first person in its interpretation of Wabanaki culture.
“As a young Native person walking into that museum, I can you tell you that the voice of the museum would speak to me, a Passamaquoddy child, as if I didn’t exist,” Newell said at a recent panel discussion, “Reimagining Museums: Disruption and Change,” presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard. “That’s an experience I don’t want my children to have. I want the living Native voices of our peoples to be there as well.”
Visitors will begin noticing changes when the new directors get the chance to leave their mark on the exhibition process. That will happen in fits and starts in 2021, as museums sort out their plans to reopen to the public. The Abbe never opened in 2020, and its opening date is still uncertain. Colby is open only to the campus community. Terrassa looks to 2022 and 2023 as the first opportunity to directly influence the exhibition content.
At Ogunquit, that will happen as early as the coming spring. Lahikainen wasn’t prepared to announce details of the upcoming exhibition season just yet – “the ink is still drying on some of the agreements” – but said one of the museum’s 2021 exhibitions will feature the work of a Cuban-American artist, and her goal is to include a broader range of art in each exhibition season. The Ogunquit Museum historically has focused on Maine art, artists associated with the Ogunquit art colonies, and artists who live and work in southern Maine and coastal New Hampshire. That won’t change, Lahikainen said, but the perspective of the museum is expanding as the diversity and interests of its audiences grow.
“One of the phrases we use is ‘local and global.’ It’s a tired paradigm in some sense, but absolutely essential,” said Lahikainen, who began and ended her first season amidst the pandemic. “I would like to see local artists from Maine being represented, but in every season I expect we will see the more diverse aspects of global contemporary art.”
At Monhegan, Pye takes over for Edward L. Deci, who directed the Monhegan Museum of Art and History as a volunteer for nearly 40 years, retiring after the 2019 season. Deci helped build the museum from a small island history museum into a world-class art museum, focusing on art created on the island by a range of world-famous and locally significant artists. Pye was the museum’s longtime curator. She co-directed the museum at the start of 2020 and now is its sole director.
For Pye, new leadership means the chance to review and re-evaluate how the museum speaks to the larger, changing world, on the island and off.
The museum’s mission is to preserve and display art and objects of cultural and historical importance to the island. One of Pye’s first tasks was doubling-down on that mission by considering the longtime island-history exhibitions with fresh eyes and greater awareness of the larger social issues at play in the country, in Maine and on the island. “We’re a homegrown museum, but we have grown so much, we need to be a little more than that now,” Pye said.
The pandemic forced “a turning of the gaze back inward and figuring out who we are.” With the onset of the virus and limited visitation, the museum delved into digital programming to expand its audience beyond those who could travel safely by boat to the island. That effort will continue without pause, and it has caused the museum to consider questions of access and equity. “Even when not in the midst of a pandemic, we are not accessible to most people. We’re not accessible for half of the year, and when we are open, we are not easy to get to,” Pye said. “So, how do we do it?”
Among the projects Pye is working on is an online exhibition about the island’s experience during World War II. The war signaled a cultural shift on the island, which manifested itself in the form of new artistic expressions. “Pre-World War II, it was really traditional. Post-World War II brought a lot of New York artists to the island and more modernist sensibilities,” Pye said. By creating dynamic online content to tell that story, the museum can expand who it reaches and how it speaks to the larger world, she said.
Peterson comes to CMCA with a long history of curatorial experience and art-space management in rural and urban Minnesota, in Los Angeles and at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He’s guest-curated at the Provincetown International Film Festival and taught at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
He brings to Rockland an entirely fresh perspective, informed by a different set of experiences that he will merge with what he learns from the staff and colleagues as his horizons expand. He’s eager to explore contemporary Maine art and listen to the voices of artists whose ideas haven’t always been heard, for whatever reason.
“I don’t want to bring my ideas for their own sake,” he said. “I want to widen the dialogue.”
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Send questions/comments to the editors. | https://www.pressherald.com/2021/01/03/new-faces-fresh-perspectives-leading-maine-museums/ |
VLK Architects Receives Highest Honors in the TASA TASB Exhibit of School Architecture Awards
Fort Worth, Texas – Each year, the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) showcase new and renovated Texas schools by celebrating excellence in planning and design of the learning environment through the Exhibit of School Architecture. Projects are reviewed by a 12-member jury who may award “Stars of Distinction” in the categories of Community, Design, Planning, Sustainability, Value, and School Transformation. This year, VLK Architects was honored to receive Stars of Distinction on the following projects: Midlothian ISD’s Dolores W. McClatchey Elementary, Katy ISD’s Catherine Bethke Elementary, Denton ISD’s Dr. Ray Braswell High School, and Houston ISD’s Condit Elementary. Furthermore, Condit Elementary was one of five projects throughout the state that received at least four Stars of Distinction, and is selected as a finalist for the Caudill Class, the competition’s highest level of recognition. The Caudill Class is named for William Caudill, a Texas architect and pioneer in the design of schools, and the winners of this prestigious award will be announced at TASA’s Midwinter Conference in January of 2018.
Condit Elementary, Houston ISD:
Stars of Distinction for Design, Community, Planning, and School Transformation
Condit Elementary is embedded into the neighborhood fabric of Bellaire, Texas - a school that has served the community for over 90 years. The design reflects the history of the community and elevates the educational spaces to support next-generation learning. The library is integrated as part of the school circulation and is called the learning commons. It is not dedicated to books alone but to collaboration and technology, as well. Every classroom connects directly to the learning commons, and by proxy, the books. Students and educators have immediate access to a space that encourages collaboration among peers in both small and large groups, making it a part of their daily experience. The traditional role of the librarian has transformed into a media specialist, serving as a second educator for every classroom. Education expands beyond the walls of the classrooms and teachers engage the new learning commons as an active multi-purpose experience for the students.
“It was really important for us to maintain some historic aspects of our building. Often times, that means that there are items that we want to make sure come with us,” said Condit Principal, Dan Greenberg. “Our original building was from 1928, and what we were able to bring were the keystone, recreate the archway, and have the original Al J. Condit Elementary School sign along with some of the brickwork that is actually inlaid right when you walk in. So the first thing you see when you walk into the new building is a tip-of-the-hat to the old building. We are really proud of that because there is a tradition we want to continue and that starts with acknowledging what a rich history we have.”
Condit Elementary will be a featured presentation at the TASA TASB Conference next month. The presentation will start at 1:00pm on October 7th at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas and will highlight Condit’s innovative and forward-thinking design, inspired by “Education: The Ribbon that Ties the Community Together.”
Catherine Bethke Elementary, Katy ISD:
Stars of Distinction for Value, Planning, and School Transformation
Catherine Bethke is a two-story prototype elementary located in Katy, Texas. This building plan was designed to allow for ease of student circulation, facilitate supervision and administration, while providing a safe and secure learning environment. The school has classroom wings (pods) that are organized around the media center to promote collaboration and situated to take advantage of views to the exterior. The design of these pods allow spaces within the building to be flexible to multiple learning environments. Two popular features are the learning stairs and student gallery which are a part of the centralized common space for student use and activities. Each classroom pod contains eight classrooms, collaboration spaces, and teacher planning space. The use of flexible furniture and activity walls/media stations, transform the classroom pod into an adaptable dynamic space. The school displays green spaces between the classroom wings offering opportunities for outdoor learning, natural daylighting, and age appropriate play areas for each grade level.
“I am in awe to see the student adaptability and creativity as they develop individual modes of learning and collaboration through the use of flexible spaces,” said Katy ISD Superintendent, Dr. Lance Hindt.
Dr. Ray Braswell High School, Denton ISD:
Stars of Distinction for Design and Value
The fundamental design concept of Braswell High School is based on fostering the four Cs of education: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. The facility has four prominent entrances that are located to provide access to the parking areas surrounding the school. The school plan and architecture is organized into four houses that naturally create smaller learning communities, providing students with individualized instruction. This provides an interesting expression of architecture that is visible from the adjacent highway which passes the campus to the north. Braswell High is designed to house 2,600 students when complete, and a future ninth grade center is planned to increase the student population to 3,200.
“If each student has half of the honesty, integrity, and genuineness of Ray Braswell, the school will be a great place,” said Dr. Jamie Wilson, Denton ISD Superintendent. “Braswell High School sets the new standard for collaborative learning and critical thinking. Denton ISD students will be far-and-away much better prepared for post-secondary education and the workforce due to the hard work of our teachers and staff facilitated by this amazing campus.”
Dolores W. McClatchey, Midlothian ISD:
Stars of Distinction for School Transformation
From July 2015 to August 2016, VLK and the MISD team worked together to design and build McClatchey Elementary School. McClatchey is the seventh K thru 5th facility to be constructed in the Midlothian Independent School District. The design builds on the successful concepts of its predecessors while embracing new ideas and approaches expressed by the district’s forward thinking design committee. The building has wide corridors in the classroom wings to allow for additional learning environments that encourage student interaction. These corridors are also furnished with soft natural light via roof level clerestories. The library is a central focal point within the school and acts as a true destination for both students and faculty with its collaborative learning environment, natural lighting and inviting colorful aesthetic.
“As the former principal of the Dolores W. McClatchey Elementary School, I was very excited about partnering with VLK and our forward-thinking MISD administrative team in creating a campus of collaboration, innovation, and flexible spacing; thus maximizing learning opportunities for the 21st-Century learner.” stated Courtney Carpenter, Director of Instructional Support, Midlothian ISD.
“VLK is honored to receive these Stars of Distinction Awards in the categories of Value, Planning, Community and School Transformation for Condit Elementary, Braswell High, Bethke Elementary, and McClatchy Elementary,” said Leesa Vardeman, VLK Partner. “Working with our clients, VLK helped create solutions that redefined traditional educational design to respond to the needs of today’s diverse curriculum and student learning styles.”
Projects will be on display at the Exhibit of School Architecture at the upcoming TASA/TASB Convention held in Dallas, October 6th-8th. | https://vlkarchitects.com/insights/vlk-architects-receives-highest-honors-in-the-tasa-tasb-exhibit-of-school-architecture-awards |
Back in 1990, for every 100,000 live births worldwide, 385 mothers died from complications of childbirth. By 2015, that number fell to 216 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. Though impressive, the 44 percent reduction fell short of the Millennium Development Goal of 75 percent.
The global goal for 2030? To reduce maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 births. A cutoff of $600 million or more in U.S. aid for family planning is not going to make achieving that goal any easier. Even before the reimposition of the so-called “gag rule,” the U.N. had estimated an annual gap of $140 billion in the investment necessary to achieve Sustainable Development Goal No. 3, which seeks “to ensure health and well-being for all, at every stage of life.”
Preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing teenage pregnancy through universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care is the most effective way to reduce maternal mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania, less than half of women of reproductive age had access to modern contraceptive methods.
Can private capital help fill the gap? Calvert Foundation and Duke University spoke to more than 80 firms and 30 investors to examine how private investment can be deployed to strengthen health systems. Private sector investing in healthcare in Africa, for example, grew from $11 billion in 2007 to about $20 billion in 2016. But nearly all of that funding is directed at private providers and little of it impacts the poorest and most vulnerable women. | https://impactalpha.com/%E2%80%89two-steps-forward-one-step-back-on-maternal-health/ |
This course is designed for people aged19+ who care for babies and children in any setting. Suitable for nannies, nursery and preschool workers, crèche leaders, parents and anyone responsible for the welfare of children.
Course cost includes certificate valid for 3 years and meets the criteria specified by Ofsted and recommended for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Also meets Childcare Registration requirements.
Delivered in a classroom setting offering practical hands-on approach that enables you to gain the skills and confidence to use first aid skills in a real life situation.
Assessment takes place throughout the course using a range of practical demonstrations, question and answer sessions and activities designed to enhance learning and to support you.
Group sizes are limited to 12 max. Learners must attend all sessions, assessment is continuous throughout the course.
Resuscitation procedures appropriate to all ages (babies, children and adults).
Prepare for dealing with emergencies.
How to cope with bleeding, choking, burns and scalds.
Emergency needs for children with chronic medical conditions.
Treatment for bites, stings and anaphylactic shock.
How to deal with head, neck and back injuries.
How to deal with suspected fractures.
You will receive a certificate confirming you have attended this course.
Any extra cost incurred during course: All costs included. | https://www.adultandcommunity.co.uk/product/accredited-paediatric-first-aid-level-3-rushmoor/ |
What do you call a person who wanted to be separate from the Church of England?
a Separatist
What was the date they set sail for America?
September 6, 1620
How long were they on the Mayflower?
65 days
This Native American taught the Pilgrims how to survive in America?
How did the Pilgrims pay for their trip?
they sent animal furs and skins back to England
The Separatists originally came from
England
When did they arrive at Plymoth?
November 11, 1620
What did they eat on the Mayflower?
stale crackers/bread
The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to plant and use corn. What did they call corn?
Maize
What did Squanto tell them about planting corn?
He told them to wait for the leaves to be the size of a mouse's ear and to put a fish in the soil.
What are some reasons the Separatists wanted to leave England?
Freedom to work, adventure, to own land, and Freedom of Religion
How many sailors were on the Mayflower?
20 MEAN sailors
What did they drink on the Mayflower?
Stale water
What are some ways they used corn?
Hominy, cornmeal, cornbread and roasted corn
You'll want to stay in this grade FOREVER...
SECOND!!!!!!!!
They first tried to find freedom in what country?
Who was the captain on the Mayflower?
Master Jones
How many of them died their first year off the Mayflower?
Over half
Most people think Native Americans lived in ____ but that is NOT true.
Tepees
This was the ruler in England
King James
What two groups of people made up the Pilgrims?
Separatists and strangers
How many total passengers were on the Mayflower?
123 (102 passengers, 20 sailors and Master Jones)
Which Native Americans were there to help them?
the Native Americans of the northeast
Name three things the Native Americans taught the Pilgrims
Hunt, fish, and plant crops
What are some different types of Native American homes? | https://jeopardylabs.com/play/2nd-grade-first-thanksgiving |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
EXAMPLE
This application is a continuation-in-part application of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/659,208, filed Mar. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The parent application is the National stage of PCT/KR05/02530, filed Aug. 3, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The parent application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2004-0061287, filed Aug. 4, 2004, and Korean Application No. 10-2005-0059298, filed Jul. 1, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for yarn-dyeing weight-reduced microfibers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for yarn-dyeing weight-reduced split-type microfibers made of a composite of polyester and polyamide.
2. Description of the Related Art
A microfiber refers to a fiber which measures not higher than one denier, which has a three-dimensional structure and includes microspaces formed during splitting, thus exhibiting excellent moisture-absorption, washing properties, texture and warmth retention. Cloths made of microfibers, including dish towels, dust-clothes, towels, gowns and the like, are highly valued due to excellent washing properties, rapid drying properties, and good antimicrobial activity and durability. However, in the case of fabrics such as knitted wear or fashion socks, which will have a more effective value by the use of microfibers, products utilizing microfibers have not been developed yet. This is the reason that foreign materials present in weight-reduced microfibers in the process of microfiber dyeing cannot be removed.
Fabric dyeing is divided into piece dyeing wherein dyeing is performed after the yarn has been constructed into fabric, and yarn-dyeing wherein dyeing is performed before the yarn is weaved. Piece dyeing has been conventionally used in microfiber dyeing. Since microfibers exhibit considerably high migration properties, they are suitable for dyeing with various colors and are thus usable to prepare only woven or knitted fabrics rendering only one color. For example, in the case where socks knitted with microfibers and rubber threads (spandex) are weight-reduced at high temperatures and are then dyed, the spandex melts and the socks thus cannot exert their intended functions. Accordingly, in order to prepare microfiber woven or knitted fabrics with various colors or to dye fabrics with various materials and designs, yarn-dyeing is required.
Conventional yarn-dyeing methods were attempted only by methods for weight-reduction and dyeing microfibers at the same time and thus fail to obtain the desired effects and are not commercially feasible. This is the reason that the simultaneous conduction of weight reduction and dyeing makes the splitting of microfibers difficult and causes foreign matter generated during the weight reduction process to interfere with the infiltration of dyes into fibers, causing deterioration in absorption and dye fastness.
These problems of the conventional microfiber yarn-dyeing can be solved by adopting a method for washing with water and dyeing, after weight-reduction. In the prior art, the method of dyeing after weight reduction was not attempted, because an appropriate water-washing method, to remove foreign materials present in microfibers, required before dyeing and after weight reduction, or appropriate processing conditions in weight-reduction and dyeing had yet to be understood.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for dyeing microfibers, comprising weight-reducing the microfibers, followed by washing with water, wherein yarn-dyed microfibers with high absorbance rate and dye fastness can be obtained, and the yarn-dyed microfibers are used as the material of woven or knitted fabrics to allow the production of various products woven with yarns of various colors while having the advantages of microfibers.
In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for yarn-dyeing split microfibers made of a composite of polyester and polyamide, the method including: winding microfibers on a plurality of cones provided with outlet openings and inserting the microfiber-wound cones into a plurality of rods provided with discharge holes arranged in a lower part in a cheese dyeing machine, to load the microfibers in the cheese dyeing machine; adding an alkali agent to the microfibers in the cheese dyeing machine at a constant temperature of 100 to 130° C. for 30 to 60 minutes to induce a reduction of 6 to 15% in weight of the microfibers; spraying high-pressure water of 70 to 80° C. from inside of the hollow rods through the discharge holes into the cheese dyeing machine, in a state wherein weight-reduced microfiber yarns wound on the cone are mounted on the rod, to allow the high-pressure water to pass through the microfibers through the discharge holes provided on the cone, and cause the water to remove foreign materials, while being discharged to the outside, and at the same time, showering the microfibers through a plurality of nozzles provided on a top cover of the cheese dyeing machine, to wash the microfibers with water; scouring the microfibers with a scouring agent and treating the microfibers with acid to a pH of 4-5; and adding a dispersing agent, a leveling agent, an antistatic agent and a softening agent to the microfibers at 100 to 130° C. for 30 to 60 minutes and dyeing the microfibers under a predetermined pressure.
The water may contain small amounts of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and may be free of iron (Fe).
The cheese dyeing machine may have a cylindrical shape and is provided on the top thereof with a cover and on an inner bottom thereof with the plurality of hollow rods, wherein an inside of the hollow of each rod is connected to a high-pressure water-supply pipe and the water-supply pipe is connected to each of the nozzles provided on the cover.
The microfibers may be twisted to 100 to 1,000 tpm, to prevent the yarn from being untwisted during pressurization by the high-pressure water.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the annexed drawing in more detail.
FIG. 1
1
2
As shown in , microfibers, the target of dyeing in the present invention, are split-type microfibers made of a composite of polyester and nylon (hereinafter, referred to as “microfibers”). The microfibers consist of 70% polyester and 30% polyamide and the composition thereof may be slightly varied depending on yarn manufacturers.
The steps for weight-reducing, washing with water and dyeing microfibers are carried out in a state wherein microfibers are wound on a plurality of hollow cones provided with outlet openings and the cones is mounted on a plurality of hollow rods provided with discharge holes provided in a cheese dyeing machine.
Preferably, prior to winding, the microfibers are subjected to a twisting process so that their twist level is 100 to 1,000 tpm (twists per meter). The twisting process enables life span of woven fabrics to be lengthened and secures desired dyeing results, as can be confirmed through experimentation. In the case where microfibers are dyed without being subjected to twisting, a number of points in yarns remain white (are not dyed) due to high-pressure upon injecting of water at the pressure, thus making it difficult to handle.
In the process of mounting wherein the cones provided with outlet openings, on which the microfibers are wound, are inserted into the rods provided with discharge holes in a lower part of a cheese dyeing machine, the cheese dyeing machine has a cylindrical shape and is provided on the top thereof with a cover and on an inner bottom thereof with the plurality of hollow rods. The inside of the hollow of the rod is connected to a high-pressure water-supply pipe. A plurality of nozzles are provided in the cover to spray water into the cheese dyeing machine Each nozzle is connected to the high-pressure water-supply pipe. The rod has a closed upper end, allowing water to be sprayed through the discharge holes of the rod into the cheese dyeing machine, when the water is sprayed into the hollow of the rod through the high-pressure water-supply pipe connected to a lower end of the rod.
The weight-reduction is carried out at 100 to 130° C. for 30 to 60 minutes in a state wherein the cone, on which the microfibers are wound, is mounted on the rod of the cheese dyeing machine. The term “weight-reduction” as used herein refers to alkali weight-reduction which is commonly used to improve texture of polyester clothes using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a reagent. As a result of the weight-reduction, polyester is hydrolyzed to produce disodium terephthalate (hereinafter, referred to as “DST”) and ethylene glycol as water-soluble by-products, and polyamide is split to form spaces therebetween.
The weight-reduction rate is proportional to the concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and treatment temperature. In particular, the weight-reduction rate greatly depends on treatment temperature. Accordingly, the treatment temperature should be maintained at a uniform temperature of 100 to 130° C. The weight-reduction rate is preferably 6 to 15%. When the weight-reduction rate is higher than the range defined above, fluff occurs and plucking will occur due to friction with other fabrics, resulting from a napping phenomenon. When the weight-reduction rate is lower than the above range, absorption and rapid-drying properties are degraded and checking of the weight-reduction rate is required for the weight-reduction.
After the weight-reduction, water-washing is performed to remove hydrolysis by-products produced during the weight-reduction. The water-washing process is carried out in a state where the cone, on which weight-reduced split-type microfibers are wound, is inserted into the rod in the cheese dyeing machine. In the water washing process, high-pressure water sprayed through discharge holes provided on the rod in the cheese dyeing machine passes through microfibers wound on the cone through the outlet openings of the cone, is discharged together with hydrolysis by-products to the outside and is sprayed through the plurality of nozzles from the cover arranged on the top of the cheese dyeing machine to perform showering.
More specifically, high-pressure water supplied through the water supply pipe connected to the inside of the hollow is discharged through the discharge holes of the rod into the cheese dyeing machine. When the discharged water passes through microfibers wound on the cone through the outlet openings of the cone inserted into the rod and is discharged to the outside, hydrolysis by-products left in the microfibers after weight-reduction are discharged to the outside together with the high-pressure water. At the same time, by showering water above the cone in the cheese dyeing machine through water nozzles provided in the cover arranged on the top of the cheese dyeing machine, the hydrolysis by-products derived from microfibers wound on the cone are washed off and flow below the cheese dyeing machine and are then discharged to the outside together with the water through the discharge holes provided in a lower part of the cheese dyeing machine.
In addition, the water-washing process should be carried out using warm water of 70 to 80° C., rather than cool water. The water used for the water-washing process should contain small amounts of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and be free of iron (Fe). This is necessary because the presence of iron (Fe) ions causes dye staining or color variation. In the water washing process, care is required so that the yarn is not elongated, and failure caused by insufficient water washing should be solved by physical methods.
After the water-washing, a scouring agent is added to remove impurities and sodium triphosphate is used to remove DST, if necessary. In addition, alkali is treated with an acid. The alkali is preferably treated with an acidic agent (RC cleaning, available from Hansol Chemical Co., Ltd., Korea) to adjust the yarn to a pH of 4.5. This is because when the yarn is maintained at high pH without treatment with acid, dyeing does not proceed well. It is preferred that cationic agents not be used if possible. This is because when the cationic agents bind to anionic dispersing or leveling agents or other oligomers, they will form insoluble salts, thus causing spots.
After completion of the scouring and water-washing processes, water is removed, and dyeing is performed as soon as possible. In the dyeing process, high-pressure dispersion dyes are used and close attention is required. As the dye, dye for polyester or a composite of polyester and polyamide is used. Examples of this dye include Dianix Flavine XF, Dianix red, and CBN XF, which are available from Dystar Co., Ltd. The dyeing can be performed with various colors ranging from light colors to dark colors.
The dyeing is carried out at a temperature of 100 to 130° C. under high pressure for 30 to 60 minutes, in which dye is added while confirming an increase in temperature. Upon addition of the dye, a dispersing agent, a leveling agent, a fiber softener and an antibacterial agent are added together with the dye. Furthermore, chloroxylenol having an excellent effect on the removal of viruses is preferably added together with the dye.
The dyeing may be performed either by a one-step process or by a two-step process wherein the polyamide is dyed after dyeing the polyester. The one-step process has disadvantages in that three times more dye is consumed than during the two-step process, and dyeing defects may occur. Nevertheless, the one-step process may be considered because the two-step process is time-consuming and complicated. The two-step process is carried out by dyeing the polyester with a disperse dye at 130° C. and then dyeing the polyamide with a dye for polyamide at 100° C. As the dye for polyamide, a disperse dye or an acidic dye may be used.
After completion of the dyeing process, the dyed yarn is washed with water to remove molten polyester and foreign materials, followed by drying. The dyed and dried yarn is used to weave or knit the desired fabrics.
Alternatively, after completion of the dyeing process, the dyed microfibers may be used to constitute a part or all of fancy yams with design effects. That is, the above dyed microfibers may be used alone or in combination with other yams to make fancy yams. Alternatively, after microfibers before dyeing are used to make fancy yarn, the fancy yarn may be dyed. Examples of the fancy yarn are as follows.
Chenille yarn is a kind of yarn for the decoration of the edge of embroideries and is used as weft to make chenille fabrics. The chenille yams are arranged at intervals of a few warps and woven using yams to be plied as wefts. The woven material is cut in the warp direction and twisted, thus obtaining thick fluffy yams.
Slub yarn is a yarn obtained by making continuous soft knots on untwisted yarn using twisted yarn. The slub yarn is not uniform in thickness and has knots at a number of points.
Nep yarn is a single yarn which has small fluffs irregularly placed at a number of points and comprises knot-like shapes intermittently protruding from the surface thereof.
Loop yarn, also called “boucle yarn”, is a fancy twisted yarn having loops at a number of points, and is frequently used in knitted wear or woolen fabrics.
Feather yarn is made by knitting warp and weft in various specifications with a needle to make clothes and cutting the clothes with a knife.
Methods for producing the above-described fancy yams are well known to those skilled in the art and a detailed explanation thereof is thus omitted.
Hereinafter, an example will be provided for a further understanding of the invention. The following example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Split-type microfibers made of a composite of 70% polyester and 30% polyamide were twisted such that their twist level was adjusted to 250 tpm. A plurality of cones, on which the twisted microfibers have been wound, were mounted on rods in a cheese dyeing machine, and sodium hydroxide was added at a constant temperature of 130° C. for 30 minutes to induce a reduction of 7% in the microfiber weight. Iron (Fe)-free water was injected onto the weight-reduced microfibers through the discharge holes provided on the rod to allow high-pressure water to pass through the microfibers wound on the cones and then to be discharged to the outside. Then, iron (Fe)-free water was injected onto the weight-reduced microfibers through nozzles provided with a top cover of the cheese dyeing machine to remove foreign materials and thereby to remove polyester molten in a water-pressure spray manner. Then, the yarn was scoured by the addition of sodium hydroxide, and treated with acid (RC cleaning available from Hansol Chemical Co., Ltd.) to adjust the pH of the yarn to 4.5. Then, a black dye (Dianix black available from Dystar Co., Ltd.), DC-505 (available from Shin Kwang Oil Chemical Co., Ltd, Korea) as a dispersing agent, Anol-25B (available from Shin Kwang Oil Chemical Co., Ltd, Korea) as an antistatic agent, and 3M (available from Shin Kwang Oil Chemical Co., Ltd, Korea) as a softening agent were added at 130° C. for 30 minutes to dye the yarn. Then, the dyed yarn was removed from the dyeing machine, dried and wound on the bobbin of the dyeing machine. Then, the dyed yarn was woven together with spandex in a sock weaving machine to produce socks. The produced socks were measured for washing fastness, drying rate and absorption rate. For comparison, general black cotton socks were also measured for washing fastness, drying rate and absorption rate. The results thus obtained are shown in Table 1 for washing fastness, Table 2 for drying rate, and Table 3 for absorption rate.
TABLE 1
Microfiber
socks
Cotton socks
Washing
Color change
4-5
4-5
fastness
Color Staining
Cotton
—
4-5
Nylon
4
4-5
Wool
4-5
—
Color fastness was tested according to KS K 0430-2001, A-1, 40±2° C.; unit: grade
TABLE 2
Microfiber socks
Cotton socks
Drying rate
27.49
18.29
2
Drying rate tested according to KS K 0815-2001 6. 28. 1B, “evaporation free water amount”; unit: g/202.5 cm
TABLE 3
Microfiber socks
Cotton socks
Absorbance rate
Wale direction
8
0
Course direction
7
0
Absorption rate tested according to KS K 0815-2001 6. 27. 1B; unit: mm
As apparent from the fore-going, in accordance with the method for yarn-dyeing microfibers of the present invention, split-type microfibers made of a composite of polyester and polyamide can be obtained, which feel soft to the touch and are dyed with the desired colors due to weight reduction. The use of the dyed microfibers allows production of woven fabrics with various colors. Fabrics woven or knitted with the dyed microfibers are high-level products and provide various colors and functionalities, thus enabling various products to be produced and creating high added value.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a schematic enlarged view illustrating split microfibers made of a composite of polyester and polyamide. | |
BACKGROUND: Typical interventions for acute pain in children attempt to reduce pain by directing attention away from pain. Conversely, mindfulness involves devoting attention to one’s experience in an accepting and nonjudgmental way. However, the effect that instructing children to mindfully devote attention to acute pain has on pain outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether mindful attention can help children attend to pain without increasing pain intensity or decreasing pain tolerance; to compare the effects of mindful attention with a well-established intervention designed to take attention away from pain (guided imagery); and to test whether baseline coping style or trait mindfulness alter the effects of these interventions. METHODS: A total of 82 children (10 to 14 years of age) completed measures of coping style and trait mindfulness. Participants then received either mindful attention or guided imagery instructions designed to direct attention toward or away from pain, respectively, before participating in a cold pressor task. RESULTS: The mindful attention group reported more awareness of the physical sensations of pain and thoughts about those sensations. Overall, there were no between-group differences in measures of pain intensity or pain tolerance during the cold pressor task, and no evidence of an interaction between baseline characteristics of the child and experimental condition. CONCLUSIONS: Mindful attention was successful in helping children focus attention on experimental pain without increasing pain intensity or decreasing tolerance compared with a well-established intervention for acute pain reduction.
The effects of mindfulness-based attention on cold pressor pain in children
The Journal of the Canadian Pain Society
Format: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2013
Pages: 39-45
Source ID: shanti-sources-21255
Zotero Collections: Psychology and Contemplation
Abstract:
Subjects:
Psychology and Contemplation
subjects 9764
For more information about this term, see Full Entry below. | https://sources.mandala.library.virginia.edu/source/effects-mindfulness-based-attention-cold-pressor-pain-children |
IN A RECENT LETTER to the editor, Jose M. Sentmanat asked about the caffeine content of coffees (C&EN, Nov. 3, page 4). I would like to point him to several excellent articles (J. Anal. Toxicol. 2003, 27, 520, and 2006, 30, 112 and 611).
To answer his question regarding the amount of caffeine in dark roasted coffee and espresso: The darker the roast, the lower the caffeine, presumably because the caffeine sublimes or decomposes at the roasting temperature. Another interesting fact is the variability of caffeine content in the brew (>150% relative standard deviation) for Starbucks coffee on different days from the same location.
J. Graham Rankin
Huntington, W.Va. | https://cen.acs.org/articles/86/i50/Caffeine-Coffee.html |
Emmanuelle has always had a great interest in the well-being and development of children, the world of sport and sports medicine.
She is a former high-level martial arts athlete (a member of the French judo team since 1995, BE 1st degree, and in taekwondo from 2001 to 2006, BE 1st degree), and has always tried to combine her studies with her two passions: sports and children.
Thus, Emmanuelle holds two master's degrees (in Sports Management and in Physical Preparation Engineering) which allowed her to perfect her knowledge of athletes and their environment. Amongst other things, she covered the French taekwondo team at the Olympic Games in Athens and was very involved in the monitoring of young elite athletes in the France taekwondo and judo training centers.
Emmanuelle then received her diploma as a massage kinesitherapist, which had been her primary goal. As a perfectionist and dynamic person, she is open to innovative experiences and challenges.
Then, while monitoring teams of young elite athletes and working at her clinic, she obtained her diploma as an osteopath to perfect her knowledge and have an additional approach to the patients. Since graduating, she has worked with the French rhythmic and artistic gymnastics team at INSEP (she was involved in monitoring and preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 games in Rio), with the French junior and senior kendo teams (monitoring and preparation for the European and World Championships from 2012 to 2018), as well as with the iFLY PARIS skydiving team (tunnel and outdoor formation skydiving from 2012 to 2018), which gave her the opportunity to travel a lot. She was also in charge of the paramedical coverage at various events like the Nice IRONMAN, the Nice-Cannes Marathon, and various ultra-trail races.
These experiences allowed her to acquire work and master the management of a multidisciplinary team as well as perfect her knowledge in developing and escorting young, and even very young, athletes.
Emmanuelle then specialized in the osteopathic approach of the infant, from the first hours of life to adulthood. She worked as a massage kinesitherapist at a clinic specializing in genetic diseases in children and statics disorders in adolescents. She has taken several courses and is a teaching assistant in pediatric osteopathy and emergency osteopathy at the CFPCO training center, where she teaches a course titled Sports Osteopathy: One Sport, One Pathology, One Treatment.
Her love of interacting with people and her knowledge are valuable experiences that allow her to best meet the needs of her patients, from the youngest one to the oldest. Looking for the causes of pain or discomfort and seeking to do her best, Emmanuelle adapts her approach and treatment so that her patients can obtain lasting relief. She mainly combines musculoskeletal, neuro-meningeal, fascial, visceral and cranial techniques depending on the general state of health of the patient, his/her expectations and the reason for the consultation.
In addition to these professional activities, Emmanuelle is active in judo, CrossFit, golf, triathlon and is a scuba diving instructor. | https://www.actionsportphysio.com/en/experts/emmanuelle-rots/ |
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Wednesday
, June 2 • 10:00 - 10:25
Beyond what we want: the future we need to make carbon really work
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The state of carbon: a dynamic market with untapped potential*
Crucial steps for growing the industry
Key technologies and trends in materials, manufacturing, and design innovations with the highest impact
Carbon fiber is a highly valuable material with the most innovative technologies in the composites space. However, carbon’s full market potential remains untapped and there is ample room for growth if we make the right plays. In this presentation, we focus on key aspects that will accelerate adoption and expand the industry through advanced engineering and tech innovation. A selection of technology case studies and trends will be discussed from precursor and processing, to manufacturing, new form factors and intermediates, and novel end application development.
Speakers, Jury Members & Final...
Cecilia GEE
Analyst, Lux Research
Cecilia Gee is an analyst based in Lux Research’s Amsterdam office. She leads the Advanced Materials team and spearheads content on technology innovation and market trends in composites, structural materials, coatings, future materials platforms, sustainability, and textiles. Cecilia...
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Wednesday June 2, 2021 10:00 - 10:25 CEST
Conferences (Hall 6 - Room 611)
Technical Conferences
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Carbon - what materials and processes for the future?
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Event questions? | https://jecworld2020.sched.com/event/YgaJ/beyond-what-we-want-the-future-we-need-to-make-carbon-really-work |
Leadership can either make or break an organisation, department or country. Therefore, while assigning or electing a leader, it becomes very important to determine one that would lead the subordinates or people in their guidance or care to success. Here, the issue given at hand demands our attention to discuss those aspects of leaders required in government, industry and other spheres which can bring about success. Here, at one hand it is contested that for a leader to be successful, their spirit must be highly competitive while the opposing group requires a leader to be willing to cooperate with others.
While commenting on the first stance, where competitiveness is attributed to the fortuitous results, there might be multitudes of minds which would agree with the claim. And the assertion can be justified on reasoning that a competitive mind will look for ways to be better than the competitors and hence keep them step ahead. While it may be plausible so in some cases, it is far-stretched to say that this can lead to success. Say, a competitive leader is appointed at the head of an organisation with such a competitive spirit that it may lead to eventual destruction of organisation or dissatisfaction within the organisation. The leader, in their spirit to compete, may let go of values and morals, just to stand above the opponents; putting in jeopardy the structure of the organisation. This can invite enemies or adversaries to look out for.
Humans are social creature and have always since the beginning days lived in societies. Therefore, to live within a society, cooperation is a desired trait. The leaders who have this art can take their nation, industry far ahead. The very essence of cooperation is to work together with others towards the same end. And when you work with different minds towards a same goal, the strengths are united rather than divided. Cooperation requires a trust among people which can build further relationships and ally. Moreover, working in collaboration can bring in new ideas and innovation whose amalgamation can result in pronounced success. This can be seen in the world’s United Nation, which is an intergovernmental organisation which has member countries from around the globe working together for the mutual betterment of the nations. Together, the UN tackles issues like world hunger, poverty, and proper sanitisation.
Adding to this, while working in collaboration, it can be determined that whether the way of working is healthy or not. When there are parties or people who can assess the ideas while in progress stage, it becomes easier to regulate them and check for faults.
To summarise, while it may be difficult to judge what would make a leader worthwhile, it cannot be said conclusively that the competitive leader will lead to success but a healthy cooperation of like minds can bring in fruitful results. | https://eduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/what-makes-a-leader-worthwhile/ |
is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Depending on the type, an autoimmune disease can affect one or many different types of body tissue. It can also cause abnormal organ growth and changes in organ function. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression-medication that decreases the immune response.
International Journal of Autoimmune Disorders & Therapy
Editorial Managing System
IJADT Open Access
To submit manuscript click here or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at [email protected]. | https://www.graphyonline.com/journal/journal_home.php?journalid=IJADT |
In a series of richly-imagined portraits, visual artist Horia Manolache has explored the way in which stereotypes and prejudices regarding homeless people are formed in and inhabit the social perceptions. A part of our photographic series, the exhibition based on this journey into a world of exclusion presents ten moving digital portraits of homeless individuals living in the streets of San Francisco who are not reluctant to share their vision of how they dream to be regarded.
Throughout his work, Horia Manolache has responded to actual social crises in thoughtful and powerful ways by creating works that examine the background and social environments that have given rise to them. His approach reveals the cultural forces at play and at the same time offers a place of reflection, dreaming, and hoping. Horia's striking portraits are a judicious and of-the-moment exploration of social status and possibility. Inspired by Caravaggio's dramatic technique of vividly painting crucial moments in a scene, he’s employing chiaroscuro techniques and a tenebrous pallet in order to make the emotion and spirit of his subjects hauntingly manifest.
Watch on our FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and WEBSITE from Friday, October 16, 2 p.m. EDT or anytime later.
Horia Manolache holds a BA degree in film making followed by a MFA at the University of San Francisco's Academy of Art. His series “The Chairs” won the first place in the Bookproposal category at Prix de la Photographie in Paris in 2014, was exhibited in a solo show at Corden Potts Gallery in 2016, and came in the 4th place at the Florence Biennale a year later. The project "The Prince and The Pauper” was presented at DeYoung Museum as part of San Francisco’s photographic history along with works by Carleton Watkins, Eadweard Muybridge, Arnold Genthe, Ansel Adams, John Gutmann, and Dorothea Lange. | https://www.rciusa.info/events/the-prince-and-the-pauper |
Making crime less dark
Crime data in India is short on information on victims and witnesses. Victimisation surveys can help.
G S Bajpai is professor and chairperson, Centre for Criminology and Victimology, National Law University, Delhi.
The official picture with respect to crime in India is difficult to believe for several reasons.
The true extent of crime in a society is seldom known. In times when evidence-based policing and data-driven policies are being advocated, the absence of exact data on crime could pose serious problems. In India, crime is under-reported and under-registered.
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The official picture with respect to crime in India is difficult to believe for several reasons. While popular perception associates many cities and states in India with a crime, going by official statistics, the country has one of the lowest incidences of crime in the world. India’s crime rate is 379.3 per 1,00,000 persons. Cases of dacoity, attempt to murder, robbery, rape and riot have gone down by 36.11 per cent, 16.26 per cent, 20.15 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 54 per cent respectively in 2018 as compared to the year before. Who will buy these statistics?
A major source of the problem lies in the manner in which crime data are collected and compiled. Crime data in India are collected and published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The data reported in this publication is based on the crime reported to local police stations. Police stations getting information about crime is one thing and such incidents being recorded as an FIR is another. This is in addition to all kinds of pressures and obstacles on a complainant, especially when the nature of crime is that of sexual assault, domestic violence or when it involves family members, relatives or powerful people. The resistance put up by the police station personnel in registering such crimes or reducing the seriousness of incident is well documented.
The NCRB data fall short of expectations in many respects. For instance, it is short on information about crime victims and witnesses. The official statistics miss out on several key areas: The profile of victims, their personal characteristics, victim-offender relationship, FIR registration experiences, experiences of interacting with police, number of days and time taken in getting FIR registered, instances of intimidation, pressure experienced from the accused or associates including police, nature of injury, medical assistance, information about legal aid, compensation.
A victimisation survey is often seen as a solution to such shortcomings. While many countries have conducted victimisation surveys to supplement their official crime data, India has yet to make a start. Such surveys reveal details that are missed out by the local police. They describe how crime has impacted the lives of victims and conevy their safety concerns.
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These surveys gather information through personal or telephonic interviews with a set of people who represent the geographical and social correlates of a city or state over a period of time. The information thus collected may detail the victimisation suffered by a person but not recorded by the police for a variety of reasons. The other data which are generally collected in these surveys entail risk and vulnerability, perceptions about the local police and the views of people about the criminal justice system.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) measures the amount of crime by asking people about their experiences as crime victims. In the US, the National Crime Victimisation Survey (NCVS) presents data that is collected from a nationally-representative sample of about 2,40,000 interviews on criminal victimisation, involving 1,60,000 persons in about 95,000 households.
The data generated by such surveys are considered more reliable than the official statistics on crime and this is frequently used for various policy objectives. Such surveys are conducted by professionally-competent organisations and the state funds the processes involved in the generation of data.
The European Crime and Safety Survey (EU ICS) is the most comprehensive analysis of crime, security and safety in the European Union. In 1987, the United Nations Inter-regional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) launched the International Crime Victimisation Survey (ICVS), which produces more comparable data across nations. These data are available in the public domain. The public in general is encouraged in all these countries by the state to participate in these surveys with an assurance about the confidentiality of the information they provide.
The data generated by the state in India, in contrast, doesn’t inspire public confidence. There are enough reasons to demystify crime and the people’s response to it in India. India-specific yardsticks, which the NCRB does not cover, could be evolved. However, there could be several challenges to such surveys. For example, people might not reveal more than what they have divulged to the police. Even then, it is still an endeavour worth attempting. Today, there are several methodological innovations to overcome the bottlenecks.
The government is expected to embark on the country’s first victimisation survey soon. The complexity of this endeavour demands that it be assigned to an institution that specialises in criminology, victimology and criminal justice administration. Such a survey is not simply about data collection, it involves nuanced understanding of the facets of crime and victimisation and presupposes specialist knowledge. I hope the home ministry is listening.
The writer is professor and chairperson, Centre for Criminology & Victimology at National Law University Delhi and vice president of Victim Support Asia | |
April Sproule is an artist whose medium is textiles. She has a great love of design and the many ways it can be used to enrich our lives. She has been creating with fiber since she was old enough to hold a needle. April’s her early professional training was at the San Francisco School of Fashion Design, and she continued her education by studying textiles, art, and business.
For 20 years, April was employed by several different fashion and accessory manufacturing firms in the United States and Canada. Her area of specialization was design/new product development. Since 2001, April has been a full-time studio artist who works as a designer and workshop facilitator.
Taught to embroider by her grandmother, April returned to her love of hand stitching in 2014 as she began incorporating embroidery into her textile art and upcycled clothing. From there, she developed a collection of Contemporary Hand Embroidery patterns, the Contempo Collection, and began teaching others her particular style of embroidery.
Artist's StatementMaking art allows me total freedom: the freedom to be optimistic about the outcome of my work as I am flooded with fresh ideas and insights. There are no boundaries or limitations, and every challenge presents an opportunity for me to find a new solution. Artistic exploration has taught me to appreciate being totally immersed in the process of creating with little or no concern with the end result.
I enjoy experimenting with fabric dyeing, painting, block printing, machine quilting, and hand embroidery along with many other processes. Most of my work is inspired by nature, and I am finding simplicity to be much more alluring than complexity.
My studio was designed specifically as a textile arts facility, and it is my creative sanctuary. The room is filled with wonderful light and surrounded by enormous trees that shelter the space from the noise of the busy street outside. I feel very fortunate to be here and to do what it is that I do best: create, and share it with others. | https://sproulestudios.com/pages/april-sproule |
Modern art, filled with complex themes and subtle characteristics, is a wonder to view, but can be intimidating and baffling to the casual observer. This guide analyses more than 200 works of modern art, describing each artists use of media and symbolism to help the reader unlock the paintings meaning.
Autorentext
Jon Thompson is an artist, writer, curator and teacher. The former
head of the fine art department at London University, he recently
retired from his post as senior research professor at the University
of Middlesex. | https://m.exlibris.ch/de/buecher-buch/english-books/jon-thompson/how-to-read-a-modern-painting/id/9780500286432 |
A soft-bodied, fernlike creature reproduced in Earth's ancient oceans about 565 million years ago, making it the earliest known example of procreation in a complex organism, a new study finds.
Many scientists consider the creatures, called rangeomorphs, some of Earth's first complex animals, although it's impossible to know exactly what these organisms were, the researchers said. The creatures prospered in the ocean during the late Ediacaran period, between 580 million and 541 million years ago, just before the Cambrian era. Rangeomorphs could grow up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) in length, but most were about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long.
What's more, rangeomorphs don't appear to have been equipped with mouths, organs or the ability to move around, and the animals likely absorbed nutrients from the water, the researchers said. However, these ancient organisms had an unusually complex reproductive strategy for their time: They likely sent out an "advance party" to settle a new neighborhood, and then colonized the new area, the researchers said. [See Photos of Ancient 'Baby' Rangeomorphs Preserved in Ash]
The findings may help scientists understand the origins of modern marine life, they said.
"Rangeomorphs don't look like anything else in the fossil record, which is why they're such a mystery," study lead author Emily Mitchell, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Cambridge's department of earth sciences, said in a statement. "But we've developed a whole new way of looking at them, which has helped us understand them a lot better — most interestingly, how they reproduced."
Mitchell and her colleagues looked at fossils of a rangeomorph known as a Fractofusus found in Newfoundland, in southeastern Canada. Like other rangeomorphs, Fractofusus was immobile, and so its fossils capture exactly where the creatures lived in relation to one another during the Ediacaran period.
Using a combination of statistical techniques, high-resolution GPS and computer modeling, the researchers found an intriguing pattern in the distribution of Fractofusus populations. The larger Fractofusus, or "grandparent" specimens, were randomly distributed around the environment, surrounded by distinctive populations of smaller "parent" and "children" Fractofusus, the researchers said.
These patterns of grandparent, parent and children Fractofusus are similar to biological clustering seen in modern plants, the researchers said. In fact, it's likely the creatures had two reproductive methods: The grandparents were likely born from ejected waterborne seeds or spores, whereas the parents and children likely grew from "runners," sent by the older generation, just as strawberry plants grow today.
The "generational" clustering suggests that Fractofusus reproduced asexually using runners called stolons. However, it's unclear whether the waterborne seeds or spores were sexual or asexual in nature, the researchers said.
"Reproduction in this way made rangeomorphs highly successful, since they could both colonize new areas and rapidly spread once they got there," said Mitchell. "The capacity of these organisms to switch between two distinct modes of reproduction shows just how sophisticated their underlying biology was, which is remarkable at a point in time when most other forms of life were incredibly simple."
However, Fractofusus isn’t the only organism with complex reproductive strategies reproducing during that time. A 565-million-year-old tubular invertebrate named Funisia dorothea also lived in clusters, reports a 2008 study in the journal Science. It’s possible that Funisia sent eggs and sperm into the water, a technique called spatfall that is still used by modern coral and sponges. Funisia may have also grown by using an assexual technique called budding, in which a new individual break off from the parent organism, the 2008 study found.
Rangeomorphs disappeared from the fossil record at the beginning of the Cambrian period, about 540 million years ago, making it difficult to link them to modern organisms, the researchers said. But this type of spatial analysis may help reconstruct the reproductive strategies used by other Ediacaran organisms, and help scientists understand how the organisms interacted with each other as well as their environments, the researchers said.
The study was published online today (Aug. 3) in the journal Nature.
Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel. Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. | https://www.livescience.com/51725-earliest-known-complex-reproduction.html |
This post is the introduction to a series on programming autonomous robots aimed at developers with no background in computer vision or robotics.
I've noticed that drones, Arduinos, and virtual reality are raising awareness about the awesomeness of computers that interact with the physical world. On the other hand, roboticists definitely lag behind the web community when it comes to community building and marketing shiny things. There's a lot of great code to discover, but I feel that it doesn't get much love outside the academic circles.
This series is my attempt to share some of my knowledge while building up a visual navigation system, and refer readers to cool projects that could be used as plug-and-play components for more complex undertakings.
A look at the "full stack"
One of the most amazing parts of working on robotics is that the proverbial full stack really is full! A full collection of technologies, ranging from microcontrollers to CUDA GPUs enables more and more autonomous behaviors. Going from the bottom to the top of the stack, we have:
-
Actuator control, i.e. sending precise impulses of electrical current to power the motors with the appropriate torque as requested by the higher layers 1,
-
Low-level control systems to guarantee the physical stability of the platform. These systems run a fast (~200Hz) real-time control loop using high rate sensor data and very simple controller laws. An example of this is the attitude stabilization present on even the cheapest drones, that uses the gyroscope to stabilize pitch and roll of the vehicle.2
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Basic autonomous behaviors, i.e. quick actions that don't need a lot of feedback from the environment. For example, taking off a drone or backing off after hitting a wall. Due to their simplicity, these behaviors can be scripted without the need for learning algorithms or statistical approaches.
-
Localization and place-awareness required for long-term autonomous behavior and decision-making. There are dozens of navigation techniques, based on all kinds of sensors and tailored for different environments and precision/speed tradeoffs.
-
Fully autonomous behaviors that use statistical techniques for path planning, complex interactions with an evolving environment, and an high level interface to the human user. For example, one solid objective would be autonomous inspection of an unknown building (maybe maximizing exploration gain).
Next steps
The rest of the posts in this series will focus on the localization problem.
We're going to bring together all the software components needed to use a camera and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU, think accelerometer in your phone) to provide the robot with decent location data. I'll make sure to leverage widely used platforms and patterns, drawing from both academia and research, so that this overview will give you a solid idea about the current state of the art.
I won't be diving in boring details such as package installation or network setup and will instead assume a good proficiency in software development on a linux environment. For practical reasons, we also won't talk about any specific hardware platform, but rather use recorded data sets provided by the community. | https://nicolovaligi.com/robotics-for-developers/getting-started.html |
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the relevance of the notion of sustainable development – that bridges environmental, economic and social dimensions - has risen to the status of programme for the international community. In this framework, a “fourth”, legal leg of sustainable development has been envisioned as a necessary complement to realise the 2030 Agenda, through the role of inclusive and effective institutions. The role of tribunals and of access to justice assumes a significance insofar as it guarantees the respect of the rule of law that has been highlighted as the fundamental aspect for achieving sustainable development. In this regard, experiences of national implementation of the principle of sustainable development in the field of human rights are crucial for understanding current developments and for studying legal systems that are mutually influencing and reinforcing each other. Concerning the guarantee of environmental rights, three main strategies can be outlined: the maintenance of general jurisdictions; the establishment of “green benches” as sections of ordinary tribunals dealing with environmental cases; the creation of specialised tribunals, with experts in scientific subjects and judges specifically trained in this field. In light of its experience of “low-yielding” judicial institutions, characterised by delays, backlogs and insufficient capacities of case management, India undoubtedly constitutes one of the leading cases for assessing the validity of institutional measures aimed at the application of the concept of sustainable development in the legal field. In this regard, the Parliament of India chose to pursue the third path and enacted the National Green Tribunal Act in 2010. The experience of India is thus analysed considering, on the one hand, the constitutional framework embodied in the protection of environmental rights within the right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, with Articles 48A and 51A(g) and, on the other hand, the interpretation of the courts regarding international law principles (sustainable development, polluter pays and precautionary principle), that are statutorily applied by the National Green Tribunal. The thesis thus analyses the advantages brought forward by the newly established tribunal - expanded access to tribunals, through new rules and a more flexible procedure; enhanced expertise due to the change in the composition of courts; consistency in decisions, thanks to the specialisation - as well as possible drawbacks caused by the resort to creeping jurisdiction and by the monopolisation of the interpretation of sustainable development by a single environmental court. | http://e-theses.imtlucca.it/191/ |
Is Kariba a dam or lake?
Lake Kariba, lake in central Africa, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was formed by damming the Zambezi River in the Kariba Gorge, where the river narrows between hills of hard rock 250 miles (400 km) below Victoria Falls.
What is the biggest dam in world?
World’s Tallest Dam
Currently, the tallest dam in the world is Nurek Dam on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. It is 984 feet (300 meters) tall. Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet (221.3 meters) tall.
What are the 3 largest dams in the world?
List of largest dams
|Rank||Name||Installed capacity [MW]|
|1||Tarbela Dam||4,888|
|2||Fort Peck Dam||185|
|3||Atatürk Dam||2,400|
|4||Houtribdijk|
Is Kariba dam safe?
Terry Kabell is a very experienced engineer who spent many years with Water Development in Rhodesia and then Zimbabwe. More recently he has worked throughout Africa as a consultant, and has been advising the Zambezi River Authority for some 12 years.
How full is Kariba now?
Dam Levels as at 20-July-2021
|DAM NAME||FULL SUPPLY CAPACITY||% FULL|
|Kariba||64800.00||51.3|
|Tugwi Mukosi||1802.6||99.7|
|Mutirikwi||1378.08||97.4|
|Manyame||480.23||72.1|
Which of these is the deepest lake in Africa?
At 1,470m, Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa (second-deepest in the world) by a wide margin compared to the rest of the African lakes.
What country has the most man made lakes?
Countries With The Most Lakes
- Argentina – 13,600.
- 7) Norway – 20,000.
- 6) Brazil – 20,900.
- 5) Sweden – 22,600.
- 4) China – 23,800.
- 3) USA – 102,500.
- 2) Russia – 201,200.
- 1) Canada – 879,800. | https://addistar.com/african-countries/which-one-is-the-biggest-lake-in-zimbabwe.html |
Within the carbon steel definition,materials can be defined as either low-carbon steel or high-carbon steel.Low-carbon steels are extremely common,while high-carbon steels are only used in high-strength,non-corrosive environments.1020 Steel,a low-carbon steel,is one of the most popular steels produced today.Read our Metal X Design GuideCarbon and Low Alloy Steels IspatGuruApr 07,2013·These steels consist of low carbon (0.1 % C to 0.2 % C) case hardened steels and high carbon (around 1 % C) through hardened steels.Some of these steels are covered by designations given in different standards.Chromium-molybdenum heat-resistant steels These steels contain 0.5 % Cr to 9 % Cr and 0.5 % Mo to 1 % Mo.Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels for Non-MetallurgistsApr 30,2012·High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels (HSLA)Primarily utilized for structural applications requiring: High strength HSLA steels utilize low carbon content with small amounts of alloying elements and a variety of controlled processing parameters to obtain high yield strengths,greater than 275 MPa (40 ksi.).
Cited by 119Publish Year 1970Author L.Mihelich John,Korchynsky Michael,D.Grozier JohnCarbon Steel vs Alloy Steel - Comparison - Pros and Cons
Stainless steels are the major types of high-alloy steels,but two other types are ultrahigh-strength nickel-cobalt steels and maraging steels.Stainless steels are defined as low-carbon high-alloy steels with at least 10.5% chromium with or without other alloying elements.41xx steel Chromoly Steel Medium-carbon Ultrahigh-strength SteelsClassification of Carbon and Low-Alloy SteelsCarbon SteelsHigh-Strength Low-Alloy SteelsLow-Alloy SteelsThe American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) defines carbon steel as follows Steel is considered to be carbon steel when no minimum content is specified or required for chromium,cobalt,columbium [niobium],molybdenum,nickel,titanium,tungsten,vanadium or zirconium,or any other element to be added to obtain a desired alloying effect; when the specified minimum for steel does not exceed 0.40 per cent; or when tSee more on totalmateriaHigh-Strength,Low-Alloy SteelsHigh-Strength,Low-AlloySteels M.S.Rashid High-strength,low-alloy (HSLA) steels represent anewclass ofmaterials whichevolvedfromplaincarbonormild steel.They are the precursors of dual-phaseDifference Between Alloy Steel and Carbon Steel Compare May 08,2011·As such carbon content is lowered down to 0.1% to 0.3% and alloying elements are also decreased in proportion.These alloys of steel are known as high strength,low alloy steels.You would be surprised to know that stainless steel is also an alloy steel with a
Difference Between Low-Alloy Steel High-Alloy Steel
These steels have very different strengths and uses depending on the chosen alloy.High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels,or microalloyed steels,are designed to provide better mechanical properties and/or greater resistance to atmospheric corrosion than conventional carbonsteels in the normal sense.Alloy steel can further classify asHigh Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) CorrosionHigh Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) Corrosion.Carbon steel can be alloyed,singly or in combination,with chromium,nickel,steel,molybdenum,phosphorus,and vanadium in the range of a few percent or less to produce high strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels.In some circumstances,the addition of 0.3% steel toHigh-Strength Low-Alloy Steel - an overview Jan 01,1993·High-strength low-alloy steels High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels contain a small amount of carbon (under 0.2%) like mild steels,and also contain small amounts of alloying elements such as steel,nickel,niobium,vanadium,chromium,molybdenum and zirconium.
High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels - ASM International
High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels Introduction and Overview High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels,or microalloyed steels,are designed to provide better mechanical properties and/or greater resistance to atmospheric corrosion than conventional carbon steels.They are not considered to be alloy steels in the normal sense because they areHighstrengthcarbon(C) and lowalloysteelshave yield strength(YS) greater than 275 N/sq mm and can be classified generally in four types namely (i) as-rolled C Mn (manganeseManganese
Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25.It is not found as a free element in nature; it is often found in minerals in combination with iron.Manganese is a transition metal with important industrial alloy uses,particularly in stainless steels.Low Alloy Steel - an overview ScienceDirect TopicsCarbon steels and low alloy steels (LAC) are probably the most commonly used alloys in the nuclear industry they are more often used for piping and cooling system equipment,for containers,as structural materials,rebars in concrete,bolts and nuts.These various applications,the different steels and the degradation processes are encountered in many industries and are not specifically associated with
Related searches for high strength carbon and low alloy ste
high strength low alloy steelslist of high alloy steelswhat is high strength steelhigh alloy steel definitionhigh strength steel compositiontypes of high strength steellist of high strength steelshigh strength steel plateSome results are removed in response to a notice of local law requirement.For more information,please see here.12345NextSPECGRADECERTIFICATIONA57242,50,55,60,65ASTMCSAG40.2150A,50W,44WCSA G40.21A70936,50,50W,HPS 50W,HPS 70WASTMM27050,50WAASHTO 13 rows on leecosteelCarbon and Low-alloy High-strength Steel - Bebon steelsCarbon and Low-alloy High-strength Steel provide greater environmental corrosion resistance and are stronger than convention carbon steel,also very ductile,highly formable and easy to weld.Carbon and Low-alloy High-strength Steel steels are not typically made to meet a certain chemical composition,instead they are known to meet specific mechanical properties.Standard Specification for Steel,Strip,Carbon and High 1.2 This specification is not applicable to hot-rolled heavy-thickness carbon sheet and strip coils (Specification A1018/A1018M),cold-rolled carbon steel strip (Specification A109/A109M),high-strength,low-alloy cold-rolled steel (Specifications A606/A606M and A1008/A1008M) or cold-rolled high carbon steel (Specification A684/A684M). | http://www.renenergie.es/este285/ec5de3e8dc11095.html |
Agron. Sustain. Dev.
Volume 27, Number 4, November-December 2007
|Page(s)||313 - 319|
|DOI||https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:2007023|
|Published online||18 December 2007|
DOI: 10.1051/agro:2007023
Nitrogen deficiency and recovery in sustainable corn production as revealed by leaf chlorophyll measurementsJun Zhanga, Alfred M. Blackmera, Tracy M. Blackmerb, Peter M. Kyverygaa, b and Jason W. Ellsworthc
a Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
b Iowa Soybean Association, 4554 114th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
c Wilburn Ellis Ag Division, 150 Burlington Avenue, Pasco, WA 95301, USA
(Accepted 30 March 2007; published online 18 December 2007)
Abstract - Assessing economic and environmental impacts of nitrogen (N) fertilization in production agriculture is important for preventing unnecessary application of N fertilizer and avoiding losses of this N into water body. Chlorophyll meters are often used to evaluate N management practices and diagnose deficiencies of N in corn (Zea mays L.). Chlorophyll meter readings (CMRs) are usually interpreted relative to reference readings taken from plants having ample N to maximize rates of growth. Although measurements taken with chlorophyll meters provide a scale for estimating the sufficiency of N for corn growth, effects of above-optimal supplies of N on the measurements have not been studied when diagnosing N deficiencies during vegetative growth stages. Here, temporal trends in chlorophyll measurements were monitored in trials where various rates of N were applied soon after planting and (or) after symptoms of N deficiency had developed due to the changes of N status in soil and demand for N during corn growth. Divergence of chlorophyll measurements from the reference readings occurred in situations where plants having too little N were compared with plants having adequate N. In contrast, convergence of chlorophyll measurements with the reference readings after application of fertilizer N during the growing season indicated partial or complete recovery of the plants from the deficiency of N. The recovery can be explained by considering that luxury production of chlorophyll occurred at higher rates of fertilization or by interactions of N with soil water and other nutrients supplied during corn growth. Observations that plants can partially or completely recover from periods with inadequate N for chlorophyll production suggest that the leaf chlorophyll measurements taken early in the season should not be always expected to highly correlate with final yields of grain. Therefore, it is important to recognize the possible recovery of chlorophyll production and to avoid N losses to the environment. | https://www.agronomy-journal.org/articles/agro/abs/2007/04/a6099/a6099.html |
About the Project
The peatland stores a huge amount of carbon (estimated at about 31 petagrams of carbon, PgC). For comparison, human caused carbon emissions from all sources release about 10 Pg of carbon per year to the atmosphere. This carbon is mostly stored below ground in the peat itself, and could be lost rapidly if the forest above is cleared and/or the water drained, as has happened for example to much of the peat swamp forest of SE Asia.
Fortunately, these peatlands appear to be being utilized in a sustainable manner, experiencing very low rates of deforestation and forest degradation. But this has never been properly assessed, meaning we do not know this for certain, and also that there is no baseline from which to detect any future increases (Dargie et al. 2018). Further, there may be significant oil reserves under the peatlands, the climate is suitable for growing palm oil in plantations, and in some areas there are valuable timber trees in the swamp forests. Although, it is clear that local communities rely on the peat swamp forests for some or all of their livelihoods, typically from fishing, any negative impacts on the forests through external pressures or climate change would negatively impact their ways of life.
Requirements
We expect a good undergraduate degree (high 2:1 or 1st) in physical, biological or environmental sciences, or equivalent experience. Strong interest in forests and conservation is essential.
Fluency in French will be required during the PhD. Ideally you would have at least CEFR B1 level French, but otherwise will need to do an intensive course during your 1st year. | https://www.joshswaterjobs.com/jobs/23421/ |
A lot of research has been done to find out how to detect lies through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. However, none can be an absolute indicator that states that someone is really lying.
A number of researchers at Coral Dando at the University of Wolverhampton, reported by the BBC, have managed to identify a series of principles of conversation that can increase your chances of detecting lies more accurately. Instead of focusing on facial gestures and expressions, this principle focuses on the vocabulary and grammar expressed by the other person. This method involves us to do a kind of honesty test to the other person, by asking questions or responses that can touch someone's weak points and can make lies revealed. How do you do that?
Before conducting an honesty test, make sure you make the initial observation
Remember, honesty is characterized by personal characteristics that sync with each other. So, in addition to body posture, pay attention to the compatibility between face, body, voice and speech style. Before starting, it's important to understand how the person usually acts. So, you need to know what the person's facial expressions are in normal circumstances, and what he talks to in everyday conversation.
Even though it's possible to get a base with only 20-30 seconds of observation, it's even better if you have more time. "The best trick is to pay attention to your interlocutors for a while, by opening up small talk or prank questions, to see how their body movements and facial expressions are when they are telling the truth," said Mark Bouton, a senior FBI agent and the author of How to Spot Lies Like the FBI, quoted from Business Insider.
4 steps to do an honesty test
1. Use open questions
Instead of asking questions whose answers are "yes" or "no", use open questions that require someone to elaborate on the answer at length. Fishing a more descriptive answer will force liars to expand their story until they are caught in the net of their own imagination.
2. Give a surprise element
You should try to increase the liar's "cognitive burden" by asking unexpected questions that might be a little confusing. Or, have them report an event with a step backwards. People who only fabricate stories will have difficulty telling their imagination backwards chronologically.
3. Note the small details that can be checked and checked
Ever, right, you asked a friend, "Have you walked? Now where is it? ", And the classic answer is none other than" On the road, "or," Come soon. "Ask about the details of their trip, such as on the road, what is the benchmark, traffic or not, and so on. If you find a contradiction or anomaly, don't rush to dismantle the lie. It is better to build the liar's confidence so that he continues to be entangled in his own lies, until finally the lie collapses on its own.
4. Observe changes in self-confidence
Look carefully. The lying style of the person you're talking to will slowly begin to change when they begin to feel afraid that the lie has been sniffed. At the beginning, he might overestimate his style of speech and look more confident when throwing his lies, but they might be silent when they begin to feel lost control.
Do it casually, not questioning
The purpose of the four principles above is to bring conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, not in the form of serious interrogation. With this technique, however smart a liar, he or she will express their lies voluntarily by refuting their own story, being clearly evasive or protesting the question, or becoming confused in responding.
This technique has proven to be 20 times more effective and more likely to detect lies than rely solely on vague physical signs.
READ ALSO: | https://www.bringmedic.com/2019/01/4-ways-to-test-whether-someone-said.html |
Författare:
Jacobsson Linus
Titel:
Permanent Establishment through Related Persons � A Study on the Treatment of Related Persons under Article 5 of the OECD Model Tax Convention
Utgivningsår:
2018
Omfång:
355 sid.
Förlag:
Uppsala universitet
ISBN:
9789150626865
Typ av verk:
Akademisk avhandling
Ämnesord:
Skatterätt
Pris: 460 SEK exkl. moms
Globalization, changed business practices and the developments in information technology have put pressure on the PE concept. This thesis deals with related persons and the PE concept, and the increasing tension between them.
The main objective of the thesis is to analyze and define the scope of the PE concept, when applied to related persons. To meet this objective, the thesis is focused on three research questions. Initially, a theoretical foundation regarding the PE concept is established. It is concluded that the PE concept’s underlying principles are the notions of source, equity and basic neutrality.
The first research question deals with the scope of the “related company clause” in Article 5(7) of the OECD MTC. To answer this, the history and underlying principles and theories of the related person PE are analyzed. It is concluded that the related person PE should be understood as including two distinct taxpayers and that the “related company clause” has no substantive scope.
The second research question deals with the application of the PE concept to situations with related persons. It is established that the central question is whose business is being conducted. It is argued that this is a substance-over-form assessment and that guidance should be had from the dependency test in the agency clause, i.e. legal control and economic relationship.
The third research question concerns what function the PE concept has, and should have, when it comes to preventing tax avoidance. It is argued that applying substance-over-form, not inherent to a specific PE condition, should be limited to preventing abuse. To determine if a situation is abusive, one should compare the outcome with the PE concept’s underlying principles. If the result is unintended and contrary to the underlying principles, it is an abuse of the PE concept, provided that this is achieved intentionally by the taxpayer. | https://www.jure.se/ns_old/visatitel.asp?tuid=24426 |
NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft has observed brightness oscillations in more than 500 sun-like stars. The white-line grids represent the field of view on the sky of the Kepler detectors.
NASA's planet-hunting Kepler space observatory has turned out to be a jack-of-all-trades — a multipurpose spacecraft that has gone beyond its alien world mandate to tackle some key star mysteries.
In a pair of new studies, astronomers announced discoveries gleaned from Kepler measurements of distant starlight. In one report, researchers detected minuscule brightness oscillations in 500 sunlike stars — work that could help lay the foundation for a more robust understanding of star composition and evolution, according to the research team.
In the other study, a different team characterized a strange, three-star system that undergoes two different types of eclipses.
"Although already impressive, these observations represent only the tip of the iceberg of what we will learn through continued observation with Kepler and other ground- and space-based telescopes," he said.
The research is detailed in the April 8 edition of Science.
Since its March 2009 launch, Kepler has detected 1,235 candidate alien planets that await confirmation by ground-based instruments.
But many stars — including our own sun — have their own periodic brightness variations, tied to the churning of their insides. These "starquake" oscillations can be exceedingly slight, often on the order of a few parts per million difference.
Kepler's eagle eyes, however, can pick them up — and scientists can use the measurements to learn about the stars' structure and evolution, much as geologists use earthquakes to probe our planet's interior. The technique is known as asteroseismology.
Using data from Kepler's first seven months of observations, researchers measured oscillations in 500 sunlike stars. Before their study, astronomers had such data on just 25 solar-type stars. The increase in sample size could open a lot of doors for astronomers, researchers said.
"The size of this seismic 'ensemble' is large enough to allow us to do proper statistical studies, looking for trends in behavior that it is just not possible to do with small samples of stars," said lead author William Chaplin, of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
In the study, Chaplin and his team provided an example of the power of their new dataset. They calculated sizes and masses for the 500 stars based on the Kepler asteroseismology observations, then compared those with numbers generated by computer models.
The team found that the radii matched up — but the Kepler data suggests that the stars are less massive than models predict. So those models may need to be revised, Chaplin said.
The new asteroseismology dataset will also allow astronomers to probe the interiors of sunlike stars, yielding a more complete understanding of their structure and evolution. And the Kepler observations could also help researchers learn more about the sun and how it may change in the future, according to Chaplin.
"It is no understatement to say that this is a step-change of potentially dramatic importance for stellar physics, in that it puts us in a position to do things we couldn't do before," Chaplin told SPACE.com in an email interview.
Artist's impression comparing the approximate sizes and colors of the stars in the triple system HD 181068.
In the other study, researchers led by Aliz Derekas of Eotvos University in Hungary used Kepler to learn more about a strange three-star system known as HD 181068, which is about 815 light-years from Earth.
This system, Kepler observations helped reveal, is composed of a red giant "primary" star (A) and two smaller red dwarfs that orbit it (B and C) and each other. B and C take about 45 days to circle A, but they whip around each other once every 0.9 days.
Derekas and his colleagues found that HD 181068 is unique among known star systems in that it has two different kinds of eclipses, as seen from Kepler's perspective. B and C eclipse each other — as do A and the BC pair.
These odd characteristics could help astronomers better understand stars and their orbits, according to Montgomery.
"The eclipses provide constraints on the geometry of the system, which can then be used to test stellar models," Montgomery wrote in his article in Science. "In addition, continued observations will allow dynamical models of the evolution of the stellar orbits to be tested."
Oddly enough, Kepler didn't pick up any of the expected sunlike brightness oscillations coming from the primary star in HD 181068.
The orbital dynamics of the system may be suppressing these variations, researchers said. | https://www.space.com/11326-nasa-kepler-starquakes-star-eclipses.html |
- Youth unemployment is at an all-time high of 30 per cent.
- Having a job is not, of itself, a guarantee that one lives in a poverty-free household
These are some of the conclusions in Social Justice Ireland’s Socio-Economic Review for 2012. The report, titled, ‘Shaping Ireland’s Future’, analyses the economic and social factors facing the Irish public and the impact of policies set by the current Irish Government. The areas explored include taxation, income distribution, unemployment and job creation, health, education and migration.
It is unjust and indefensible that Ireland must bear the current debt burden alone – just to protect Europe’s banks. Our current crisis cannot be rectified fairly by prioritising expenditure cuts so as to keep taxes among the lowest in the EU.
Other conclusions contained in this Review include:
On Income Distribution
More than 700,000 people are living in poverty in Ireland, 200,000 of which are children. The social welfare system is not fit for purpose in the 21st century and it should be replaced with a basic income system. Twenty-first century society needs a radical approach to ensure that everyone can benefit from future economic growth and development. A basic income system should replace social welfare and income tax credits. This would guarantee an income above the poverty line for everyone.
“Ireland can increase its tax take and still remain a low-tax economy.
On Taxation
The Government should move toward increasing the total tax take to 34.9% of GDP and do so by broadening the tax base.
On Unemployment and Job Creation
In the area of unemployment and job creation, the report has found that more than 14% of the labour force is unemployed – with youth unemployment currently at 30%. The report also states that ‘the market economy is unable to provide anywhere near the number of jobs required to reduce unemployment any time soon.
Having a job is not, of itself, a guarantee that one lives in a poverty-free household. 120,000 people living in poverty, in Ireland, have jobs. Government needs to adopt a strategy of making large-scale job creation interventions into the labour market; otherwise, the high levels of unemployment will only be eroded via emigration. The Government should launch a major investment programme focused on creating employment and prioritise initiatives that strengthen social infrastructure such as the school building programme and social housing programme.
It remains a major policy failure that Ireland’s level of long-term unemployment has been allowed to increase so rapidly in recent years. Furthermore, it is of serious concern that Government policy has given limited real attention to the issue.
On Education
In relation to education in Ireland, the report has found that ‘a quarter of all male students, over the age of 15, do not have the level of literacy needed to participate effectively in society and in future learning’. The report also recommends that ‘Government should introduce a system in which fees are paid by all participants in third-level education.’
There are strong arguments from an equity perspective that those who benefit from higher education, and who can afford to contribute to the costs of their higher education should do so. Third-level graduates in employment in Ireland earn, on average, 64% more than those with a leaving certificate. By introducing an income-contingent student loan, all students would be treated on the same basis as repayment is based on their own future income.” Fr Healy said.
Migration
On the issue of migration, the report has found that emigration of Irish nationals has tripled since 2008. “40,200 Irish people have left the country in the past 12 months. Between April 2009 and April 2010, an estimated 27,000 people also left the country.” Fr Healy said.
The austerity programme is contributing to Ireland’s loss of young people, the implications of which are stark, as the loss will pose significant problems for Ireland’s economic recovery. The plans of the Minister for Justice to offer residency visas in return for investment in Irish bonds or Irish companies or in Irish property are problematic. The inducement of residency in return for cash investment sends out the wrong message about Irish residency.
On Housing
Ireland has approximately 100,000 households on waiting lists for social housing and no credible plans to address this issue on any scale. Almost a quarter of all households on waiting lists have been more than four years waiting for social housing. With major reductions in capital funding for social housing, it is important that the Government ensure prompt delivery and adequate resources to alternatives, such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
On Listening
The primacy given to the market by so many politicians, analysts, policy makers and commentators has led to many people feeling that their views are ignored or patronised. The market will not solve all society’s problem. Problem solving and shaping a new future for Ireland requires participation of all people in society.
Social Justice Ireland
Social Justice Ireland is headed up by Fr Seán Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds who have worked for more than a quarter of a century for CORI Justice and its predecessor the CORI Justice Commission
Membership of Social Justice Ireland is open to individuals (religious and lay) and to groups (organisations and congregations etc.) who support the basic thrust of the values and work that form the core of Social Justice Ireland.
Social Justice Ireland subscribes to the values of both human dignity and the centrality of the community. The person is seen as growing and developing in a context that includes other people and the environment. Justice is understood in terms of right relationships. We understand justice in the Biblical tradition as a harmony that comes from fidelity to right relationships with God, people, institutions and the environment. A just society is one that is structured in such a way as to promote these right relationships so that human rights are respected, human dignity is protected, human development is facilitated and the environment is respected and protected. | https://www.kandle.ie/shaping-irelands-future/ |
The GMO debate is over again. Last week, the prestigious National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine issued what is probably the most far-reaching report ever produced by the scientific community on genetically engineered food and crops. The conclusion was unambiguous: Having examined hundreds of scientific papers written on the subject, sat through hours of live testimony from activists and considered hundreds more comments from the general public, the scientists wrote that they “found no substantiated evidence that foods from GE crops were less safe than foods from non-GE crops.”
The National Academies process was both impressively inclusive and explicitly consensual. As noted in the preface to their report, the scientists “took all of the comments” however ludicrous “as constructive challenges” and considered them carefully. Thus the expert committee patiently gave yogic flyer-turned-anti-GMO activist Jeffrey Smith a generous 20-minute slot within which to make his customary assertion that genetically engineered foods cause just about every imaginable modern ailment. Greenpeace also offered invited testimony. So did Giles-Eric Seralini, the French professor who suffered the ultimate scientific indignity of having his paper claiming rats fed GMOs suffered tumors retracted in 2013.
Each of their claims was examined in turn. Do GE foods cause cancer? No patterns of changing cancer incidence over time are “generally similar” between the US, where GMO foods are ubiquitous, and the United Kingdom, where they are virtually unknown. How about kidney disease? US rates have barely budged over a quarter century. Obesity or diabetes? There is “no published evidence to support the hypothesis” of a link between them and GE foods. Celiac disease? “No major difference” between the US and UK again. Allergies? “The committee did not find a relationship between consumption of GE foods and the increase in prevalence of food allergies.” Autism? Again, evidence comparing the US and UK “does not support the hypothesis of a link.”
In a rational world, everyone previously fearful about the health effects of GMOs would read the report, breathe a huge sigh of relief and start looking for more evidence-based explanations for worrying trends in health issues like diabetes, autism and food allergies. But psychological associations developed over many years are difficult to break. A Pew Center poll in 2015 found only 37 percent of the public thought GE foods were safe, as compared to 88 percent of scientists, a greater gap than on any other issue of scientific controversy, including climate change, evolution and childhood vaccinations. These entrenched attitudes are not about to disappear especially since they are continually reinforced by a vocal and well-funded anti-GMO lobby.
There is also political path dependence. Vermont’s GMO labeling law, scheduled to throw US food manufacturers and retailers into chaos when it comes into force on July 1, is predicated on the explicit assumption that GE foods may be unsafe. “There is a lack of consensus regarding the validity of the research and science surrounding the safety of genetically engineered foods,” Vermont’s Act states in its preamble. Indeed, such foods “potentially pose risks to health [and] safety. Will Vermont’s legislature reconsider its Act now that it stands so clearly on the wrong side of a rock-solid scientific consensus? Of course not.
The National Academies report should make particularly uncomfortable reading for the environmental movement, many of whose leading member groups now exhibit all the hallmarks of full-scale science denialism on the issue. A spokeswoman from Friends of the Earth dismissed the report as “deceptive” before she had even read it. The group’s website claims that “numerous studies” show GE foods can pose “serious risks” to human health. Another environmentalist group, Food and Water Watch, issued a pre-publication rebuttal that conspiratorially accused the National Academies of having undisclosed links with Monsanto, before reasserting its view that “there is no consensus, and there remains a very vigorous debate among scientists… about the safety and merits of this technology.”
But despite these shrill denials, the truth is that there is no more of a debate on the safety of GE crops than on reality of climate change, the scientific consensus on which all these same green groups aggressively defend. And the irony goes deeper: many of the strategies now being employed to demonize GMOs come straight out of the climate denialist playbook. There’s the same promotion of false ‘no consensus’ statements by groups of self-appointed experts. Why, more than 300 “scientists and legal experts” signed a ‘no consensus on GMO safety’ statement last year, Greenpeace reminds us. That sounds like a lot, until you compare it with the 30,000 “American scientists” who have supposedly signed a petition claiming that there is “no convincing scientific evidence” linking CO2 with climate change, which Greenpeace (rightly in my view) ignores.
There’s also a worrying trend towards the harassment of bona fide scientists. Just as senior Republicans have shamefully targeted climate experts with politically-motivated subpoenas, so an anti-GMO group called US Right to Know has slapped dozens of geneticists and molecular biologists working at public universities with repeated Freedom of Information Act requests demanding access to thousands of their private emails. In some cases, scientists have as a result of subsequent campaigns received death threats, and had their laboratory and home addresses circulated menacingly on social media.
There is still plenty of room for genuine dissent moreover. The National Academies report is zealous in pointing out some of the experienced difficulties and drawbacks of GMOs. The overuse of GE crops has indeed led to the evolution of resistance, both in weeds and insects, it finds. Also, industry domination of the technology might restrict access of small farmers in poorer countries to improved seeds. And mandatory GMO labelling might well be a good way to raise public trust in a more transparent food system.
But these real areas of debate do not include GMO safety. That issue has now been definitively put to bed. So let’s be clear once again: the safety debate is over. If you vaccinate your kids and believe that climate change is real, you need to stop being scared of genetically modified foods. | https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2016/05/gmo-safety-debate-is-over/ |
Robert E. Buswell, Jr., ed. Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1990.
The term apocrypha has been used in Western scholarship to refer to Buddhist literature that developed in various parts of Asia in imitation of received texts from the Buddhist homeland of India. Texts included under the rubric of apocrypha share some common characteristics, but they are by no means uniform in their literary style or content. Apocrypha may be characterized collectively as a genre of indigenous religious literature that claimed to be of Indian Buddhist pedigree or affiliation and that came to acquire varying degrees of legitimacy and credence with reference to the corpus of shared scripture. Some apocrypha, especially in East Asian Buddhism, purported to be the BUDDHAVACANA (WORD OF THE BUDDHA) (that is, sutra) or the word of other notable and anonymous exegetes of Indian Buddhism (Sastra).
Others claimed to convey the insights of enlightened beings from India or of those who received such insights through a proper line of transmission, as in the case of Tibetan “treasure texts” (gterma) that were hidden and discovered by qualified persons. Still others were modeled after canonical narrative literature, as in the case of apocryphal JATAKA (birth stories of the Buddha) from Southeast Asia. Thus, what separates apocrypha from other types of indigenous Buddhist literature was their claimed or implied Indian attribution and authorship. The production of apocryphal texts is related to the nature of the Buddhist CANON within each tradition. The Chinese and Tibetan canons remained open in order to allow the introduction of new scriptures that continued to be brought from India over several centuries, a circumstance that no doubt inspired religious innovation and encouraged the creation of new religious texts, such as apocrypha. The Pali canon of South and Southeast Asia, on the other hand, was fixed at a relatively early stage in its history, making it more difficult to add new materials.
The above general characterization offers a clue as to the function and purpose of apocrypha: They adapted Indian material to the existing local contexts—be they religious, socio cultural, or even political—thereby bridging the conceptual gulf that otherwise might have rendered the assimilation of Buddhism more difficult, if not impossible. The perceived authority inherent in the received texts of the tradition was tacitly recognized and adopted to make the foreign religion more comprehensible to contemporary people in the new lands into which Buddhism was being introduced.
Indeed history shows that some apocryphal texts played seminal roles in the development of local Buddhist cultures as they became an integral part of the textual tradition both inside and outside the normative canon. But not all apocrypha were purely or even primarily aimed at promoting Buddhist causes. Some Chinese apocrypha, for example, were all about legitimating local religious customs and practices by presenting them in the guise of the teaching of the Buddha. These examples illustrate that the authority of SCRIPTURE spurred literary production beyond the confines of Buddhism proper and provided a form in which a region’s popular religious dimensions could be expressed in texts.
Modern scholarship’s discovery of such “canonical apocrypha” testifies to the complexity and difficulty of textual adjudication as well as to the authors’ sophisticated level of comprehension and assimilation of Buddhist materials. It was never easy for traditional bibliographical cataloguers to determine scriptural authenticity. Success in ferreting out apocryphal texts—especially when the texts in question were com- posed by authors with extensive knowledge of Buddhist doctrines and practice and with substantial literary skill—required extensive exposure to a wide range of Buddhist literature.
730)—recognized as the best of all traditional catalogues—was critical of both these predecessors, but even it was unable to eliminate all these past in- accuracies due in part to the weight of tradition. Canonical apocrypha are therefore ideal examples of the clash of motivations and compromises reached in the process of creating a religious tradition. These apocrypha thus added new dimensions to the evolving Buddhist religion in China due in part to their privileged canonical status, but also, more importantly, because of their responsiveness to Chinese religious and cultural needs.
The extant corpus of apocrypha includes both canonical apocrypha as well as texts preserved as citations in Chinese exegetical works. Apocrypha were also found in the two substantial medieval manuscript collections discovered in modern times. The first is the DUNHUANG cache of Central Asia discovered at the turn of the twentieth century, which included manuscripts dating from the fifth to eleventh centuries. The second is the Nanatsu-dera manuscript canon in Nagoya, Japan, which was compiled during the twelfth century based on earlier manuscript editions of the Buddhist canon.
It was discovered in 1990 to have included apocrypha of both Chinese and Japanese origin. The most astonishing historical finding in this canon was the Piluo sanmei jing (The Scripture on the Absorption of Piluo), an apocryphon attested in the bibliographical catalogue compiled by the renowned monk-scholar DAO’AN (312–385), but previously un- known. The Japanese manuscript is the only extant copy of this extremely early Chinese apocryphon. Other findings are no less valuable in ascertaining the overall history of apocrypha: Both the Dunhuang and Nanatsu-dera manuscripts included many titles with no known record in the catalogues, evidence indicating that indigenous scriptural creation was even more prolific than had previously been recognized. More- over, scholars have suggested or identified convincingly some of the Nanatsu-dera apocrypha as Japanese compilations based on Indian texts or Chinese apocryphal materials. Thus the apocrypha extant in Japan serve as witness to the currency and impact of this contested, but obviously useful, material.
We will begin with two examples of apocrypha that assembled MAHAYANA doctrine in ways that would support a theory or practice that had no exact counterpart in Indian Buddhism. First, the AWAKENING OF FAITH (DASHENG QIXIN LUN) reconstructed Buddhist orthodoxy by synthesizing three major strands of Indian doctrine—SUNYATA (EMPTINESS), ALAYA VIJNANA (storehouse consciousness), and TATHA GATAGARBHA (womb/embryo of Buddhas)—in order to posit an ontology of mind in which the mind could simultaneously be inherently enlightened and yet subject to ignorance. After its appearance in the sixth century, the Awakening of Faith became perhaps the most prominent example of the impact apocrypha had on the development of Chinese Buddhist ideology, as it became the catalyst for the development of the sectarian doctrines of such indigenous schools as Tiantai, Huayan, and Chan. The text is also a prime example of the ways in which an indigenous author selectively appropriated and ingeniously synthesized Indian materials in order better to suit a Chinese religious context. Second, the Jin’gang sanmei jing (The Scripture of Adamantine Absorption, or Vajrasamadhi-sutra) is an eclectic amalgam of a wide range of Mahayana doctrine, which sought to provide a foundation for a comprehensive system of meditative practice and to assert the soteriological efficacy of that system.
The scripture is also one of the oldest works associated with the CHAN SCHOOL in China and Korea, and is thus historically significant. Unlike other apocrypha discussed else- where in this entry, one study suggests that this sutra is actually a Korean composition from the seventh century (Buswell 1989). This scripture, along with Japanese apocrypha mentioned earlier, is thus a barometer of the organic relationship that pertained between Buddhism in China and the rest of East Asia and demonstrates the pervasive impetus for indigenous scriptural creation throughout the region.
Other apocrypha that have precepts as a prominent theme specifically targeted the LAITY; such texts include the Piluo sanmei jing (The Scripture of the Absorption of Piluo), Tiwei jing (The Scripture of Tiwei), and Chingjing faxing jing (The Scripture of Pure Religious Cultivation). These apocrypha taught basic lay moral guidelines, such as the five precepts, the ten wholesome actions, and the importance of DANA (GIVING), all set within a doctrinal framework of KARMA (ACTION) and REBIRTH. These lay precepts are at times presented as the sufficient cause for attaining buddhahood, a radically simplified PATH that is no doubt intended to encourage the participation of the laity in Buddhist practice. These precepts are also often presented as being superior to the five constant virtues (wuchang) of Confucianism, or to any of the tangible and invisible elements of the ancient Chinese worldview, including the cosmological network of yin and yang, the five material elements, and the five viscera of Daoist internal medicine.
The idea of filial piety is most conspicuous in the Fumu enzhong jing (The Scripture on Profound Gratitude toward Parents), which is based on the Confucian teaching of “twenty-four [exemplary types of] filial piety” (ershihsi xiao). The text highlights the deeds of an unfilial son and exhorts him to requite his parents’ love and sacrifice by making offerings to the three JEWELS (the Buddha, the dharma, and the SANGHA). The scripture has been one of the most popular apocrypha since the medieval period.
Given that apocryphal scriptures were products of specific times and places, it is no surprise that they also criticized not only the contemporary state of religion but also society as a whole, and even the state and its policies toward Buddhism. Such criticisms were often framed within the eschatological notion of the DECLINE OF THE DHARMA, which was adapted from Indian sources. The RENWANG JING (HUMANE KINGS SUTRA) described corruption in all segments of society, natural calamities and epidemics, state control and persecution of Buddhism, and the neglect of precepts by Buddhist adherents. The suggested solution to this crisis was the perfection of wisdom (prajña paramita ), whose efficacy would restore order in religion and society and even protect the state from extinction.
The scripture was popular in medieval East Asia, especially among the ruling class, not least because of its assertion of state protection. The Shouluo biqiu jing (The Scripture of Bhiksu Shouluo) offered a different solution to eschatological crisis: It prophesized the advent of a savior, Lunar-Radiant Youth, during a time of utter disorder and corruption. Such a messianic message is of course not without precedent in Indian Buddhism—the cult of the future Buddha MAITREYA is the ubiquitous example—but the suggestion of a savior in the present world might easily be construed as politically subversive, and as a direct challenge to the authority of the secular regime. This scripture is one of those lost apocrypha that was discovered among the Dunhuang manuscript cache some fourteen hundred years after the first recorded evidence of its composition.
This page was last edited on 20 March 2014, at 17:21. | http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php?title=Chinese_Buddhist_Apocrypha |
With a new school year just starting, it is important to be aware of school zones. Nearly 54 million school-aged children walk or bike to school or pass through a school zone. A school zone is designed to ensure kids are safe as they arrive and leave school. However, sometimes a congested school zone puts pedestrians and motorists alike in danger of a car accident. Here are some tips to avoid a car accident in or around a school zone.
Many distracted drivers will often breezy through a school zone without noticing the flashing lights warning drivers to slow down. Remember to always keep your eyes and focus on the road at all times. Most school zones are preceded by numerous warning signals such as flashing lights, speed bumps, and/or warning signs to notify drivers of the school zone. Avoid a car accident by being aware of these warning signals.
The speed limit in school zones is significantly slower than what is posted in other areas on the same roadway. It is a good idea to slow down and become more aware even before you reach the school zone. Children walking to school are often hit by vehicles before they even reach the school zone. Make sure you have enough time to safely slow down without having to slam on the brakes to avoid a car crash or hit a pedestrian.
School typically starts between seven and nine in the morning and two and four in the afternoon. Even if the school crossing guard forgot to turn on the flashing lights, be aware of the time so you can be safe. Traffic is going to be more congested in a school zone as parents or other caregivers are dropping off kids for school. Remember to slow down and be careful during these times to avoid an accident.
Many school zones have an increased number of crosswalks to allow students to walk safely from nearby neighborhoods. Remember to always yield to pedestrians on the road even if they are not using a marked crosswalk. It is also important to keep in mind patience as many kids will be walking across the road to get to school.
Always yield the right of way to school buses at all times. These drivers have a harder time navigating in increased traffic due to their large size. When a school bus driver puts out the stop sign on a bus, you must stop when driving on the same side of the road. If you are traveling in the opposite direction as the stopped bus, you can only proceed if two lanes of travel are present.
Crossing guards and other officials who have the right to stop traffic should always be obeyed by all drivers. These officials take precedence over any traffic signs or signals that normally control the area to direct traffic in an orderly manner. Police officers park in or around school zones to ensure the safety of everyone. School zones often have severe fines that are double or triple the normal speeding fine for the area. Please understand these increased amounts are to persuade drivers to slow down and pay attention while driving through school zones.
If you or your child has been injured in a school zone due to a negligent driver, contact the law office of personal injury attorney Brent Gordon immediately. Our law firm will work hard to get you every penny you deserve. We believe every client deserves fair representation against big insurance companies with deep pockets. Call our law office in Idaho Falls or Pocatello today for a free consultation at (208) 232-7274. | https://www.brentgordonlaw.com/avoid-a-car-accident-in-or-around-a-school-zone/ |
TW is for measuring specific gravity in degrees of Twaddle (named after William Twaddle) Sodium Silicate is a liquid electrolyte deflocculant to be added one drop at a time, stirred, wait, check - to make a slip more fluid. Typical Casting Recipe for non-porcelain / non-bone china: i) 10 kg plastic clay, 10-25 g of Sodium Silicate 140 TW, 10 g of Sodium Carbonate, 1200 cc of water. ii) 10kg powdered clay, 12-30 g of Sodium Silicate 140 TW, 12 g of Sodium Carbonate, 4000 cc of water. | https://www.bluematchbox.co.uk/sodium-silicate-140tw-1kg.html |
Disabled people are entitled to various pension schemes from central and state governments. But it also comes with many criteria that need to be strictly followed. The government of Kerala had put up four main criteria to being eligible for their social security pension scheme. The beneficiary will not be eligible for the pension of they if they live in a house that is above 1200 sq. ft., has a car with an engine power of above 1000 cc, a house with area over two acres of land and also if they have a family member who works in government services. Now, the state government has decided to take off the first criteria where the beneficiary will not be eligible for the pension if they live in a house above 1200 sq. ft. This latest move of the state government gets thumbs up from people in the disabled community of the state.
According to disabled people, a wheelchair user needs to live with at least 1200 sq. ft. so that their mobility is not affected.
Rajeev Palluruthy of the All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation (AKWRF) says the criteria of owning a house that is lesser than 1200 sq. ft to avail pension is impossible.
A wheelchair user needs to live in a house with minimum 1200 sq. ft to move around freely. Then how can the government introduce that as a criterion to not avail the pension? Since this has been taken off, more wheelchair users can benefit from this. This is truly a relief. Similarly, wheelchair users need cars that are above 1000 cc so that we can carry our wheelchairs around. This criterion does not make any sense. We are just asking for our basic rights. –Rajeev Palluruthy, Secretary, AKWRF
Also, beneficiaries who were receiving the Employment Provident Fund pension along with the social security pension were eligible only for Rs 600. That has been taken off as well. They will now be eligible for the full amount of the social security pension. The existing monthly pension of Rs 1,100 has been increased to Rs 1,200 which will be implemented from April. The criteria will be taken off for all the fresh and existing applications.
Over the past few months, authorities received numerous complaints over malpractices and ineligible beneficiaries getting pension amounts. After a detailed investigation, the state government decided to revise the criteria.
“I would request the government to take off the criteria where the beneficiary will not be eligible if they have a vehicle with engine power of over 1000 cc. For wheelchair users, cars are an inevitable part of our lives and all car engines are above 1000 cc. We do not want any luxury cars but ones with basic facilities”, says Pattazhi.
ALSO READ: Social Justice Ministry’s intervention sought in matter of biased medical education guidelines
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Is sodium hydroxide bad for you?
Sodium hydroxide does not produce systemic toxicity, but is very CORROSIVE and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with. Sodium hydroxide poses a particular threat to the eyes, since it can hydrolyze protein, leading to severe eye damage.
A.
What is sodium hydroxide found in?
Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, also known as lye or caustic soda, is an extremely caustic (corrosive and damaging to human tissue) white solid that readily dissolves in water. Sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soaps, rayon, and paper, in petroleum refining, and in homes as drain cleaners and oven cleaners.
What is the common name for sodium hydroxide?Common and Trade Names of Chemicals
Common name Chemical name Lunar caustic Silver nitrate Lye Sodium hydroxide Magnesia Magnesium oxide Marble Calcium carbonate
How is sodium hydroxide prepared?Chlorine gas is also produced in this process. Solid sodium hydroxide is obtained from this solution by the evaporation of water. Principle — In castner-kellner method NaOH is prepared by the electrolysis of aqueous solution of NaCl (Brine).
What is a sodium hydroxide?Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive chemical sometimes known as lye or caustic soda. It's chemical formula is NaOH. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base that can be dissolved in water.
B.
Where can potassium hydroxide be found?
Potassium hydroxide, or caustic potash, is used in a wide variety of industrial applications. The major uses are in the production of potassium carbonate, potassium phosphates, liquid fertilizers, and potassium soaps and detergents.
Where is potassium hydroxide found in nature?Although potassium is the eighth most abundant element on earth and comprises about 2.1% of the earth's crust, it is a very reactive element and is never found free in nature. Metallic potassium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 through the electrolysis of molten caustic potash (KOH).
Is potassium hydroxide bad for your skin?Potassium Hydroxide is extremely corrosive and can be a hazardous irritant when exposure is at high levels. According to its Material Safety Data Sheet, it "May cause irritation. Contact of skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures."
Is Koh is a strong base?Identify each salt as acidic, basic, or neutral. The ions from KCl derive from a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (KOH). Therefore, neither ion will affect the acidity of the solution, so KCl is a neutral salt. Although the K + ion derives from a strong base (KOH), the NO 2 − ion derives from a weak acid (HNO 2). | https://answersdrive.com/is-sodium-hydroxide-bad-for-you-6555173 |
Using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new material that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, and can be easily manufactured in large quantities.
The new material is a two-dimensional polymer that self-assembles into sheets, unlike all other polymers, which form one-dimensional, spaghetti-like chains. Until now, scientists had believed it was impossible to induce polymers to form 2D sheets.
Such a material could be used as a lightweight, durable coating for car parts or cell phones, or as a building material for bridges or other structures.
Because the material self-assembles in solution, it can be made in large quantities by simply increasing the quantity of the starting materials.
The new material’s elastic modulus – a measure of how much force it takes to deform a material – is between four and six times greater than that of bulletproof glass. They also found that its yield strength, or how much force it takes to break the material, is twice that of steel, even though the material has only about one-sixth the density of steel. | https://eih.am/eng/news/380/amerikyan-masnagetnery-poxpati-pes-amur-u-plastiki-pes-tetev-nyut-en-stextsel.html |
In addition to equalizing access via changing healthcare personnel attitudes and perceptions toward sickle cell patients, one must also consider the need to provide external healthcare services that dictate and impact what happens at the clinic—and sometimes even whether or not the patient comes to the clinic in the first place. Since many sickle cell sufferers are from a lower socio-economic group, healthcare providers must understand how transportation problems, economic problems, or daycare problems greatly influence utilization of, and hence access to, medical services.
The availability of emotional and social resources is also crucial, since the individual's experiences with episodic pain crises could often affect the emotional life of the patient (Ohaeri, et al., 1995). For instance, sickle cell patients have been shown to experience high levels of anxiety in regards to their illness (Chestnut, 1994). Other challenges associated with sickle cell disease that can result in psychosocial difficulties include growth retardation, behavioral problems, learning problems, and possibly a decreased IQ compared to their peers (Malach, et al., 2002). Moreover, sickle cell disease children are more likely to report social impairment such as restriction in their play and domestic activities, feeling inferior to others, having bad luck, fear of under-achievement in life and fear of potential early death than both the control groups with bronchial asthma and with some acute medical illness (Tunde-Ayinmode, 2005). One needs to understand that social issues like educational attainment, employment status, and social networks are important determinants of illness course and care-seeking behavior.
Here, we see the benefit of building support systems such as sickle cell self-help and support groups. However, though I see Dr. Acharya briefly addressing these concerns during the examination, I think these patients would benefit if a more comprehensive, multidisciplinary, division-of-laborapproach was implemented. As Trzepacz, et. al (2004) suggests, vigorous screening programs for mental health programs should be included in the routine care of children with sickle cell disease, and psychosocial intervention research should be implemented to ameliorate problems for the children at greatest risk. Comprehensive sickle cell programs have played a role in the reduction of morbidity and mortality "by providing easily accessible healthcare services administered by individuals knowledgeable about the disease and its complications" (National Institutes of Health, 1995, p. 5). Ideally, I believe that a comprehensive care clinic, much like the hemophilia clinic I have been participating in, consisting of hematologists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, and specialized nurses, would enable one to provide early diagnosis, preventive health maintenance, early treatment of life threatening complications, and development and implementation of new treatment modalities for young sickle cell patients. This multidisciplinary approach, where bio-psycho-social issues are dealt effectively under one umbrella, not only allows whole teams to efficiently work together with the patient to reduce morbidity and mortality, but also do so while increasing quality of life psychosocially. This, to me, is true access to healthcare.
I hope that this paper has conveyed the point that "access" to healthcare may have a far broader meaning than simply having insurance and/or the ability to pay. Access can be translated to the lack of an adequate amount of medical professionals who can help to create a feeling of empathy and belonging, to social and health policies which often do not include adequate numbers of multiculturally competent persons in the policymaking process, to funding for research and facilities which most often reflect a disproportionate concern for issues of minority health, and even to provider-patient communication. Thus, treatment programs that are going to be effective in treating ethnically and culturally diverse individuals indeed must stress open communication, convenience, ethnic and cultural sensitivity, caring, and concern—qualities that I have seen firsthand with Dr. Acharya in dealing and interacting with sickle cell families.
Physicians construct access based upon moral perceptions of the patient and determinations of what constitutes a life well lived. Coupled with the lack of knowledge about sickle cell disease, one of the problems with sickle patients is that health care professionals make a connection between African Americans using drugs and existing negative stereotypes. If ease of access and understanding of the medical system are so crucial, there is also a need for broader education and exposure to the medical system for patients in times other than medical crisis, such as for much-needed psychosocial services. It is apparent that more research needs to be done in an effort to explore how patients feel their ethnic and cultural characteristics influence the availability and quality of healthcare service they receive.
Not many people will view qualities such as empathy and compassion as means of achieving objectivity with patients, but I argue that these are important skills to employ when one wants to give the best possible treatment one can to his/her patient, unfettered by racial, cultural, or socio-economic stereotypes or stigmatizations that exist. To do otherwise will mean that one is not providing true equal access to healthcare. I firmly believe that education, research, multicultural competence and sensitivity, as well as hands-on experience, resulting in changes in attitudes and behaviors, will ultimately lead to a more empathic approach to the sickle cell patient.
Acknowledgements
I would like to give special thanks to Dr. Suchitra Acharya, MD and Dr. Donna M. DiMichele, MD at New York Presbyterian Hospital for taking me under their wings and allowing me to participate as part of the pediatric hematology and sickle cell chronic care clinic team for the fall/winter of 2006.This rewarding experience would not have been possible without you. Deep gratitude also goes out to Dr. Sam Beck, PhD, my professional advisor at Cornell Weill Medical College for his direction, inspiration, and continuing support. Each one of these mentors has imparted great wisdom and insight with their knowledge and understanding of biomedical ethics. I am grateful to have them in my life.
References
Ahmad, W.I.U. (1989). Policies, pills and political will: A critique of the policies to improve the health status of ethnic minorities. The Lancet, 148.
Bloche, M.G. 2001. Race and Discretion in American Medicine. Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law and Ethics. 1: 95-31
Chestnut, D.E. (1994). Perceptions of Ethnic and Cultural Factors in the Delivery of Services in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Journal of Health & Social Policy. 5(3-4), 215-242.
Daniels, N., Kennedy, B.P., & Kawachi, I. (1999). Why Justice is Good for Our Health: The Social Determinants of Health Inequalities. Daedalus. 128(4): 215-251.
Hanna, T. (1973). The other "Is." University of Florida, unpublished manuscript.
Holbrook, C.T., & Phillips, G. (1994). Natural History of Sickle Cell Disease and the Effects on Biopsychosocial Development. Journal of Health & Social Policy. 5(3-4), 7-18.
Malach, S., Levin, T., Saravay, S., Martin, R., Rao, S., & Horowitz, D. Sickle cell disease—when opioids and physicians fail. (2002). General Hospital Psychiatry. 24(6), 442-447.
Millman, Michael, ed. (1993). Access to Health Care in America. Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine, National Academic Press.
Ohaeri, J.U., Shokunbi, W.A., Akinlade, K.S., & Dare, L.O. (1995). The psychosocial Problems of Sickle Cell Disease Sufferers and Their Methods of Coping. Social Science & Medicine. 40(7), 955-960.
Robbins, C.A. (1997). Factors Affecting Medication Decisions in Pediatric Analgesia. Miami: Unpublished dissertation, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Miami.
Rouse, C.M. (2004). Paradigms and Politics: Shaping Health Care Access for Sickle Cell patients Through the Discursive Regimes of Biomedicine. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 28(3), 369-399.
Sutton, M., Atweh, G.F., Cashman, T.D., & Davis, W.T. (1999). Resolving Conflicts: Misconceptions and Myths in the Care of the Patient with Sickle Cell Disease. The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine. 66(4), 282-285.
Trzepacz, A.M., Vannatta, K., Gerhardt, C.A., Ramey, C., & Noll, R.B. (2004). Emotional, Social, and Behavioral Functioning of Children with Sickle Cell Disease and Comparison Peers. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 26(10), 642-648.
Tunde-Ayinmode, M.F. (2005). Psychosocial Impact of Sickle Cell Disease in Children Seen at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. East African Medical Journal. 82(2), 74-79.
Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare. (2003). Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Suggested Reading from Inquiries Journal
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What are you looking for? | http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/839/2/healthcare-access-implications-and-psychosocial-effects-of-sickle-disease |
This is revision for the end of year examination in computer science.
Just because there is a topic here does not mean that it will be in the examination.
Similarly, if there is a topic that is not mentioned then that does not mean that it will not be examined.
High and Low Level Languages
You are expected to know how ro convert between the three number bases in computing, Binary, Denary and Hexadecimal.
Here is a quick way of converting from Decimal to binary. Start with the number (106) and divide it by two, the remainder is 0. Now the number is 53 and when divided by two the remainder is 1. Keep doing this until there is nothing left. The answer is the remainders, backwards. Neat huh? Try it, it works.
|106||01101010|
|106||0|
|53||1|
|26||0|
|13||1|
|6||0|
|3||1|
|1||1|
|0||0|
Glossary
|algorithm||A sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task. In computing, algorithms are needed to design computer programs.|
|ALU||Arithmetic logic unit - a component of the CPU that performs calculating functions such as addition and subtraction.|
|binary||A number system that contains two digits, 0 and 1. Also known as base 2.|
|bit||The smallest unit of data in computing represented by a 1 in binary.|
|Boolean||A data type in computing which only has two possible values, true or false.|
|CPU||Central processing unit - the brain of the computer that processes program instructions. Also called a microprocessor.|
|data type||In computer programming, data is divided up and organised according to type, eg numbers, characters and Boolean.|
|device||Any piece of computing hardware.|
|execution||The process of a program being run on a computer.|
|logic gate||Circuit components which take several inputs, compare the inputs with each other, and provide a single output based on logical functions such as AND, OR and NOT.|
|overflow||An overflow error is caused when the processor does not have enough bytes available to process an instruction.|
|programming language||A language used by a programmer to write a piece of software. There are many programming languages.|
|pseudocode||A method of writing up a set of instructions for a computer program using plain English. This is a good way of planning a program before coding.|
|statement||The smallest element of a programming language which expresses an action to be carried out.|
|transistor||Microscopic devices that open and close circuits to communicate electrical signals. CPUs contain millions of transistors.|
|truth table||Used to assess possible results of a Boolean algebra statement.|
|variable||In a computer program, this is a memory location where values are stored.|
Set work
- Work for 20th December 2017
- Work for 13th December 2017
- Work for 6th December 2017
- Work for 29th November 2017
- Work for 22nd November 2017
- Work for 15th November 2017
- Work for 8th November 2017
- Work for 1st November 2017
- Work for half term October 2017
- Work for 18th October 2017
- Work for 11th October 2017
- Work for 4th October 2017
- Work for 28th September 2017
- Work for 27th September 2017
- Work for 20th/13th September 2017
Useful links (AQA Guides)
- Arithmetic operations in a programming language
- Boolean operations in programming languages
- Data structures (Arrays)
- Data structures (records)
- Data structures (Two-dimensional data structures)
- Data types
- Data validation and authentication
- Huffman code
- Input/output file handling
- Pseudo-code
- Programming concepts (Iteration)
- Programming concepts (Selection)
- Programming concepts(Variables and constants)
- Run-length encoding
- Random numbers
- Relational operations
- Subroutines
- String handling
- Structured programming
- Testing
Questions
These are questions that relate to the AQA guides above.
Revision
These are some revision topics and example questions that will aid revision for the year 10 examination on 23rd June 2017. Just because it is in this list does not mean that its in the exam and if it is not in the list it does not mean that the topic is not inthe exam.
- Revision topic - Binary
- Revision topic - Cybersecurity
- Revision topic - E-waste
- Revision topic - Hardware
- Revision topic - High and low level languages
- Revision topic - Huffman Code
- Revision topic - Images
- Revision topic - Logic
- Revision topic - Networks
- Revision topic - Operating systems
- Revision topic - Pseudocode
- Revision topic - Social Engineering
- Revision topic - Software
- Revision topic - Sound
Mock examination
Here are the answers to the mock examination that you took in the summer.
For many students the objective here is to understand how to answer questions, to see where silly mistakes were made that cost easy marks and to appreciate how the examiner can aske questions relating to the theory that you already know.
Coursework
Here is the information regarding your coursework as well as some worked examples to show you how coursework should be written up.
The coursework will be done twice, once with the example task for practice and then the real NEA task. You will only have 20 hours in which to complete the real task; there cannot be any extra time given.
- Teacher's notes - regading coursework help and guidance that can be given.
- Sample task 1 - area trainer
- Sample task 2 - cows and bulls. | http://snb.guru/gcse/revision_05.php |
In an old 1970s song, Elton John sang, “Sorry seems to be the hardest word.” In the case of recent public meltdowns, most notably those of singer Kanye West, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), and tennis star Serena Williams, getting the “sorry” part done doesn’t seem to be too difficult; however, one must ask the most salient question about this kind of despicable behavior usually followed by an apology: is it a teachable moment for our children?
Rep. Wilson is probably off most kids’ radar screens, but he still is a Congressman and his behavior occurred on national television. If he can interrupt the President’s address to Congress, why can’t a kid yell out something at a school assembly? Or in class? Rep. Wilson did make an apology to President Obama, but isn’t the damage already done?
Serena Williams is, as I believe all professional athletes should be, a role model for young people. She is specifically a role model for young girls who aspire to play tennis and be just like her. For her to react the way she did is inexcusable, even if she did come back the next day and submit a formal apology. What does this kind of thing actually teach kids?
Finally, Kanye West, a talented young fellow, imploded at the MTV Music Awards show, grabbing the microphone from Taylor Swift who had just won an award for Best Female Video. This is a show that kids do watch and, after seeing this, my eight-year old daughter, a fan of Swift, wanted to know, “Why did that bad man do that to Taylor?” I’d say many of the adults watching wanted to know too. West appeared the next evening on the new The Jay Leno Show and promptly gave an apology and even almost cried. What are we to make of this kind of thing?
It is obvious in these three cases that the apology is made as damage control, but in all three cases I question the sincerity of the apology. Still, as adults, parents and teachers struggle to find a way to make sense of these issues and break them down into a teachable moment, and since they are indeed teachable moments, it is a compelling necessity to address them with our youngsters.
What did I say to my daughter about Kanye West? I told her that he was obviously excited about his friend Beyonce not winning the award, just as my daughter might get upset if one of her friends didn’t win a singing contest at school. I pointed out that she knows it would be wrong to rush up on stage in front of all the students and claim that her friend should have won because her song was better. My daughter understood this example, but she wanted to know whether, if she had done something “bad like that,” would “sorry” be okay? I said it would be good, but it does not change the unacceptable behavior, and that unacceptable behavior should have consequences.
I think the biggest problem is that kids see this kind of thing and believe “sorry” is sufficient, when most times it is not. Yes, Serena Williams was fined $10,500 for her reprehensible behavior involving a call she disagreed with from the line judge, and she may face additional penalties, but do kids connect with that? My feeling is that consequences have to fit the crime, so to speak, and fining Ms. Williams a paltry amount of money (she makes $500,000 for the U.S. Open alone) seems ridiculous.
And what of Rep. Wilson’s abhorrent behavior? For yelling “You lie” as the President of the United States was speaking to a joint session of Congress, he is getting just a slap on the wrist. The House voted to “formally disapprove” of Wilson’s rant, but what this resolution does is nothing but symbolic. Republicans are calling the measure partisan politics, but do they think he should just walk away from this with no reprimand? How is that an example for our children? Sadly, it is not.
In all these cases the people who did something inappropriate basically got away with it. In fact, in some odd way, these things probably will enhance their careers. Extremists will no doubt now want to support Wilson even more, and West earns some kind of street credibility as a guy who stands up for what he thinks is right. As for Ms. Williams, she was only defending herself against a bad call. No harm, no foul, right?
Obviously, this kind of thing will continue to happen. If Wilson were sanctioned more seriously, perhaps losing his ability to vote on key issues for a time; if Williams were seriously punished, say, banning her from the Australian Open to make her really feel it in the pocketbook; and if West were forced to give a sizable amount of money to a charity of Taylor Swift’s choice, maybe we could say that the apology was more than just words. As it stands, however, it is just an easy way out, a quick fix, and kids are very smart and know that.
I think that each time something like this happens, teachers can address it and use it in a lesson on right and wrong. There also should be an extremely careful plan to highlight the proper way to do what people like West, Wilson, and Williams wanted to do. Students need to understand the true art of discourse: we can debate an issue intelligently, coming down on different sides, but always respecting the other point of view as we proceed.
In the end it’s all about making sure that our children learn that doing things the right way really does matter and, more importantly, that people put on pedestals are not always worthy of being looked up to. It is our job as parents and teachers to make certain we are there when their heroes fall, in order to not just pick up the pieces but also make clear to them that “sorry” isn’t just a word to say. They must also know that some kind of appropriate and positive action to prove the sorrow must take place. We need to make every effort to show our children the right way to handle these challenges, so they can live their lives in the best possible way. | https://blogcritics.org/public-apologies-as-teachable-moments/ |
Melissa Swartz | No Jitter | June 8, 2020
The mad scramble to remote work is over. Now the “return to work” process is beginning, and that brings many questions.
Before moving forward, take a moment to assess your situation. It should help you gain some clarity on the best path forward.
Here are some guidelines
1. Consider what went well, and what didn’t, during the transition to remote work. Did your existing technology meet your needs? What did you learn? What would you do differently next time? Document your lessons learned.
2. Now that the transition is complete, what are your current pain points? Ask your team and your users what obstacles they are facing, as well as what successes they have found. Identify any capabilities that have emerged as “must have” tools going forward, and those that are no longer needed. This is a good time to do a survey and find out what people are thinking.
3. Assess your costs. This can be hard because there are many areas to consider. Here’s a list to get you started:
-
- Cost per seat and licensing for cloud services for communication
- Collaboration tool licenses (if separate from above)
- Connectivity costs (VPN, internet, appliances, software or management tools, cost of home internet for remote workers if company paid)
- Devices (cell phones, laptops)
- Hardware (web cams, headsets, home office setup if company paid)
4. Determine your status regarding your current contracts for services.
-
- When do they expire?
- Do they automatically renew? Do the rates increase at that time? What is the impact to your cost structure above?
- Are there any penalties if you terminate an agreement before it expires?
- Are you satisfied with the provider or do you want to change?
5. Decide if you want to continue using your interim solutions (if any), or evaluate options now that you have a better idea of what works best for you. While change is not easy, it will be easier to change now than to wait. (Hear more about interim vs long term solutions)
6. Evaluate your support. What were the common questions and recurring issues? Address these by create FAQs, video instructions, etc. and make them available to users and your support team.
7. Did you discover any training gaps? What training is needed by your team? By your end users?
8. Look at your staff. They probably put in a lot of long, stressful hours in the mad rush to enabling remote work.
-
- Who was critical? Who stepped up? Is it time for some rewards or recognition?
- What skills turned out to be critical?
- Are there gaps in skills on your team? Do you need more of this, less of that?
9. Assess your collaboration tools.
-
- In addition to conferencing (audio and video) and screen sharing, do you need whiteboarding or persistent team collaboration spaces?
- Is there one solution that will fit your organization, or do some areas need specialized tools?
10. Take time to create necessary documentation, especially for processes created on the fly during the transition, including configurations and workflows.
11. Do any back-end processes need to be developed or revised? Here are areas that may require evaluation:
-
- Are there any tools that employees utilize that require an on-site presence? For example, many time clocks require an employee to be on site to record their time in and out. Do these tools need to be modified or replaced to support remote workers in the future?
- Who determines which employees work remotely and how often?
- Are there jobs that can’t be done remotely?
- Does your company want to employ surveillance tools to ensure productivity?
- Are any changes needed for employee evaluation standards?
- What rules are different when participating in or managing remote teams?
- Should you implement a “Remote First” policy that assumes all meetings will have remote attendees? This will require including conference information in all meeting invitations, and changing the way meetings are run to include remote attendees more fully.
- Are any additional tools needed?
To conclude, think about your environment once people are back in the physical work space. How will it be different? What tools and processes must be implemented to support the changing circumstances? Will you have two conditions (on-site and remote) to support going forward? What tools or technology do you need to simplify and make it seamless? Once you have these answers, you’re likely to adapt rather swiftly.
Click here to get a worksheet that walks you through this evaluation process.
Interested in a long-term approach to remote working?
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This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/IB2014/062667, filed Jun. 27, 2014, which claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/IB2013/055484, filed Jul. 4, 2013; International Application No. PCT/IB2013/055486, filed Jul. 4, 2013; and International Application No. PCT/IB2013/055483, filed Jul. 4, 2013.
This invention essentially relates to compositions with improved urease-inhibiting effect comprising (thio)phosphoric acid triamide and further compounds and the use of such compositions as additive or coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
Worldwide, the predominant and further-increasing amount of the nitrogen used for fertilizing is employed in the form of urea or urea-containing fertilizers. Urea itself, however, is a form of nitrogen which is absorbed very little if at all, being hydrolyzed relatively rapidly by the enzyme urease, which is present ubiquitously in the soil, to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. In this process, in certain circumstances, gaseous ammonia is emitted to the atmosphere, and is then no longer available in the soil for the plants, thereby lowering the efficiency of fertilization.
It is known that the degree of utilization of the nitrogen when using urea-containing fertilizers can be improved by spreading urea-containing fertilizers together with substances which are able to inhibit or decrease the enzymatic cleavage of urea (for a general review, see Kiss, S. Simihäian, M. (2002) Improving Efficiency of Urea Fertilizers by Inhibition of Soil Urease Activity, ISBN 1-4020-0493-1, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands). Among the most potent known urease inhibitors are N-alkylthiophosphoric acid triamides and N-alkylphosphoric acid triamides, which are described in EP 0 119 487, for example.
Additionally, mixtures of N-alkylthiophosphoric acid triamides such as N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and N-(n-propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) can be used. The mixtures and their preparation are described in US 2010/218575 A1, for example.
These urease inhibitors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,714, for example. In order for this class of compound to be able to act as a urease inhibitor, there must first be a conversion to the corresponding oxo form. That form reacts subsequently with the urease, causing its inhibition.
It is advisable to apply the urease inhibitors together with the urea onto or into the soil, since this ensures that the inhibitor comes into contact, together with the fertilizer, with the soil. The urease inhibitor may be incorporated in the urea by, for example, dissolving it into the melt prior to urea granulation or prilling. A process of this kind is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,265, for example. A further option is to apply the urease inhibitor to the urea granules or prills, in the form of a solution, for example.
Corresponding processes for application, and suitable solvents, are described in US 2010/218575 A1, for example. Other suitable additives, for example amines selected from methyldiethanolamine, tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine, trimethylaminoethylethanolamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, and 2,2′-dimorpholinyldiethyl ether, are described in US 2011/0154874 A1.
The storage life of the urease inhibitor is limited. The higher the temperature, the shorter the storage life. If, for example, urea is stored under tropical conditions, a major part of the urease inhibitor has undergone decomposition, generally, after about four weeks of storage. If the urease inhibitor is introduced into the urea melt, the decomposition is less. For the commercialization of the urea stabilized with the urease inhibitor, however, it is often vital to apply the urease inhibitor to urea and to store the treated fertilizer until the time of its spreading to the soil.
(i) enhances the stability of the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide(s), and/or
(ii) has a relatively long storage life, particularly before being applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers, and/or
(iii) enhances the stability of the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide particularly when applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as urea, and/or
(iv) protects the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as urea from decomposition or loss, and/or
(v) is toxicologically unobjectionable, and/or
(vi) does not adversely affect the urease-inhibiting effect and/or activity of the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide, and/or
(vii) can be easily and safely packaged, transported and shipped, even in large quantities,
(viii) can be easily and safely handled and applied for soil treatment, even in large quantities.
One of the objects of the present invention was to provide a composition containing (thio)phosphoric acid triamide which
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
20
3
20
6
20
is a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
11
12
13
in an amount of more than 10 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”) based on the total weight of the composition (Q1),
wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II).
R—C(R)(R)—OH,
Accordingly, a composition (Q1) was found which comprises:
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
(C1) a polymeric polyamine, and
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, and
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R, and
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) at least one amine selected from the group consisting of
Accordingly, a further composition (Q2) was found which comprises:
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms,
32
Ris hydrogen or alkyl, and
33
Ris hydrogen or alkyl, or
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(D) at least one amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
Accordingly, yet a further composition (Q3) was found which comprises:
In addition, a process for treating the soil comprising applying the compositions of the invention into the soil in-furrow and/or as side dress and/or as broadcast was found.
Moreover, the use of the compositions of the invention as additive or coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers has been found.
Preferred embodiments are explained in the claims and the specification. It is understood that combinations of preferred embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
The term “at least one” is to be understood as 1, 2, 3 or more. A mixture comprising at least one amine refers for example to a mixture comprising 1, 2, 3 or more amines.
The term “soil” is to be understood as a natural body comprised of living (e.g. microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi), animals and plants) and non-living matter (e.g. minerals and organic matter (e.g. organic compounds in varying degrees of decomposition), liquid, and gases) that occurs on the land surface, and is characterized by soil horizons that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of various physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes. From an agricultural point of view, soils are predominantly regarded as the anchor and primary nutrient base for plants (plant habitat).
The term “fertilizer” is to be understood as chemical compounds applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are typically applied either through the soil (for uptake by plant roots) or by foliar feeding (for uptake through leaves). The term “fertilizer” can be subdivided into two major categories: a) organic fertilizers (composed of decayed plant/animal matter) and b) inorganic fertilizers (composed of chemicals and minerals). Organic fertilizers include manure, slurry, worm castings, peat, seaweed, sewage, and guano. Green manure crops are also regularly grown to add nutrients (especially nitrogen) to the soil. Manufactured organic fertilizers include compost, blood meal, bone meal and seaweed extracts. Further examples are enzymatically digested proteins, fish meal, and feather meal. The decomposing crop residue from prior years is another source of fertility. In addition, naturally occurring minerals such as mine rock phosphate, sulfate of potash and limestone are also considered inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers are usually manufactured through chemical processes (such as the Haber-Bosch process), also using naturally occurring deposits, while chemically altering them (e.g. concentrated triple superphosphate). Naturally occurring inorganic fertilizers include Chilean sodium nitrate, mine rock phosphate, and limestone.
“Manure” is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Depending on its structure, manure can be divided into liquid manure, semi-liquid manure, stable or solid manure and straw manure. Depending on its origin, manure can be divided into manure derived from animals or plants. Common forms of animal manure include feces, urine, farm slurry (liquid manure) or farmyard manure (FYM) whereas FYM also contains a certain amount of plant material (typically straw), which may have been used as bedding for animals. Animals from which manure can be used comprise horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and guano from seabirds and bats. The application rates of animal manure when used as fertilizer highly depends on the origin (type of animals). Plant manures may derive from any kind of plant whereas the plant may also be grown explicitly for the purpose of plowing them in (e.g. leguminous plants), thus improving the structure and fertility of the soil. Furthermore, plant matter used as manure may include the contents of the rumens of slaughtered ruminants, spent hops (left over from brewing beer) or seaweed.
The compositions of the invention are referred to as the compositions (Q1), (Q2), and (Q3) in the following. The composition (Q1) comprises (A) and (B)—latter in an amount of more than 10 wt. % based on the total weight of (Q1)—and optionally further components as described below. The composition (Q2) comprises (A) and (C) and optionally further components as described below. The composition (Q3) comprises (A) and (D) and optionally further components as described below.
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
According to the invention, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), and (Q3) comprises—as one of their essential components
X in the general formula (I) of (A) is preferably sulfur.
1
1
20
1
10
2
7
3
4
Rin the general formula (I) of (A) is preferably C-C-alkyl, more preferably C-C-alkyl, most preferably C-Calkyl, for example C-Calkyl.
1
2
Examples of alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, isooctyl, nonyl, isononyl, decyl and isodecyl. Examples of cycloalkyl groups are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cyclooctyl, examples of aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl. Examples of heterocyclic radicals RRN— are piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl or imidazolyl groups.
According to one embodiment, (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT), preferably NBPT and NPPT.
1
2
According to another embodiment, (A) comprises at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides having structures of the general formula (I) and wherein said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides differ in at least one of radicals Ror R, and preferably, one of said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides is N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT), and more preferably, the other of said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides is selected from the group consisting of N-cyclohexyl-, N-pentyl-, N-isobutyl- and N-n-propylphosphoric acid triamide and -thiophosphoric acid triamide. Especially preferred are mixtures (A) which comprise NBPT in amounts of from 40 to 95 wt. %, most preferably from 60 to 85% wt. %, particularly preferably from 72 to 80 wt. %, in each case based on the total weight of (A).
Generally, the mixture (A) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). Preferably, the amount of (A) is not more than 85 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 60 wt. %, most preferably not more than 45 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 35 wt. %, particularly not more than 30 wt. %, for example not more than 27 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). Preferably, the amount of (A) is at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 4 wt. %, most preferably at least 10 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 15 wt. %, particularly at least 20 wt. %, for example at least 23 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
11
12
13
in an amount of more than 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II)
R—C(R)(R)—OH,
According to the invention, the composition (Q1) comprises—as one of its essential components
11
12
13
wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II)
R—C(R)(R)—OH,
The compositions (Q2) and (Q3) can further optionally comprise
The aromatic alcohol (B) is preferably used as solvent in the composition (Q1). If present, the aromatic alcohol (B) is preferably used as solvent in the compositions (Q2), or (Q3).
12
13
1
40
1
20
1
10
1
5
1
40
1
20
1
10
1
5
According to one embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is C-Calkyl, preferably Cto Calkyl, more preferably Cto Calkyl, most preferably Cto Calkyl. According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is C-Calkyl, preferably Cto Calkyl, more preferably Cto Calkyl, most preferably Cto Calkyl.
12
13
13
According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is H. According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is H. According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is H.
11
11
According to one embodiment, Ruin the general formula (II) of (B) is aryl. According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, or pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl or imidazolyl. According to another embodiment, Rin the general formula (II) of (B) is phenyl.
According to one embodiment, (B) is benzyl alcohol.
Generally, the aromatic alcohol (B) can be contained in any amounts greater than 10 wt. % in the composition (Q1) based on the total weight of the composition (Q1). Preferably, the amount of (B) is not more than 99 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 93 wt. %, most preferably not more than 87 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 80 wt. %, particularly not more than 75 wt. %, for example not more than 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1). Preferably, the amount of (B) is at least 13 wt. %, more preferably at least 20 wt. %, most preferably at least 35 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 45 wt. %, particularly at least 55 wt. %, for example at least 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1).
According to another embodiment, the amount of (B) is preferably not more than 78 wt. %, more preferably not more than 67 wt. %, most preferably not more than 61 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 56 wt. %, particularly not more than 53 wt. %, for example not more than 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1). Preferably, the amount of (B) is at least 16 wt. %, more preferably at least 21 wt. %, most preferably at least 26 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 30 wt. %, particularly at least 37 wt. %, for example at least 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1).
If present, the aromatic alcohol (B) can generally be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q2) or (Q3). If present, the amount of (B) is preferably not more than 95 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 80 wt. %, most preferably not more than 70 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 60 wt. %, particularly not more than 55 wt. %, for example not more than 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q2) or (Q3). If present, the amount of (B) is preferably at least 6 wt. %, more preferably at least 13 wt. %, most preferably at least 21 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 30 wt. %, particularly at least 35 wt. %, for example at least 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q2), or (Q3).
(C1) a polymeric polyamine, and
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, and
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R, and
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) at least one amine selected from the group consisting of
According to the invention, the composition (Q2) comprises—as one of its essential components—and the compositions (Q1) and (Q3) can further comprise—as one of its optional components
Generally, the amine(s) (C) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q2). Preferably, the amount of (C) is not more than 90 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 65 wt. %, most preferably not more than 48 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 37 wt. %, particularly not more than 30 wt. %, for example not more than 24 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q2). Preferably, the amount of (C) is at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 3 wt. %, most preferably at least 6 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 9 wt. %, particularly at least 14 wt. %, for example at least 18 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q2).
If present, the amine(s) (C) can generally be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1) or (Q3). If present, the amount of (C) is preferably not more than 90 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 65 wt. %, most preferably not more than 48 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 37 wt. %, particularly not more than 30 wt. %, for example not more than 24 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1) or (Q3). If present, the amount of (C) is preferably at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 3 wt. %, most preferably at least 6 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 9 wt. %, particularly at least 14 wt. %, for example at least 18 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1) or (Q3).
(C1) a polymeric polyamine.
According to one embodiment, (C) is
Generally, (C1) can be any polymeric polyamine, and is preferably a polyalkyleneimine or polyvinylamine, more preferably a polyalkyleneimine, most preferably a polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, or polybutyleneimine, particularly a polyethyleneimine.
According to one embodiment, (C1) is preferably any polymeric polyamine comprising ethyleneimine (—CH2CH2NH—) as monomeric units, including homopolymers and any copolymers of ethyleneimine, and is preferably a homopolymer of ethyleneimine. Copolymers can be alternating, periodic, statistical or block copolymers.
Generally, (C1) can be of any polymer structure, for example a linear polymer, a ring polymer, a cross-linked polymer, a branched polymer, a star polymer, a comb polymer, a brush polymer, a dendronized polymer, or a dendrimer etc. According to one embodiment, (C1) is an essentially linear polymer, and is preferably a linear polymer.
Polyethyleneimines which may be used are polyethyleneimine homopolymers which may be present in uncrosslinked or crosslinked form. The polyethyleneimine homopolymers can be prepared by known processes, as described, for example, in Römpps (Chemie Lexikon, 8th edition, 1992, pages 3532-3533), or in Ullmanns Enzyklopädie der Technischen Chemie, 4th edition, 1974, vol. 8, pages 212-213. and the literature stated there. They have a molecular weight in the range from about 200 to 1 000 000 g/mol. Corresponding commercial products are for example available under the name Lupasol® from BASF SE.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the polyethyleneimine (C1) is preferably a polyethylenimine having a degree of branching in the range of from 0.1 to 0.95 (also referred to as “highly branched polyethyleneimine”), and more preferably a polyethylenimine having a degree of branching in the range of from 0.25 to 0.90, more preferably a polyethylenimine having a degree of branching in the range of from 0.30 to 0.80, and most preferably a polyethylenimine having a degree of branching in the range of 0.50 to 0.80.
13
2
D+T/D+T+L
Highly branched polyethyleneimines are characterized by its high degree of branching, which can be determined for example via C-NMR spectroscopy, preferably in DO, and is defined as follows:
Degree of branching=
D (dendritic) equals the percentage of tertiary amino groups, L (linear) equals the percentage of secondary amino groups, and T (terminal) equals the percentage of primary amino groups.
Generally, the polymeric polyamine (C1) can have different weight average molecular weights. The weight average molecular weight of (C1) is preferably at least 200, more preferably at least 400, most preferably at least 550, particularly at least 650, for example at least 750. The weight average molecular weight of (C1) is preferably not more than 10,000, more preferably not more than 4,000, most preferably not more than 1,900, particularly not more than 1,500, for example not more than 1,350. The weight average molecular weight can be determined by standard gel permeation chromatography (GPC) known to the person skilled in the art.
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R.
According to another embodiment, (C) is
21
A number of groups Rwithin (C2) is at least 3, preferably 3 to 5, more preferably 3 to 4, and most preferably 3.
21
21
The number of carbon atoms in each group Rwithin (C2) is 2 to 12, preferably 2 to 9, more preferably 2 to 7, most preferably 2 to 5, particularly preferably 2 to 4, particularly 2 to 3, for example 3, wherein said number of carbon atoms does not include carbon atoms in any alkoxy groups or any other substituents of R.
21
The groups Rwithin (C2) are alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted, preferably hydroxy-substituted.
21
21
21
21
21
For one amine (C2), among the at least three groups R, at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, preferably one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R.
21
21
21
21
Preferably at least one of the groups R, more preferably at least two of the groups R, most preferably at least three of the groups R, particularly all groups Ris or are covalently bound to the amino group of the amine (C2).
2
8
2
5
21
21
21
is an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three hydroxy-substituted Cto C—or preferably Cto C—alkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R,
2
3
21
21
21
is preferably an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R,
2
3
21
21
21
is more preferably an amine containing not more than one amino group and three hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups Rwhich are covalently bound to the amino group, wherein one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
is for example an amine selected from the group consisting of Bis(hydroxyethyl)-isopropanolamine (DEIPA), and 1,1′-((2-Hydroxyethyl)imino)dipropan-2-ol.
According to another preferred embodiment, (C2)
21
21
21
21
3
2
12
2
7
2
3
According to another preferred embodiment, (C2) is an amine N(R)wherein Ris a an alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted—preferably a hydroxyl-substituted—Cto C—preferably a Cto C, more preferably a Cto C—alkyl group and wherein one of the groups Ris different to the other group R.
21
21
21
21
21
3
2
12
2
7
2
3
According to another preferred embodiment, (C2) is an amine N(R)wherein Ris a an alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted—preferably a hydroxyl-substituted—Cto C—preferably a Cto C, more preferably a Cto C—alkyl group and wherein one of the groups Ris different to the other group Rand wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom.
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R.
According to another embodiment, (C) is
22
A number of groups Rwithin (C3) is at least 2, preferably 2 to 5, more preferably 2 to 4, and most preferably 2 to 3, for example 2.
22
22
The number of carbon atoms in each group Rwithin (C3) is 2 to 12, preferably 2 to 9, more preferably 2 to 7, most preferably 2 to 5, particularly preferably 2 to 4, particularly 2 to 3, for example 3, wherein said number of carbon atoms does not include carbon atoms in any alkoxy groups or any other substituents of R.
22
The groups Rwithin (C3) are alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted, preferably hydroxy-substituted.
22
22
22
22
22
For one amine (C3), among the at least two groups R, at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, preferably one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R.
22
22
22
Preferably at least one of the groups R, more preferably at least two of the groups R, most preferably all groups Ris or are covalently bound to the amino group of the amine (C3).
22
22
Preferably at least one of the groups R, more preferably one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom, particularly at a secondary carbon atom.
2
7
22
22
22
22
is an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R,
2
4
22
22
22
22
is more preferably an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the hydroxy substituent at a secondary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R,
2
3
22
22
22
22
is most preferably an amine containing not more than one amino group and two hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups Rwhich are covalently bound to the amino group of the amine (C3), wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the hydroxy substituent at a secondary carbon atom and wherein one of the groups Ris different to the other group R,
is for example an amine selected from the group consisting of 1-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-propan-2-ol, and N-Methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-isopropanolamine.
According to another preferred embodiment, (C3)
24
22
24
22
22
22
22
2
1
12
1
7
1
3
2
12
2
7
2
3
According to another preferred embodiment, (C3) is an amine RN(R)wherein Ris H or a Cto C—preferably a Cto C, more preferably a Cto C—alkyl group and Ris an alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted—preferably a hydroxyl-substituted—Cto C—preferably a Cto C, more preferably a Cto C—alkyl group and wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the hydroxy substituent at a secondary carbon atom and wherein one of the groups Ris different to the other group R.
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R.
According to another embodiment, (C) is
23
The number of carbon atoms in each group Rwithin (C4) is 8 to 40, preferably 8 to 32, more preferably 8 to 24, most preferably 8 to 19, particularly preferably 8 to 16.
23
The group Rwithin (C4) is saturated or unsaturated, preferably unsaturated.
According to another preferred embodiment, (C4) contains at least one alkoxy or hydroxy group, more preferably at least one alkoxy and at least one hydroxy groups, most preferably at least two alkoxy and at least one hydroxyl group, particularly at least four alkoxy and at least one hydroxyl group.
For example, (C4) is an amine selected from the group consisting of: ethoxylated (2) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (5) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (15) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (2) oleylamine, lauryl-dimethylamine, oleyl-dimethylamine, and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (5 EO), 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (10 EO), and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (20 EO).
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
According to another embodiment, (C) is
The term “heterocyclic amine” stands for a heterocyclic compound in which at least one ring atom of the heterocyclic ring is a nitrogen atom.
The heterocyclic amine (C5) is saturated or unsaturated, preferably saturated.
The heterocyclic amine (C5) contains preferably a 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring, more preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring, most preferably a 6-membered ring.
The heterocyclic amine (C5) contains at least one, more preferably 1 to 3, most preferably 1 to 2, particularly one oxygen atom(s) as ring atom(s) of the heterocyclic ring.
The heterocyclic amine (C5) is preferably a morpholine or morpholine derivative, more preferably N-alkyl morpholine, most preferably N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, or N-butyl morpholine, for example N-methyl morpholine.
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
Ris H or alkyl, and
33
Ris H or alkyl, or
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(D) at least one amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
According to the invention, the composition (Q3) comprises—as one of its essential components—and the compositions (Q1) and (Q2) can further comprise—as one of its optional components
Generally, the amide(s) (D) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q3). Preferably, the amount of (D) is not more than 90 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 65 wt. %, most preferably not more than 45 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 30 wt. %, particularly not more than 22 wt. %, for example not more than 16 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q3). Preferably, the amount of (D) is at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 3 wt. %, most preferably at least 6 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 9 wt. %, particularly at least 12 wt. %, for example at least 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q3).
If present, the amide (D) can generally be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1) or (Q2). If present, the amount of (D) is preferably not more than 90 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 65 wt. %, most preferably not more than 45 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 30 wt. %, particularly not more than 22 wt. %, for example not more than 16 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1) or (Q2). If present, the amount of (D) is preferably at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 3 wt. %, most preferably at least 6 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 9 wt. %, particularly at least 12 wt. %, for example at least 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1) or (Q2).
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In the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or alkyl, preferably H or Cto Calkyl, more preferably H or Cto Calkyl, most preferably H or Cto Calkyl, particularly preferably H or Cto Calkyl, most particularly preferably Cto Calkyl, particularly Cto Calkyl, for example methyl.
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In the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or alkyl, preferably H or Cto Calkyl, more preferably H or Cto Calkyl, most preferably H or Cto Calkyl, particularly preferably H or Cto Calkyl, most particularly preferably Cto Calkyl, particularly Cto Calkyl, for example methyl.
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According to one preferred embodiment, in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and Ris H or Cto Calkyl, more preferably, Ris Cto Calkyl, and Ris Cto Calkyl, most preferably, Ris Cto Calkyl, and Ris Cto Calkyl.
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According to one preferred embodiment (D1PE), in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and more preferably, RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and Ris alkyl, and Ris alkyl, and most preferably, RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and Ris Cto Calkyl, and Ris Cto Calkyl.
According to another preferred embodiment, the amide (D) is a N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, or their mixtures, preferably a N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, or their mixtures, most preferably a N,N-dimethyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, particularly a lactic acid N,N-dimethylamide.
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According to another preferred embodiment (D2PE), in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably, RCO is an acyl radical having 8 to 10 carbon atoms.
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According to another preferred embodiment, in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO does not contain a hydroxy group, and more preferably, RCO does not contain a hydroxy group and is an acyl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and most preferably, RCO does not contain a hydroxy group and is an acyl radical having 8 to 10 carbon atoms. For example, the amide (D) is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethylnonanamide, and N,N-dimethyldecanamide.
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According to another preferred embodiment (D3PE), in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably, RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 2 carbon atoms.
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According to another preferred embodiment, in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and more preferably, Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, most preferably Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further oxygen heteroatom, particularly Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a morpholinyl radical. For example, the amide (D) is N-acetylmorpholine or N-formylmorpholine.
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According to another preferred embodiment (D4PE), in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and more preferably, Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises one further nitrogen heteroatoms, most preferably Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further nitrogen heteroatom which is covalently bound to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group of RCO, particularly Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a imidazolidinonyl radical. For example, the amide (D) is 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (also referred to as dimethylethylenurea).
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According to another preferred embodiment (D5PE), in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group, more preferably, RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group, most preferably, RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group and Ris Cto Calkyl. For example, the amide (D) is N-[2-(acetyloxy)ethyl]-N-methyl acetamide.
The composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can further optionally comprise (E) an alcohol comprising at least two hydroxy groups which are not dissociable in the aqueous medium. The alcohol (E) is different from the components (A), (B), (C) and (D).
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“Not dissociable” means that the pKvalue (logarithmic measure of the acid dissociation constant) for the reaction alcohol (D)→deprotonated alcohol (D)+H of the hydroxy group in the neutral aqueous phase is more than 9.9, more preferably more than 11, most preferably more than 12, particularly preferably more than 13, for example more than 14 as measured in de-ionized water at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. For example, propane-1,2-diol (alpha-propylene glycol) has a pKvalue of 14.9 as measured in de-ionized water at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure.
If present, the alcohol (E) is preferably used as solvent in the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
Preferably, the alcohol (E) is a diol, triol, tetraol, pentaol, hexaol, heptaol, octaol, nonaol, decaol, or a polyol. More preferably, (E) is a diol, triol, tetraol, pentaol, or hexaol. Most preferably, (E) is a diol. Particularly most preferably, (E) is ethanediol (ethylene glycol), propanediol (propylene glycol), or butanediol (butylene glycol). Particularly, (E) is propanediol (propylene glycol). For example, (E) is propane-1,2-diol (alpha-propylene glycol).
The alcohol (E) is preferably an alcohol having 2 to 50 carbon atoms, more preferably an alcohol having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, most preferably an alcohol having 2 to 11 carbon atoms, particularly preferably an alcohol having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, in particular an alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, for example an alcohol having 3 carbon atoms.
If present, the alcohol (E) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (E) is preferably not more than 99 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 93 wt. %, most preferably not more than 87 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 80 wt. %, particularly not more than 75 wt. %, for example not more than 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (E) is at least 13 wt. %, more preferably at least 20 wt. %, most preferably at least 35 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 45 wt. %, particularly at least 55 wt. %, for example at least 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
According to another embodiment, the amount of (E) is preferably not more than 78 wt. %, more preferably not more than 67 wt. %, most preferably not more than 61 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 56 wt. %, particularly not more than 53 wt. %, for example not more than 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). Preferably, the amount of (E) is at least 16 wt. %, more preferably at least 21 wt. %, most preferably at least 26 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 30 wt. %, particularly at least 37 wt. %, for example at least 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
The composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can further optionally comprise (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer. The nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) is different from the components (A), (B), (C) and (D).
The nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) preferably comprises manure, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, cyanamide, dicyandiamide (DCD), calcium nitrate, or urea-containing fertilizer (F1), more preferably comprises urea-containing fertilizer (F1), most preferably comprises urea, for example is urea.
The urea-containing fertilizer (F1) is defined as a fertilizer comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), crotonylidene diurea (CDU) and urea formaldehyde (UF), urea-acetaldehyde, and urea-glyoxal condensates.
In customary commercial fertilizer quality, the urea has a purity of at least 90%, and may for example be in crystalline, granulated, compacted, prilled or ground form.
If present, the fertilizer (F) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (F) is preferably not more than 99.99 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 99.9 wt. %, most preferably not more than 99.5 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 99 wt. %, particularly not more than 98 wt. %, for example not more than 97 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (F) is preferably at least 96 wt. %, more preferably at least 93 wt. %, most preferably at least 90 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 82 wt. %, particularly at least 70 wt. %, for example at least 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
The properties of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3)—such as stability, storage life, or stability when applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F) such as urea—may depend on the pH of the corresponding composition. In general, the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can have any pH value. The pH value of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) is preferably not more than 14, more preferably not more than 13, most preferably not more than 12, particularly preferably not more than 11.6, particularly most preferably not more than 11.3, particularly not more than 11, for example not more than 10.7. The pH value of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) is preferably at least 6, more preferably at least 7, most preferably at least 7.5, particularly preferably at least 8.0, particularly most preferably at least 8.2, particularly at least 8.5, for example at least 8.7. The pH value of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) is preferably in the range of from 6 to 14, more preferably from 7 to 13, most preferably from 7.5 to 12, particularly preferably from 8 to 11.6, particularly most preferably from 8.2 to 11.3, particularly from 8.5 to 11, for example from 8.7 to 10.7.
The composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can further optionally contain at least one pH adjusting agent (G). The pH adjusting agent (G) is different from the components (A), (B), (C) and (D). In general, the pH adjusting agent (G) is a compound which is added to the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) to have its pH value adjusted to the required value. Preferably, the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) contains at least one pH adjusting agent (G). Preferred pH adjusting agents are inorganic acids, carboxylic acids, amine bases, alkali hydroxides, ammonium hydroxides, including tetraalkylammonium hydroxides. Particularly, the pH adjusting agent (G) is nitric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide. For example, the pH adjusting agent (G) is potassium hydroxide.
If present, the pH adjusting agent (G) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (G) is preferably not more than 10 wt. %, more preferably not more than 2 wt. %, most preferably not more than 0.5 wt. %, particularly not more than 0.1 wt. %, for example not more than 0.05 wt. %, based on the total weight of the corresponding composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (G) is preferably at least 0.0005 wt. %, more preferably at least 0.005 wt. %, most preferably at least 0.025 wt. %, particularly at least 0.1 wt. %, for example at least 0.4 wt. %, based on the total weight of the corresponding composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
(K1) an amine selected from the group consisting of methyldiethanolamine, tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine, trimethylaminoethylethanolamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, and 2,2′-dimorpholinyldiethyl ether,
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(K2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein all groups Rwithin said amine are identical, and
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(K3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein all groups Rwith said amine are identical.
The composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can further optionally contain the compound (K) selected from the group consisting of
(K2) or (K3) are preferably triethanolamine, tripropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, diethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, or methyldipropanolamine.
If present, the compound (K) can generally be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (K) is preferably not more than 40 wt. % (wt. % stands for “percent by weight”), more preferably not more than 30 wt. %, most preferably not more than 25 wt. %, most particularly preferably not more than 20 wt. %, particularly not more than 18 wt. %, for example not more than 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).). If present, the amount of (K) is preferably at least 1 wt. %, more preferably at least 3 wt. %, most preferably at least 5 wt. %, most particularly preferably at least 8 wt. %, particularly at least 11 wt. %, for example at least 14 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
The composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can further optionally contain components (H) which are selected from the group consisting of auxiliaries, solvents, solid carriers, surfactants, adjuvants, thickeners, bactericides, anti-freezing agents, anti-foaming agents, colorants, tackifiers, binders, preservatives, antioxidants, and odorants. The component (H) is different from the components (A), (B), (C) and (D).
Suitable auxiliaries are solvents, liquid carriers, solid carriers or fillers, surfactants, dispersants, emulsifiers, wetters, adjuvants, solubilizers, penetration enhancers, protective colloids, adhesion agents, thickeners, humectants, repellents, attractants, feeding stimulants, compatibilizers, bactericides, anti-freezing agents, anti-foaming agents, colorants, tackifiers and binders.
Suitable solvents and liquid carriers are water and organic solvents, such as mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, e.g. kerosene, diesel oil; oils of vegetable or animal origin; aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e. g. toluene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes; alcohols, e.g. ethanol, propanol, butanol, cyclohexanol; glycols; DMSO; ketones, e.g. cyclohexanone; esters, e.g. lactates, carbonates, fatty acid esters, gamma-butyrolactone; fatty acids; phosphonates; amines; amides, e.g. N-methylpyrrolidone, fatty acid dimethylamides; and mixtures thereof.
Suitable solid carriers or fillers are mineral earths, e.g. silicates, silica gels, talc, kaolins, lime-stone, lime, chalk, clays, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide; polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch; fertilizers, e.g. ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas; products of vegetable origin, e.g. cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal, nutshell meal, and mixtures thereof.
Suitable surfactants are surface-active compounds, such as anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants, block polymers, polyelectrolytes, and mixtures thereof. Such surfactants can be used as emusifier, dispersant, solubilizer, wetter, penetration enhancer, protective colloid, or adjuvant. Examples of surfactants are listed in McCutcheon's, Vol. 1: Emulsifiers & Detergents, McCutcheon's Directories, Glen Rock, USA, 2008 (International Ed. or North American Ed.).
Suitable anionic surfactants are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, carboxylates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfonates are alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Examples of sulfates are sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. Examples of phosphates are phosphate esters. Examples of carboxylates are alkyl carboxylates, and carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates.
Suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylates, N-subsituted fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters, sugar-based surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Examples of alkoxylates are compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines, amides, arylphenols, fatty acids or fatty acid esters which have been alkoxylated with 1 to 50 equivalents. Ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide may be employed for the alkoxylation, preferably ethylene oxide. Examples of N-subsititued fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar-based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or alkylpolyglucosides. Examples of polymeric surfactants are home- or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, vinylalcohols, or vinylacetate.
Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are alkylbetains and imidazolines. Suitable block polymers are block polymers of the A-B or A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, or of the A-B-C type comprising alkanol, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. Suitable polyelectrolytes are polyacids or polybases. Examples of polyacids are alkali salts of polyacrylic acid or polyacid comb polymers. Examples of polybases are polyvinylamines or polyethyleneamines.
Suitable adjuvants are compounds, which have a neglectable or even no pesticidal activity themselves, and which improve the biological performance of the compound I on the target. Examples are surfactants, mineral or vegetable oils, and other auxilaries. Further examples are listed by Knowles, Adjuvants and additives, Agrow Reports DS256, T&F Informa UK, 2006, chapter 5.
Suitable thickeners are polysaccharides (e.g. xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose), anorganic clays (organically modified or unmodified), polycarboxylates, and silicates.
Suitable bactericides are bronopol and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkylisothiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones.
Suitable anti-freezing agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea and glycerin.
Suitable anti-foaming agents are silicones, long chain alcohols, and salts of fatty acids.
inorganic colorants, such as iron oxide, titan oxide, iron hexacyanoferrate,
metal-complex dyes such as chromium-complex dyes, for example Orasol Yellow 141,
organic colorants such as alizarin-, azo- and phthalocyanine colorants.
Suitable colorants (e.g. in red, blue, or green) are pigments of low water solubility and water-soluble dyes. Examples are
Preferred colorants are metal-complex dyes, more preferably chromium-complex dyes, for example Orasol Yellow 141.
Suitable tackifiers or binders are polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, biological or synthetic waxes, and cellulose ethers.
Suitable preservatives include e.g. sodium benzoate, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and derivatives thereof.
Suitable antioxidants include sulfites, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, tocotrienol, melatonin, carotene, beta-carotene, ubiquinol, and derivatives thereof. Tocophercol acetate is preferred as antioxidant.
Suitable odorants include perfume materials which are for example mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,537, including allo-ocimene, Allyl cyclohexanepropionate, Allyl heptanoate, trans-Anethole, Benzyl butyrate, Camphene, Cadinene, Carvacrol, cis-3-Hexenyl tiglate, Citronellol, Citronellyl acetate, Citronellyl nitrile, Citronellyl propionate, Cyclohexylethyl acetate, Decyl Aldehyde (Capraldehyde), Dihydromyrcenol, Dihydromyrcenyl acetate, 3,7-Dimethyl-1-octanol, Diphenyloxide, Fenchyl Acetate (1,3,3-Trinnethyl-2-norbornanyl acetate), Geranyl acetate, Geranyl formate, Geranyl nitrile, cis-3-Hexenyl isobutyrate, Hexyl Neopentanoate, Hexyl tiglate, alpha-Ionone, Ethyl Vanillin L80, Isoeugenol, Methyl cinnamate, Methyl dihydrojasmonate, Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone, Phenoxy ethyl isobutyrate, Vanillin L28, Isobornyl acetate, Isobutyl benzoate, Isononyl acetate, Isononyl alcohol (3,5,5-Trinnethyl-1-hexanol), Isopulegyl acetate, Lauraldehyde, d-Limonene, Linalyl acetate, (−)-L-Menthyl acetate, Methyl Chavicol (Estragole), Methyl n-nonyl acetaldehyde, methyl octyl acetaldehyde, beta-Myrcene, Neryl acetate, Nonyl acetate, Non-aldehyde, p-Cymene, alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, alpha-Terpinene, gamma-Terpinene, alpha-Terpinyl acetate, Tetrahydrolinalool, Tetrahydromyrcenol, 2-Undecenal, Verdox (o-t-Butylcyclohexyl acetate), Vertenex (4-tert,Butylcyclohexyl acetate). Citronellyl nitrile is preferred as odorant.
According to one embodiment, individual components of the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) such as parts of a kit or parts of a binary or ternary mixture may be mixed by the user himself in a spray tank and further auxiliaries may be added, if appropriate.
If present, the component (H) can be contained in varying amounts in the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (H) is preferably not more than 10 wt. %, more preferably not more than 4 wt. %, most preferably not more than 2 wt. %, particularly not more than 1 wt. %, for example not more than 0.5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the corresponding composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3). If present, the amount of (H) is preferably at least 0.0005 wt. %, more preferably at least 0.005 wt. %, most preferably at least 0.025 wt. %, particularly at least 0.1 wt. %, for example at least 0.4 wt. %, based on the total weight of the corresponding composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3).
With respect to the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3), the weight ratio of the mixture (A) to the aromatic alcohol (B)—in case of (Q2) or (Q3) only as far as (B) is present—is preferably between 50:1 and 1:50, more preferably between 10:1 and 1:10, most preferably between 5:1 and 1:5, particularly preferably between 3:1 and 1:3, particularly most preferably between 2:1 and 1:2, particularly between 1:1 and 1:2, for example between 1:1.5 to 1:1.8.
With respect to the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3), the weight ratio of the mixture (A) to the amine (C)—in case of (Q1) or (Q3) only as far as (C) is present—is preferably between 100:1 and 1:20, more preferably between 40:1 and 1:8, most preferably between 30:1 and 1:6, particularly preferably between 20:1 and 1:5, particularly most preferably between 10:1 and 1:2, particularly between 5:1 and 1:1.2, for example between 2:1 to 1:1.
With respect to the composition (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3), the weight ratio of the mixture (A) to the amide (D)—in case of (Q1) or (Q2) only as far as (D) is present—is preferably between 50:1 and 1:50, more preferably between 10:1 and 1:10, most preferably between 5:1 and 1:5, particularly preferably between 3:1 and 1:3, particularly most preferably between 2.5:1 and 1:2, particularly between 2:1 and 1:1, for example between 1.8:1 to 1.2:1.
According to the invention, a process for treating the soil comprising applying the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast was found.
Preferably, said process comprises: applying the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) by spraying it onto the soil. More preferably, said process are conducted in a way wherein the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) are—either at the same time (i.e. simultaneously) or with a time difference (i.e. separately)—applied together with at least one nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
According to the invention, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can be used as additive or as coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F), particularly for urea-containing fertilizer (F1), for example for urea. According to one preferred embodiment, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) are used as coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F), particularly for urea-containing fertilizer (F1), for example for urea. The nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) cam be in crystalline, granulated, compacted, prilled or ground form, and is preferably in granulated from.
The compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) can be applied to or on nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F) by either mixing the (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3), in either liquid or solid form, with the nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F), or incorporating them into (F) by granulation, compacting or prilling, by addition to a corresponding fertilizer mixture or to a mash or melt. Preferably, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) are applied to the surface of existing granules, compacts or prills of the nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F)—particularly of the urea-containing fertilizer (F1)—by means of spraying, powder application or impregnating, for example. This can also be done using further auxiliaries such as adhesive promoters or encasing materials. Examples of apparatuses suitable for performing such application include plates, drums, mixers or fluidized-bed apparatus, although application may also take place on conveyor belts or their discharge points or by means of pneumatic conveyors for solids. A concluding treatment with anticaking agents and/or antidust agents is like-wise possible. The compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) are used in the context of fertilization with nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F), particularly with urea-containing fertilizer (F1). Application takes place preferably to an agriculturally or horticulturally exploited plot.
In parallel with the improvement of the utilization of nitrogen in the urea-containing, mineral and organic fertilizers, the use of the compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) has the effect that there is an Increase—in some cases considerably—in the yields or production of biomass of crop plants.
The compositions (Q1), (Q2), or (Q3) may be added to organic fertilizers, such as liquid manure, for example, during the actual storage of such fertilizers, in order thus to prevent nitrogen nutrient losses, by virtue of decelerated conversion of the individual forms of nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen compounds, which are therefore volatile, and in order as a result, at the same time, to contribute to a lowering of the ammonia load in animal stables.
In this context it is immaterial whether the compositions (Q1), (Q2), (Q3) are incorporated, by melting, for example, into the nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F), or else are applied to the fertilizer surface or applied separately from the spreading of the fertilizer, in the form, for example, of a (suspension) concentrate, a solution or a formulation.
For the below examples and the below tables, the following abbreviations have been used:
%=percent by weight (wt. %)
ad100=the percent by weight of this component is 100% minus the sum of the weight percentages (in percent by weight) of all other components comprised in the composition
BDA=Butyldiethanolamine
BZ=benzyl alcohol
(C)i=amine component (C)
(C)ii=additional amine component (C)
Coat.=coated on urea (all the data in the rows below the “coated row” are experimental data after the composition has been coated on urea)
colo.=colorant Orasol Yellow 141
conc.=concentration (e.g. amount) of NxPT in percent by weight based on the total weight of the urea fertilizer on which the composition was coated
Comp.=comparative example
DEI=Bis(hydroxyethyl)-isopropanolamine (DEIPA)
dev.=deviation, as an indicator for the stability after coated on urea, calculated as difference between the NxPT content in the heat stability test and the content in the cold stability test—both after coated on urea—, indicated as percent
DMI=1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (Dimethylethylenurea)
DML=Dimethyllactamide
E15=ethoxylated (5) cocoalkylamine
E25=ethoxylated (15) cocoalkylamine
Ex#=Example no.
F.ex.=formulation example
HBI=1-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)propan-2-ol (Hydroxyethyl-bis-isopropanolamin)
Inv.=Example of the invention
LES=2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (10 EO)
LFG=polyethyleneimine with a weight average molecular weight of 800 g/mol as measured by GPC (dry substance, at pH 4.5)
LGA=polyethyleneimine with a weight average molecular weight of 1300 g/mol as measured by GPC (dry substance, at pH 4.5)
LL=technical mixture (with a 85.20% concentration of NxPT) containing 23.8% NPPT and 76.2% NBPT
LPN=N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine
LT=technical mixture (with a 84.27% concentration of NxPT based on the total amount of the technical mixture) containing 23.7% NPPT and 76.3% NBPT, based on the total amount of NxPT within the technical mixture
HCM=Mixture of N,N-Dimethyloctanamide (50-65%) and N,N-Dimethyldecanamide (37-50%)
MDA=Methyldiethanolamine
MPA=n-Acetyl-morpholine
MPF=n-Formyl-morpholine
NB/c=Content (percent by weight) of NBPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.)
NP/c=Content (percent by weight) of NPPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.)
Nx/c=Content (Percent by weight) of NxPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.)
NB/h=Content (Percent by weight) of NBPT in heat stability test (2 weeks at 54° C.)
NP/h=Content (Percent by weight) of NPPT in heat stability test (2 weeks at 54° C.)
Nx/h=Content (Percent by weight) of NxPT in heat stability test (2 weeks at 54° C.)
NB/a=Content (Percent by weight) of NBPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.) after coated on urea
NP/a=Content (Percent by weight) of NPPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.) after coated on urea
Nx/a=Content (Percent by weight) of NxPT in cold stability test (2 weeks at 5° C.) after coated on urea
NB/b=Percent by weight of NBPT in heat stability test (4 weeks at 40° C. and 50% air humidity) after coated on urea
NP/b=Percent by weight of NPPT in heat stability test (4 weeks at 40° C. and 50% air humidity) after coated on urea
Nx/b=Percent by weight of NxPT in heat stability test (4 weeks at 40° C. and 50% air humidity) after coated on urea
NxPT=Mixture (A) comprising NBPT and NPPT (the content of NxPT is the sum of the content of NBPT and NPPT)
NyPT=Mixture (A) comprising NBPT and/or NPPT
NMM=N-methyl-morpholine
NMP=N-methyl-pyrrolidinone
PEI=polyethyleneimine
PG=propylene glycol
pH=pH value measured at 2% concentration
SEA=is N-[2-(acetyloxy)ethyl]-N-methyl acetamide
stabi.=storage stability of NxPT, calculated as difference between the NxPT content in the heat stability test and the content in the cold stability test, indicated as percent
TEA=triethanolamine
TPA=tocopherol acetate
visc.=viscosity in mPas
The following compositions as listed in Table 1 are preferred embodiments of the present invention.
For the preferred embodiments PE1 to PE161, the following abbreviations are used in addition to the abbreviations listed above:
(C1) is a polymeric polyamine;
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) is an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R;
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) is an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R;
8
40
23
(C4) is an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R, and
(C5) is a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
1
4
Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and
33
1
4
Ris H or Cto Calkyl.
(D1) is an amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is a is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms which do not contain a hydroxyl group;
32
1
4
Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and
33
1
4
Ris H or Cto Calkyl.
(D2) is an amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
31
32
33
wherein
31
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further oxygen heteroatom.
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
(D3) is an amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further nitrogen heteroatom.
(D4) is an amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group, and
33
Ris H or alkyl.
(D5) is an amide according to the general formula (III
RCO—NRR
TABLE 1
PE#
(A)
(B)
(C)i
(C)ii
(D)
(E)
(K)
(H)
1
NyPT
≥10% BZ
2
NyPT
DMI
3
NyPT
(D4)
4
NyPT
HCM
5
NyPT
(D2)
6
NyPT
SEA
7
NyPT
(D5)
8
NyPT
DML
9
NyPT
(D1)
10
NyPT
MPA
11
NyPT
MPF
12
NyPT
(D3)
13
NyPT
LES
14
NyPT
(C4)
15
NyPT
PEI
16
NyPT
(C1)
17
NyPT
NMM
18
NyPT
(C5)
19
NyPT
LES
SEA
20
NyPT
(C4)
(D5)
21
NyPT
PEI
SEA
22
NyPT
(C1)
(D5)
23
NyPT
SEA
TEA
24
NyPT
(D5)
(K2)
25
NyPT
NMM
SEA
26
NyPT
(C5)
(D5)
27
NyPT
LES
DML
28
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
29
NyPT
PEI
DML
30
NyPT
(C1)
(D1)
31
NyPT
DML
TEA
32
NyPT
(D1)
(K2)
33
NyPT
LES
PEI
DML
34
NyPT
(C4)
(C1)
(D1)
35
NyPT
LES
NMM
DML
36
NyPT
(C4)
(C5)
(D1)
37
NyPT
LES
HCM
38
NyPT
(C4)
(D2)
39
NyPT
PEI
HCM
40
NyPT
(C1)
(D2)
41
NyPT
HCM
TEA
42
NyPT
(D2)
(K2)
43
NyPT
NMM
HCM
44
NyPT
(C5)
(D2)
45
NyPT
NMM
DML
46
NyPT
(C5)
(D1)
47
NyPT
LES
DML
TEA
48
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
(K2)
49
NyPT
LES
DML
BDA
50
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
(K3)
51
NyPT
LES
DML
MDA
52
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
(K3)
53
NyPT
PEI
LES
54
NyPT
(C1)
(C4)
55
NyPT
LES
PEI
HCM
56
NyPT
(C4)
(C1)
(D2)
57
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PG
58
NyPT
DMI
PG
59
NyPT
(D4)
PG
60
NyPT
HCM
PG
61
NyPT
(D2)
PG
62
NyPT
SEA
PG
63
NyPT
(D5)
PG
64
NyPT
DML
PG
65
NyPT
(D1)
PG
66
NyPT
MPA
PG
67
NyPT
MPF
PG
68
NyPT
(D3)
PG
69
NyPT
LES
PG
70
NyPT
(C4)
PG
71
NyPT
PEI
PG
72
NyPT
(C1)
PG
73
NyPT
NMM
PG
74
NyPT
(C5)
PG
75
NyPT
LES
SEA
PG
76
NyPT
(C4)
(D5)
PG
77
NyPT
PEI
SEA
PG
78
NyPT
(C1)
(D5)
PG
79
NyPT
SEA
PG
TEA
80
NyPT
(D5)
PG
(K2)
81
NyPT
NMM
SEA
PG
82
NyPT
(C5)
(D5)
PG
83
NyPT
LES
DML
PG
84
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
PG
85
NyPT
PEI
DML
PG
86
NyPT
(C1)
(D1)
PG
87
NyPT
DML
PG
TEA
88
NyPT
(D1)
PG
(K2)
89
NyPT
LES
PEI
DML
PG
90
NyPT
(C4)
(C1)
(D1)
PG
91
NyPT
LES
NMM
DML
PG
92
NyPT
(C4)
(C5)
(D1)
PG
93
NyPT
LES
HCM
PG
94
NyPT
(C4)
(D2)
PG
95
NyPT
PEI
HCM
PG
96
NyPT
(C1)
(D2)
PG
97
NyPT
HCM
PG
TEA
98
NyPT
(D2)
PG
(K2)
99
NyPT
NMM
HCM
PG
100
NyPT
(C5)
(D2)
PG
101
NyPT
NMM
DML
PG
102
NyPT
(C5)
(D1)
PG
103
NyPT
LES
DML
PG
TEA
104
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
PG
(K2)
105
NyPT
LES
DML
PG
BDA
106
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
PG
(K3)
107
NyPT
LES
DML
PG
MDA
108
NyPT
(C4)
(D1)
PG
(K3)
109
NyPT
PEI
LES
PG
110
NyPT
(C1)
(C4)
PG
111
NyPT
LES
PEI
HCM
PG
112
NyPT
(C4)
(C1)
(D2)
PG
113
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LPN
114
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(K1)
115
NyPT
≥10% BZ
DMI
116
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D4)
117
NyPT
≥10% BZ
HCM
118
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D2)
119
NyPT
≥10% BZ
SEA
120
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D5)
121
NyPT
≥10% BZ
DML
122
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D1)
123
NyPT
≥10% BZ
MPA
124
NyPT
≥10% BZ
MPF
125
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D3)
126
127
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
128
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
129
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PEI
130
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C1)
131
NyPT
≥10% BZ
NMM
132
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C5)
133
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
SEA
134
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D5)
135
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PEI
SEA
136
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C1)
(D5)
137
NyPT
≥10% BZ
SEA
TEA
138
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D5)
(K2)
139
NyPT
≥10% BZ
NMM
SEA
140
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C5)
(D5)
141
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
DML
142
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D1)
143
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PEI
DML
144
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C1)
(D1)
145
NyPT
≥10% BZ
DML
TEA
146
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D1)
(K2)
147
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
PEI
DML
148
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(C1)
(D1)
149
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
NMM
DML
150
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(C5)
(D1)
151
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
HCM
152
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D2)
153
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PEI
HCM
154
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C1)
(D2)
155
NyPT
≥10% BZ
HCM
TEA
156
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(D2)
(K2)
157
NyPT
≥10% BZ
NMM
HCM
158
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C5)
(D2)
159
NyPT
≥10% BZ
NMM
DML
160
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C5)
(D1)
161
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
DML
TEA
162
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D1)
(K2)
163
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
DML
BDA
164
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D1)
(K3)
165
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
DML
MDA
166
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(D1)
(K3)
167
NyPT
≥10% BZ
PEI
LES
168
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C1)
(C4)
169
NyPT
≥10% BZ
LES
PEI
HCM
147
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
(C1)
(D2)
148
NyPT
≥10% BZ
DEI
149
NyPT
≥10% BZ
HBI
150
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C2)
151
NyPT
≥10% BZ
E15
152
NyPT
≥10% BZ
E25
153
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C4)
154
NyPT
≥10% BZ
(C3)
155
NyPT
DEI
PG
156
NyPT
HBI
PG
157
NyPT
(C2)
PG
158
NyPT
E15
PG
159
NyPT
E25
PG
160
NyPT
(C4)
PG
161
NyPT
(C3)
PG
The advantages of the invention are that the enhancement of the stability of the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide(s)—particularly when applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers such as urea—and a relatively long storage life—particularly before being applied to or coated on nitrogen-containing fertilizers—was achieved with the compositions (Q1), (Q2), (Q3). Moreover, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), (Q3) do not adversely affect the urease-inhibiting effect and/or activity of the (thio)phosphoric acid triamide. Last, but not least, the compositions (Q1), (Q2), (Q3) can be easily and safely packaged, transported and shipped, even in large quantities, and can be easily and safely handled and applied for soil treatment, even in large quantities
The examples which follow illustrate the invention without restricting it.
Preparation of the Formulations
Preparation of the Formulation
According to the ratios and components as specified in Table 2, all components were mixed, and the resulting mixture was stirred until complete dissolution of the solid and analyzed for the content of NBPT, NPPT, NxPT (by HPLC), viscosity, dissolution (2%) in water and pH.
For example, in case of Ex. #310092, the technical mixture LT (25% pure NxPT) was mixed with 50.08% benzyl alcohol and 10% LFG, 10% DML and 0.25% colo. The mixture was stirred until complete dissolution of the solid and analyzed for NxPT content (by HPLC), viscosity, dissolution (2%) in water and pH.
Formulation Storage Stability
The mixture of each example (e.g. Ex.#310092) was stored in closed bottles for 14 days at 54° C. (referred to as heat stability test in the following) and then analyzed for the content of NxPT. The mixture of each example (e.g. Ex.#310092) was also stored in closed bottles for 14 days at 5° C. (referred to as cold stability test in the following) and then analyzed for the content of NxPT. The storage stability in % was calculated as difference between the content in the heat stability test and the content in the cold stability test.
Coating of Urea
500 g granulated urea was charged to a rotating drum (Type Hege 11) and 2 g of the formulation of each example (e.g. Ex.#310092) was sprayed on the urea using a rotating disc. The homogeneous coated urea was discharged after 1 min and analyzed for the content of NBPT, NPPT, NxPT (by HPLC).
Stability on Urea
The coated urea sample of 300 g was stored in a petri dish for 4 weeks at 50% humidity in a climate chamber. For analysis the sample was homogenized and analyzed for the content of NBPT, NPPT, NxPT (by HPLC)
The content of NxPT measured by HPLC measurement is always the sum of the both components NBPT and NBPT.
−1
Viscosity was measured at the undiluted formulation with a cone-plate rheometer AR 2000ex (TA Instruments) at shear rate of 100 sand 20° C.
The pH value was measured at 2% concentration in CIPAC water D.
All examples of the inventions are liquid, clear compositions which are either colourless or yellow.
TABLE 2
Examples of the compositions of the invention and of comparative compositions, and data on
their viscosity, pH value, storage stability and stability after coated on urea Table 2
Ex#
310007
310008
310010
310011
310012
310013
310014
310015
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
BZ
20%
(C)i
20% LES
(C)ii
(D)
20% DMI
20% HCM
20% SEA
20% DML
20% MPA
20% MPF
other
colo.
visc.
39
37
47
50
49
51
44
100
pH
8.2
8.1
8.4
7.5
8.1
8.2
8.2
9.6
NB/c
18.95%
19.20%
19.08%
18.81%
18.89%
19.05%
18.68%
19.01%
NP/c
5.82%
5.92%
5.85%
5.84%
5.75%
5.83%
5.72%
5.82%
Nx/c
24.77%
25.12%
24.93%
24.65%
24.64%
24.88%
24.40%
24.83%
NB/h
18.32%
18.86%
18.63%
18.57%
18.65%
18.68%
18.08%
18.51%
NP/h
5.77%
5.92%
5.85%
5.91%
5.81%
5.84%
5.63%
5.77%
Nx/h
24.09%
24.78%
24.48%
24.48%
24.46%
24.52%
23.71%
24.28%
stabi.
97.25%
98.67%
98.20%
99.29%
99.27%
98.58%
97.14%
97.80%
Coat.
conc.
NB/a
NP/a
Nx/a
NB/b
NP/b
Nx/b
dev.
Ex#
310016
310017
310021
310024
310025
310026
310027
310028
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
BZ
(C)i
20% LFG
20% LGA
20% NMM
10% LES
10% LFG
10% LGA
10% TEA
10% NMM
(C)ii
(D)
10% SEA
10% SEA
10% SEA
10% SEA
10% SEA
other
colo.
visc.
423
598
39
46
167
173
71
46
pH
10.7
10.6
9.4
9.3
10.3
10.2
9.2
9.1
NB/c
18.99%
19.06%
18.93%
18.85%
18.72%
18.71%
18.84%
18.73%
NP/c
5.83%
5.86%
5.79%
5.97%
5.90%
5.92%
6.13%
6.04%
Nx/c
24.82%
24.92%
24.72%
24.82%
24.62%
24.63%
24.97%
24.77%
NB/h
18.50%
18.25%
18.80%
18.58%
18.59%
18.80%
18.27%
18.73%
NP/h
5.78%
5.70%
6.06%
5.89%
5.87%
5.94%
5.92%
5.96%
Nx/h
24.28%
23.95%
24.86%
24.47%
24.46%
24.74%
24.19%
24.69%
stabi.
97.81%
96.10%
100.54%
98.59%
99.36%
100.45%
96.88%
99.70%
Coat.
conc.
NB/a
NP/a
Nx/a
NB/b
NP/b
Nx/b
dev.
Ex#
310029
310031
310032
310034
310035
310036
310037
310039
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
BZ
(C)i
10% LES
10% LGA
10% TEA
10% LES
10% LES
10% LES
10% LES
10% LGA
(C)ii
10% LFG
10% LGA
10% NMM
(D)
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% HCM
10% HCM
other
colo.
visc.
67
161
71
179
211
55
60
167
pH
9.4
10.4
9.3
10.5
10.4
9.4
9.4
10.4
NB/c
18.79%
19.06%
19.03%
18.51%
18.71%
18.98%
18.96%
18.84%
NP/c
5.80%
5.90%
5.88%
5.73%
5.76%
6.08%
5.88%
5.83%
Nx/c
24.59%
24.96%
24.91%
24.24%
24.47%
25.06%
24.84%
24.67%
NB/h
18.87%
18.98%
18.71%
18.62%
18.74%
18.98%
18.93%
18.79%
NP/h
5.83%
5.86%
5.80%
5.76%
5.79%
6.03%
5.87%
5.82%
Nx/h
24.70%
24.84%
24.51%
24.38%
24.53%
25.01%
24.80%
24.61%
stabi.
100.46%
99.52%
98.37%
100.60%
100.22%
99.80%
99.83%
99.73%
Coat.
conc.
NB/a
NP/a
Nx/a
NB/b
NP/b
Nx/b
dev.
Ex#
310040
310041
310044
310045
310046
310047
310048
310049
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
BZ
(C)i
10% TEA
10% NMM
1% LFG
3% LFG
10% LFG
(C)ii
(D)
10% HCM
10% HCM
20% HCM
20% SEA
20% DML
20% DML
20% DML
20% DML
other
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
72
46
53
53
51
58
71
144
pH
9.4
9.3
8.8
7.9
8.5
9.6
10.1
10.5
NB/c
18.83%
18.64%
18.48%
18.77%
18.70%
18.61%
18.62%
18.62%
NP/c
5.78%
6.10%
5.79%
5.90%
5.80%
5.81%
5.81%
5.78%
Nx/c
24.61%
24.74%
24.27%
24.67%
24.50%
24.42%
24.43%
24.40%
NB/h
18.54%
18.78%
18.50%
18.46%
18.67%
18.75%
18.67%
18.67%
NP/h
5.75%
5.95%
5.79%
5.82%
5.78%
5.83%
5.82%
5.80%
Nx/h
24.29%
24.73%
24.29%
24.28%
24.45%
24.58%
24.49%
24.47%
stabi.
98.70%
100.00%
100.08%
98.43%
99.80%
100.65%
100.26%
100.30%
Coat.
conc.
0.10%
0.09%
0.10%
0.10%
0.10%
0.10%
NB/a
0.057%
0.060%
0.064%
0.063%
0.065%
0.067%
NP/a
0.017%
0.019%
0.020%
0.019%
0.020%
0.021%
Nx/a
0.074%
0.079%
0.084%
0.082%
0.085%
0.088%
NB/b
0.004%
0.008%
0.010%
0.011%
0.024%
0.054%
NP/b
0.002%
0.003%
0.004%
0.004%
0.008%
0.017%
Nx/b
0.006%
0.011%
0.014%
0.015%
0.032%
0.071%
dev.
−91.89%
−86.08%
−83.33%
−81.71%
−62.35%
−19.32%
Ex#
310050
310051
310052
310053
310059
310060
310061
310062
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
ad100
ad100
ad100
ad100
50.33%
55.33%
50.33%
50.33%
BZ
(C)i
1% NMM
3% NMM
10% NMM
20% NMM
10% LES
5% LES
5% NMM
5% TEA
(C)ii
5% LES
5% LES
(D)
20% DML
20% DML
20% DML
20% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
other
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
55
51
48
43
73
66
62
76
pH
8.7
8.9
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.2
9.3
9.4
NB/c
19.13%
18.87%
18.59%
20.40%
19.00%
19.10%
19.05%
18.95%
NP/c
5.93%
5.88%
5.86%
6.42%
6.01%
6.04%
6.04%
5.93%
Nx/c
25.06%
24.75%
24.45%
26.82%
25.01%
25.14%
25.09%
24.88%
NB/h
19.05%
19.00%
19.26%
21.64%
19.17%
19.10%
19.30%
18.94%
NP/h
5.92%
5.88%
5.93%
6.90%
6.02%
5.99%
6.04%
5.93%
Nx/h
24.97%
24.88%
25.19%
28.54%
25.19%
25.09%
25.34%
24.87%
stabi.
99.64%
100.53%
103.05%
106.40%
100.74%
99.81%
101.02%
99.98%
Coat.
conc.
0.10%
0.10%
0.09%
0.10%
0.10%
0.09%
0.10%
0.10%
NB/a
0.067%
0.062%
0.061%
0.048%
0.068%
0.065%
0.065%
0.066%
NP/a
0.021%
0.019%
0.019%
0.015%
0.021%
0.020%
0.020%
0.020%
Nx/a
0.088%
0.081%
0.080%
0.063%
0.089%
0.085%
0.085%
0.086%
NB/b
0.011%
0.009%
0.009%
0.010%
0.012%
0.011%
0.008%
0.037%
NP/b
0.004%
0.003%
0.003%
0.003%
0.002%
0.002%
0.001%
0.007%
Nx/b
0.015%
0.012%
0.012%
0.013%
0.014%
0.013%
0.009%
0.044%
dev.
−82.95%
−85.19%
−85.00%
−79.37%
−84.27%
−84.71%
−89.41%
−48.84%
Ex#
310063
310064
310065
310066
310077
310078
310079
310080
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
50.33%
50.33%
53.33%
48.33%
60.08%
55.08%
50.08%
60.08%
BZ
(C)i
5% LES
5% LES
2% LFG
2% LFG
10% LFG
15% LFG
20% LFG
8% LFG
(C)ii
5% LES
5% LES
2% LES
(D)
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
10% DML
other
5% BDA
5% MDA
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
69
71
83
72
175
286
486
153
pH
9.8
9.7
10.0
9.9
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.4
NB/c
18.86%
18.78%
18.84%
18.97%
19.12%
19.18%
19.15%
19.15%
NP/c
5.96%
5.93%
5.96%
6.03%
6.17%
6.19%
6.19%
6.22%
Nx/c
24.82%
24.71%
24.80%
25.00%
25.29%
25.37%
25.34%
25.37%
NB/h
18.83%
18.93%
18.79%
19.16%
19.02%
19.13%
18.99%
18.98%
NP/h
5.92%
5.96%
5.91%
6.01%
6.07%
6.07%
6.06%
5.98%
Nx/h
24.75%
24.89%
24.70%
25.17%
25.09%
25.20%
25.05%
24.96%
stabi.
99.70%
100.72%
99.61%
100.66%
99.24%
99.33%
98.84%
98.38%
Coat.
conc.
0.10%
0.10%
0.10%
0.10%
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.063%
0.068%
0.068%
0.067%
0.056%
0.058%
0.058%
0.054%
NP/a
0.019%
0.021%
0.021%
0.021%
0.018%
0.019%
0.019%
0.018%
Nx/a
0.082%
0.089%
0.089%
0.088%
0.074%
0.077%
0.077%
0.072%
NB/b
0.038%
0.040%
0.017%
0.017%
0.048%
0.053%
0.048%
0.041%
NP/b
0.008%
0.008%
0.003%
0.003%
0.014%
0.016%
0.014%
0.011%
Nx/b
0.046%
0.048%
0.020%
0.020%
0.062%
0.069%
0.062%
0.052%
dev.
−43.90%
−46.07%
−77.53%
−77.27%
−16.22%
−10.39%
−19.48%
−27.78%
Ex#
310081
310082
310083
310084
310086
310087
310073
310088
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
50.08%
50.08%
50.08%
50.08%
49.08%
47.08%
BZ
70.33%
60.08%
(C)i
10% LFG
10% LFG
8% LFG
8% LFG
8% LFG
8% LFG
10% LFG
(C)ii
2% LES
2% LES
2% LES
2% LES
(D)
10% DML
10% HCM
10% DML
10% HCM
10% DML
10% DML
other
1% TPA
3% TPA
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
152
156
127
127
129
140
11
34
pH
10.5
10.5
10.4
10.4
10.4
10.4
8.5
10.6
NB/c
19.11%
19.23%
19.45%
19.66%
19.22%
18.91%
19.21%
19.17%
NP/c
6.16%
6.23%
6.24%
6.33%
6.16%
6.07%
6.23%
6.19%
Nx/c
25.27%
25.46%
25.69%
25.99%
25.38%
24.98%
25.44%
25.36%
NB/h
19.03%
19.11%
19.34%
19.26%
19.48%
19.57%
18.28%
19.00%
NP/h
5.96%
6.01%
6.08%
6.06%
6.10%
5.97%
5.93%
6.13%
Nx/h
24.99%
25.12%
25.42%
25.32%
25.58%
25.54%
24.21%
25.13%
stabi.
98.90%
98.66%
98.94%
97.44%
100.78%
102.24%
−4.85%
−0.91%
Coat.
conc.
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.057%
0.055%
0.057%
0.053%
0.056%
0.057%
0.060%
NP/a
0.019%
0.018%
0.018%
0.017%
0.018%
0.019%
0.019%
Nx/a
0.076%
0.073%
0.075%
0.070%
0.074%
0.076%
0.079%
NB/b
0.040%
0.044%
0.042%
0.045%
0.040%
0.038%
0.049%
NP/b
0.011%
0.012%
0.011%
0.013%
0.011%
0.010%
0.014%
Nx/b
0.051%
0.056%
0.053%
0.058%
0.051%
0.048%
0.063%
dev.
−32.9%
−23.3%
−29.3%
−17.1%
−31.1%
−36.8%
−20.25%
Ex#
310089
310090
310091
310092
310093
310094
310095
310096
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
BZ
55.08%
50.08%
60.08%
50.08%
50.08%
50.08%
50.08%
55.08%
(C)i
15% LFG
20% LFG
8% LFG
10% LFG
10% LFG
8% LFG
8% LFG
(C)ii
2% LES
2% LES
2% LES
(D)
10% DML
10% HCM
10% DML
10% HCM
other
15% LPN
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
70
121
32
42
40
34
34
35
pH
10.6
10.7
10.5
10.5
10.5
10.4
10.5
11.4
NB/c
19.33%
19.08%
19.25%
19.11%
19.00%
19.12%
19.68%
17.77%
NP/c
6.23%
6.15%
6.20%
6.17%
6.16%
6.14%
6.33%
5.73%
Nx/c
25.56%
25.23%
25.45%
25.28%
25.16%
25.26%
26.01%
23.50%
NB/h
18.95%
19.07%
19.02%
18.97%
18.86%
19.08%
19.34%
15.60%
NP/h
6.15%
6.18%
6.14%
6.07%
6.08%
6.14%
6.24%
4.92%
Nx/h
25.10%
25.25%
25.16%
25.04%
24.94%
25.22%
25.58%
20.52%
stabi.
−1.82%
0.09%
−1.15%
−0.97%
−0.89%
−0.15%
−1.65%
−12.68%
Coat.
conc.
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.061%
0.058%
0.061%
0.057%
0.059%
0.062%
0.065%
0.059%
NP/a
0.019%
0.018%
0.019%
0.018%
0.018%
0.019%
0.020%
0.019%
Nx/a
0.080%
0.076%
0.080%
0.075%
0.077%
0.081%
0.085%
0.078%
NB/b
0.052%
0.051%
0.046%
0.049%
0.050%
0.051%
0.048%
0.050%
NP/b
0.016%
0.016%
0.013%
0.014%
0.015%
0.015%
0.014%
0.015%
Nx/b
0.068%
0.067%
0.059%
0.063%
0.065%
0.066%
0.062%
0.065%
dev.
−15.00%
−11.84%
−26.25%
−16.00%
−15.58%
−18.52%
−27.06%
−16.67%
Ex#
310104
310105
310106
310108
310109
310110
310111
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
25% NBPT
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
PG
BZ
50.08%
40.08%
54.75%
50.41%
40.41%
60.41%
60.41%
(C)i
20% LFG
30% LFG
20% LFG
20% LFG
30% LFG
10% DEI
10% HBI
(C)ii
(D)
other
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
132
345
94
115
314
18
18
pH
10.5
10.6
10.7
12.3
9.1
8.7
9.1
NB/c
18.56%
18.62%
25.17%
19.79%
19.72%
19.32%
19.78%
NP/c
5.82%
5.89%
0.00%
6.19%
6.19%
6.06%
6.12%
Nx/c
24.38%
24.51%
25.17%
25.98%
25.91%
25.38%
25.90%
NB/h
18.70%
19.01%
25.59%
19.90%
19.90%
19.41%
19.40%
NP/h
5.95%
5.94%
0.00%
6.21%
6.18%
6.16%
5.88%
Nx/h
24.65%
24.95%
25.59%
26.11%
26.08%
25.57%
25.28%
stabi.
1.11%
1.80%
1.67%
0.50%
0.66%
0.75%
−2.39%
Coat.
conc.
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.058%
0.057%
0.077%
0.060%
0.059%
0.063%
0.065%
NP/a
0.019%
0.019%
0.000%
0.019%
0.019%
0.019%
0.020%
Nx/a
0.077%
0.076%
0.077%
0.079%
0.078%
0.082%
0.085%
NB/b
NP/b
Nx/b
dev.
Ex#
310112
310113
310114
310115
310116
310117
310118
310119
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
(A)
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
PG
60.41%
60.41%
BZ
60.41%
60.41%
40.41%
40.41%
50.41%
50.41%
(C)i
10% E15
10% E25
30% E15
30% E25
20% DEI
10% HBI
10% DEI
10% HBI
(C)ii
(D)
other
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
17
20
42
63
30
31
78
80
pH
8.9
9.3
9.1
9.1
9.0
9.1
8.9
9.1
NB/c
19.66%
19.85%
19.65%
19.73%
19.69%
19.83%
19.67%
19.83%
NP/c
6.16%
6.20%
6.16%
6.20%
6.98%
6.04%
6.09%
6.14%
Nx/c
25.82%
26.05%
25.81%
25.93%
26.67%
25.87%
25.76%
25.97%
NB/h
19.50%
19.65%
19.55%
19.68%
19.53%
19.61%
19.32%
19.76%
NP/h
6.40%
6.39%
6.00%
6.11%
6.70%
5.94%
6.05%
6.20%
Nx/h
25.90%
26.04%
25.55%
25.79%
26.23%
25.55%
25.37%
25.96%
stabi.
0.31%
−0.04%
−1.01%
−0.54%
−1.65%
−1.24%
−1.51%
−0.04%
Coat.
conc.
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.064%
0.062%
0.060%
0.059%
0.059%
0.058%
0.056%
0.064%
NP/a
0.020%
0.019%
0.019%
0.018%
0.018%
0.018%
0.017%
0.020%
Nx/a
0.084%
0.081%
0.079%
0.077%
0.077%
0.076%
0.073%
0.084%
NB/b
NP/b
Nx/b
dev.
Ex#
310120
310121
310122
310123
310022
310043
310085
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Inv.
Comp.
Comp.
Comp.
(A)
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.34% LL
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
29.67% LT
PG
60.41%
60.41%
40.41%
40.41%
ad100
ad100
55.08%
BZ
(C)i
10% E15
10% E25
30% E15
30% E25
(C)ii
(D)
other
20% LPN
20% NMP
15% LPN
colo.
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
visc.
75
81
114
140
181
36
141
pH
9.1
9.3
9.3
9.3
11.2
8.5
11.3
NB/c
20.05%
19.70%
20.04%
19.70%
18.39%
18.68%
18.12%
NP/c
6.25%
6.14%
6.25%
6.13%
5.71%
5.86%
5.83%
Nx/c
26.30%
25.84%
26.29%
25.83%
24.10%
24.54%
23.95%
NB/h
20.07%
19.77%
19.82%
19.39%
15.67%
18.52%
16.38%
NP/h
6.28%
6.18%
6.18%
6.09%
4.91%
5.81%
5.21%
Nx/h
26.35%
25.95%
26.00%
25.48%
20.58%
24.33%
21.59%
stabi.
0.19%
0.43%
−1.10%
−1.36%
85.41%
99.16%
90.11%
Coat.
conc.
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.08% Target
0.10%
0.08% Target
NB/a
0.063%
0.062%
0.062%
0.062%
0.064%
0.053%
NP/a
0.020%
0.019%
0.019%
0.019%
0.019%
0.016%
Nx/a
0.083%
0.081%
0.081%
0.081%
0.083%
0.069%
NB/b
0.005%
0.039%
NP/b
0.002%
0.010%
Nx/b
0.007%
0.049%
dev.
−91.57%
−29.0%
NMP (at least in amounts as applied in Ex# 310043) is toxicologically objectionable.
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
11
12
13
in an amount of more than 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the composition, wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II)
R—C(R)(R)—OH,
1. An composition comprising:
2. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) X is sulfur.
1
2
1
20
3. The composition according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) Ris C-Calkyl and Ris H.
4. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT).
1
2
5. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the mixture (A) comprises at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides having structures of the general formula (I) and wherein said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides differ in at least one of radicals Ror R.
6. The composition according to embodiment 5, wherein one of said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides is N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide.
12
13
7. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 6, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Rand Ris H.
11
8. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 7, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris aryl.
11
9. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 8, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris phenyl.
10. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 9, wherein (B) is benzyl alcohol.
the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) and
(B) is benzyl alcohol.
11. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein
(C1) a polymeric polyamine, and
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, and
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R, and
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) at least one amine selected from the group consisting of
12. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 11, further comprising
(C1) a polymeric polyamine.
(C) an amine which is
13. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising
14. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, wherein (C1) is a polyalkylene imine.
15. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, wherein (C1) is a polyethylene imine.
2
12
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R.
(C) an amine which is
16. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising
2
3
17. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups which are covalently bound to the amino group.
18. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C2) an amine selected from the group consisting of Bis(hydroxyethyl)-isopropanolamine (DEIPA), and 1,1′-((2-Hydroxyethyl)imino)dipropan-2-ol.
2
12
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups, wherein at least one of said alkyl groups bears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R.
(C) an amine which is
19. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising
20. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C3) an amine selected from the group consisting of 1-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)propan-2-ol, and N-Methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-isopropanolamine.
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R.
(C) an amine which is
21. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising
8
19
23
22. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R.
23. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C4) an amine selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated (2) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (5) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (15) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (2) oleylamine, lauryl-dimethylamine, oleyl-dimethylamine, and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (5 EO), 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (10 EO), and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (20 EO).
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contain at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which do not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) an amine which is
24. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising
25. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising (C5) an amine which is N-methyl morpholine.
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
Ris H or alkyl, and
33
Ris H or alkyl, or
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(D) at least one amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
26. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 25, further comprising
32
33
1
4
1
4
27. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and Ris H or Cto Calkyl.
31
28. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms.
29. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 28, wherein (D) is a N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, or their mixtures.
30. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 29, wherein (D) is a lactic acid N,N-dimethylamide.
31
31. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO does not contain a hydroxy group.
31
32. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27 and 31, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
33. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27 and 31 to 32, wherein (D) is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethylnonanamide, and N,N-dimethyldecanamide.
31
34. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27 and 31, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
32
33
35. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
32
33
36. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26 and 35, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further oxygen heteroatom.
37. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26 and 35 to 36, wherein (D) is N-acetylmorpholine or N-formylmorpholine.
32
33
38. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26 and 35, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further nitrogen heteroatom.
39. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 26, 35, and 38, wherein (D) is 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone.
32
40. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group.
31
32
33
1
41. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group and Ris Cto C4 alkyl.
42. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 27, wherein (D) is N-[2-(acetyloxy)ethyl]-N-methyl acetamide.
43. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 42, further comprising (E) an alcohol comprising at least two hydroxy groups which are not dissociable in the aqueous medium.
44. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 42, further comprising (E) propane-1,2-diol (alpha-propylene glycol).
45. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 44, further comprising a compound (K) selected from the group consisting of
(K1) an amine selected from the group consisting of methyldiethanolamine, tetrahydroxy-propylethylenediamine, trimethylaminoethylethanolamine, N,N,N′N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, and 2,2′-dimorpholinyldiethyl ether,
2
12
41
41
(K2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein all groups Rwithin said amine are identical, and
2
12
42
42
42
(K3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein all groups Rwith said amine are identical.
46. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 45, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
47. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 45, further comprising (F1) a urea-containing fertilizer comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), crotonylidene diurea (CDU) and urea formaldehyde (U F), urea-acetaldehyde, and urea-glyoxal condensates.
48. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 45, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer which comprises urea.
applying the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 48 into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
49. Process for treating the soil comprising:
applying the composition by spraying it onto the soil.
50. Process according to embodiment 49 comprising:
51. Process according to embodiment 49, wherein the composition is—either at the same time or with a time difference—applied together with at least one nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
52. Use of the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 1 to 45 as additive or coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F).
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
(C1) a polymeric polyamine, and
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, and
8
40
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R, and
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) at least one amine selected from the group consisting of
101. An composition comprising:
102. The composition according to embodiment 101, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) X is sulfur.
1
2
1
20
103. The composition according to embodiment 101 or 102, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) Ris C-Calkyl and Ris H.
104. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 103, wherein the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT).
1
2
105. The composition according to embodiment 101, wherein the mixture (A) comprises at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides having structures of the general formula (I) and wherein said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides differ in at least one of radicals Ror R.
106. The composition according to embodiment 105, wherein one of said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides is N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide.
(C1) a polymeric polyamine.
107. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is
108. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C1) which is a polyalkylene imine.
109. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C1) which is a polyethylene imine.
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R.
110. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is
2
3
111. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups which are covalently bound to the amino group.
112. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C2) an amine selected from the group consisting of Bis(hydroxyethyl)-isopropanolamine (DEIPA), and 1,1′-((2-Hydroxyethyl)imino)dipropan-2-ol.
2
12
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of said alkyl groups bears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R.
113. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is
114. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C3) an amine selected from the group consisting of 1-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)propan-2-ol, and N-Methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-isopropanolamine.
8
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto C40 alkyl group R.
115. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C) an amine which is
23
116. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated C8 to C19 alkyl group R.
117. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C4) an amine selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated (2) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (5) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (15) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (2) oleylamine, lauryl-dimethylamine, oleyl-dimethylamine, and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (5 EO), 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (10 EO), and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (20 EO).
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contain at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which do not contain a further alkoxy group.
118. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is
119. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 106, wherein (C) is (C5) an amine which is N-methyl morpholine.
the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) and
(C) is (C1) a polymeric polyamine which is polyethyleneimine.
120. The composition according to embodiment 101, wherein
11
12
13
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II)
R—C(R)(R)—OH
wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
121. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 120, further comprising
12
13
122. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 121, further comprising (B), wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Rand Ris H.
11
123. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 122, further comprising (B), wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris aryl.
11
124. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 123, further comprising (B), wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris phenyl.
125. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 124, further comprising (B), wherein (B) is benzyl alcohol.
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
Ris H or alkyl, and
33
Ris H or alkyl, or
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(D) at least one amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
126. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 125, further comprising
32
33
1
4
1
4
127. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and Ris H or Cto Calkyl.
31
128. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms.
129. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 128, wherein (D) is a N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, or their mixtures.
130. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 129, wherein (D) is a lactic acid N,N-dimethylamide.
31
131. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO does not contain a hydroxy group.
31
132. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127 and 131, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
133. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127 and 131 to 132, wherein (D) is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethylnonanamide, and N,N-dimethyldecanamide.
31
134. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127 and 131, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
32
33
135. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
32
33
136. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126 and 135, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further oxygen heteroatom.
137. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126 and 135 to 136, wherein (D) is N-acetylmorpholine or N-formylmorpholine.
32
33
138. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126 and 135, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further nitrogen heteroatom.
139. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 126, 135, and 138, wherein (D) is 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone.
32
140. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group.
31
32
33
1
4
141. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group and Ris Cto Calkyl.
142. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 127, wherein (D) is N-[2-(acetyloxy)ethyl]-N-methyl acetamide.
143. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 142, further comprising (E) an alcohol comprising at least two hydroxy groups which are not dissociable in the aqueous medium.
144. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 142, further comprising (E) propane-1,2-diol (alpha-propylene glycol).
(K1) an amine selected from the group consisting of methyldiethanolamine, tetrahydroxy-propylethylenediamine, trimethylaminoethylethanolamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, and 2,2′-dimorpholinyldiethyl ether,
2
12
41
41
(K2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein all groups Rwithin said amine are identical, and
2
12
42
42
42
(K3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein all groups Rwith said amine are identical.
145. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 144, further comprising a compound (K) selected from the group consisting of
146. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 145, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
147. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 145, further comprising (F1) a urea-containing fertilizer comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), crotonylidene diurea (CDU) and urea formaldehyde (U F), urea-acetaldehyde, and urea-glyoxal condensates.
148. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 145, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer which comprises urea.
applying the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 148 into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
149. Process for treating the soil comprising:
applying the composition by spraying it onto the soil.
150. Process according to embodiment 149 comprising:
151. Process according to embodiment 149, wherein the composition is—either at the same time or with a time difference—applied together with at least one nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
152. Use of the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 101 to 145 as additive or coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F).
1
2
2
2
wherein
X is oxygen or sulfur;
1
1
20
3
20
6
20
Ris a Cto Calkyl, Cto Ccycloalkyl, Cto Caryl, or dialkylaminocarbonyl group;
2
Ris H, or
1
2
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur,
and
(A) a mixture comprising at least one (thio)phosphoric acid triamide according to the general formula (I)
RRN—P(X)(NH),
31
32
33
wherein
31
RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms;
32
Ris H or alkyl, and
33
Ris H or alkyl, or
32
33
Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical, which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
(D) at least one amide according to the general formula (III)
RCO—NRR
201. An composition comprising:
202. The composition according to embodiment 201, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) X is sulfur.
1
2
1
20
203. The composition according to embodiment 201 or 202, wherein in the general formula (I) of (A) Ris C-Calkyl and Ris H.
204. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 203, wherein the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT).
1
2
205. The composition according to embodiment 201, wherein the mixture (A) comprises at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides having structures of the general formula (I) and wherein said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides differ in at least one of radicals Ror R.
206. The composition according to embodiment 205, wherein one of said at least two different (thio)phosphoric acid triamides is N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide.
32
33
1
4
1
4
207. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris H or Cto Calkyl, and Ris H or Cto Calkyl.
31
208. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is a hydroxysubstituted acyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms.
209. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 208, wherein (D) is a N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, or their mixtures.
210. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 209, wherein (D) is a lactic acid N,N-dimethylamide.
31
211. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO does not contain a hydroxy group.
31
212. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207 and 211, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
213. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207 and 211 to 212, wherein (D) is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethylnonanamide, and N,N-dimethyldecanamide.
31
214. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207 and 211, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
32
33
215. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic radical which optionally comprises 1 or 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.
32
33
216. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206 and 215, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 6-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further oxygen heteroatom.
217. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206 and 215 to 216, wherein (D) is N-acetylmorpholine or N-formylmorpholine.
32
33
218. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206 and 215, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Rand Rtogether with the nitrogen atom linking them define a 5-membered saturated heterocyclic radical which comprises one further nitrogen heteroatom.
219. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 206, 215, and 218, wherein (D) is 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone.
32
220. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group.
31
32
33
1
4
221. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207, wherein in the general formula (III) of (D) RCO is an acyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Ris an acyloxy substituted alkyl group and Ris Cto Calkyl.
222. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 207, wherein (D) is N-[2-(acetyloxy)ethyl]-N-methyl acetamide.
the mixture (A) comprises N-n-butylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and/or N-n-propylthiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) and
(D) is an N,N-dialkyl amide based on lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, ricinoleic acid, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, or their mixtures.
223. The composition according to embodiment 201, wherein
11
12
13
wherein
11
Ris aryl or alkylaryl;
12
Ris H or alkyl;
13
Ris H or alkyl.
(B) an aromatic alcohol according to the general formula (II)
R—C(R)(R)—OH,
224. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 223, further comprising
12
13
225. The composition according to embodiment 224, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Rand Ris H.
11
226. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 224 to 225, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris aryl.
11
227. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 224 to 226, wherein in the general formula (II) of (B) Ris phenyl.
228. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 227, further comprising (B), wherein (B) is benzyl alcohol.
(C1) a polymeric polyamine, and
2
12
21
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R, and
2
12
22
22
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R, and
8
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto C40 alkyl group R, and
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contains at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which does not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) at least one amine selected from the group consisting of
229. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 228, further comprising
(C1) a polymeric polyamine.
(C) an amine which is
230. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising
231. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, wherein (C1) is a polyalkylene imine.
232. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, wherein (C1) is a polyethylene imine.
2
12
21
21
(C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups, wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other groups R.
(C) an amine which is
233. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising
2
3
234. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups which are covalently bound to the amino group.
235. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C2) an amine selected from the group consisting of Bis(hydroxyethyl)-isopropanolamine (DEIPA), and 1,1′-((2-Hydroxyethyl)imino)dipropan-2-ol.
2
12
22
22
(C3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups, wherein at least one of said alkyl groups bears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein at least one of the groups Ris different to the other group(s) R.
(C) an amine which is
236. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising
237. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C3) an amine selected from the group consisting of 1-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)propan-2-ol, and N-Methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-isopropanolamine.
8
23
(C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto C40 alkyl group R.
(C) an amine which is
238. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising
8
19
23
239. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C4) an amine containing at least one saturated or unsaturated Cto Calkyl group R.
240. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C4) an amine selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated (2) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (5) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (15) cocoalkylamine, ethoxylated (2) oleylamine, lauryl-dimethylamine, oleyl-dimethylamine, and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (5 EO), 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (10 EO), and 2-propylheptylamine ethoxylate (20 EO).
(C5) a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic amine which contain at least one oxygen atom as ring atom and which do not contain a further alkoxy group.
(C) an amine which is
241. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising
242. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 229, further comprising (C5) an amine which is N-methyl morpholine.
243. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 242, further comprising (E) an alcohol comprising at least two hydroxy groups which are not dissociable in the aqueous medium.
244. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 242, further comprising (E) propane-1,2-diol (alpha-propylene glycol).
(K1) an amine selected from the group consisting of methyldiethanolamine, tetrahydroxy-propylethylenediamine, trimethylaminoethylethanolamine, N,N,N′N′-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, N,N′,N″-tris(dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydrotriazine, and 2,2′-dimorpholinyldiethyl ether,
2
12
41
41
(K2) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least three alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein all groups Rwithin said amine are identical, and
2
12
42
42
42
(K3) an amine containing not more than one amino group and at least two alkoxy- or hydroxy-substituted Cto Calkyl groups R, wherein at least one of the groups Rbears the alkoxy or hydroxy substituent at a secondary or tertiary carbon atom and wherein all groups Rwith said amine are identical.
245. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 244, further comprising a compound (K) selected from the group consisting of
246. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 245, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
247. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 245, further comprising (F1) a urea-containing fertilizer comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), crotonylidene diurea (CDU) and urea formaldehyde (UF), urea-acetaldehyde, and urea-glyoxal condensates.
248. The composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 245, further comprising (F) a nitrogen-containing fertilizer which comprises urea.
applying the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 248 into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
249. Process for treating the soil comprising:
applying the composition by spraying it onto the soil.
250. Process according to embodiment 249 comprising:
251. Process according to embodiment 249, wherein the composition is—either at the same time or with a time difference—applied together with at least one nitrogen-containing fertilizer (F) into the soil in-furrow and/or as side-dress and/or as broadcast.
252. Use of the composition according to anyone of the embodiments 201 to 245 as additive or coating material for nitrogen-containing fertilizers (F).
Further specific embodiments of the invention are described in the following:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
EXAMPLE 1.1 | |
I have been doing quite a lot of background reading concerning the numerous species that I have been photographing lately, the sources of information have been book based. Thankfully I have these resources, but looking through a number of wildlife conservation web sites, I am amazed how bereft of detail, salient facts or wider biodiversity context, these sites represent on any given species.
With this in mind I have decided to further illustrate images with factual information, this should undoubtedly lead to help understanding of just how precarious the position is for so many species, the critical population status, perilous decline and where in my opinion consider practical conservation work is being undertaken or required. Perhaps my blogs may motivate more people to work for a far more embracing form of conservation, challenge the non-sensical 'single species' fund raising opportunities, campaigning instead for habitat specific and all embracing biodiversity conservation. Natural History has been added to the menu bar where image information will appear.
Natural History is the study of animals, fungi, and plants, in their natural environment, via observation rather than experimentation and presented in popular form. | https://pinsharpstudios.uk/2021/01/29/before-the-start/ |
On December 20, 2013 The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed the 3rd of March as the World Wildlife Day. A convention was adopted on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) raising the importance and benefits of fauna and flora in the planet.
IPOKRATE found this day as an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to the humanity. | https://www.ipokrate.com/blog/world-wildlife-day |
- Leads the data analysis to produce dashboards, metrics, or insights and identify trends or anomalies.
- Liaises with decision makers to identify data sources, required data elements, or data validation standards.
- Oversees collaboration with development teams to design business intelligence solutions to facilitate data gathering, storage, and retrieval.
- Oversees collaboration with end users in the design and development of custom dashboards, metrics and reports.
- Leads the analysis and evaluation of end users reporting needs and translates business requirements into detailed technical design and programming specifications.
- Oversees research and data analysis in support of resolution of production issues.
- Coordinates with other IT groups and departments in the resolution of problem calls.
- Inspects the documentation of all report related activities including user requests, report specification, development, modification, testing and on-going production support.
- Ensures dashboard and reporting solutions are created to meet user needs and requirements.
- Conducts internal process reviews to ensure compliance to policies and practices.
- Employees use knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of functional objectives and principles to achieve goals in innovative ways. Problems addressed are of diverse scope and complexity ranging from moderate to substantial. Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.
Job Qualification
- Bachelor's Degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- 5-7 years of relevant experience and progressive experience where team leadership was demonstrated, required.
- SQL experience highly preferred.
- Healthcare experience highly preferred. | https://www.themuse.com/jobs/northwellhealth/lead-business-intelligence-specialist-404628 |
Very little is known about the development of the human intestinal muscle layers and associated extracellular matrices. The overall objective of this proposal is to analyze the ontogeny of intestinal smooth muscle cell function. There is evidence that smooth muscle cell number, the contractile state of the smooth muscle cell and the quantity and type of collagen produced by smooth muscle cells directly determines the integrity and compliance of the bowel wall. A recently established in vitro model has demonstrated that collagen production is a major function of adult intestinal smooth muscle cells. Collagen is essential for cell attachment, migration, proliferation and differentiation as well as providing a structural support for organs. These properties of collagen are crucial in organogenesis. Consequently, the development of intestinal structure and motility in utero and in infancy appears to depend not only on smooth muscle cell differentiation into proliferative and contractile states, but also depends on smooth muscle cell production of extracellular matrix components such as collagen. The factors which regulate smooth muscle cell differentiation and function in intestinal development remain unknown. Based upon observations in other developmental systems, it is most likely that hormones and growth factors play a central role. Therefore, this project will test the hypothesis that intestinal smooth muscle cell differentiation resulting in proliferative, matrix producing and contractile function is regulated during development by the age of the organism, the hormonal environment and polypeptide growth factors. Using the recently established in vitro model, the influence of hormones and growth factors on the following intestinal smooth muscle cell functions will be examined: 1) net collagen production, 2) expression of specific collagen types, 3) mechanism of collagen production, 4) cell proliferation and 5) contractile response. These studies will contrast various stages of fetal, neonatal, and adult intestinal smooth muscle cells. These findings will contribute to an understanding of the regulation of developing human intestinal smooth muscle cell function and how loss of this regulation clinically may result in intestinal strictures, atresias, duplications, hypoplasias, malrotation, gastroschisis, Hirschsprung's disease and motility disorders.
| |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing dark current in charge coupled devices (CCDs).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A true two phase CCD refers to a device in which there are two physical gates per pixel, with each gate having both a transfer and a storage region formed in the silicon under it. There are two voltage phase lines &PHgr;.sub.1 and &PHgr;.sub.2. The charge coupling concept is used in frame transfer and interline transfer CCD image sensing devices. An example of a frame transfer area image sensor 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
A schematic cross-section for a true two phase CCD is shown in FIG. 1a. A true two phase CCD is described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,402 to Losee and Lavine. A true two phase CCD has storage and transfer regions beneath each phase gate. In FIG. 1a the phase gates are labeled by either first or second polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), and the transfer and storage regions by regions (1) and (2) for &PHgr;.sub. 1 and (3) and (4) for &PHgr;.sub.2. In this disclosure only n-buried channel devices will be considered. This invention applies equally to p- buried channel devices. For an n-channel CCD, which is illustrated, the buried channel is formed by an n-type doping in a p-type substrate or in a p-well in an n-type substrate. The transfer and storage buried channel regions are differentiated by less or more of the n-buried channel doping, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 4, 613,402 discloses a detailed procedure for making true two phase CCD devices.
The electrostatic potential band diagram through one of the phase gate electrodes, the buried channel and the substrate of an image pixel is shown in FIG. 2. The buried channel is shown reverse biased and with a positive gate voltage, Vg, to create a depleted surface. In this situation, the Fermi level (E.sub.F), although not shown, will be near the middle of the band gap at the oxide-Si interface. In a buried channel CCD, dark current arises from three main sources: (1) generation from a mid-gap state resulting from either the disrupted lattice or an impurity at a depleted Si-SiO.sub.2 interface, (2) generation in the depletion region as a result of an impurity or defect with a mid-gap state and (3) diffusion of electrons to the buried channel from the substrate. All three sources, result in spurious charges being collected as signal in the buried channel. The mechanism for dark current generation both at the surface and in the depletion region is illustrated in FIG. 2 and is as follows: A generation site (defect) emits an electron (negative charge) into the conduction band in the buried channel and a hole (positive charge) into the valence band. In both cases, the electron is captured by the buried channel as dark signal, and if the spatial region where the hole is emitted to the valence band is depleted of majority carriers then the holes will migrate away from their point of generation thus leaving the region depleted of majority carriers. A hole generated in the depletion region is driven to the substrate. A hole generated at the surface goes laterally to a channel stop region, again leaving the surface depleted of majority carriers. Since the state of the generation regions is now exactly the same as before the electron and hole emission events, the surface and depletion region defects continue to generate electron and hole pairs, thus acting as sources of dark current. This generation process ceases only if an excess of either electrons or holes develop in the region where the defect exists. Modern fabrication technology has reduced the concentrations of both defects in the depletion region and also defects leading to bulk current to such an extent that the surface state generation mechanism is the dominant source of dark current in buried channel CCDs.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to reduce this surface state component of dark current.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the above object there is provided a method of reducing dark current in a buried channel CCD in which a pixel is defined by at least two adjacent electrodes, comprising the step of:
during the operation of such CCD simultaneously placing all electrodes in a mode of operation whereby holes are drawn to the channel to combine with the dark current electrons.
In accordance with this invention, dark current generation is very effectively suppressed by holding all phase gates in a mode of operation in which the gates are held at a potential whereby holes are drawn to the silicon/silicon dioxide interface for all but the time needed for the actual transfer of charge from one CCD stage to the next. In order to operate in this mode of operation, a voltage must be applied that attracts holes to the silicon-SiO.sub.2 interface. Appropriate voltages for this mode of operation are negative and positive for n-and p- buried channel devices, respectively. The true two phase architecture is ideally suited to this mode of operation.
In accordance with this invention, the channel potentials beneath the barrier and storage regions must be chosen properly to avoid mixing of adjacent pixel signals when operating in the above described mode.
This invention is suitable for use in frame transfer CCD imagers during both integration and readout. It can also be applied to interline transfer CCD imagers during readout of the optically generated signal.
An advantage of operating a frame transfer CCD in the mode described hereinabove is to dramatically reduce the dark current during both integration and readout and the dark fixed pattern noise that accrues during integration. The dark current reduction translates into both increased dynamic range and reduced dark signal shot noise.
Another advantage of this invention is the capability to accommodate interlaced operation during both integration and readout in a frame transfer image sensor without loss of performance by performing a one half stage normal transfer following one of the fields to assure proper pixel alignment to avoid pixel mixing during subsequent accumulation periods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a true two phase area image sensor;
FIG. 1a is a fragmentary, partially schematic vertical sectional view taken along the lines a--a of the two phase CCD device of FIG. 1 showing an image pixel;
FIG. 2 is an electrostatic potential band diagram for the image pixel of FIG. 1a illustrating the mechanisms for the generations of dark current;
FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate electrostatic potential band diagrams similar to FIG. 2 showing surface depletion mode of operation and the mode of operation where there is an accumulation of holes;
FIGS. 4a and 4b are graphs which respectively illustrate gate voltage vs. channel potential and gate voltage vs. dark current for a gate of FIG. 1a;
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates three gate electrodes of a true two phase CCD and potential wells under these gates when changing from the end of a transfer period through a mode of operating where holes are accumulated thereunder these gates; and
FIG. 6 illustrates the electrostatic potential maximum, in volts, vs gate voltage for a vertical cross-section through regions (a), (c) and (d) of FIG. 5, as well as the charge capacity in electrons/&mgr;m. sup. 2 vs gate voltage for region (d) of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For illustrative purposes, the present invention is described with reference to a frame transfer CCD image sensor 10 as shown in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, charge transfer channels 12 run in vertical directions. Separating each transfer channel is a channel stop 14 which confines charge collected to the transfer channels and prevents charge leakage into adjacent channels. Each transfer channel 12 has a plurality of sensing elements or image pixels (or, for an interline transfer CCD, stages of the vertical shift register). Each pixel is defined by two closely spaced gates per pixel since this is a two phase device. The gate electrodes can be made from a transparent conductive material such as polysilicon. A potential is applied to each of the electrodes of each sensing element and a potential well or depletion region is formed under it. Charge, which is a function of scene brightness, is collected in the potential well. In a buried channel CCD, the electrodes are disposed on an insulator such as SiO.sub.2. The insulator overlies the substrate. The substrate is doped and can be of a given conductivity type, for example, p-type for an n-channel device. For an n-buried channel device, the surface region near the insulator in the substrate is n-conductivity type and opposite to that of the bulk substrate and of such a concentration that when a predetermined potential is applied to the electrode, a potential well is formed within the substrate spaced from the insulator.
The image sensor 10 comprises a frame transfer true two phase CCD having voltage phase lines &PHgr;.sub.1 and &PHgr;.sub.2 and a buried channel. The pixels define a two dimensional array, which for illustrative purposes only, is shown to have 740 columns and 485 rows of pixels. Each transparent electrode is connected to one line or phase of a two phase voltage clock signal source. After exposure to incident light, the voltage signals on the phase lines are sequentially applied in the well known manner to the image sensing array to move the imagewise charge pattern formed in the pixels one row at a time to an output register shown as block H.
High frequency clock pulses drive the polysilicon gate electrodes to read out each of the rows of the image sensor at a rate determined by the particular application. The output register H is shown schematically as a block since it can be provided by a conventional two phase CCD shift register positioned between an optional transfer gate 16 and a horizontal channel stop 18. The transfer gate 16 may be one of the phase clocks of the vertical register. Each cell of the output register H has two gate electrodes aligned with a transfer channel. These electrodes are actuated by signals on voltage lines &PHgr;.sub.1 through &PHgr;.sub. 2 in the conventional manner.
The transfer gate electrode 16 is actuated by a first transfer signal T.sub.1 and transfers a row of photocharges to the output register H.
After a row of photocharges has been transferred to the output register H, the transfer gate 30 is closed. By being closed is meant that a potential barrier is formed under this transfer electrode. At this time, the output register is operated in a two phase manner, clocking the photocharge out to an output diode 32, one pixel at a time. The output diode 32 converts the photocharges into a voltage.
Before proceeding further, the mechanism for operating in a mode in accordance with the present invention will now be discussed. The generation of dark current due to surface generation sites can be significantly reduced if a voltage is applied to a gate electrode to accumulate holes under that electrode.
The mechanism underlying this effect will now be discussed. The accumulation of holes at the Si-SiO.sub.2 interface suppresses further generation of dark current and can be understood as driving the reaction of producing electron hole pairs (previously discussed) in the reverse direction, i.e., hole capture by the defect rather than hole emission from the defect. The state of accumulation of holes at the Si-SiO.sub.2 interface beneath any CCD phase gate can be controlled by the voltage, Vg, applied to the gate. As is well known in the physics of MOS devices, the hole density in the valence band is determined by the separation of the Fermi level, E.sub.F, from the valence band, Ev. The density of holes increases dramatically when that separation becomes less than approximately 1/4 the band gap, i.e., the separation between Ev and Ec. The separation is controlled by the gate voltage, V.sub.G. In FIG. 3a, this separation is practically the entire band gap so the semiconductor surface just beneath the gate insulator is depleted of holes (majority carriers).
FIG. 3b illustrates the condition of sufficiently more negative gate voltage than for FIG. 3a such that holes are attracted to the Si- SiO.sub. 2 interface beneath the gate electrode. At even more negative gate voltages, V.sub.G, the layer of holes shields the buried channel from the effects of the gate voltage. The gate is now accumulated with holes and the dark current drops to a low value. The channel potential, Vc, is the difference between the Fermi level for the substrate, E.sub.F, and the Quasi Fermi level for the empty buried channel. The value of Vc is controlled by the gate voltage, V.sub.G, until the gate voltage becomes sufficiently negative to accumulate the silicon surface beneath the gate insulator with holes, at which point V.sub.G no longer controls Vc. This is illustrated on FIGS. 4a and 4b. This transition occurs over a small gate voltage range. FIG. 4a shows the dark current reduction, and FIG. 4b shows the channel potential saturation when the surface is accumulated with holes.
Turning now to FIG. 5 where the operation of the CCD of FIG. 1 in accordance with a method of the present invention is illustrated. At the top of this FIG. is a schematic representation of 1 and 1/2 pixels of the true two phase CCD shift register. One pixel is comprised of two gates. For each gate, the regions labeled (a), (c), and (b) and (d) are the transfer and storage regions of the gate's buried channel. See also FIG. 1a. It is important to note as shown in FIG. 1a the transfer regions (a) and (c) are more lightly doped (n.sup.--) than the storage regions (b) and (d) (n.sup.-). It should be noted that other means than doping differences could be employed to form the storage and transfer regions beneath a phase gate. One suitable method is a gate insulator thickness difference. The storage region could be fabricated with a thicker gate insulator than the transfer region, for example. Lines 1-7 show the channel potential (solid line) and the location of the signal charge (shaded) in a sequence of times as the phase one gates are clocked to a potential accumulation of holes occurs between stage-to- stage transfer down the CCD shift register. A discussion of the mode of operation where the accumulation of holes occurs during charge integration follows the discussion of that mode of operation during stage-to-stage transfer.
(A) Pixel-to-Pixel Transfer
Line 1: This is the voltage and signal charge configuration at the end of a normal stage-to-stage transfer down the CCD shift register. The voltage applied to phase line &PHgr;.sub.2 is low and that applied to &PHgr; .sub.1 is high. The signal charge resides in the storage well beneath the gates connected to &PHgr;.sub.1. The surface component of the dark current is suppressed beneath the gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.2. The dark current beneath the gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 can also be suppressed by driving it to accumulate holes.
Lines 2-4: Begin to take phase line &PHgr;.sub.1 low, i.e. toward the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs. All the signal charge still resides beneath the gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.1. At some voltage on phase line, &PHgr;.sub.1, the transfer region reaches the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs and this is the condition at line 4. At this point the channel potential in the transfer region saturates so that a further reduction in the &PHgr;.sub.1 voltage results in no further reduction in the channel potential beneath the gate transfer region connected to &PHgr;.sub.1.
Line 5: Because this transfer region is now at which the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs, a further reduction of the &PHgr;. sub.1 gate voltage results in a reduction in the channel potential of the storage region. As a consequence, the storage well begins to collapse, resulting in a decrease in the charge handling capacity of the &PHgr;.sub. 1 gate. The excess signal spills either backward or forward, depending on the relative channel potentials of phases 1 and 2. In this example, the channel potential is greater beneath &PHgr;.sub.1, so the excess charge spills backward and is shown shaded beneath &PHgr;.sub.2.
Line 6: The gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 is now completely at the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs and the signal is now shared between the pixel gates connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 and &PHgr;. sub.2. Both gates of each pixel are now simultaneously in the mode of operation at which accumulation of holes occurs. This is illustrated by the shaded areas. The surface contribution to the dark current is now suppressed. The channel potentials should be chosen so that the charge capacity is not dramatically reduced, i.e., the accumulated charge capacity beneath one phase should be no less than approximately 1/2 the charge capacity in the normal unaccumulated bias condition, as is shown in line 2, since in the accumulated condition the signal is shared between both pixel gates.
Line 7: At the time that a stage-to-stage charge transfer is to be made, the &PHgr;.sub.1 voltage is increased and all the signal is held beneath the gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 again. The normal clocking sequence is applied to transfer the charge from one stage to the next, leaving the signal beneath the &PHgr;.sub.1 gate as shown in line 1, but transferred one full CCD stage along the shift register. The cycle of lines 1-6 can now be repeated to simultaneously again place both gates at the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs to suppress the dark current between stage-to-stage transfer.
The preceding procedure can be applied during the readout of either a frame transfer or an interline transfer CCD. Such a procedure is applied to the phase gates of the vertical CCD during readout of the horizontal output register. The minimum dark current reduction depends on the fraction of the total frame readout time the phase gates are at the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs. Furthermore, the dark current reduction may be larger if the holes are not emitted from the mid-gap states during the time the gates are not at the potential at which the accumulation of holes occurs during the stage-to- stage transfer along the CCD shift register.
(B) Integration
For the frame transfer architecture, the dark current can also be suppressed during integration, i.e., during the time that the sensor pixels are optically exposed. This is accomplished by biasing the gates as in line 6 of FIG. 5. The pixel must be defined just as in FIG. 5 to eliminate mixing of information between pixels. In FIG. 5 an image pixel is defined by the left gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.2 and the middle gate connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 since excess charge beneath one will spill into the other and therefore remain in the same pixel. The definition of a pixel is important if, for example, a color filter pattern is applied such that different colors occur in the same column. As in the case of accumulation of holes occurs during readout, for such operation during integration the potential channel potential at which this operation occurs in the transfer region for &PHgr;.sub.1 gate must be more positive than the channel potential for such operation for the &PHgr;.sub.2 gate.
Dark current reduction of 50 times have been noted at the potential at which the full accumulation of holes occurs at room temperature for true two phase, frame transfer CCD imagers.
FIG. 6 shows the electrostatic potential for the transfer and storage region for the &PHgr;.sub.1 gate, along with its charge capacity. These curves are calculated from a one dimensional electrostatics model. The charge capacity is determined to be the quantity of charge required to fill the storage region so that its electrostatic potential reaches to within 1/2 volt of the transfer region channel potential. The doping distribution in the storage region (d) is selected to yield an electrostatic potential of 7.75 volts at Vg=0 and an accumulation electrostatic potential (large negative Vg) of 2.3 volts. The transfer region (c) has an electrostatic potential of 3.75 volts at Vg=0 and an accumulation channel potential of 1.75 volts. The charge capacity is also shown on the same scale and is at Vg=0 is approximately 10,000 e/. mu.m. sup.2 (electrons per square micrometer). As the gate is reduced and the potential well collapses the charge capacity diminishes and at the potential at which the accumlation of holes occurs of both storage and transfer gates the charge capacity becomes approximately 5700 electrons/. mu.m.sup.2. In this state the excess charge is shared with the &PHgr;.sub. 2 gate, so the 10,000 electrons/&mgr;m.sup.2 can easily be accommodated by the two regions of 5700 electrons/&mgr;m.sup.2 each when both phases are accumulated to reduce the dark current. Therefore the saturation or maximum charge capacity of the CCD is not reduced by the mode of operation where the accumulation of holes occurs. The electrostatic potential of the &PHgr;.sub.2 transfer region is also included on FIG. 6. It is designed to be approximately 1/2 volt less positive than &PHgr;.sub. 1 as required for a pixel definition as was discussed for FIG. 5. The experimentally measured channel potentials match the channel potential curves of FIG. 6, and the experimentally measured charge capacity is not diminished in the mode of operation at which the accumulation of holes occurs, which is consistent with the calculated charge capacity shown in FIG. 6.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a true two phase CCD preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is also applicable to a pseudo two phase device. In such a device each pixel has four electrodes but there are only two phase lines &PHgr;.sub.1 and &PHgr; . sub. 2. The first two pixel electrodes are connected to &PHgr;.sub.1 and the second two electrodes are connected to &PHgr;.sub.2. One member of each pair becomes the storage region and the other member of each pair becomes the transfer region. The values of the channel potentials of the storage and transfer regions of each pair must be chosen as described above for the true two phase in order to properly define a pixel. | |
Minimum Waste is an educational space which aims to raise awareness about waste prevention. We believe that the current rate of consumption is unsustainable and we create too much waste that we can’t take care of. We also believe that solutions exist and we want to inspire people how to waste less. As such, we organise events (presentations, panel discussions, workshops, films, cooking…) and we have a website and social media channels that serve as a source of latest news and inspiration in the field of sustainable consumption. | http://vals.praguecollege.cz/events/petr-baca-minimum-waste |
At Red Points, our Product Support Engineers are STARS. We are comprehensive product experts and the most transversal team in the company: we collaborate with customers as well as the other company departments (operations, enforcement, customer success and development teams), continually supporting and applying our deep technical knowledge and skills across all the product suites at every level.
The Product Support Engineers work and play closely together to solve important problems and provide tangible solutions in uniquely collaborative and creative ways. You would also spend your time working on testing and bug-finding, advocating for features with the product team, and managing user expectations, requiring deep empathy for our users’ most critical issues.
The role not only involves great responsibility and opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills but also to learn about Brand and Copyright Protection and how our products help companies to protect their intellectual property.
Your mission will be
At Red Points, you will be responsible for troubleshooting and resolution of customers’ and users’ technical issues. You will be working with cutting-edge technology and helping companies protect their assets by providing continuous, proactive and personalized service to ensure that our customers and users are successful in their work.
Apart from that, you will also spend time configuring and giving support to the QA team. As a Product Support Engineer, you will be an important part of Red Points’ continuous success.
Daily work
- Act as a 1st and 2nd-level incidence support
- Following standard procedures for proper escalation of unresolved issues to the appropriate internal teams
- Validating engineering deliverables
- Taking ownership of customer issues reported and see problems through to resolution
- Researching, identifying, troubleshooting, and implementing solutions for system issues
- Configuration of domains
- Monitoring of system performances
- Sharing best practices with teammates
- Give support to the QA team by testing and finding front-end and back-end bugs and replication and logging of reported bugs
We expect from you
- Educational background in Engineering or IT support and/or at least 1 year of experience as a Technical Product Engineer/Specialist
- Problem-solving skills and empathy towards users/customers
- Basic knowledge of HTML
- In-depth knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite
- Knowledge of SQL
- Basic IT skills
- G-suite user
- Good communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Super service oriented
- Excellent level of English and Spanish
- Have worked before in Agile environments
What we offer
- A fun and fast-paced Startup environment with cool people, team buildings, free Nespresso and tea
- Friday reduced working time
- A sunny office with a large terrace, based in the centre of Barcelona
- Private health insurance covered by the company
- Flexible Retribution
- Gym membership to access all DIR gyms in Catalunya and selected YogaOne Centres in Barcelona for a ridiculous price
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We encourage all applicants, regardless of race, religion or belief (if any), color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, gender identity, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, age, marital and civil partnership status, or disability status.
If you think this is the right move for you and you match the description, just apply! We'll get in touch with you for an interview if you are one of the selected candidates. | https://www.jobfluent.com/jobs/product-support-engineer-barcelona-d32b01 |
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union will affect the UK economy for decades to come. In the short term, it led to the pound falling sharply, but didn’t affect the immediate growth performance of the economy. In the longer term, the country’s new trade arrangements with the EU and the rest of the world will be crucial in determining Brexit’s economic impact.
Short-term effects of Leave vote
If a Martian economist compared the performance of the UK economy before and after 23 June 2016, they would not really notice any difference. Contrary to most economists’ expectations growth continued in line with the trend of previous years, supported by strong growth in consumer spending. But that is not to say the vote had no effect. The pound fell sharply and remains around 10% below its pre-vote value.
A weaker pound may boost UK exports (at least in the short-term) but it has also pushed up inflation via higher import prices, squeezing household incomes. In addition, the pound’s decline means UK assets – its wealth – are worth less now than they used to be, compared with other countries. This matters because we buy a lot of things from abroad: imports are equivalent to 30% of UK GDP. If our incomes don’t rise to compensate for the lower value of the pound, we become poorer.
Exchange rates can and do fluctuate for all sorts of reasons. In this case the fall in the pound is clearly a result of the referendum outcome, presumably due to the belief that Brexit will harm the UK economy. If this view changes, say if the UK agrees many advantageous trade deals, the pound may recover lost ground.
Long-term effects of Brexit
Brexit won’t be the only factor to affect the economy by any means. There is, for instance, the critical question of whether the economy breaks out of its decade-long productivity stagnation. Nevertheless, when all is said and done, how will Brexit have affected the UK economy?
Both sides of the referendum debate broadly agree that it’s in the UK’s best interests to have an economy open to trade and investment. Economists agree. Theory and literature show a link between the degree of openness to foreign trade and investment and long-term growth rates (see margin). In other words, more barriers to trade and investment lead to lower growth.
New trade arrangements
We obviously don’t know the scale and scope of the UK’s new trade and investment relationships in a post-Brexit world but we can make some
broad observations.
The EU is currently the UK’s largest trading and investment partner by far: 44% of all UK goods and services exports go to the EU; 53% of UK imports come from the EU; and 45% of the foreign direct investment stock in the UK is from the EU.
It is likely that following Brexit it will be more difficult for UK companies to trade with the EU and for EU companies to trade with the UK. The degree to which this is the case will depend on the type of trade relationship that is negotiated.
The UK’s future trading arrangements with non-EU countries will also be important in determining Brexit’s long-term economic impact. After leaving the EU, the UK will be able to negotiate its own trade agreements with non-EU countries (if it leaves the EU Customs Union, which seems very likely). The UK will also likely have to renegotiate the trade deals the EU currently has in place with other countries (11% of UK exports go to these countries).
What does it all mean?
A large majority of economists think it unlikely that possible new trade deals with non-EU countries will be able to make up for higher trade barriers with the EU given its importance to the UK.
As a result, they believe the final post-Brexit settlement will leave the UK economy less open, lowering the UK’s long-term growth rates compared
to a scenario in which the UK had stayed in the EU.
Other factors will also play a role in determining Brexit’s impact. The UK, if outside the Single Market, will have more control of its regulations (potentially making them more business-friendly) and immigration policy
as well.
Much is still uncertain about the UK’s post-Brexit trading arrangements. How these new relationships shape and change the future of UK trade and investment will be crucial in determining its long-term economic impact.
This article is part of Key Issues 2017 – a series of briefings on the topics that will take centre stage in UK and international politics in the new Parliament. | https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/brexit-and-the-economy/ |
How much water should you drink each day?
Staying hydrated is critical to any endurance athlete. Leading up to my race on Sunday, I’ve been making an effort on getting plenty of water this week. You can’t just drink a lot of water the day before, it takes several days to properly hydrate before a long race.
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
Several approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.
* Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.
* Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the “8 x 8 rule” — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day,” as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn’t supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.
* Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.
It’s kind of gross, but the bottom line is to just look at your urine. If it’s colorless or slightly yellow, your fluid intake is probably adequate. | https://www.holisticathlete.net/uncategorized/how-much-water-should-you-drink-each-day/ |
.readlines() function to read a text file line by line instead of having the whole thing. Suppose we have a file:
keats_sonnet.txt
To one who has been long in city pent, ’Tis very sweet to look into the fair And open face of heaven,—to breathe a prayer Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
script.py
with open('keats_sonnet.txt') as keats_sonnet: for line in keats_sonnet.readlines(): print(line)
The above script creates a temporary file object called
keats_sonnet that points to the file keats_sonnet.txt. It then iterates over each line in the document and prints the entire file out.
Instructions
Using a
with statement, create a file object pointing to the file how_many_lines.txt. Store that file object in the variable
lines_doc.
Iterate through each of the lines in
lines_doc.readlines() using a
for loop.
Inside the for loop print out each line of how_many_lines.txt. | https://www.codecademy.com/courses/learn-python-3/lessons/learn-python-files/exercises/iterating-through-lines |
Every once in a while I reflect on where my life has been, where it is now, and where it is going. Retrospect can offer so much of what we need in life—joy, encouragement, lessons, rebukes. When Facebook throws memories at me from 1, 3, 5, or 8 years ago, sometimes I cringe, sometimes I laugh or smile fondly, sometimes I get a little nostalgic and sad. It’s good for us to remember those things and to reflect on what has changed, what stayed the same, whether we’re happy about it, and whether we can do anything if we’re not.
My primary reflection tool is my journal. I don’t write every day, only when something meaningful happens or when I really need to process something emotionally or psychologically. So my journal holds a lot of the really deep parts of myself, things worth reflecting on.
In one particular season of time recently, I felt like my life wasn’t going anywhere, that I was “stuck” in a rut/cycle. I was a little depressed, and I knew that when you’re depressed you cannot really trust that everything you feel is objective and factual. So I decided to dig up the evidence that my life was actually moving forward, even if it was moving forward slowly and only in some areas. The evidence, for me, was in the journals. I divided my life up into categories of importance (Marriage, Health, Community, Finances/Job, Family, and Leisure/Rest) and timeframes for benchmarks (1 year ago, 6 months ago, and 1 month ago) to assess how my life was then and how it compared to now. I used my journals to read the past, write the present, and dream about the future.
This process helps to encourage us in the areas we’ve grown in and to bring attention to the areas we’ve degressed in. Not to fuel our egos or deflate us but to give an accurate picture, celebrate the growth no matter how much or little, and help set modest goals for growth where it’s needed.
What I found more often than not was that I’d made leaps and bounds of progress in one category, regressed in a different category, stayed roughly the same in another category, and made modest improvements in the rest. My depression had only let me focus on the areas of my life that hadn’t gotten better, which pulled me deeper into depression, but the journal reflection process helped me to see that overall, my life was heading in the direction of thriving, even if it was taking baby steps. And that helped to ease my depression, have more hope, and set realistic goals for more steps in the right direction.
Whether you’re a journaler or not, I hope that you can find a way to reflect on where you’ve been, to take courage about where you are, and to take one step at a time towards your own (and your family’s) thriving life! | http://unbreakingreverie.com/periodic-life-review/ |
Ulrike Knospe is a female celebrity.
She was born on Sunday July 11th 1965, in Essen, Germany,.
2022 is a year of progress and financial advancement for Ulrike Knospe. Major career opportunities present themselves. It is a challenging year in which personal growth is joined with new responsibilities and challenges.
This is a year of domestic responsibility and attention to the needs of family and friends. It is a time of heart felt emotions and some sacrifice. It is a time for comforting and caring. Ulrike realizes the importance of her place within her community. She will be called upon to help others bear their burdens. Knospe is the proverbial friend in need.
Ulrike Knospe must work to create an atmosphere of harmony and balance. It is often a time when marital issues surface and need attention. However, Ulrike possesses the understanding to deal with such issues effectively if she applies herself with love and flexibility. These deep feelings bring renewal to relationships and often a birth in the family.
May 2022 is an emotional month filled with the promise and the stress of imminent changes. June 2022 is a month of breakthrough and a relief. September 2022 brings advancement, October 2022 carries self-reflection and readjustments, and December 2022 brings a sense of completion and fulfillment.
Let's take a look now at Ulrike's monthly forecast for September 2022.
You and Ulrike
About Ulrike's Personal Year Cycle
In numerology, each year of Ulrike's life is part of an evolving pattern that can be described as a nine-year cycle or epicycle. These cycles begin at Ulrike Knospe's birth and progress, one by one, through nine steps that complete an epicycle, and then begin again. | https://www.celebrities-galore.com/celebrities/ulrike-knospe/personal-year-cycle-number/ |
Doctors trained in Germany enjoy an excellent reputation all over the world. They are therefore in demand throughout the world in hospitals and medical care centres, in the public health service, in research institutes and in the pharmaceutical sector.
The figures speak for themselves: doctors of medicine have first-rate career prospects, including graduates from abroad. The vice president of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer – BÄK), Dr Martina Wenker, explains why and, in the light of the shortage of doctors, outlines the need to create even better conditions for starting a career in medicine.
Many older doctors are retiring. Will we soon not have enough doctors?
In this situation, what opportunities are there for graduates from abroad to gain a foothold as doctors in Germany?
The growing shortage of doctors in towns and in the countryside of course provides students from abroad with opportunities to work in Germany. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number of foreign doctors moving to Germany. In 2009 more than 1,900 doctors immigrated to Germany. Between 2000 and 2009 the annual immigration rate rose from 2.5 percent to 7.7 percent.
What are the reasons for the shortage of doctors?
Unfortunately more and more trained doctors decide against taking up a work in curative medicine and go into other occupational fields or move abroad. A total of twelve percent of medical graduates plan to work in other fields than preventive or curative medicine. The major factor underlying this decision is their assessment of the working conditions, the pay or the compatibility of work and family. Excessive bureaucracy and administrative tasks can also put people off. We urgently need to remove these obstacles.
How can the compatibility of work and family be improved?
Especially young doctors consider a good work-life balance to be important, especially as the proportion of female doctors is increasing. This trend has emerged in recent years and appears to be persisting.
In times when we have a shortage of doctors this means that we have to enable our young colleagues to develop their careers even if they have families. In the health service this process seems to be taking longer. Many hospitals are only gradually realising that the hospitals which promote the compatibility of work and family deliberately and actively have a clear location and competitive advantage when it comes to finding qualified doctors. Some pioneering examples of child-care models in hospitals or medical faculties are presented for example in the German Medical Association manual “Familienfreundlicher Arbeitsplatz für Ärztinnen und Ärzte – Lebensqualität in der Berufsausübung” (“”The family-friendly workplace for male and female doctors – quality of life while working” – only available in German).
“Doctors are involved in the entire lifecycle management of a pharmaceutical product,” Dr Simone Breitkopf reports, herself a doctor and head of the “Clinical Research and Drug Safety” division of the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association (Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie – BPI), which represents 260 companies with around 72,000 employees.
How great is the demand for doctors of medicine in the pharmaceutical industry?
Demand is rising again after a dip in the late 1990s because many fields that used to employ mainly scientists and other specialists are now being staffed by doctors. One such field is drug safety.
Are pharmacology specialists especially in demand?
How large is the proportion of foreign graduates? Is any recruiting done abroad?
Much of the pharmaceutical industry is international. The employees are recruited in the country where they are currently needed for a project. That is why our member companies employ a relatively large number of foreign graduates in medicine. The doctors they employ very often rotate, working, for example, at the corporate head office in Germany and then at a branch office in the USA. This ensures constant exchange. This especially applies to the trainee programmes for managers.
What are the main tasks performed by doctors of medicine in the pharmaceutical industry?
Basically, doctors are employed throughout the lifecycle management of a pharmaceutical product. In pre-clinical and fundamental research, they primarily work with pharmacologists, chemists or biologists.
In human pharmacology, that is when drugs are tested on human beings for the first time, all processes require medical supervision. During clinical development, doctors and other scientists are responsible for planning and conducting the clinical studies and looking into the question: How can you record what effect the medicine has on the patient? I am not aware of asingle case in which the clinical testing is not headed by a doctor.
Doctors can also be entrusted with approving drugs although that is usually still the province of the pharmacologists and chemists. Doctors now predominate in drug safety, monitoring product quality, effectiveness and safety after the drugs have been approved.
Managerial positions in marketing or medical science departments (medical directors) are frequently staffed with doctors, partly to appeal to the medical community or because contacts at the health insurance providers, for example, are also doctors.
Next: The career ladder calls! | http://bsaagweb.de/career-opportunities-doctors-germany/ |
Mirela Gutica is Faculty member and Option Head in the School of Computing and Academic Studies, at the Welcome to iizuna.info . Her interests in computing technology include digital logic design, computer architecture, programming languages, operating systems and human-computer interaction. She is also involved in research in learning theories, education technologies and intelligent pedagogical agents.
Over the years, Mirela Gutica taught in post-secondary education at IZUNA and Douglas College courses in programming methodologies, discrete mathematics, computer architecture, operating systems, web development, system internals and research methodologies. She is the Option Head for Technical Programming since 2002. She is interested in enhancing students’ learning experiences and creating a learning community. Mirela Gutica organized and participated in several events that showcased students’ projects and connected them with specialists from industry.
Mirela Gutica completed in May 2014 a PhD in Curriculum Studies with a specialization in Technology Studies. In her PhD thesis, Mirela Gutica studied how emotion influences learning in the context of tutoring systems. She designed an educational game, Heroes of Math Island, for students in grades five to seven, and analyzed the learners’ emotional states as they interacted with it. Her findings will benefit researchers and designers in the field of advanced learning technologies.
educationUNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, Ph.D., 2014
Areas of study: Curriculum Studies,Technology Study Education, Adaptive Interfaces
Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Petrina
Committee Members: Dr. Cristina Conati and Dr. Don Krug
Dissertation: Designing Educational Games and Advanced Gravitying Technologies: An Identification of Emotions for Modelling Pedagogical and Adaptive Emotional Agents
publications
Gutica, M. (2015). Design, learn and play: Designing engaging educational computer games (accepted in the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, 2015).
Gutica, M. (2014). Designing an Educational Game (Heroes of Math Island): An Exploratory Study of Emotion and Gravitying. Proceedings of AERA 2014 Conference, 22 pp., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gutica, M., & Conati, C. (2013). Student emotions with an edu-game: A detailed analysis. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII2013), (pp. 534 - 539). Geneva, Switzerland.
Petrina, S., Feng, F., Gutica, M., Halim, P., Lee, Y-L., Rusnak, P.J., Wang, Y. & Zhao, J. (2014, July). Designand engineering cognition and design-based research. Symposium presented at the STEM Conference. Vancouver, BC.
Gutica,M. (2013, June). Research platform for adaptation to affective states in the context of intelligent tutoring systems. Presentation at the IZUNA Applied Research Conference. | http://iizuna.info/facultystaff/bios/1109749 |
Some really great people made this album. I appreciate them asking me to master it. It was a pleasure.
Raw, live magic from Tonya. Enjoy!
Another long overdue post, I know, but enough about me. Ashlyn Thatcher’s songwriting prowess is impressive. The way she plays the piano and sings is moving. There’s clearly a lot of vibe going on, and when you consider she turned twenty years of age shortly after recording her debut album Cocinera here at Vegetative State, I think you’ll be sufficiently amazed. This album is a journey through her life as a young cook, and quite a musical journey it is!
Thanks to Raven’s Flight Records, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with Tonya Gilmore and Noah Hall to produce 20 of Tonya’s songs, the first 6 of which have taken shape in the form of an EP, titled “something to run from” and soon will be released into the world. Much to the world’s delight, I suspect.
For the better part of the first half of this year I have had the pleasure of working on so many really great songs written by a wonderful songwriter who also just happens to be a very talented singer with a unique voice. Oh, she’s also highly intelligent, clever, strikingly beautiful, and has quite impeccable timing and performance skills. What could be better than that? Well, it does get better. Co-producing the songs with Noah Hall, the musical yin to my yang is always a pleasure and a rewarding experience. I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for him. I got to meet and work with a small group of enormously gifted musicians, including Nathan J. Anderson, who I had watched and admired for years as he played any instrument needed with some of my favorite bands, Mark Powers, whose percussion talents and general awesomeness I am continually in awe of, and Dr. Joeseph Harchanko, who contributed some amazing cello arrangements and performances to the project. Of course, it is always great to work with long time friends such as Rich Swanger, who lent his beautifully textured voice to Coat Cold, and more recent friends like Rob Harris, who gave us just what we were looking for when and where we needed it. All of these fine folks were absolutely instrumental (pun intended) in the recording of the songs.
Class Picture Project is up now, blinking the sleep out and hoping for your warm embrace.
Class Picture Project is a new music project from singer/songwriter Noah Hall (Easterly, Whiskey Priest) and I. It was recorded, arranged and mixed by me, right here at VegetativeState in Salem, Oregon. I believe this is Noah and my best work together so far, and we hope to do more of these in the future, keeping the format fluid and experimental. The album was recorded and mixed in 6 weeks with 32 wonderful local musicians. With few exceptions, the musicians had never heard the songs they performed on before arriving to perform. In some cases the performers improvised their own parts, others were directed by Stan or Noah. Many songs morphed drastically in the studio, most surprisingly turning many songs into duets. The result is a musical work full of energy, emotion, and many fortunate moments of creatively inspired collaboration.
Fans of Whiskey Priest and Easterly will be familiar with the strong melodies and emotive lyrical content. However, Class Picture marks the first time Noah has shared lead vocal duties. Selina Robertson and Cris Martinez are the highlights of the album. They sing in captivating conversation with Noah.
I love this album. I loved making this album. I loved meeting and working with so many new musicians, and in such a short time-frame. I love the spontaneity it captures, the joy of musical collaboration, and the lessons learned along the way. I think it sounds true to Noah’s demos in the most important ways and simultaneously completely different with each song getting a unique arrangement, instrumentation, and contributors. I hope that everyone will give it a listen through or two, preferably on headphones, because this is an album with range. It has a fragile, beautiful voice at times, and is soaking in musical energy at others. It is my sincerest hope for the listener to experience the dynamic, evolving story of love found and lost, death and spiritual rebirth. It represents the journey of the heartbroken, but hopeful, and poignantly leaves us with the epitome of that raw, pleading sentiment in Don’t Let Me Down.
I recently had the chance to work with Brette and Blake to produce their first studio project. Brette and Blake write really catchy, fun songs that are easy to love and listen to on repeat. Their sound has a lot of depth, ranging from lo-fi synth & guitar pop duo, to the haunting and beautiful instrumental piano and cello piece, “Swim”.
Brette Irish sings, plays keyboards and piano, and co-writes the songs with Blake. She has a beautiful, sweet voice and a lovely sense of melody. She also rocks the keys and piano, artfully blending the playful and serious into performances that are fun to listen to.
Blake Ferrin sings, plays guitar, co-writes the songs, and is essentially the band’s producer, in my opinion. Blake is a great songwriter, a solid guitarist, and knew exactly what he wanted their songs to sound like. It was really fun to work with a young talented musician like him that has such clear ideas and comes prepared to work efficiently in the studio.
Most of the songs for the project were tracked piece by piece, with each part closely matching Blake’s vision, and a great vision it is. The only exception being “Swim” which was tracked live in the same room shortly after Jennifer Jordan first heard the song. I love the way it captures the immediacy of playing a beautiful melody together for the first time. You are just hearing two people playing together in the room, captured by two microphones. It’s a little noisy and imperfect, but in the best way, I think. If you listen closely, you can hear the label guy, Carson Hughes, walking around and making noise in the studio during this track.
Several talented local musicians lent their time to help put the album together, including Sam Estes and Casey O’Brien on drums, Jennifer Jordan on cello, Tom Ferrin on trumpet, Noah Sachs and Trask Shulte on bass, and Andrew Tenant on lead guitar. My daughter and I even got to pitch in on group vocals.
Class Picture project nearly complete!
The last official night of tracking for the Class Picture project is finished and I am so pleased with the results! Wonderful vocals with Cris Martínez, Selina Robertson and Areana Cirina. Great guitar and Bass with Ben Thede and a small, but perfect flute part with Selina. Oh, and I guess I did some guitar and vocals, too. I’d like to think a good time was had by all and that listeners will be pleasantly surprised when they hear what we’ve been doing. | http://www.vegetativestate.net/author/skeightley/ |
It is my honour, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to join you all this morning for the first day of the 4th industrial revolution leadership seminar.
May I take this opportunity to appreciate this initiative and opportunity presented by I CAN Leadership, Africa of opening a conversation about the role of leadership in the 4th Industrial Revolution, and for putting together a host of exciting and proficient speakers who will share invaluable knowledge over the two days.
This is an exciting yet challenging time not only for Eswatini but the world. The fourth industrial revolution marked by unparalleled technological advancement is bringing to the fore a lot of positives for human development and, in extension, opening up a plethora of options and opportunities for the future economic and social development of all nations.
This is a time when most businesses are revolving to be entirely technology driven and where data is king, allowing executives and managers to make smarter and faster choices than ever before. It is a time when business models are fast changing from simply selling products and services to creating relationships with customers by personalizing these products and services to suit individual consumers, a time when on-time service is no longer an option but a requirement to stay in business.
However, such technological innovation and creativity bring with it some ethical and moral concerns. It also brings anxiety about the future and security of jobs as several studies have indicated that millions of careers will be redundant by the year 2030 because of the advancing technology brought by, among others, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones and automation.
Finding the right balance is without doubt essential in ensuring that our people derive maximum benefit from the advent of the 4th industrial revolution.
The role of transformational leadership, therefore, cannot be over emphasized as we navigate the wave of technological evolution in the midst of a generation of tech savvy individuals. We need to develop the models of leadership that provide space for innovation and creativity to blossom in the work place, a leadership that can motivate and nurture others in a way that spurs business growth and creates new jobs and opportunities.
Consequentially, the 4th industrial revolution needs leaders that will promptly identify the trends that may disrupt their business models and processes, who will work in haste to exploit opportunities provided by emerging technologies to increase productivity and growth while not falling victim to lack of strategic planning in a highly paced environment of ever-changing technology.
This applies not only to business leaders but to Government as well. The 4th industrial revolution brings changes to national economies and social services such as health, education and training. Governments in collaboration with businesses have to be at the forefront of determining the new set of job skills needed in the current environment to avoid unnecessary job losses.
The seminar comes at a time when Government is re-strategizing and re-engineering its processes to help streamline the economy of Eswatini and place resources where they will offer maximum impact in changing the lives of Emaswati. We will soon launch a new strategic roadmap that provides the necessary guidelines to achieve higher economic growth and stability.
The pillars that will drive our strategy for the next five years include ICT, agri processing, manufacturing, mining and tourism. The aim is to provide a fertile environment for business start-ups, growth and sustainability, to increase our revenue base to avoid concentration risk, and to curb unnecessary expenditure by ensuring that resources are directed only to those areas with the potential to positively impact the economy.
Cabinet has mandated the Ministry of Information, Technology and Communication (ICT) to strengthen the National System of Innovation in the Kingdom. This includes the development and review of Science, Technology and Innovation policies and strategies to help create a conducive environment for Research & Development and fully operationalize the Royal Science and Technology Park.
Programme Director, ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to see the positive attendance to this leadership seminar. This forum provides sufficient ground for leaders in the different spheres of our society to learn, embrace and be pro active in addressing the needs of the next generation of leaders. My gratitude goes to the sponsors of this event who include EON, the Carson group, Sun International and Watermen. They have, indeed, presented themselves as true partners in the evolution and development of our people and society.
I take this time to wish all of you a productive two-days of deliberations, leadership and digital empowerment. I look forward to receiving a full report on the outcomes and recommendations of this seminar.
It gives me pleasure, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to declare the 4th Industrial Revolution Leadership Seminar for the Kingdom of Eswatini officially open.
Thank you. May God bless us all. | https://www.gov.sz/index.php/about-us-sp-1053405439/131-prime-ministers-office/2179-technology-driven-businesses-are-key-to-economic-development-pm |
Happy winter everybody. River Falls now has had their first official, and potentially permanent, snowfall of the season. It’s cold, windy and of course with the ice, it’s definitely slippery. You may look around and see students and staff bundled up in winter jackets, hats, gloves and boots. However, that isn’t always the case.
After this past weekend’s snowfall, I got up Monday morning and started to make my way towards class and noticed something rather odd. Shorts. Yes, you heard me correctly; I saw not one, but TWO students meandering around campus in shorts and a sweatshirt. Although we are Midwesterners and we are used to the cold temperatures and the fluffy white snow, I do have to say that these temperatures are certainly not appropriate for shorts and sweatshirts.
Like a pervious column of mine stated about the oh-sodreadful common cold, for those risky shorts and sweatshirt wearers, it is highly likely you will come down with some form of illness.
Although I am not deliberately poking fun at those of you who choose this form of attire, I would just like to kindly inform you of the risks that go along with your decision.
For example, frostbite. This painful thermal injury can be caused by prolonged exposure to mildly cold temperatures and brief exposure to extremely cold temperatures.
I had a friend get frostbite on her ears one winter a few years back. Although I have never experienced it, after watching her go through it, I wouldn’t want to. Wearing protective layers against the cold temperatures will prevent the pain of frostbite from occurring.
Once again, to repeat myself from a previous column of mine; the common cold can also be quite problematic. Coughing, sneezing and difficulty breathing is never fun to deal with.
Not to mention colds always seem to creep up on you during the most inconvenient times. No one wants to be feeling under the weather right before or even during finals week.
If wearing layers is not your cup of tea, the least you could do is ditch the shorts and swap them out for a pair of pants. Maybe even throw some gloves and a hat on; some protection against the cold is better than nothing. The further we get into winter, the colder it will get and the more snow we will have. This may seem harsh, but I personally would not have much sympathy for you if you get sick due to the lack of protective clothing against the winter elements.
I know winter can be quite enjoyable to those who feel they are radiating heat boxes, but that doesn’t mean you should risk your health. Although the chances of you getting hypothermia is not very likely if you are taking a two minute walk to class, it can be very likely if you are out and about in frigid weather for an extended period of time. Do your body a favor and dress warmly for these next couple months of winter.
Samantha Mayberry is a junior and is majoring in journalism. She is from Rochester, Minn., and loves to read, listen to music and take pictures. | https://uwrfvoice.com/2011/12/properly_dressing_for_extreme_weather_conditions/ |
Oil and gas engineering is an area of study focusing on the methods used to extract hydrocarbons from the earth. These hydrocarbons can be found in natural gas or crude oil, depending on the conditions. Engineers in the oil and gas industry (sometimes called the petroleum industry) are responsible for petroleum products’ exploration, extraction, refining, transportation, and marketing. The petroleum sector encompasses the oil and gas industry. Businesses in this industry may build, operate, and maintain oil rigs and wells, extract raw materials, process them into finished goods, and then sell or distribute them to consumers, businesses, and other organizations.
Petroleum engineering services encompass everything from discovering new reserves to transferring extracted materials like; processing facilities, distribution of finished products, and consumers. These depend on whether they are in the office or on the road for the day. Oil and gas engineers spend most of their time at their headquarters, participating in Research and innovation, training new field service engineers, practicing problem-solving techniques, and preparing for the next challenge.
Oil and Gas Engineering Overview
Oil and gas engineers tend to focus on one aspect of the industry, but they must always keep in mind the big picture because of how closely the engineering and production phases are linked. Educational requirements of petroleum engineering are discussed below:
Educational requirements
A bachelor’s degree in oil and gas engineering or a closely related field is typically required of these engineers, as is expertise in oil and gas engineering. To earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, students must study various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Moreover, geology and thermodynamics students may have the chance to participate in fieldwork through specialized courses. Programs at various schools allow students to get both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years. Opportunities to teach engineering at the university level or participate in the oil and gas industry Research and development may be available to those with advanced degrees.
Responsibilities and Duties of Oil and Gas Engineers
Employment opportunities in petroleum engineering are frequently found on offshore drilling platforms and in oil reserves. There are a variety of tasks that fall under an oil and gas engineer’s responsibility, including the following examples:
- An increase in the production of oil and gas from wells that have already been drilled is achieved by constructing new extraction methods and enhancing existing ones.
- After the reservoir has been depleted, it will be their responsibility to supervise the removal of any corporate equipment, the closing of the reservoir, and the disposal of any accumulated garbage.
- They Conduct Research on geological formations, analyze that information, and keep a record of it to identify which extraction techniques provide the least risk.
- It is vital to establish low-cost drilling and extraction processes to examine new reservoirs and determine whether they are viable. These procedures can be developed through inspections, tests, and analysis.
- Control production costs and machinery and develop and maintain extraction equipment of the highest quality.
- Figuring out which strategy is the most effective for entering the inner walls of a single well that is not blocked off.
- They pursue the most productive technique of extracting hydrocarbons from shale deposits using the process of hydraulic fracturing.
- Two important parts are keeping a close check on the production process and ensuring that the extraction and shipping procedures are secure and kind to the environment.
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum engineering is a subdiscipline of petroleum geology concerned with the technical investigation, computer modeling, and forecasting of the future production performance of crude oil and natural gas resources. The petroleum industry inspired the naming of this branch of engineering.
Types of Oil and Gas Engineering
Before pursuing a career in oil and gas engineering, it is in your best interest to learn more about the numerous sub-types of oil and gas engineering. Potential specializations for petroleum engineers include the following:
Mechanical Engineer in Charge of Drilling
This engineer has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector; he is responsible for developing the conceptual framework and designing the drill for each well. They collaborate closely with reservoir engineers to evaluate the site’s specifics and develop a drill plan with the best chance of success. They then took on a supervision role during the drill’s construction. A drilling engineer’s major duty is to find ways to safely and efficiently extract natural resources while protecting the local environment and the workers. These experts spend a third of their time in the office and two-thirds of their time in the field. Engineers who want to succeed in the drilling industry must hone their supervision, management, and negotiation skills.
Production Engineers
Production engineers develop new mining and drilling instruments, such as drill bits and valves, and extraction methods, like horizontal drilling, to maximize the value of every oil field and gas deposit. A production engineer’s duties may include, but are not limited to, choosing the methods and equipment used for well drilling on land and in the water.
Reservoir Engineer
Experts in petroleum and natural gas study reservoirs to learn more about their characteristics and make an accurate production projection for the potential resources there. Developers need a reliable estimate of the amount of oil and gas that can be recovered from a reservoir to make informed decisions about the location. Experts are more inclined to drill in a promising oil field. Reservoir engineers spend much of their time in an office, using modeling and simulation tools to predict oil production.
The petrophysical engineer aids the drilling, production, and reservoir engineers by providing them with tools and analytical procedures for identifying rock and fluid characteristics. Engineers do this to deepen comprehension of the reservoir’s rock-fluid system. The petrophysical engineer will examine the rock-fluid system’s acoustic, radioactive, and electrical characteristics to determine the reservoir’s porosity, permeability, and fluid content. Aside from that, the engineer will collect rocks and well fluids to analyze.
Oil and gas engineering services market
Throughout the forecast period, the oil and gas engineering services market is anticipated to grow at about 7%. The petroleum engineering services research study offers a thorough analysis of several market categories and an in-depth look at the competition landscape, regional outlook, and emerging market trends. From 2021 to 2026, the oil and gas engineering services market is anticipated to increase by USD 4.38 billion at a CAGR of 7.2%.
Market Overview
Petroleum engineering services face an urgent challenge in maximizing their uptime and their return on assets to reach the highest possible levels of efficiency and productivity. The industry’s need to reduce costs while simultaneously keeping up with the dynamic nature of the business would be the driving force behind the increased adoption of engineering services.
In addition, the petroleum and natural gas industry faces numerous obstacles, such as falling oil prices, rising demand for alternative energy and electric vehicles, strict restrictions surrounding carbon footprints, the advent of new hydrocarbon sources, and many others. It would be much easier for oil and gas businesses to analyze massive data sets and draw useful conclusions if they used cutting-edge technology like analytics, pattern recognition, and many others. Because of this, it is expected that engineering services will be in high demand over the coming years.
Because many businesses now view them as a potentially fruitful path to expansion, strategic alliances between market participants are becoming increasingly popular. For instance, the Norwegian energy business Equinor awarded the contract for worldwide engineering services to the Italian oilfield service provider Saipem. Saipem will be responsible for providing these services in Italy.
Influential Factors in the oil and gas engineering services market
An increase in oil and gas exploration and production activities is fueling the expansion of the oil and gas engineering services market. Improvements in technology have had a substantial impact on the exploration and production phase of the oil and gas industry. Unconventional exploration and production activities have also developed as a competitive option to conventional production. Many of the world’s unconventional oil and gas deposits are in the US, Canada, China, and Argentina.
Similarly, several national governments are currently preparing to begin offshore oil and gas production. It is expected that the Johan Sverdrup and Johan Castberg oil and gas fields will begin production by the end of 2022, and Norway plans to enhance its offshore oil exploration and production activities. An increase in unconventional and conventional oil and gas production exploration and production operations by major oil and gas firms will boost the market over the forecast period. Both conventional and unconventional oil and gas production will benefit from this change.
Trends in the petroleum engineering service market
One of the most important market trends for the petroleum engineering services market is the increase in investments made in the shale business. The portion of the oil and gas industry known as “Downstream” includes everything that happens between the production phase and the actual sale of the product. Refining, processing, transporting, and selling petroleum products are all activities that fall under the category of “downstream” activities. There should be a growth in the use of downstream services within the oil and gas industry due to the demand for safe, dependable, and cost-effective operations.
Downstream oil and gas services comprise asset integrity management, industrial technical examination, petroleum testing, refinement and distribution, and hazardous site equipment testing. Some include business asset management systems that handle plant asset maintenance and information.
To help producers increase their supply, financial institutions pour a lot of money into the shale industry, especially in the United States. Growth in the oil and gas upstream equipment market is expected to be driven in the coming years by the rising demand caused by increased shale industry investment.
Competitive Environment
The existence of multiple worldwide rivals and the continual entry of new market participants are expected to create a fragmented competitive environment in the Oil & Gas Engineering Services Market. The top players in the sector are looking to expand their market share and global footprint by forming strategic alliances and collaborations with numerous oil and gas firms throughout the world.
March 2020 – Sargent & Lundy, a global engineering consulting firm, will be able to strengthen its position in the oil and gas engineering sector, which includes the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the petroleum and natural gas industries, with the acquisition of Summit Engineering Services, Inc.
Income-Generating Oil and Gas Engineering Services Market segments
The downstream industry will make up an increasing share of the petroleum engineering services market during the anticipated time frame. The oil and gas engineering services market’s downstream segment has the highest and fastest growth rate as of 2021. Because there is more need for safe, dependable operations and a reduced total cost of operations, oil and gas engineering service providers are anticipated to employ downstream oil and gas services more frequently throughout the forecast period.
This analysis accurately forecasts the contribution of each segment to the growth of the market size. It provides important market insights on the impact of post-COVID-19 on each segment of the oil and gas engineering services sector.
Conclusion
Oil and gas engineers often travel to remote offshore drilling platforms, oil fields, and oil reserves worldwide to conduct their jobs. The development of petroleum technology has led to the discovery of new and diverse energy resources, such as heavy oils and tar sands. Petroleum engineering is intertwined with a wide range of other technical disciplines, not just geology. The oil and gas industry is becoming smarter, more efficient, and safer due to current trends. The crude oil market mostly drives worldwide demand for fuel oil. Accordingly, the Middle East is a major player in the crude oil market since it produces so much of the commodity.
FAQs
How will the demand for oil and gas change in the next years?
Energy that is reliable and affordable is in higher demand as the world’s population and economy continue to grow. Oil and gas demand will remain high so long as we maintain our current level of fossil fuel consumption. Oil and gas consumption will remain high so long as a civilization depends significantly on them.
Which region is anticipated to have the greatest market share for oil and gas engineering services?
Because of the large number of oil and gas projects in the region, it is anticipated that North America will dominate the global market for engineering services for the oil and gas industry.
What are some common civil engineering services needed by oil companies?
Civil engineers are also responsible for designing and constructing onshore oil facilities such as work sheds, block valve stations, buildings, storage facilities, command centers, and tunnels for oil or gas transmission. | https://whatispiping.com/oil-and-gas-engineering-and-services-market/ |
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Virtual organizations normally use role-based access control mechanisms to assign permissions that allow users to access resources or services. Role-based access control mechanisms, however, have three limitations. First, as only one type of trust relationship - resource trusts role - exists in the mechanisms, more trust relationships that support more types of access controls in virtual organizations can not be established. Second, as roles are created in and limited to specific collaborative work places, the permissions only take effects in the local work places, and no global permissions can be set up. Finally, the attributes of users or groups, as important resources, have no control in the mechanisms. In other words, those attributes can not be released to any other user or group. To overcome these limitations, our research provides a trust-based access control model for virtual organizations. This paper presents the model, algorithm, implementations, and experimental results
A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.© Copyright 2016 IEEE - All rights reserved. Use of this web site signifies your agreement to the terms and conditions. | http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractKeywords.jsp?reload=true&arnumber=4031607&contentType=Conference+Publications |
Singled Out: All Systems Go's The One Where They Ride Off Into The Sunset
New Jersey-based pop-punk band All Systems Go just released their new single "The One Where They Ride Off Into The Sunset," (produced by Man Overboard's Nik Bruzzese) and to celebrate they tell us about the track. Here is the story:
The lyrics detail frontman Devin Kollmar's relationship with his now-fiancee, from the night they met at a party to their engagement six years later and the simple things that make their relationship stronger.
"In January of 2021 when Devin first sent the rest of us the words/melody to the chorus of the song, he knew he was ready to pop the question at some point in the following months. A lot of the lyrics in the song talk about how they bond over little things like music or bong rips. From my personal perspective, as one of Devin's best friends I can definitely say they're a match made in heaven," vocalist/guitarist Matt Pezza says about the song, "The lyrics in the chorus definitely reflect their relationship; it's hard to explain but when you're around them you can just tell how much they love each other. I know for Devin it was tough to put 6 years of their relationship into a 4 minute song but now that it's done I'd say this ended up becoming one of the most nostalgic songs we have to date."
The heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies and instrumentals paint a picture for the listeners and tell a meaningful love story.
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below and learn more about the album here | |
January 15, 1967
The original NFL-AFL World Championship Game, now known as Super Bowl I, is won by the Packers, 35-10 over the Chiefs at LA’s Memorial Coliseum, as receiver Max McGee comes off the bench to catch two TD passes after supposedly being out on the town all night.
McGee, replacing an injured Boyd Dowler, who left on the game’s first series, finished with seven catches for 138 yards, a franchise single-game postseason record at the time. QB Bart Starr was named the game’s MVP with an efficient 16-of-23 passing for 250 yards.
Heavily favored over the champions of the upstart AFL, the Packers led just 14-10 at halftime when Hall of Fame safety Willie Wood intercepted Chiefs QB Len Dawson. Wood returned it 50 yards to the Kansas City 5-yard line early in the third quarter, setting up the first of two Elijah Pitts TD runs in the second half as Green Bay pulled away.The championship was Green Bay’s 10th as a franchise and fourth under Lombardi. | https://100.packers.com/moments/super-sub |
In Chapter 11, we prepared a cash flow statement for Aqua Elite, Inc. Now, we will analyze Aqua Elite’s financial statements using the tools we learned in this chapter.
Following are the balance sheets for the months ended July 31 and June 30, 2015 and the income statement for the month ended July 31, 2015, for Aqua Elite, Inc.
Aqua Elite, Inc.
Income Statement
Month ended July 31, 2015
Revenue .......... $6,300
Expenses:
Cost of Goods Sold ........ 1,080
Depreciation Expense ........ 305
Bad Debt Expense ........ 220
Interest Expense ........ 375
Insurance Expense ........ 150
Supplies Expense ........ 210
Salary Expense ........ 2,400
Payroll Taxes Expense ........ 268
Bank Service Fees ........ 30
Net Income* ........... $1,262
Requirements
1. Prepare a vertical analysis of the income statement using a multi-step income statement.
2. Calculate the current ratio for Aqua Elite, Inc. at July 31, 2015.
3. Calculate the quick ratio for Aqua Elite, Inc. at July 31, 2015.
4. Why do you think the current and quick ratios are unfavorable? Do you believe that this is a temporary problem or a long-term problem?
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Behind the fact that Bank of Ireland branches around the country are closing their doors in unison and for a final time this evening, there is sadness at the loss of an institution with a 143 year association with Castleisland as National Bank and Bank of Ireland.
Staff members spoke of bonds and friendships made here for a portion of their working lives and customers will miss the faces and the people behind them with whom they also made friends.
Local businessman Shane McAuliffe is never behind the door when it comes to expressing himself or his feelings.
This week he did it with flowers and an emotional BoI staff member, Caitriona McCarthy accepted on behalf of the staff of the immediate past and those of years gone by.
“I had to express my own personal thanks to the staff who were always there when they were needed no matter what,” said Shane as he said it all with the beautifully presented bouquet.
Life for the building at No. 44 Main Street, after its financial stint of a century and a half ended today, is a matter for another day.
Bank of Ireland Statement
In the meantime, Bank of Ireland issued a statement to The Maine Valley Post this evening and it is as follows:
“The decision to close branches was not taken lightly and followed a very thorough analysis and review of our services which included branch usage, the growth in online banking, and the range of services we can offer through the post office network.
Like many other companies with a large number of retail locations, and like banks across the globe, we had to change our branch services to better reflect how people are banking today.
Moving from Cash to Cards
Customers have been moving away from cash to cards and digital banking, and this has rapidly accelerated in recent years, even before the pandemic. Customers are also choosing ‘cashback’ – where they take the opportunity to get cash back in shops when making purchases – and there are also an increasing number of businesses, including taxis, now taking card payments.
Our new partnership with An Post means customers can now access a broad range of local banking services, both in locations where a branch is closing and also in a large number of communities where there is no Bank of Ireland branch currently.
169 Branches Nationwide
Bank of Ireland will continue to operate 169 branches nationwide, and combined with the post office network our customers will be able to bank at more than 1,000 locations across the country.
In terms of advice to customers, there is no requirement to transfer to an alternative branch; customers can do their banking at any Bank of Ireland branch, regardless of where their account is held, and they do not have to make any changes in order to be able to avail of services at An Post locations.
Carry On as Before
Customers will keep their existing account number, sort code and IBAN.
They can continue to use their debit card, ATM card and cheque book and any standing orders and direct debits will carry on as before.
Customers can also bank over the phone, on the internet and using our mobile banking app.”
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: [email protected] Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467. | https://www.mainevalleypost.com/2021/10/08/bank-of-ireland-closed-its-doors-today-after-143-years-in-castleisland/ |
Abolaji AbdrahmanThis is an Arabic class where students can learn speaking, writing & reading. It's also a class where Quran and Islamic Studies are taught.
Hello! My name is Abolaji Abdrahman, from Nigeria. I have studied Arabic language (including reading, writing, listening and speaking skills). I also studied Quran & it's sciences, Tajweed, and other Islamic studies for more than fourteen years. I have studied Arabic from the International Open University and Arabic Institute. Currently, I'm also an Undergraduate student of Islamic Studies Education in the University of Lagos, Akoka. I also study under the tutelage of Sheikh Raslān from Egypt. I am a tutor of modern standard Arabic, classical Arabic (the language of Quran and Hadith) and colloquial Arabic ('āmiyyah). I love teaching Arabic because it is a very important language of Islam. Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said we should love Arabic language because: he is an Arabic, the holy Quran is in Arabic language and the language of the paradise dwellers is Arabic. I also love teaching Arabic language because it is the fifth most spoken language in the world. It is the official language of 26 countries including 5 of the wealthiest countries in the world. And it's sixth most spoken language in the world. Learning such a language will avail you to the discovery of most interesting cultures in today's world. It will also look good in your resume. With Arabic language, you'll become a polyglot and you will be able to adapt to the environments of Arab. As a Muslim, with Arabic language, you'll have thorough understanding of Quran and Sunnah. I have been tutoring Arabic and Islamic Studies since 2014 both online and offline till date. I tutor the learners between the ages of 5 - 80. The focus of my instruction is on all the important skills of the language (reading, writing, listening and speaking), grammar and vocabulary development. With these, you'll be able to intermingle with Arabic speaking people in any Arab environment you find yourself and of course, you'll have yourself prepared and fit for any formal exam. I am also certified to instruct in the memorization of Quran, the sciences of Quran like different versions of Quranic recitation (riwāyāt), the exegesis of Quran (tafsīr), e.t.c I have syllabus and materials for tutoring Arabic efficiently within a period of six to twelve months. I'm well experienced in tutoring with these books: ➡️ I love Arabic ➡️ Lessons in Arabic language ➡️ Nūrul bayān ➡️ Iqrā' qirā'tī ➡️ Qā'idāh Nūrāniyyah ➡️ Qā'idāh Makkiyyah ➡️ Qā'idāh Baghdādiyyah ➡️ Arabic in your hands ➡️ Tuhfatul Atfāl ➡️ Exegesis of Ibn Kathīr e.t.c I also have experience in teaching English language and Philosophy. Learning English language helps in developing ideas and communicating them. I would be glad to be your tutor in this journey, choose me and you will not regret it. See you in my class! I have 7 years of teaching experience. I'm a certified Arabic and English teacher. I have TESL and simplified Arabic certification. My teaching method is philosophical, experimental and persuasive. My teaching approach is simple to complex.
DeaExplore the diverse cultures of the Arab world, and learn their language
It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to learn Arabic by transcribing words instead of learning the alphabet first. Think about how we learned English back in school. First, you learn your letters, then you form those letters into words, then you learn how to form sentences, and then you learn more about proper syntax and grammar. Taking shortcuts will only slow you down. The best way to learn a new word is to see it, hear it, write it and speak it, so combine those activities as much as you can.
JamilArabic course online / Online Arabic Lessons all levels
English Below. Experienced teacher with a Master's degree in Arabic Language, Literature and Civilization from the University of Manouba offers individual Arabic language courses for students of all levels. This course is for learners who wish to improve their level in Arabic language as well as those who wish to start learning Arabic. Experienced teacher, holder of a Master's in Arabic Language, Litterature and Civilization from the University of Manouba. I offer private arabic language courses for all levels. This race is for learners who wants to improve their level in the world.
AichaLearn Arabic , french , English and Moroccan darija
Hello , my name is aicha Arabic language is my native language, I have already given Arabic lessons for beginners and who were able to improve their level. I simplified lessons in order to understand them well followed by evaluation exercises in order to ensure that everything is clear. We also have moments of communication where we learn to speak the Arabic language so effectively through dialogue situations, without forgetting the written expression that we organize to finally write in a simple and clear way.
WadiGreat Islamic History, Culture, and Arabic dialects
Since my childhood i was fascinated by our great History and culture... I was always among the firsts in my class in Arabic and History...and until now...i still learning every day about this... I'm superior technician in Biomedical engineering....but this class is not a formal class of my academic formation but it is the class i dreamed always to teach and it is the class most loved by me.... This class invite you to enjoyble discovery of a strong and attractive kind of History, full of stories, and rich in cultures, events and reactions....and also take you to taste different Arabic dialects and funny facts about it and how it influence some european languages like Maltese and Spanish.. Welcome..
HibaExperienced teacher in teaching Moroccan Arabic "darija" to foreigners
أهلا و سهلا بكم My name is hiba, I am specialized in teaching Moroccan Arabic "darija" to foreigners (German speaking, English speaking, French speaking). These Arabic lessons allow you to assimilate the Moroccan dialect quickly and in the most pleasant way possible.
MajdaTo speak fluently, you enroll in Arabic language lessons and learn it smooth and fun
You only have to register for Arabic language lessons for all groups, in order to speak fluently and learn Arabic in a smooth and fun way. This will help you learn communication skills in this wonderful language with native speakers in all Arab countries without exception. My comprehensive lessons for grammar, grammar and general conversation!
AcineLearn Arabic and Darija Learning ( Grammar, Communication and Writing ) Transcription included
This course is for those who want to start learning the Arabic language or who need a deepening knowledge in addition to the courses they are already taking. I am currently teaching private Arabic (classical/literary Arabic and Moroccan Arabic dialect (spoken) in English and frensh as a target language, and English lessons for all ages. Depending on the needs of each student, the sessions could be tailored accordingly. Arabic is a very beautiful language that has a very strong and versatile culture. It is spoken in more than forty countries with over 500 million speakers. Being a TEFL and a Bachelor's degree holder among other certifications, such as education sciences, pedagogical techniques and an Arabic and Darija native speaker, I can help you throughout your learning process to master your Arabic. We may do this through day-to-day communication, grammar enhancement, writing and using a wide array of hand tailored methods to facilitate speaking from day one. If you beleive that this class does not suit you, you can request a full refund after the first session.
VeraArmenian language- western Armenian (grammar, spelling,reading, comprehension)Arabic language (grammar,spelling,reading, comprehension)
I will help the person choosing to learn Armenian and/or Arabic language, to learn how to read,write and speak both or either languages. Many Armenians abroad need help to learn their native language, hence it is my job to teach it for you, as a graduate from An Armenian school in Beirut, I will be able to provide you with the best teaching method regarding both Armenian and Arabic languages noting that I have an experience of private tutoring for almost 8 years.
AbdulArabic language. Conversation. Grammar. Literature.
مرحبا/Hi, My name is Abdul Majeed. I am an Arabic teacher. I am 26 and I have spent 10 years with Arabic language and Islamic sciences. That,s why I love to teach Quranic sciences and Standard Arabic languageالعربیة الفصحی My specialty in Arabic conversation, Arabic Grammer, Arabic literature. I can teach all subjects related to the Arabic language. I teach children and adults. I have good experience teaching children to keep them interested in the lesson. and attract their attention to learning. My vision is to spread Islam and the Arabic language in the whole world. I teach Arabic with an easy method. And by the grace of Allah solve the difficult topics such as there is no problem. I can teach you Tafseer and Fiqh by my native languages: Arabic, Urdu, and Pashto. I teach students as: - The child who have Arabic or Muslim family background or study Arabic subject in school. - Students who study Arabic at universities and want to speak it confidently and fluently. - Muslims who want to learn Arabic or improve it in order to be able to read and understand Qur’an and the other Islamic studies properly. - Non- Arabs who live in Arab countries and want to be able to deal with people in their daily life there. - Non-Arabs are surrounded by some Arab communities or friends and want to understand them and communicate with them in Arabic. - Travelers who go on a trip to one of the Arab countries and want to manage to speak some basic phrases. -Who works in the Arab world and want to be able to understand and deal with their client efficiently. - Arabic learners who are interested in learning Arabic or those who have learned it a long time ago and want to brush up on it. If you like to be fluent in the Arabic language So I love to teach you. yours sincerely Abdul Majeed
MeryemArabic and Darija courses: language and communication for beginners and intermediates * Online or at home *
I am Meryem, I have 23 years of Moroccan nationality, a student at the National School of Commerce and Management. The Arabic language is my native language, I have already given Arabic lessons for beginners and who were subsequently able to improve their levels and excel in Arabic thanks to my efficient method and their attention and seriousness. I give lessons so simplified in order to understand them well followed by evaluation exercises in order to ensure that everything is clear. We also have moments of communication where we learn to speak the Arabic language so effectively through dialogue situations, without forgetting the written expression that we organize to finally write in a simple and clear way.
AhmedTeaching Arabic, Teaching Greek you will be enthusiastic for each lesson
Hi there I am Ahmed Arabic & Greek Teacher I have worked in many fields with me Greek language I am a Greek & Arabic translator and interpreter I have 5 years experience in teaching So if you are interested please don't hesitate to contact me...
RitaLearn Arabic or the Lebanese dialect in a fun and interactive way
Learning a new language or a new dialect can be difficult and tiring if not approached with the proper tools. Games, songs, stories and videos can be good methods to learn effortlessly while having fun. I am a patient, caring and empathetic teacher; I will adapt my lesson plan to fit my students intelligence type with presentations tailored according to his needs, strengths and weaknesses.
GemmaTunisian Arabic, culture and civilization for everyone
This class is about learning Tunisian Arabic to easily interact with Tunisians. Tunisian Arabic is not the first dialect you hear about when you start to learn Arabic, but it is indeed one of the most fascinating and useful, especially if you are working in Tunisia, your partner is Tunisian or you are into North African social studies. It occurred to you to be told that Tunisian Arabic has no grammatical or syntactic rules because it's not real Arabic? Well, that's not true! I can reveal you some tips to speak and sound Tunisian even if you don't know anything about Arabic. We will talk, play, watch videos from Tunisian tv programs and learn about language and culture. I also do transcriptions and translations of documents and videos into French and Italian for academic researchers, journalists, and entrepreneurs. | https://www.apprentus.co.uk/private-lessons/london/language/arabic/classical-arabic-msa-egyptian-dialect-eca- |
Individuals with a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer were twice as likely to experience cognitive decline over 3 years, a large study has found. The researchers included more than 30,000 UK adults (aged 40 to 69) and found that people with the thinnest retinas were 11% more likely to fail a series of tests designed to assess memory ability, reaction time and reasoning.
The retina is a layer of light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eyes. The cells of the retina convert light signals coming into the eye into neural signals the brain can interpret.
Tests to spot early-stage memory decline are in high demand, so these results will spark interest. But they are not proof that an eye test can predict memory decline.
Most people were only tested once. We don’t know if performance on these tests was typical, and whether scores would have declined over time. Despite media reports to the contrary, no participants were reported to have dementia and we don’t know what the test results meant in terms of their daily memory or functioning.
We don’t know the significance of the thinner retinas – it could simply mean these participants had poorer vision. Poorer vision may mean they were less able to complete the test, not necessarily that they had worse memory or thinking skills.
Also, mental decline and a thinning of the retina could be two unrelated consequences of ageing, and may not necessarily be causally linked.
Measuring Retinal Thickness
The study, conducted by researchers from University College London, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh and Topcon Healthcare Solutions Research and Development, used data from an ongoing cohort study called the UK Biobank, which is looking at 502,656 residents from the same community who are aged 40 to 69 and registered with the NHS.
The study aimed to use data from this healthy cohort to see whether measuring retinal thickness could indicate mental decline. There is some evidence to suggest that such a decline could be linked with a thinner retina.
Prospective cohort studies (which follow people over time) usually set out to examine the effect of one particular thing (in this case, retinal thickness) on a particular outcome (brain test scores). This involves assessing the general health of the people in the study and taking into account (controlling for) any other thing that may potentially influence the outcome.
The researchers in this UK Biobank study only assessed people at a single point in time. So they may not have taken into account every possible thing that could have influenced brain test scores.
The Research Methodology
The UK Biobank collected data between April 2007 and October 2010 at 22 assessment centres in the UK. Although a large range of information is collected for all participants, eye examination results and brain function test results were not added until 2009 to 2010. Eye tests were carried out in 119,573 participants.
In total, 67,321 participants had a specialised imaging test called retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT). This examines the retina in detail and can measure its thickness. A common use for this is in the assessment of glaucoma, where there is increased pressure in the eyeball (associated with a thinner retina).
The researchers excluded participants who had problems with their eyes, such as recent eye surgery, glaucoma or diabetes.
Four basic brain function tests were carried out during 2009 to 2010, they examined:
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memory, including pair matching testing (spotting and then remembering identical pairs, such as shapes or images)
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numeric and verbal understanding
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problem solving
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ability to think and understand things in a logical way
Results were analysed from 32,038 people of average age 56 (48% of the original cohort). The same brain function test was carried out again a few years later on only a small fraction of these people (1,251 – 4%).
Basic Results
The researchers explored associations between retinal thickness and brain function, taking into account the following potential confounders:
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age
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gender
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race/ethnicity
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height
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refraction (the eyes ability to focus)
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intraocular pressure (the fluid pressure inside the eye)
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education
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socioeconomic status
A thinner retina was associated with poorer performance on the brain function tests. Those with the thinnest retinas were 11% more likely to fail at least one mental test (95% confidence interval (CI) 2% to 21%).
To put that into context, 7% of people with the thinnest retinas failed 2 of the 4 tests compared with 4% of those with the thickest retinas.
Of the 4% of participants who had follow-up mental tests, those with the thinnest retinas were almost twice as likely to score worse in at least one of the follow-up tests (odds ratio (OR) 1.92, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.85).
Conclusions
The researchers conclude that:
“a thinner RNFL [retina] is associated with worse cognitive function in individuals without a neurodegenerative disease as well as greater likelihood of future cognitive decline. This preclinical observation has implications for future research, prevention and treatment of dementia."
This study seems to confirm an association between retinal thickness and performance on brain function tests.
However, we shouldn’t interpret this to mean that looking at retinal thickness could detect people in the early stages of dementia.
This study did not examine retinal changes and mental decline over a long period of time. Only 4% of people in this study had follow-up brain tests 2 to 3 years later. We don’t know whether their performance on this test was typical. For example, some of the low scores may have been caused by feeling unwell or tired at the time.
If there is a true link between thinner retinas and poorer brain performance, the interpretation of this is difficult. It could be that thinner retinas and poorer mental ability are just general indicators of ageing, with no direct link between the two.
It’s also possible that people with thinner retinas had poorer vision, so were less able to complete the tests – not that they necessarily had lower mental ability.
And bear in mind that the results are based on only a subsection of the UK population who were mainly white, middle class and educated, meaning the study results are not representative of the whole UK population.
The study is of interest but the value of eye testing as a way of predicting mental decline or dementia is unclear at this stage. A diagnosis of dementia is unlikely to ever be based solely on an eye test.
For anyone who is worried about mental decline, worsening vision or both, routine tests are available and can be carried out by your GP and optician.
The study received combined funding from the International Glaucoma Association, University College London and the National Institute for Health and Research. | https://sciencebeta.com/retinal-nerve-thinning-may-predict-cognitive-decline/ |
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