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This course provides qualified ATCOs or other ATS personnel with the knowledge and skills they need to perform competence assessments on colleagues and/or students in the operational environment. Furthermore, it deepens appreciation for competence assessment’s beneficial impact on safety, as well as the development of the unit and the individual.
After completion of this course, the participants know:
- The many possibilities with competence assessment.
- The regulatory prerequisite regarding the assessor endorsement requirements.
- The role and responsibility of the assessor, including the formal and informal requirements embedded in the role.
- How to assess operational competence.
- Practical and theoretical assessment methods.
- Suitable communication tools and strategies.
Course structure
The Assessor course is 3 days in duration. We adapt our specific mix of methods to the background of the participants, and the estimated time we spend on individual subjects can vary according to the needs of the group. Our various methods include classroom lessons, group work/discussions, team/individual exercises, role-play, case studies, and self-study.
Content in brief
The course covers topics such as, but not limited to:
- Course introduction in which we take account of participants’ expectations and concerns regarding the role of a competence assessor.
- Human factors: the necessary mindset regarding the assessment and appropriate communication techniques in various situations.
- Regulations: EU requirements and recommendations for assessment, assessor endorsement, unit endorsement, unit competence scheme, revalidation, and renewal.
- Role and responsibilities of the assessor and the (in)formal requirements embedded in the role taking into account ethical challenges.
- Different views on competence and the purpose of competence assessment for the organisation and the individual.
- The various methods that can be used to conduct a practical assessment.
- The difference between continuous and dedicated assessment.
- Practical training: applying the acquired knowledge in scenario-based exercises including role-play. The focus is to make objective observations and to apply communication skills and techniques.
Prerequisites
Qualification as an Air Traffic Controller or other ATS personnel.
Compliance with regulations
- Compliant with Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340.
- Developed based on EUROCONTROL Guidelines for Competence Assessment edition 2.0, edition date 16.03.2005.
- Approved by the Swedish National Supervisory Authority.
Assessor
Prerequisites
- Qualification as an Air Traffic Controller or other ATS personnel. | https://www.entrypointnorth.com/services/assessor/ |
Spread your wings and fly!
Ofsted Report March 2015: ‘This is a good and improving school’
We are delighted to inform everyone that the outcome of our March 2015 Ofsted visit was ‘good overall’. The full report can be read here:
http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/110637
Highlights from the report include:
‘The school has a very positive atmosphere…pupils are polite and friendly….they show good attitudes to learning…and they work hard’
‘Pupils achieve well and make good progress; achievement is good and improving’
‘The Headteacher provides very strong leadership and the school is improving very quickly as a result’
‘The two Deputy Headteachers support the Headteacher well and complete a very effective senior team. They are both outstanding teachers who provide excellent role models for other staff’
‘Teachers have high expectations of pupils’ work and behaviour, and pupils respond to this’
‘The quality of teaching is good throughout. The quality of teachers’ marking is a particular strength’
‘The school offers a well-designed curriculum that is continually developing. It is enriched, for example by its focus on languages, outdoor learning and the wide range of clubs that enhance provision’
‘Pupils take great pride in their work, and exercise books are beautifully presented’
‘The school’s senior leaders are supported well by an effective group of other leaders, of subjects and of special education needs.
‘Pupils play well together and enjoy each other’s company’
‘There is little bullying at the school and pupils trust that staff will deal with issues promptly when they arise’
‘Teaching Assistants are well-informed and have a strong impact on ensuring pupils are able to achieve well’
‘Governance is effective because governors are committed to the school, are very keen for it to improve and have a realistic understanding of its current stage of development’
‘Governors…are provided with a range of useful information and…they use it to monitor spending of the pupil premium grant effectively.’
‘Strong relationships are evident in classrooms and throughout the school’
‘Early Years Provision is good. The school offers a high quality early years learning environment and children enjoy coming to school’
(In Early Years) ‘Children are given good opportunities to follow their own interests independently as well as working in adult-led groups’
‘A group of Year 6 boys told the Lead Inspector that it is ‘cool to learn’ at Littleport.
I would like to thank staff for all of their hard work, and the whole school community for their commitment and support for the school since the last Inspection - onwards and upwards! | https://www.littleport.cambs.sch.uk/news/detail/we-are-a-good-and-improving-school/ |
Togha Temur was a claimant to the throne of the Ilkhanate in the mid-14th century. Of the many individuals who attempted to become Ilkhan after the death of Abu Sa'id, Togha Temür was the only one who hailed from eastern Iran, and was the last major candidate who was of the house of Genghis Khan. His base of power was Gurgan and western Khurasan. His name "Togoy Tomor" means "Bowl/Pot Iron" in the Mongolian language.
A few months after the death of Ilkhan Abu Sa'id in 1335, Togha Temür became involved in the succession struggle. The governor of Khurasan, Shaikh 'Ali b. 'Ali Qushji, noting Togha Temür's relation to Chinngis Khan, proposed naming him Ilkhan, and most of the princes of eastern Iran were convinced to accept him as sovereign. After his name was added to the coinage and in the official prayers, an expedition into western Iran was planned. In that part of the country two Ilkhans, Arpa Ke'un and Musa Khan, had already been overthrown, and it was believed that the troops of Khurasan could overcome the instability there.
Depicted here is a Togha Temur’s coin minted in Esfarayen city. | https://www.mintageworld.com/media/detail/13313-silver-coin-of-togha-temur/ |
“How can we ask the question ‘how did the universe begin, without first having a pool of many possible universes, with many possible initial conditions, to choose from?”
Laura Mersini-Houghton is a cosmologist, theoretical physicist and Professor at the University of North Carolina. Laura's work focuses on the birth of our universe; she is a proponent of the multiverse theory which suggests that we are just one of many universes. Her theories have been successfully backed up by much astrophysical data. She appeared on the BBC programme What Happened Before the Big Bang alongside Michio Kaku, Neil Turok, Roger Penrose and Lee Smolin.
In Hay-on-Wye this May Laura will explore whether the Big Bang was really the beginning of it all in Our Story of the Universe. | https://howthelightgetsin.org/hay/ideas-and-culture/speakers/laura-mersini-houghton |
What is Information Security?
Published on February 6, 2019
Information is valuable to both organizations and individuals. It is therefore important that the information does not end up in the wrong hands being abused, but instead available to the right people and at the right time.
Effective security work is largely about minimizing and managing risks to ensure that the information is not leaked, corrupted or destroyed. In addition, the information must be available when needed. By managing risk levels, effective information security is ensured, where the cost of protecting the information is weighed against the value of the information.
FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION SECURITY
Information security applies regardless of whether the information is printed on paper, stored electronically, mentioned in a conversation or transmitted by email. Information security is thus a broad concept that includes:
- Legal – privacy protection for personal data through the means of, for example, requirements for registers of processing activities, personal data assistant agreements and a DPO
- Administrative protection– for example, the creation of rules and procedures to assist in, among other things, business continuity management
- Technical IT Security– technical controls in the IT environment such as fire walls, protection against malicious code and the maintenance of logs
- Education and awareness– increase knowledge and awareness in security matters, through the means of, for example, traditional education, webinars or awareness tools
Therefore, comprehensive information security work requires both a mix of controls involving people, processes and technologies, as well as expertise within matters concerning IT security, administrative duties and legal issues. Additionally, all knowledge and regulations must be communicated in a simple and clear manner. The entire organization and each individual must understand what is required from them and the significance of information security and its importance to the business. Security is never stronger than its weakest link, and therefore requires the organization to have a functioning security culture.
INFORMATION SECURITY STANDARDS
What security risks and threats your organization needs to protect against varies depending on the value of your information and complexity of your business. However, the end result should always be adequate protection that is good enough but at the same time not too complicated or too expensive. With such a flexible goal, it is no wonder that there exists several different standards, methods and best practice in the field of information security that aims to achieve this goal. Some common examples of such standards are the ISO 27000 Series, Critical Security Controls (CIS Top 20) and the NIST Framework for Cyber Security. There is also a wide range of laws and regulations that govern information security, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NIS Directive.
ISO 27000 (LIS)
SS-EN ISO / IEC 27001 Information Security Management System is an international multi-level standard in the area of management of information security work. In 2011, MSB launched the first methodological support for systematic information security work, then called method support for ISMS (information security management system). The method support is based on the 27000 standard.
CIS
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) has created a package of actions consisting of 20 control points designed to assist organizations and businesses prioritize between different security measures and create a secure cyber environment for both themselves and their co-workers.
NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has divided cyber security into five core processeswhich aims to provide a strategic picture of an organization’s risk management and its lifecycle in terms of cyber security.
DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation, also known as GDPR, can be described as information security concerning personal data only, while information security is about protecting all information that is worth protecting. Unlike many other standards, the requirements of GDPR are mandatory and also require organizations to be transparent about their processing activities, meaning the data subjects know who processes their personal data and why. | https://securestatecyber.com/uncategorized/what-is-information-security/ |
A consideration of the stylistic features in the classic poem Beowulf involves a study of the poetic verse, the vocabulary, alliteration, litotes, simile, kennings, variation and double-meaning or ambiguity. A consideration of the structure and the theme of the poem involve a wide diversity of opinion on the subject.
First, let us talk about style. The poetic conventions used by this poet include two half-lines in each verse, separated by a caesura or pause. The half-lines are joined by the oral stressing of alliterative words in the half-lines, both consonants and vowels (Tharaud 34). “At least one of the two stressed words in the first half-line, and usually both of them, begin with the same sound as the first stressed word of the second half-line” (Donaldson 67). When a word was stressed in the first half-line, its alliterative counterpart was stressed in the following half-line; the words could either complement each other, like holy/heaven or sin/enemy, or they could contrast each other like happy/wretched or warm/winter.
The repetition of the “s” sound in line 4 and of the “m” sound in line 5 illustrate alliteration, and this occurs throughout the poem, providing to the listener what the rhyme of modern-day poetry provides – an aesthetic sense of rightness or pleasure.
The vocabulary of the poem is remarkable in several ways. First of all, about one-third of the vocabulary is compound words. For the concept of “the sea” there are 50 different compounds; likewise there are 50 compounds for the concept of “a battle;” and 30 words for “king” (Chickering 5). It is truly amazing that in this poem of about 3000 lines there are 4000 vocabulary entries. Many of the compounds are different combinations of the same compound elements. These compounds, or formulas, are the backbone of Beowulf: Prof. Magoun, in examining the poem, considers it probable that a high percentage of the language in Beowulf is formulas (88-89), formed from a common “word-hoard” that all scops drew on for their vocabulary. On average there is a nominal or adjectival compound every other line, and a new compound in every third line. Many of these compounds did not exist in the average Old Englishman’s vocabulary; some are found only in this poem and nowhere else.
Of Revenge: Francis Bacon’s Optimistic Tale? | https://brightkite.com/essay-on/themebeo-epic-of-beowulf-essay-style-structure-and-theme |
A day after President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that the Obama administration had wiretapped him when he was a candidate, the White House sought to spin it as merely a request for more information and called on Congress to investigate.
"All we're saying is, let's take a closer look. Let's look into this. If this happened, if this is accurate, this is the biggest overreach and the biggest scandal," White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on ABC News.
That's not all the president said, however, when he spoke of the allegations as fact. "This is Nixon/Watergate," he wrote. NBC News has not found any evidence to substantiate President Trump's wiretapping claims.
White House Communications Director Sean Spicer released a statement that offered no evidence, instead saying the White House wouldn't comment until Congress had investigated his claims. The president "is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016," the statement said.
The White House's careful attempt to spin Trump's unequivocal allegations into a call for investigation comes just 24 hours after the president's early Saturday morning tweet storm when he said he'd learned he'd been wiretapped. He offered no evidence and, in the last day, both Republicans and Democrats have called on the White House to provide evidence to substantiate the claims.
Sanders said the president was "going off of information that he's seen that has led him to believe that this is a very real potential" but also noted that she hadn't heard the president's allegations before he tweeted them, and said she couldn't "speak 100 percent whether" he consulted others before tweeting them out. "I'm not sure," she said.
Spicer said the White House would not comment again until Congress had investigated the matter.
A spokesman for Obama disputed Trump's claims, noting that any accusation that the White House or Obama's administration ordered such surveillance is "simply false." On Meet the Press, the Obama administration's Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that, under his watch, "there was no wiretap activity mounted against the president-elect at the time, or as a candidate, or against his campaign."
Both Spicer and Sanders said the president was making allegations substantiated by media reports, but it's unclear exactly what reports they are, though Breitbart News and conservative radio host Mark Levin have reported claims similar to Trump's. | |
Freeing suppressed feelings
If you want to start releasing your repressed feelings, you first have to understand what feelings and emotions actually are. How do you know what you are feeling? Feelings and emotions are simply body sensations. Every feeling has its own body sensation. Fear has a different body sensation than anger or sadness. How else could we distinguish between the individual feelings and emotions?
The liberation of suppressed emotions is precisely about learning to perceive these body sensations again, to give them space, to allow them again.
Emotions are energy in motion (e-motion) that evoke individual body sensations.
The nature of emotion is to just flow through the body within a few minutes , you've probably seen it happen with little children. One minute they are crying, the next minute they are laughing. That's how healthy feeling of emotions and feelings works.
Freeing the suppressed feelings is about perceiving the feeling or emotion for what it is: E-motion, energy in motion. Energy in motion. Nothing more.
When you suppress a feeling, the energy (e-motion) stalls and gets stuck somewhere in your body in the tissue or an organ. Holding on to the story you tell yourself about the feeling, that's the painful part.
That is why it is important to separate the story you tell yourself about the painful situation from the feeling and to direct your attention only to the feeling, the body sensations. Then the stagnated energy of the suppressed feeling will start to move again and you can gradually free it.
You also learn again that emotions rush through your body in no time when you let go of the story about the emotion.
When you start to free your emotions, you will notice that there are emotions that are more on the surface and others that are several layers deeper, because emotions lie in layers on top of each other.
- You want to go deeper?
- You want to work on a specific topic?
- You are a head person and want to get back into your heart?
- You have challenges in feeling?
- You need someone to take you by the hand as you walk through your pain?
- You need someone to show you the causes of your patterns?
- You need support?
- You want inner child work in connection with the release of your repressed feelings?
- You are too afraid of your feelings?
- You want to stop running away from your feelings?
- You want to learn how to deal with your anger?
Book your appointment for your clarity talk if you want to go deeper.
How you too can learn to let go of repressed feelings again
I was also allowed to learn to allow suppressed feelings again. Everyone can learn this, you too!
I can tell you from my own experience that with some deep feelings it took several months until I could fully allow them again.
So, be patient with yourself and get support if necessary if you want to get to deep issues.
In the beginning, the feeling may only appear for a second and then disappear immediately because you push it away again.
Keep at it, you are on the right path. The path to your home.
The most important thing if you want to learn to allow feelings again
Childlike curiosity and openness!
Be curious like a little child! If you want to learn to allow feelings again, childlike curiosity, openness and willingness are the most important qualities to explore your feelings.
Where and how do I feel emotions?
You feel feelings in your body, not with your head. Feelings are bodily sensations such as heat, pressure, tingling, everything contracts, fists clench and much more. You observe the body sensations.
- Sit down in a quiet place where you feel safe.
- close your eyes
- take a few deep breaths in and out
- go into your body to a place where you feel a tension and ask yourself:
If a feeling were to sit there, what could it be?
- Observe what happens. Just observe
- Describe what you feel
Say to yourself in a curious voice, "Interesting what I'm feeling right now, interesting."
This puts you in the observer role and creates a distance to what you feel
Try it!
Your mind will try to interfere and start telling you a story.
Ignore this as much as you can.
Go back into the body again and again and observe the body sensations. Again and again.
In this way you can learn to develop awareness again and learn to allow feelings again.
What do I do when feelings arise in everyday life?
When you are in the process of learning to allow repressed feelings again, it will happen that feelings "knock", i.e. they want to be felt. Then allow this to happen. Try to let them be there, go into your body with your perception and feel.
When a repressed feeling comes knocking, you may become afraid of the emotional pain and unconsciously suppress it again very quickly.
That is fine and normal.
Don't feel bad when you have suppressed the feeling again, otherwise you give your body the signal that the suppression was not good. I.e. you have the focus on the negative.
Focus on the positive. You could feel the feeling for a few seconds!
Say to yourself, "Wow, I just felt something!" Say it out loud to yourself.
That's how it starts! With a few seconds. The next time it's a few seconds more and the next time it's even more. I started like this. You can do it too!
You will notice that over time you can allow the suppressed feelings to last longer. You will gradually lose the fear of letting the feelings out and allowing them.
Theimportant thing is that you focus on the fact that you were able to allow the feeling - no matter how long or how short - so you have a positive focus.
Why is this so important?
Because that gives the body the signal that it was good that you let the feeling out. Then your body will allow it again the next time. Because your body has linked it positively.
You don't have to know what it was that you felt. In the beginning, you often can't name the feelings that belong to the body sensations, that's normal. At some point, when you have felt it more often, a word suddenly comes into your head, and then you know that the stone on your chest that you felt all the time was fear, or that the strange feeling in the stomach area was shame. At some point you just know.
Dealing with anger and why hitting a pillow only helps to a certain extent
It's not about acting out feelings, screaming, punching a pillow. That can be good, yes, but that is acting out and has nothing to do with freeing feelings.
It is excellent to punch a pillow but still suppress feeling the emotion.
Maybe you also jog away your anger or resentment ?
Nothing is wrong with jogging! But if you use it to suppress your feelings, you make it difficult for yourself when you want to let out and release your suppressed feelings.
It isnot about controlling your anger, as you often read. Controlling anger is suppressing anger. And when you suppress anger, you automatically suppress other feelings, even the ones you want to feel.
It is about releasing your anger through feeling. Feeling happens inside you. If you learn to feel your anger, you will no longer do any harm on the outside, neither with words nor with deeds.
The key is when you feel something rumbling inside you:
- Retreat to a quiet place
- Sit down
- Close your eyes
- Become quiet
- Feel what is going on in the body
- Observe only the body sensations
- When your head starts telling you a story, go back into your body, again and again.
This also works with anger. It can be a very intense experience, but if you learn a healthy way of dealing with anger, you will find that you can deal with situations in a much healthier way. Your environment will notice this.
Again:
Controlling anger is suppressing anger.
If you are a head person
You have to know that you were not born as a head person. Emotions are felt in the body. When at some point you started running away from your emotions and feelings, you developed avoidance strategies and survival strategies. One of countless survival strategies is to run away from the body (where emotions and feelings are perceived as body sensations) and go into the head.
That's how you became a head person. Because you were too afraid to feel certain feelings.
But you can also reverse the whole thing and go from your head back into your body - into your heart.
Not in one day, but step by step.
If you have taken refuge in your head, you have to be patient, but you can also let your suppressed feelings out again.
With head people I also work with different body exercises that come from trauma therapy, which help you to gradually get back in touch with your body.
What you need to know
Learning tofeel feelings again is not something you do in one day or two weeks, it is a project, a journey.
This journey begins with the first step.
The time is now.
How you can use triggers to release repressed feelings
Triggers can be an excellent support in freeing your repressed feelings. They are the lighthouse to your freedom.
What happens when you get triggered
If someone triggers you, that person is not putting the feeling into you or causing it in you.
When you are triggered, it is always an old, repressed feeling from your childhood when you were emotionally hurt. If you didn't have this repressed feeling from your childhood stored inside you, no one would be able to trigger you.
If you have been strongly triggered - for whatever reason - this is
- an invitation to release this suppressed feeling from your childhood and
- a perfect occasion to work on this in an emotional release session.
When the feeling is so present, as in a trigger situation, this is the perfect entry point for an Emotional Release session to resolve the causative issue.
You will be triggered so many times in your life until you have dealt with the respective trigger, i.e. released the associated emotion.
If you avoid triggers, you cannot heal, that is further repression and suppression of your feelings.
These challenges can arise in releasing the repressed feelings
Releasing repressed feelings can be challenging at first because you are doing something completely new, something you haven't done in years or even decades. That's why it's important to keep at it and get support if you feel that nothing is moving or you want to work on deep issues.
You are too afraid to feel certain feelings
Because in childhood you were overwhelmed by emotions in certain situations, you developed fears of feeling certain deep emotions and feelings, this was a protective mechanism you developed as a child.
Sometimes you may think you have to die when you feel what you feel. It really does feel that way. But if you have the courage - and yes, it takes courage - you will find thatthe feeling didnot kill you, you survivedit.
And this is an important realisation:
You have survived feeling the feeling! That means you now have a positive reference for the next time.
However, often the fear of feeling a certain emotion is worse than feeling the actual emotion. You may not be aware of the fear of feeling certain emotions.
In my practice I support people with various special deep inner journeys that can facilitate access to the emotions again.
The role of negative beliefs in releasing repressed feelings
If you were emotionally hurt in your childhood, you may have developed beliefs and convictions in your childhood such as
- When I feel this, I die
- I must not be sad
- I must not be angry
- What I feel is wrong
Then it may be that these beliefs prevent you from releasing the feeling. These beliefs lie like a lid over the feeling and suppress it further.
Here we transform the beliefs in my sessions so that you can access the feelings behind them.
Become aware of your avoidance strategies
This is an immensely important hint! Only when you are aware of something can you change it. You must know that in your childhood you developed countless survival strategies to survive emotionally. Unconscious action is always emotion-driven.
That is, when you act unconsciously, it is often because you unconsciously do not want to feel a feeling that is coming up. E.G.
- You are numbing yourself with food, alcohol, smoking, excessive activities such as work, sports, sex, shopping, computer games, etc.).
- Helper syndrome
- Procrastination
- Compulsive behaviour of any kind
- Netflix
- You want to please others all the time
- Pine presses
- You cannot be alone
- You can't set limits / can't say "no
- Aggression
- Perfectionism
- You are a head person
- You must always be in control
- And many more
Start observing yourself and become aware of what avoidance strategies you are using. Everyone uses avoidance strategies. Therefore, be honest with yourself.
When you feel the impulse to use one of your avoidance strategies:
- Pause
- Sit down and close your eyes
- Become quiet
- Observe which feeling wants to show itself
When you can deal with feelings in a healthy way again, you will find that your avoidance strategies fall away because you no longer need them.
Are your thoughts really your own thoughts?
As small children, we absorb everything our environment says and does likea sponge, including the thoughts and statements of our environment. If your parents have limiting ideas about life, partnership, career and themselves, you have probably also absorbed this and stored it in your subconscious.
You were told:
- What all does not work
- What you cannot do
- How hard life is
- What is not possible
- What is not allowed
Therefore ask yourself: Whose thoughts are these that I am thinking?
Are these my thoughts or the thoughts of my parents, grandparents, teachers etc?
If you have negative beliefs about yourself, your life, relationships, work, money, life in general, stored in your subconscious, it is very likely that you think a lot of negative thoughts during the day. These negative thoughts in turn trigger feelings in you that you may not want to feel and then suppress.
Realign your mindset
This is not about positive affirmations, but about transforming the negative beliefs in your subconscious. If you have positive beliefs about yourself and life in your subconscious, you automatically think positively and thus create positive feelings in yourself.
Changing beliefs and convictions is the key here!
Suppressed feelings from childhood
We were often conditioned in our childhood by our parents, society, kindergarten, school, friends to suppress our feelings.
We learn as children that it is either not desirable to show certain feelings, such as anger or rage, or that it is seen as weakness by others if we show certain feelings, such as sadness or shame.
Through sentences like:
- Don't cry!
- Go to your room and only come out when you have calmed down.
- A big boy does not cry
- There is nothing wrong with that
- Don't be a chicken
we learn as a child that it is not desirable or right for us to feel and express certain feelings or that our perception is wrong. This is how conditioning begins, that we start to suppress feelings.
If you were emotionally abandoned as a child
When something happened to you as a child that overwhelmed you emotionally and no one was there for you emotionally, you needed a survival strategy. You started to suppress those scary feelings that overwhelmed you.
Many people even develop fears of feeling deep emotions. This leads us to suppress emotions more and more, over years, decades.
Experiences that were not felt in a healthy way do not simply disappear, but are stored in the body's tissues as cellular memories and ferment like a festering cooker.
The repressed feelings from your childhood are still in your body waiting for you to releasethem.
Your inner child is waiting for you to heal it, to release the repressed feelings from your childhood.
The
- Anger
- Fainting
- Sadness
- Loneliness
- Excessive demand
- Fear
waiting for liberation.
Feelings need to be resolved where they originated, at the child level.
Therefore I work with deep, powerful inner journeys with you and your inner child.
What is the inner child?
The inner child is the younger version of you that has experienced the emotional pain. We have many inner children in us at different ages.
As long as you have not released and resolved the emotional pain of your inner children, you carry this within you as an adult.
You are an emotionally wounded child in an adult body.
You carry the emotional injuries of your inner child into your everyday life, your job, your partnership, your communication and into your relationships with other people.
Releasing the feelings and emotional pain and trauma of the inner children is a core element in all my sessions.
Because the pain has to be resolved where it originated, at the child level.
How repressed feelings and depression are connected
The number of people suffering from depression and burnout is constantly increasing. How is it that depression and burnout and the consumption of antidepressants are increasing more and more in our society?
Could it be that repressed feelings can be at least partly responsible for depression and burnout?
You need to know that we cannot selectively suppress feelings. You can't suppress anger or fear and allow joy, that doesn't work. If you start to suppress one emotion, you automatically suppress all emotions. You can imagine that you are putting a kind of blanket over your emotions. You still feel them a little bit, but everything is muffled.
This blanket under which the repressed feelings are is nothing more than a protection. A protection that prevents you from having to feel painful feelings and emotions. This blanket that you use is a coping strategy that you have adopted because you were or are overwhelmed by having to feelthe emotions and feelings.
Why depression feels the way it does
If the blanket under which you hide the feelings and emotions becomes thicker and thicker, i.e. if you suppress the feelings more and more, at some point you dull completely, you feel nothing any more, everything is grey and numb.
Joylessness
Joylessness is described as one of the main symptoms of depression. If you suppress the "negative" feelings, you automatically suppress joy.
Exhaustion
Suppressing feelings and emotions takes enormous amounts of energy, another symptom of depression and burnout, boundless exhaustion.
Circles of thought
Thought circling is often described as a symptom of depression.
Your mind tells you a story about what happened to you, who did what to you, that you are a victim and everything is completely hopeless. You tell yourself this story over and over and over again. You have linked your feelings to this story, which you tell yourself again and again.
If you keep telling yourself the story of how hopeless everything is, you hold on to the feeling of hop elessness, but at the same time you don't want to feel the hopelessness and therefore suppress it. The more you tell yourself the story, the more you suppress the feeling of hopelessness.
This is how the negative whirlpool of thoughts arises, which can lead to depression.
Feelings - no matter what they are - are only painful when we associate them with a story. If we can just let the feelings flow, no negative mood stays with us.
When you completely lose the connection to yourself
By suppressing your feelings, you lose the connection to yourself. You still exist, but you no longer live.
Not everyone who suppresses feelings gets depression
Butif the blanket placed over the repressed feelings becomes too thick, depression can be the result.
What has overwhelmed you so much emotionally that you suppress it?
If you are depressed - listen deeply to yourself to see if this could apply to you.
You too can learn to deal with your suppressed feelings.
Book my clarity talk now if you have the deep will to release your repressed feelings again.
What is the benefit of freeing yourself from repressed feelings?
- What you feel, you can heal
- You learn to deal with your feelings in a healthy way
- You reconnect with yourself and life
- Your life gets more depth
- You no longer need your avoidance strategies
- You feel joy, love, bliss, gratitude, contentment again.
- The energy that you needed to suppress the feelings is now available to you again.
- Complaints that were related to repressed feelings can disappear
- The circling of thoughts decreases, slows down or may stop
- You get back from your head to your heart
- You are no longer triggered so easily or often
- You can make peace with the past
- You can heal your inner child
Emotional Release Therapy for the release of repressed feelings
To access deeper feelings and emotions, emotional hurts and negative beliefs, you may need support.
I invite you to book an Emotional Release session with me if you want to go deeper.
If you have experienced deep emotional wounds or trauma, I recommend that you seek counselling.
I always associate the release of repressed feelings and emotions with inner child work, because it is the feelings of your inner child that you are feeling or still repressing.
If you have the deep will to free yourself from your suppressed, long pent-up feelings, you are cordially invited to go on the journey with me. You need courage. Courage to look at the emotional injuries of your inner child. In deep, powerful inner journeys, you slowly begin - in a protected setting and at your own pace - to let the long-suppressed feelings out of your body and release them.
Your body does this at its own speed and depth. Your body knows exactly what it can let out in the specific session and what it cannot yet. This always ensures that it does not become too overwhelming for you. This is your own built-in protection mechanism.
You learn how to deal with your feelings in a healthy way.
In Emotional Release Therapy you learn to separate the story from the emotion and to perceive and feel the emotions for what they are: Energy in motion. Energy in motion. A body sensation that flows through our body. No more and no less.
The traumas stored in the tissues, old emotional wounds are released through powerful, deep inner journeys, inner child work, changes of beliefs, forgiveness and, if necessary, body-therapeutic interventions and peace can be made with what has been experienced. You can find more information here.
Emotional Release Therapy is not a talking therapy. If you want to release your suppressed feelings and emotions, I accompany you through powerful, deep inner journeys into your innermost being.
Are you ready to release your repressed feelings?
Then book your clarity talk right now! | https://www.emotional-release.de/en/depression-und-burnout/ |
← Rebuilt Forward Head, Nuff Said.
I spent the better part of my careers (all three) evaluating contract proposals. Colors and points were a key part of the process. There are three common forecast providers here (proposers, if you will), the NWS, Worldweatheronline, and BarometerBob. First, thanks is due to all three. Having said that, it’s noticeable that, in the springtime, they generally agree among themselves a scant bit better than 50% of the time. The differences are often significant. This is not about forecast accuracy, just agreement! The following chart expands with clicking. Green is agreement. Yellow is near agreement, Orange is disagreement.
So how do they score?
If three services have something to say, Agreement is worth 4 pts, near agreement is 2pts and disagreement is 0 pts. If two services have something to say it is 3, 1, and zero. there are a total of 72 points possible.
The three services most often agree on wind strength — 78% of the time. On wind direction it is 47% and on general conditions 44% Flipping a coin is 50%. Their range of disagreement is between 56-58% meaning no two are significantly parallel. So one has to wrap all three into a meta-forecast (below) that more or less bounds conditions.
The problem is the meta forecast is frequently the kind of information that keeps boats in marinas. The range of uncertainty is significant on 5 of 6 reporting periods. This is one reason we opted to downlink satellite weather information to the boat. Using satellite imagery, winds aloft information, and radar data (even though it doesn’t cover our area, it does show what might be coming) we can begin to pick our providers.
We have found local conditions affect the NWS forecast as land in the area discussed, AMZ117, is a local heating and wind direction wild card. We have found significant disconnects between the general description (Sunny) and the probability of precipitation (92%) from Worldweatheronline. And BarometerBob always seems a bit stormier/blustery (conservative) than conditions observed. It’s like learning the colors of water. One has to learn the colors of forecasts.
Meta-forecast example. Orange depicts too wide a range of variable.
This entry was posted in 2013 and tagged Bahamas, Marinas/Moorings, Weather. Bookmark the permalink. | https://brilliantstarcruises.net/2013/03/20/the-color-of-the-weather-forecasts-in-the-bahamas/ |
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will go head-to-head for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 2, but who will come out on top in what could be an epic Super Bowl showdown in Miami?
It has been 50 years since Kansas City last graced the Super Bowl, but their long-suffering fans will finally get to see their team in the big one after the Chiefs swept aside the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game.
The Titans arrived at Arrowhead full of confidence following upset road wins over New England and number one seeds Baltimore, and they jumped out to an early lead as the Chiefs were slow out of the blocks for the second playoff game running. However, unlike the previous week where they dug themselves a deep hole, Kansas City only trailed by 10 points on this occasion and once that offense burst into life Tennessee had very little answers. Patrick Mahomes hit Tyreek Hill for a couple of scores and ran one in himself as the Chiefs offense proved to be too much for the Titans, and on the opposite side of the football the defense was able to restrict dominant Tennessee running back Derrick Henry to just 69 rushing yards to derail the visitors’ gameplan. All of this culminated in a 35-24 win for KC, who are now just one game away from lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time since their Super Bowl IV win over Minnesota back in January 11, 1970.
Looking to deny the Chiefs are the San Francisco 49ers, who cruised into the Super Bowl with another one-sided win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. These two teams went head-to-head in the regular season and San Francisco embarrassed the Packers on that day, hold Rodgers to 104 yards passing as they stormed to a 37-8 victory. So would it be any different in the rematch?
Aaron Rodgers famously said years ago that San Francisco would regret the day that they failed to take him in the NFL Draft, but the Niners are still waiting for him to make that happen after another one-sided win. Green Bay had embarked on a winning streak since that regular season loss and it had pundits claiming that they would pose more of a threat this time round. The Packers had largely feasted on poor opposition during this run however, and they had only narrowly seen off Seattle a week earlier. Therefore it was no major surprise when the 49ers took control from the start and never let go, with that stifling defense and dominant run game guiding them to a 27-0 half-time lead. By the end of the game Green Bay had saved some face by putting 20 points on the board, but they had had no answers to Raheem Mostert all night and by the end of the game the San Francisco running back had scored all four of his team’s touchdowns while running over, round and through the Packers defense for 220 yards to average 7.6 yards per carry.
Simply put, Green Bay had been out of their depth and it is clear that Kansas City will be a much sterner test for the 49ers here. But can San Francisco lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the sixth time in franchise history or will Andy Reid finally get his hands on the biggest prize in the game by master-minding a Kansas City win?
The bookmakers have clearly found this a tough matchup to call and that is no surprise here. The old adage ‘defense wins championships’ remains very truthful and San Francisco have an outstanding defense, but on the flip side we have never seen an offense as lethal as this Kansas City group. This is a game that really could go either way, but the Patrick Mahomes factor has clearly played a part in the bookies’ thinking and that is why the Chiefs have been installed as the 5/6 odds-on favourites by Ladbrokes for Super Bowl LIV. They are not writing off the 49ers though – Jimmy Garoppolo & Co. are Even money to keep Andy Reid waiting for his chance to lift the NFL’s top prize. | https://www.bettingpro.com/american-football/nfl-super-bowl-odds/ |
Larry Bell was born on December 6, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, into the family of Hyman David and Rebecca Ann (Kriegmont) Bell.
Larry Bell was born on December 6, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, into the family of Hyman David and Rebecca Ann (Kriegmont) Bell.
Bell attended the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles from 1957 to 1959, where he created abstract oil paintings dominated by gestural brushstrokes influenced by Abstract Expressionism.
Throughout his career, Larry Bell has made investigations into the properties of light on surface. By experimenting with the nature of surface and its relationship to space, Bell has devised a methodology characterized by spontaneity, intuition, and improvisation.
Bell began his career in 1959 and his earliest works consisted of abstract, monochrome paintings on paper and shaped canvases whose outlines corresponded to the silhouette of a box drawn in isometric projection. Panes of glass and then mirrors were substituted for parts of the painted design and this exploration of spatial ambiguity eventually evolved into sculptural constructions made of wood and glass. These works represent the genesis of Bell’s later glass cubes and standing glass-panel wall sculptures.
From 1963 onward, Bell began exploring the passing of light through the cube sculptures, deploying a technique of vacuum deposition whereby thin films were added to the clear glass panels. Bell found that these glass cubes, presented on transparent pedestals, offered the viewer the essence of the captured light, becoming, in the process, tapestries of reflected, transmitted and absorbed light. Challenging notions of mass, volume, and gravity in one single measure, the cubes appeared to float on the light between the floor and the work.
From 1968 to 1969 Bell commissioned the building of a coating device in order to produce work on a more environmental scale. During the plating process, thin metal films are deposited onto another material, mainly glass, resulting in a coating that allows light to be reflected, transmitted and absorbed simultaneously. He began creating sculptural installations with large sheets of glass that were rendered partly mirrored and partly transparent through the vacuum deposition procedure, thereby making the glass surfaces almost disappear and volumes become weightless. The colors which become visible are known as ‘interference color’; an illusion which results when light hits the sculptures’ surface. Throughout that period, Bell produced interior wall environments, such as "The Black Room" for both the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1969 and the Tate Gallery in 1970.
In 1978 Bell began experimenting with depositing the coatings on paper, finding in the process that the paper did not transmit light but only reflected or absorbed it. This body of work, known as "Vapor Drawings", continues to this day. In the early 1980s Bell began combining different surface qualities as layers within the "Vapor Drawing" oeuvre, such as Mylar and laminating film, to create the so-called "Mirage works" – a mirage being an illusion which results from a combination of heat and light.
Bell’s more recent "Light knot" sculptures developed from these "Mirage works", eschewing their paper and laminate film and using only Mylar. These fluid works are composed of pliable, curvaceous-shaped sheets of polyester film that have been coated with metals and quartz. Highly reflective, the sheets are twisted into a knot and hung from a ceiling. Ceaselessly in motion, propelled by any slight air movement, these undulating sculptures act like a series of mirrors that reflect the viewer and their immediate spatial surroundings. Larry Bell currently lives and works between Los Angeles and Taos, New Mexico. He also has exhibited widely.
AAAAA109 Mirage Work
LMELBK 3 (Vapor Drawing)
Nude
Untitled
Cube #1
Untitled (Iridescent Cube)
Mirage Construction #15
Untitled (vapor drawing)
Fraction #8
Fraction #1245
SMS 11
Fraction No. 4369
Untitled
20" Cube
Untitled
Untitled
AAAAA113 Mirage Work
Fraction #7834
Untitled (from Elin Series)
Untitled (SMTTHOJ #1)
Fraction
Cube #10-1-92
VF 12
VFGY9
Untitled
MEL 98
Untitled (Construction)
Fraction #1307
Flaws
KF 11
Cube #40 (Blue and Light Gray)
Glass Cube
Mirage Construction #17
Untitled
Untitled (vapor drawing)
Cube #54
Cube #31 (Amber)
Cube #28
My Montauk
Mirage Construction
Untitled
Fraction #8295
Mirage Study #14
Diptych
Untitled
Fracture
Barcelona 7
Bell’s understanding of the potential of glass and light allows him to expand visual and physical fields of perception, and his sculptures to surpass the traditional bounds of the medium.
Quotations:
“Masking the paper with thin PET film strips to expose areas related to the shape of the page plane enabled me to generate images spontaneously,” he said of his process. “This work gave me a conscious glimpse of the inherent power of spontaneity and improvisation. The work happened intuitively — in a short amount of time I created a number of interesting pieces.”
“What interests me in the process is the very ironic and improbable reality that is the unexpected,” Larry explains. “Spontaneity and improbability are the kinds of things that turn me on. The three most important tools in an artist’s studio,” he emphasizes, “are improvisation, spontaneity, and intuition.”
“Being an artist is just not a normal kind of life. There are no eight-hour days. There are 24 hour days, and that’s all there is.”
Larry has been a leading figure in the American Light and Space movement since the 1960s.
Larry is the “comeback kid” with a second artistic wind filling his sails. But he’s never lost his sense of self, nor has he been carried away with his good fortune. His sign-off to all is “peace and love.”
It is known that Larry was married. | https://prabook.com/web/larry.bell/3742013 |
A 12,000-year-old swamp in Mauritius has yielded a diverse array of bones from many extinct animals, including giant tortoises, giant skinks and dodos.
As well as these animal remains fossil plant seeds and pollen have been discovered. These diverse finds are allowing researchers to visualise the ecosystem in which the famous flightless bird lived, including the forests in which they once roamed and the other animals they encountered.
“This is very exciting because for the first time we have dodo bones that are well-dated and associated through time with other animals and plants,” says Dr Delphine Angst from the University of Bristol.
Dodos were endemic to the island but were wiped out in the 1600s, due to a combination of their tame nature and predation by the invasive cats, rats and dogs that were brought to Mauritius by European sailors.
Their rapid decline due to human activity has caused them to become a global symbol of extinction.
The age of the fossils makes this site particularly significant, as at 12,000 years old it is one of the oldest fossil sites in the Western Indian Ocean, after Aldabra and Madagascar.
This antiquity means that the sheer volume of remains is vast, with the researchers finding bones at a density of around 600 per cubic metre.
The team are able to ‘peel back the history of Mauritius layer by layer’ and by doing so better understand the ecology of the island.
The lead researcher of this excavation, and the man who went in search for and rediscovered the swamp in 2015, is Dr Julien Hume, from the Natural History Museum. He is very optimistic about the continuing contribution of the site to science.
“The amount we have and can learn from this one site is unprecedented,” Hume says. “Over the coming years I am sure many scientific discoveries will emerge from the soil here helping us to better understand the ecology of Mauritius’ past and so better help us protect its future.”
More like this
Main image: Working on the excavation pit. © Julia Heinen
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How has Goldilocks conditions, Increasing Complexity, and Collective Learning help the bow and arrow become created and evolve?
For the bow and arrow to be created, it has taken a lot of different concepts to help it advance. There are conditions, collective learning, and increasing complexity. The different conditions needed were humans had to be in a good learning environment and the area around them needed to be full of life. The first bow and arrows they used were made from wood and they used feathers and stones for the arrows so they needed those resources to be able to make them. Collective learning also really boosted this idea to come along especially with all the ideas that were shared. When the bow and arrow was created about 64,000 years ago, peoples tools were very limited. Then, from sharing ideas an using other tools they made this and when the bow and arrow was made it really helped human knowledge boost on how to make things and made getting food way easier. Increasing complexity also played a big role in this. Increasing complexity made it easier to make the bow and arrow because people were changing and getting smarter, making it easier to figure this out. Also, with never ending collective learning and increasing complexity, humans have created very high tech and accurate how and arrows.
How this Connects to Anthropology
This connects to anthropology because it was created in different places. Anthropologists study human societies and culutures. The bow and arrow was first made in Africa so anthropologists study maybe thoughts that may have lead to this creation and also maybe the way people communicated. If Africa had good communication, it would be easier to share ideas throughout the society and that would lead to collective learning, which highly helped the bow and arrow get created. They might also study the way people acted and if that could have had anything to do with the creation on this.
How this Connects to Archaeology
This connects to archaeology because there are a lot of ancient artifacts that have been left from people. Archaeology is the study of human history through the excavation of ancient artifacts. You can find arrowheads in just about every praire if you go looking for them. These are all from people who made them that just dropped them or left them there. Archaeologists would study these artifacts and look for signs of what they made the stones, arrows, and bows with and then ask themselves what made humans come up with the idea of the bow and arrow.
Threshold 4
Threshold 4 introduced the first ingredients that were need to be able to make the bow and arrow. In threshold 4, the earth is formed and then rocks are formed from lava and then that forms into stone. Stone was really important in early bow and arrow making because they put stone arrowheads on the end of the arrow to kill the animal. The arrowheads were made very sharp other wise it wouldn't pierce the animals flesh. This threshold is important in the making but it is still the least important out of these four because you need life for the bow and arrow to need to be used and made.
Threshold 5
Threshold is arguably the most important threshold in my project. In this threshold 5 life first showed up on earth. With life meant trees, which were very important in the making of bows and arrows. All of the early bows were made of wood and so were the arrows. Arrow had feather fletching most likely from birds. Life also brought oxygen and and primates. From primates humans evolved and they were able to make tools because of the constant ability to obtain information. Life also brought animals for humans to eat and to hunt so they could survive. If it wasn't for early life on earth, humans may have never been made and the the bow and arrow would have never been made. Life brought all the ingredients to make the bow and arrow but one, and that's collective learning.
Threshold 6
Theshold 6 is the other most arguably most important threshold, and of course that is collective learning. Collective learning was not only important to the creation of the bow and arrow but every idea that any human has every came up with. Collective learning is the learning and sharing of ideas throughout a society. This was a huge role for the bow and arrow because not one person thought of the bow and arrow. Every tool, including the bow and arrow, was most likely the creation of ideas from many people mixed together to make the most convenient and best working thing there is. If it wasn't for humans ability to learn and absorb most things they hear or see, and the ability to spread that, people probably wouldn't have thought of the bow and arrow. Also collective learing has helped the bow and arrow become more accurate and be more high tech so it easier to shoot and has more power to kill stuff easier.
Threshold 8
Threshold 8 is all about the modern revolution. The modern revolution has helped the bow and arrow gain many tools. The are a lot of things that you can put on a bow to make it more accurate and shoot more stable. This stuff is made because we have more technology and more ideas being shared everyday, especially with the amount of the people in the world now. The bow and arrow has became so much more advanced in 64,000 years it is hard to believe. It went from wood and stone to bows of aluminum and carbon fibre and arrows made of carbon fibre, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood shafts with rubber fletchings. | https://spark.adobe.com/page/AsW4od4s7bz7H/ |
My primary research focus is now on Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). The goal of ICF is to use high-powered lasers to rapidly compress and heat a spherical capsule of deuterium/tritium fuel until it is hotter and denser than the center of the sun.
Since 2015 I've been with the plasma physics group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. From 2009 to 2015 I worked in the High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) group at MIT.
My research in ICF is broad and includes present and past work on fusion ignition at NIF, nuclear astrophysics, the basic physics of dense plasmas, and the development of nuclear diagnostics for laser-fusion facilities. This 'portfolio' gives an overview of my contributions to these national and international collaborations, which has resulted in a large number of publications.
Since joining Los Alamos, my main work has been on implosion physics experiments conducted on NIF as part of the national campaign studying inertial confinement fusion ignition. Specifically I am currently the experimental campaign leader for beryllium ablator implosions, which have several potential advantages for reaching fusion conditions. I have also contributed to studies using liquid fuel layer implosions and several projects led by LLNL scientists (e.g. Variable convergence liquid layer implosions on the National Ignition Facility).
For fusion ignition to work, the fuel must remain clean - any introduction of other materials, such as the surrounding capsule, is very detrimental. I have led a series of experiments at the OMEGA laser studying mix using novel techniques on the target fabrication, and by improving our measurement techniques using gamma rays (see Simultaneous measurement of the HT and DT fusion burn histories in inertial fusion implosions).
A newer effort within a multi-institution collaboration has been to study nuclear physics using our inertially-confined plasmas at laser facilities, coupled with available nuclear diagnostics. In particular, I have led several experiments to study nuclear reactions relevant to astrophysics:
I have also led experiments to study the stopping of charged particles in dense plasma, which is theoretically complex and has not been tested experimentally. Using existing technology at the OMEGA laser, great data was obtained, which wasbe used to constrain these theories in a recent paper in Phys. Rev. Lett. (Measurement of Charged-Particle Stopping in Warm Dense Plasma). Additional experiments are underway at the NIF and OMEGA.
As a graduate student I participated in ignition experiments at the NIF. In particular, I led the effort to implement and use proton spectroscopy on 'surrogate' NIF implosions with D+³He fuel (see Charged-particle spectroscopy for diagnosing shock ϱR and strength in NIF implosions). My role at NIF was as the Responsible Scientist for these 'Wedge Range Filter' (WRF) proton spectrometers, responsible for managing their use on experiments and analysis of the data.
Over several years, the WRF recorded data on a large number of NIF shots. Using a data-mining analysis, I identified a subset of shots with reasonable similarity to study the shock dynamics. In a NIF implosion, several shocks are launched into the target; these shocks coalesce and converge at the center several hundred ps before the main fusion burn. By studying the convergence at the shock flash and the strength of the shock, I identified some key physics mysteries in the behavior of this shock at very extreme conditions (see The effect of shock dynamics on compressibility of ignition-scale National Ignition Facility implosions). Additional, multiple spectrometer views can be used to study asymmetries in the implosion (see In-flight observations of low-mode ϱR asymmetries in NIF implosions).
A large role of my grad school group group within the ICF community is in the development and fielding of nuclear diagnostics. To support these efforts, I led several projects to extend our capabilities. First, I designed and implemented a new and compact neutron spectrometer (see A compact neutron spectrometer for characterizing inertial confinement fusion implosions at OMEGA and the NIF). Additional work I have done has extended our capabilities for using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (see two papers). Finally, our group used a linear electrostatic ion accelerator for diagnostic development and testing. I contributed to the upgrades, control software development, and operation of the facility throughout my graduate career. | https://azylstra.net/research_icf.html |
Experienced a pay cut? Here’s what to do next:
- Discuss a plan with family members
- Adjust your budget or create a new one
- Trim non-essential expenses
Planning your retirement distributions? Here are 3 things to consider.
There are two factors that can determine whether you’ll have a comfortable retirement: The amount of money you’ve saved and how quickly you spend that nest egg after you retire. The rate of annual withdrawals from personal savings and investments helps determine how long those assets will last and whether the assets may be able to generate a sustainable stream of income over the course of retirement. A number of factors will influence your choice of annual withdrawal rates from accounts such as a workplace retirement plan and a Discover Individual Retirement Account (IRA) CD. The following are three key considerations.
As you think about what your withdrawal rate should be, begin by considering your age and health. Although you can’t predict for certain how long you will live, you can make an estimate. However, it may not be wise to base your estimate on average life expectancy for your age and sex, particularly if you are healthy. The average life expectancy has risen steadily in the United States, reaching 78.2 years.1
Inflation is the tendency for prices to increase over time. Keep in mind that inflation not only raises the future cost of goods and services, but also affects the value of assets set aside to meet those costs. To account for the impact of inflation, include an annual percentage increase in your retirement income plan.
How much inflation should you plan for? Although the rate varies from year to year, U.S. consumer price inflation has averaged under 3.25% over the past 30 years2. So, for long-term planning purposes, you may want to assume that inflation would average in the range of 3% to 4% a year. If, however, inflation flares up after you have retired, you may need to adjust your withdrawal rate to reflect the impact of higher inflation on both your expenses and investment returns. Also, once you retire you should assess your investment portfolio regularly to ensure that it continues to generate income that will at least keep pace with inflation.
If it looks like you could face a shortfall down the road, try to contribute as much as possible to tax-advantaged retirement accounts while you’re still working, such as Discover IRA CDs and your workplace retirement plan. With Discover IRA CDs, you get competitive rates, guaranteed returns, and flexible terms. On top of that, you have the choice of opening either a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA with Discover.
When considering how much your investments may earn over the course of your retirement, you might think you could base assumptions on historical stock market averages, as you may have done when projecting how many years you needed to reach your retirement savings goal. But once you start taking income from your portfolio, you no longer have the luxury of time to recover from possible market losses, as retirees and near-retirees during this latest market downturn have experienced firsthand.
For example, if a portfolio worth $250,000 incurred successive annual declines of 12% and 7%, its value would be reduced to $204,600, and it would require a gain of nearly 23% the next year to restore its value to $250,0003. When a retiree’s need for annual withdrawals is added to poor performance, the result can be a much earlier depletion of assets than would have occurred if the portfolio returns had increased steadily. While it’s possible that your portfolio will not experience any losses and will even grow to generate more income than you expected, it’s safer to assume some setbacks will occur.
Your financial professional can help you determine a withdrawal strategy for each of your retirement accounts– including Discover IRA CDs — that can minimize the drain on your portfolio. You can also turn to Discover for solutions to additional savings goals. For example, Discover’s high-yield Online Savings Account and Money Market Accounts can help you prepare for expenses that might arise between now and retirement. In the long run, that could help protect your retirement security.
Regardless of your time horizon, risk tolerance, or savings goal, you can always find the right savings vehicle for your needs at Discover. Discover offers an Online Savings Account to help you with your short-term savings goals, a full range of CDs and IRA CDs with terms from 3 months to 10 years, and Money Market Accounts that have convenient cash access and a competitive rate. Open a Discover account online in minutes or call our 24-hour U.S-based Customer Service at 1-800-347-7000.
The article and information provided herein are for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
1 Source: Center for Disease Control, March 2011
2 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2012
3 Example is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Your results will vary.
Experts share tips on what to do if you’ve been scammed out of money and how to protect yourself in the future.Read Article
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Now earn more with it. | https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/three-key-retirement-income-strategies/ |
Begin each question on a new line, making certain to number your responses. Please remember to identify the name of the person you are responding to at the beginning of your replies to others.
1a) Describe how you define your in-group? In other words, what traits or characteristics are included in your in-group definition? (Remember, in-group’s aren’t necessarily people we interact with each day. They can be people we may never meet – but that still share common traits and characteristics).
1b) Reflecting on your in-group definition and the lecture video, describe how your in-group definition might be broadened to be more inclusive of others.
2) Considering the lecture on Selective Attention and Blind Spots, describe an observation or experience where you or someone else had a “blind spot” about another person based on group membership.
Delivering a high-quality product at a reasonable price is not enough anymore.
That’s why we have developed 5 beneficial guarantees that will make your experience with our service enjoyable, easy, and safe. | https://coursescholars.com/writing-88/ |
You will join a newly started team and work closely together with our Head of Project Management. The role can be a remote position but if you are located in Stockholm you’re more than welcome to our HQ in Stockholm at Grev Turegatan 11.
In the position as a Project Manager, you should see an internal change, a product, or a service through its stages of research, development, and design. Driving the project from concept to implementation or finished product. As a Project Manager, you will coordinate and report to various parties and stakeholders like suppliers, contractors, and customers to ensure satisfaction upon project completion.
Your challenge You will be primarily responsible for leading and managing projects within the Scrive organization – From idea to conclusion and implemented solution. As a Project Manager, you will lead and provide organization, prioritization, and resource supply. Sometimes you will act as management support and in internal consultation roles to the ongoing efforts.
The project manager- role responsibilities include leading “traditional” projects as well as managing sprints, overseeing bug tracking, and being prepared to plan and lead rollouts. You will delegate tasks to team members, report to stakeholders, oversee budgets and schedules, and are responsible for bringing projects to successful conclusions.
Who you are
You should have a background in software development, web services, computer science, information technology, management of information systems or other related fields. You have been in a line organization or worked as a consultant. You have some knowledge of GDPR and eIDas and have an interest in other regulations governing different aspects of digital transactions.
You should have the willingness to travel frequently when things get back to normal.
Big bonus points if you have previous experience of:
- Leading both agile and traditional projects in mixed project environments
- Product and service development in SaaS or digital-only companies
In this role, we see that you are self-reliant, meticulous and you like to take initiative. We’re using a competence-based recruitment process where those competencies will play an important role.
Our selection process is continuous, and the advert may close before the recruitment process is completed if we have moved forward to the screening or interview phase. | https://euremotejobs.com/job/project-manager-3/ |
An event focusing on creating effective solutions to the health challenges faced by Kentuckians living in Appalachia is coming to southeast Kentucky.
The first ever Appalachia Health Hack-a-thon, sponsored by Shaping Our Appalachian Region will take place Oct. 6-8 at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.
The three-day event, modeled after MIT’s Hacking Medicine program that has helped develop solutions to some of the toughest problems in medicine, will bring together people with different backgrounds and expertise to form teams, collaborate within a limited time frame and focus on a specific problem or idea in healthcare to come up with innovative, disruptive ideas and solutions.
By bringing together diverse minds alike in their interest for solving healthcare’s biggest challenges, problems can be diagnosed from multiple different perspectives.
The main focus of the Appalachian Hack-a-thon will be substance abuse, obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Bill Hacker, chair of the SOAR Community Health and Wellness Advisory Council, says that the event will feature a team of individuals from MIT as well as a number of experts across Kentucky who will be serving as coaches for the event.
“We have about 150 people signing up to be participants in this rapid solving program,” Hacker said.
“All day Friday into Saturday, we’ll have these teams developed from the participants to deal with tackling problems related to substance abuse, obesity and diabetes, to try to figure out how can we deal with these issues effectively using innovation, using technology, thinking outside the box to try to really address these health problems.
The mission of SOAR, launched in 2013 by then-Gov. Steve Beshear, Congressman Hal Rogers and other stakeholders, is to expand job creation, enhance regional opportunity, innovation, and identity, improve the quality of life and support all those working to achieve these goals in Appalachian Kentucky.
Hacker says one misconception is that SOAR serves only eastern Kentucky.
“The ARC counties actually go past Somerset, toward Bowling Green, past Columbia and Adair County,” Hacker said. “It’s about half of the state of Kentucky, 54 counties.”
More information about the Hack-a-thon can be found on the SOAR website.
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Private vehicles remain the most common method of transportation in Tehachapi. However, the town also provides two forms of public transportation, a taxi service, two rental car locations and access to ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft for those without a private ride.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
East Kern Express: Route 100, which travels from Bakersfield to Lancaster and back every day, makes a stop at various times during the day in Tehachapi at Tehachapi Park and Ride, 335 W. Tehachapi Blvd., and can make a requested stop on Cameron Canyon Road at Highway 58. The route, which also makes stops in Mojave and Rosamond, and Keene upon request, gives residents the option to travel throughout the county, out of the Bakersfield and Mojave hubs. The intercommunity route is $3 for a general ticket, and $1.50 for a reduced fare for youth (kindergarten through 12th grade with proper identification), seniors (62-plus) and disabled passengers with a “reduced fare card.” The charge for the cross-county route is $5 for a general ticket and $2.50 for a reduced ticket. For more information, call 800-323-2396 or 800-560-1733 or go online to kerntransit.org/routes-and-schedules/100-bakersfield-lancaster/.
Tehachapi Dial-A-Ride: This localized public transit service is provided from 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The fare is $2 for a general pass and $1 for a reduced fare pass — qualifications for this are the same as the East Kern Express. The service, which goes throughout Tehachapi, Old Town and Golden Hills, is suggested to be reserved at least a day in advance but same-day travels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Passengers can also transfer to the East Kern Express in Old Town and Tehachapi. For more information, call 800-323-2396 or go online to kerntransit.org/dial-a-ride/dial-tehachapi.
RENTAL CARS
Enterprise, 410 W. J St., Suite E; 661-823-0500; 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
RIDE-HAILING SERVICES
Uber: Download the Uber app on your smartphone to use
Lyft: Download the Lyft app on your smartphone to use
Note: Ride-hailing services in Tehachapi may be limited due to fewer drivers than more populated areas.
TOUR OPERATORS
Two locally owned companies offer wine tours and other transportation tied to visiting some of the best places in Tehachapi. Check with them for details: | https://www.tehachapinews.com/visitor-guide/visitor-guide-getting-around-once-youre-here/article_04b20f82-eb79-11ec-8e5a-cb3cb67e3e11.html |
Video meeting research has long reported that technological constraints can lead to low engagement levels of remote participants. Under-reported, however, are the ways in which remote participants can choose their level of engagement, with the technology framing but not determining their social action. This paper presents preliminary research into the engagement practices of experienced video meeting users, which propose that the constraints of remote participation can be used to set personal and group expectations for engagement. Future video meeting systems should include a spectrum of engagement levels for remote meeting participants. | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/low-engagement-as-a-deliberate-practice-of-remote-participants-in-video-meetings/ |
Lipid emulsion reduces subacute toxicity of amphotericin B: a histopathological study.
In previous work acute toxic effects of amphotericin B (AB) were reduced in both in vitro and in vivo tests when AB was associated with a triglyceride-rich emulsion (AB-emulsion). The present paper compares the severity of the histopathological alterations as determined by morphometry produced in the target tissues (kidneys, liver, and lungs) by AB-emulsion with those produced by the conventional formulation AB-deoxycholate (DOC) following subacute AB treatment. No morphological alterations were seen in the spleen and heart following both AB-DOC and AB-emulsion treatment. Although the alterations in the liver, kidneys and lungs are basically the same for both formulations, the intensity of the changes varies considerably. AB-emulsion always caused statistically decreased severity of morphologic alterations, compared to AB-DOC by stereological measurements, for the three treatment regimes of AB-administration. These three treatment regimens consisted of 1 mg AB/kg of body weight every 48 hours for 20 days, 2 mg AB/kg of body weight every 48 hours for 12 days, and 2 mg AB/kg of body weight for 4 consecutive days. Thus, these regimens consisted of total doses varying from 8-12 mg/kg of body weight. Specifically, these morphological changes included proximal and distal tubular edema, inflammation and tubular cell degeneration in the kidney and a moderate inflammation of the portal region in the liver. Vacuolization of hepatocytes only occurred for AB-DOC treatment. In addition, acute interstitial inflammation was observed in the lungs prior to interstitial and alveolar edema. The intensity of the histopathological damage increase with the dose and with the reduction in the time interval between AB administrations. Abnormal serum biochemical parameters were observed for serum urea which was higher for both treated AB-groups, as compared to control, and for iron which was lower for the AB-DOC group. In conclusion, the decreased severity of the morphological alterations in the kidneys, liver, and lungs following subacute treatment with AB-emulsion, as compared to AB-DOC formulation, confirms our previous results consisting of acute toxic effects induced by in vitro and in vivo tests with AB-emulsion treatment.
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'Science' features twice in anthropology. On the one hand, science is an object of anthropological enquiry, in much the same way as ‘kinship’, ‘religion’, or ‘nationalism’. Anthropologists have studied scientific practices and practitioners ethnographically, and have traced the effects of scientific knowledge in other spheres of human activity. Alongside other scholars in ‘science and technology studies,’ anthropologists have raised questions such as: is scientific knowledge ‘socially constructed’? Does the ‘culture’ of scientists matter? What is objectivity? Is science a distinct kind of activity or domain? Are scientists in the business of describing the world, or transforming it? And is science ‘western’? In a number of these cases, anthropologists’ answers have been distinctive.
On the other hand, for much of its history anthropology itself was understood as a science of society or culture - and continues to be so understood by some of its practitioners today. An anthropological look at science thus also involves turning the lens back onto anthropology itself, and examining it with the same tools we are using to inspect other scientific practices: how are the methods and concepts of anthropological knowledge production (culture, society, ethnography, the site, comparison) themselves put together? And how does applying these terms and methods to the strange object that is ‘science’ distort and transform them?
A science of non-science?
As noted above, anthropologists are only one voice in the broad chorus of social science and humanities disciplines which have taken ‘science’ as their objects. Philosophers and historians have been studying science for nearly as long as such a thing has been thought to exist. Sociologists joined the conversation in the twentieth century with quite far-reaching effects. Anthropology was a relative latecomer to the study of science, and there was no self-defined ‘anthropology of science’ until the late 1970s.
The main reason for this is that for much of its history, the discipline of anthropology was imagined both by its practitioners and by others as a ‘science of non-science’ (Viveiros de Castro; see also Nader 1996). In other words, anthropologists tended to assume both that their methods and approaches were part of a unitary project they thought of as Science, which belonged properly to the modern West, and that their object of study was made up of alternatives to this project: non-scientific or not-quite scientific ways of thinking and being amongst non-western peoples. When nineteenth century evolutionists and early twentieth century functionalists argued about magic, ‘animism’, witchcraft or religion, they often framed these, implicitly or explicitly, as the non-western ‘others’ of western science - including the western science of anthropology.
Another approach involved the study of what came to be called ‘ethno-science’. This line of enquiry was launched by Bronislav Malinowski’s (1884-1942) essay ‘Magic, science and religion’ (Malinowski 1925). Here Malinowski argued that, in fact, scientific and non-scientific ways of thinking existed alongside each other in all human cultures, ‘primitive’ as well as ‘modern’. Malinowski concluded that
If by science be understood a body of rules and conceptions, based on experience and derived from it by logical inference, embodied in material achievements and in a fixed form of tradition and carried on by some sort of social organization – then there is no doubt that even the lowest savage communities have the beginnings of science, however rudimentary. (Malinowski 1925: 34)
Anthropologists took up Malinowski’s point, to develop an interest in what came to be known as ‘ethnoscience’. The patronising language and the evolutionary assumptions were progressively abandoned, and studies of ethnoscience came to document sophisticated non-western cultural knowledge about the natural world, which contemporary western botanists or biologists might indeed seek to learn from. And yet, the very need to qualify these non-western beliefs and practices as ethnoscience intrinsically carries with it the assumption of a distinction between this and ‘proper’ – read: Western – science. Once the comparison has been set up in this way, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that ethnoscience is a more rudimentary, or more practical or limited version of something which in its full form is the prerogative of the West. A more radical point was just around the corner, namely that all science (including Western science) was an ‘ethnoscience’. But, as we shall see below, it took some time - and some help from other disciplines – for the full effects of this realization to sink in.
It is precisely against this portrayal of non-western people’s knowledge as a more practically oriented, rudimentary version of Western science, that Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009) built his theses about ‘the savage mind’ (Lévi-Strauss 1996). The point here was, as for Malinowski, to show that scientific and non-scientific ways of thinking co-existed in all human societies. But whereas Malinowski tried to argue that even the technologically ‘simplest’ peoples mix in a good dose of science with their rituals and beliefs, Levi-Strauss took a different tack. He started from a description of the incredible complexity of the symbolic systems through which many non-western peoples classify the natural world around them, to dispel the sense that this might be reduced to the mere satisfaction of their immediate practical needs. Rather, for Levi-Strauss, this ‘untamed thought’ which exists everywhere, but is particularly prevalent in ‘simpler’ societies, is a fully fledged intellectual pursuit, different but equal in sophistication to scientific thinking. It is a ‘logic of the concrete’ in which natural objects are combined and recombined into a complex symbolic language for thinking about social and existential problems.
From Science to sciences
The nudge to think ethnographically about western science itself, however, came from outside anthropology, as sociologists and historians started to rethink western science as an object of study. Many of these works, however, themselves drew on the findings and ideas that anthropologists had been developing in their studies of science’s ‘others’. Eventually, anthropologists joined the science studies party in their own right, and their contributions were distinctive.
Taking his cue from Durkheim’s sociology of knowledge, as well as Weber’s writings on science and ethics, sociologist of science Robert K. Merton (1910-2003) investigated science as a functionally integrated social institution whose role was ‘the extension of certified knowledge’ (Merton 1973). This institution operated through the production of a ‘complex of values and norms which is held to be binding on the man of science.’ (Merton 1973). A number of sociologists later took issue with Merton’s account of norms, noting in particular that these seemed to be mainly honoured in the breach by practising scientists (e.g. Mitroff 1974). More profoundly, what many later sociologists of science found lacking in Merton was the explicit way in which he cordoned off his account of the structure and norms of science from the positive content of science - its actual facts and findings. Sociology might explain failures or perversions of scientific knowledge and might give clues to the general conduct that would permit such perversions to be avoided. But it had little to say about the successes of science - its established facts and currently powerful theories. Paradoxically, while Merton’s account does suggest that the effective pursuit of scientific knowledge requires particular social and cultural factors, the nature of his ‘norms’ means that in most cases, what this structure requires is precisely that the interference of historical, sociological, and personal factors be eliminated. Ultimately, we are left with a picture in which, as in classic histories of science and in accounts of scientific practice by many scientists themselves, socio-cultural, historical, and personal factors could explain the context of science, always, but its content only in the case of scientific error. As for scientific success, it remained, presumably, a sign of the fact that scientists had managed to get in touch with reality and that extraneous social, cultural, and personal factors had been kept at bay. Merton just highlighted the idea that such keeping at bay was itself a social and cultural process - a thought to which later historians and anthropologists would return.
A more profound challenge, however, was under way. Long-standing assumptions about science as a broadly unitary method for moving from individual facts to general claims in a rational, value-free way - the sort of picture of science which remained at the core of Merton’s account and underpinned anthropologists’ own ideas about their own discipline – had started to be challenged from the early twentieth century onwards. Doctor and historian of science Ludwig Fleck pointed out that in tracing the history of a particular scientific object - syphilis – one did not find the expected history of the systematic application of a standard method, of rigorous hypothesis testing leading to a progressive history of discovery (Fleck 2012 ). Science, for Fleck, could not be understood without a study of the particular communities of scholars and the ‘thought-styles’ which they developed and passed on through training. These thought-styles, and not simply evidence, reasoning, or logic, shaped what would count as an interesting question or an acceptable answer at any particular historical moment.
Years later, Thomas Kuhn expanded and popularised this notion through his discussion of ‘paradigms’ (1962). In a strong, and much debated statement, Kuhn claimed that paradigms represented ‘incommensurable ways of seeing the world and of practising science in it.’ (Kuhn 1962). This view of science exploded the idea of a single project with a continuous, progressive history. Instead, historians and sociologists were offered a new object of study: the rich tapestry of multiple scientific paradigms, each carried by a human community with its own internal rules, forms of transmission and structure - much like the ‘cultures’ or ‘societies’ which anthropologists had been investigating.
Studying scientists in their labs: two examples
By the later 1970s and early 80s, sociologists of science had begun detailed ethnographic studies of particular laboratories seeking to demonstrate the social construction of scientific knowledge in particular concrete settings. They showed how collective cultural assumptions, pragmatic negotiations between individuals, and the use of particular methods, tools and techniques rather than others, all came together to build a finished product which would later be packaged as a ‘mind-independent fact’. These sociologists opened up the practice of science to scrutiny.
A classic of the genre was Latour and Woolgar’s Laboratory life: the social construction of scientific facts (1979), based on fieldwork and interviews undertaken in a biology lab – the Salk institute in La Jolla California. The authors – of whom one, (Woolgar) was a sociologist influenced by Garfinkel’s ‘ethnomethodology’ (cf. McDonald 2012) – highlight that their aim is to treat scientific practice as if it were as unfamiliar and in need of explanation as the subjects usually tackled by anthropologists. They give a deadpan and minute description of the spaces of the lab, the kinds of people present there and their daily activities - all as if the endpoint of this bustling were mysterious and unknown. On the face of it, it seems that enormous amount of time and money, masses of physical materials (frogs, mice, paper, electricity, pipettes, etc.) are being expended to produce a seemingly rather slim result: some papers, published in scientific journals. These papers contain statements about the world, cast with more or less qualification. The less qualified a statement is, the closer it is to an indisputable fact. By the time papers are published, the scientists themselves, like the broader public, talk of the facts they contained as if they were merely abstract statements made of an ‘external reality’. Facts become independent of the process of production described above. The laboratory is thus rather like a factory - a factory for producing standalone objects called scientific facts.
As another prominent author in this tradition commented, the core point of sociological lab studies was to show that “scientific products are ‘occasioned’ by the circumstances of their production” (Knorr-Cetina 1983). That is to say, the facts cannot stand alone. The circumstances of their production are not just an external ‘context’ – they are what constitutes these facts. In sum, laboratory studies continued the philosophical discussions about the nature of scientific knowledge, by making knowledge empirical through and through.
Early anthropological studies of scientists at work had a slightly different flavour, and different concerns. In one of the earliest ethnographies of Western science, Beamtimes and lifetimes (1988), Sharon Traweek studied high energy physicists in America and Japan to elucidate their shared and contrasting cultural constructions of their subject matter and themselves. Traweek, like Latour and Woolgar, explicitly played up the strangeness of treating physicists as if they were an alien cultural and social form. She described their spaces and the tools and techniques they used in detail, as well as the social arrangements which tied their scientific communities together and the hierarchies and training trajectories that crosscut them, and built up a detailed and convincing ethnographic picture of the ways in which these scientists understood their world.
Unlike Latour and Woolgar, Traweek was not interested in the construction of particular facts in physics. Rather, one main takeaway of Traweek’s ethnography – beyond the rich description itself – was that social organization structures scientists’ perception of nature, and vice versa. Traweek noted, for instance, that core gendered metaphors about nature as a ‘female’ realm to be investigated and unveiled by forceful ‘masculine’ scientists both stemmed from and reinforced broader gender stereotypes and assumptions in scientists’ own careers and lives. In these respects, Traweek’s project was strictly social constructionist: it related the ways in which these researchers understood nature to the social structures within which they operated, such as their gender relations, or the structures of authority and training which characterised their scientific communities.
Three key lessons
The anthropology of science today is a complex and diverse field, which is not easy to systematize or order into ‘schools’. However, one might point to a number of key debates which arose over the past twenty or so years since the beginnings of the anthropology of sciences, and key lessons which contemporary anthropologists have drawn from them.
Beyond social construction: don’t forget the things!
The contrasts between the methods and approach of Latour and Woolgar on the one hand, and Traweek, on the other, is instructive. All took as their object scientists and their daily practices. All began with careful and methodologically ‘naive’ descriptions of the spaces, practices, and social organisation of scientific activity. But there the similarities mostly ended.
While Traweek’s aim remained fairly classically – to demonstrate that understandings of nature were socially and culturally constructed – Latour and Woolgar’s book actually drove the first nail into the coffin of this popular kind of explanation. As Latour noted in a review of Traweek’s book (Latour 1990), to describe scientists as socially constructing ‘nature’ on the basis of their existing cultural and social arrangements was to write past the fact that their work produced specific realities which would later impact the actual worlds they lived in (and not just western culture’s ideas about nature, but also westerners’ and others’ daily lives).
The broader point was that ‘social construction’ itself was in fact a misnomer, if one took it to mean that the solid facts of science could be explained away by pointing at ‘social factors’ lying behind them. To understand the construction of scientific facts, Latour argued, one had to attend not only to the activity of humans, as sociologists typically did, but also to the activity and effects of the non-human materials in the lab: the machines, which enabled particular stabilizations and inscriptions, and the biological entities which ‘behaved’ in particular ways. Both Traweek and Latour and Woolgar had paid attention to the machines and objects which enabled scientists to construct their explanations and seek to encounter nature. But Traweek’s interest, ultimately, was in the ways the scientists understood and symbolised these machines (reflecting for instance, on the gendered imagery of huge expensive machines with names like ‘SPEAR’ etc.). In Latour and Woolgar’s account, the actual activity of these machines, the ways in which they transformed phenomena, was a core element in the explanation. Humans, their account suggested, are not the only agents. Rather, action is distributed, and swathes of human and nonhuman actants have to be aligned to produce effects in the world. This may be construction, but there is nothing straightforwardly ‘social’ about it. From this point of view, to claim that scientific facts or ‘nature’ are mere social constructs becomes as absurd as arguing that a chair or an apartment block is a mere social construct.
This philosophically counterintuitive point of view was eventually articulated more broadly as ‘Actor-Network theory’ (Latour 2005). The point was general. It did not imply a return to the earlier position that western science was not socially constructed, but that other knowledges were. Rather, for Latour and the actor-network theorists, classical sociological approaches always failed when they sought to explain phenomena away as social constructions – it’s just that the sciences (and scientists) to whom they did this were rather more frequently in the position to speak back loudly enough to prove them wrong. Sociologists and anthropologists of science writing today, while they might object to particular elements of Latour’s approach and assumptions and want to retain a more traditionally critical stance, still hold on to the core lesson: never forget the effects of materials!
Science beyond the lab: no need to stay put!
But there were gaps in Latour’s picture too, as anthropologists observed (Martin 1998). Comparing once more Traweek and Latour and Woolgar’s books, one obvious gap in the latter is how little the scientists’ own understandings and perspectives - their words, even - featured. We will return to this below. Another was the rather myopic attention to one particular setting, the lab, to the exclusion of broader extensions and connections. This echoes a broader distinction. Where sociologists of science more generally had focused in on particular laboratories and research programmes, the tradition of comparative and holistic thinking in anthropology drove anthropologists to ask broader questions about the ways in which purportedly scientific and non-scientific ways of encountering the world relate, differ, or cut across each other. Note, for instance, the fact that Traweek’s work focused on physicists in Japan and the US, thus introducing sophisticated questions from the start about the notion of cultural ‘context’ and what is or is not shared. Anthropologists of science pursued these complexities by asking how scientific knowledge and practices travelled beyond laboratory settings. This brought to center stage questions of history, power, and culture.
One could move beyond the lab by relating scientific and non-scientific knowledges within western societies themselves. A classic example of this approach is Emily Martin's influential book Flexible bodies (1994). There, the author traces the changing ways in which Americans imagine immunity. Drawing on the history of immunology and on popular media representations of the body, and moving backwards and forwards between researchers in immunological laboratories and interviews with a wide selection of laypersons in Baltimore, Martin shows the complex interplay between changing scientific and popular conceptions within the broad cultural setting of late-twentieth century America.
Crucially, Martin's point is not that initially correct scientific understandings are 'dumbed down' in popular portrayals. Nor is she arguing that scientific facts are the straightforward effects of social structure or a stable 'cultural context'. Rather, she notes that there is a constant interplay whereby scientists themselves draw on changing popular conceptions and metaphors to think through their research questions and findings, and that these findings in turn shape and transform popular conceptions. Scientific facts and representations travel and change as they move beyond the lab. The question of the cultural construction of scientific facts thereby opens up onto the broader question of how ‘American culture’ itself is in part constructed by reference to certain popular understandings of scientific facts. More broadly, Martin’s work involved a critical reflection (responding to the ‘crisis of representation’ of the 80s) about the formerly rather static and bounded ways in which anthropologists had conceptualised culture. This also involved new and creative ways of re-imagining anthropological fieldwork stretching over multiple places and times (Marcus 1995). Anthropology’s ‘holistic’ imaginary was thus both challenged and reconfigured (Candea 2007).
The other way in which anthropologists moved beyond the lab was by explicitly challenging their earlier distinctions between 'Science' and 'ethnoscience' (see above). A fairly straightforward point was that all science, including western science, is after all an ethnoscience - each can only be understood in context, and none can act as a privileged vantage-point from which others can be judged. These comparisons demote western science from its unique and exceptional position (Nader 1996). But to leave it there might suggest that each (ethno-)science operates in a self-contained world, rather like Kuhn's 'incommensurable' paradigms. The more challenging task is to trace the multiple power-laden interactions between these various ethnosciences.
An example of a convincing attempt to do this can be found in Roberto Gonzalez's Zapotec science (2001). Gonzalez argues that while Zapotec farming practices are grounded in a range of beliefs which western scientists might dismiss (such as a humoral theory, or the belief in animate supernatural beings), they also involve the key elements of scientific thinking:
Like agricultural scientists, Talean campesinos conduct experiments, formulate hypotheses, mold their results to theoretical frameworks, and disseminate their findings, from campesino to campesino, and from parent to child. (González 2001)
So far, Gonzalez's argument sounds rather like Malinowski's regarding Trobriand gardening. But, as we saw above, where Malinowski portrays Trobriand science as a pragmatic and rudimentary version of 'proper' contemporary science, Gonzalez portrays the two as equally theoretical and equally complex. The difference is historical and political: Zapotec science is a 'local' science, whereas western science – Gonzalez calls it 'cosmopolitan science' – is an ethnoscience which has gone global, partly through the effects of colonial and capitalist expansion. Gonzalez traces the historical process whereby Zapotec and cosmopolitan sciences have historically borrowed knowledges and techniques from each other. In sum, Gonzalez shows us how anthropology can take us beyond relativism by putting different (ethno)sciences in historical relation - not only different views on the world, but different and unequally powerful views in the same world.
Science, norms and ethics: take scientists seriously!
Throughout these developments, an increasing distance crept in between the way most anthropologists and sociologists thought about science, and the way many self-defined scientists did. For many of the latter, as for much of the Western public at large, science remains, despite its occasional failings, a unique and broadly successful attempt to establish truths about nature.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the so-called 'science wars' (Ross 1996; Parsons 2003) erupted as a number of scientists struck back at what they read as anti-realist and politically motivated attacks on science from the humanities and social sciences. At the margins of this occasionally rather unedifying debate, a number of more interesting positions emerged within the anthropology of science. These voices asked again what it would mean to really take science and scientists seriously. This question has particular traction in anthropology - after all, one of the discipline’s core commitment had always been to take seriously the people with whom anthropologists work. If anthropologists’ accounts persistently irritate and offend the people they are describing, then surely something must be wrong? Again, one can distinguish two main approaches to dealing with this question.
We have seen the outline of one of these approaches in Latour’s comments about science’s power to talk back, which were made precisely in the context of the science wars. His far-reaching philosophical reconfiguration of science was cast as a partial response to these concerns. However, Latour’s radically performative view of science takes a very different turn when combined with the more engaged political stance stemming initially from feminist critiques of science. If science is a process of active world-making, rather than merely the discovery of truths about the world, then this recasts the question of how one might do science for ‘better’ or ‘worse’. Science becomes political through and through, not simply because it provides legitimising narratives for this or that political practice or social arrangement, but more potently and directly because it can build the world in different ways. For example, a world in which humans are understood as behavioural machines of the type described by some forms of psychology is a world in which voting, advertising, education, and taxation, will all take a certain form. Actual humans will be shaped and transformed in important ways by these various offshoots of scientific understandings built in particular labs, and will in turn live to confirm the value and reality of these understandings. Other paradigms in psychology might lead to different understandings of the human – different policies, different humans. In other words, the frontlines of the ‘science wars’ are not between science and non-science, or between science and the humanities who critique ‘it’ from the outside. The frontlines are within science itself.
One of the most influential exponents of this position is Donna Haraway. In her painstakingly detailed history of primatology (Haraway 1989), Haraway draws together Marxism, feminism, cultural anthropology, actor-network theory, and her own experiences as a trained biologist. Haraway shows how particular research programmes emerged out of a mix of assumptions, techniques, and human and non-human actors differently situated and positioned, and how these scientific practices and their results fed into and fed off of popular imaginaries. At every juncture, different sciences and different politics were possible.
What is crucially at stake here is a challenge to the ability of any one commentator to speak for ‘Science’. The sciences are multiple, contest-riven, and political. Anthropologists and other scholars in the social sciences and humanities learnt from Haraway to attend to the many voices within scientific debates, and occasionally to shed their reserve and enter debates ‘behind the lines’, forming alliances with particular scientists against others, rather than sniping at ‘Science’ from a self-definedly external position. In sum, a 'feminist technoscience' approach such as Haraway’s confronts the question ‘are you taking scientists seriously’ with another question: ‘which scientists?’. In some respects there can be no more serious engagement with science that to get stuck in and argue within it.
Nevertheless, one might argue that, as with actor-network theory, the alliances proposed by this approach paper over some deep philosophical divergences. At its core lies a radical assumption that one can only properly engage with scientists once a general narrative about the aims, norms, and duties of 'Science' (as an objective, value-free, method-bound quest for knowledge about the world detached from any particular standpoint) has been replaced with one that depicts sciences as this-worldly, inherently political, and grounded in multiple standpoints. While it may encourage engagement with scientists on particular issues and projects, this approach comes, in other words, with a strong ‘top-level’ sense of what science is and how it should be done, one which is intentionally and forcefully at odds with the way scientists themselves have usually imagined those broadest aims and meanings of their practice.
There is, however, a very different way of tackling the question of ethics and of taking scientists seriously. This way traces how these commitments are lived in practice - to return, in other words, to the question of science as a vocation, as launched by Max Weber, and developed by Merton (see above). As anthropologist Paul Rabinow noted,
Although each component of Merton’s picture of science has been subjected to historical, sociological and philosophical reevaluation, it is fair to say that many scientists believe that these norms guide their practice. Hence, a major gap has developed today between scientists’ self-representation and the representations of scientists by those who study them. (Rabinow 1996)
These norms were mostly denounced as ideological cover by an early generation of social constructionists, and ignored by those who chose to focus on the practice of scientists in their labs rather than their accounts of what they did. Finally, ‘performative’ approaches such as those of Haraway sought to engage them head-on by articulating specific counter-norms (for instance that of the scientist as 'modest witness' (Haraway 1997). Rabinow called, instead, for anthropologists to study them, as they would study any other social practice which exists in tension with particular ideals. That means accepting that norms may never be completely and coherently instantiated, but they can nevertheless guide practice and inform scientists sense of what they are up to and their judgment of each other. Despite the mention of Merton, Michel Foucault’s late interest in the subject of ethics and self-formation was perhaps more of a key conceptual influence and guide here.
This interest in norms had strong roots, too, in the history of science. Shapin and Schaffer’s account of the controversy between Boyle and Hobbes over the nature of scientific knowledge, Leviathan and the air-pump (Shapin, Schaffer, & Hobbes 1985), for instance, gave an account of the way proper scientific experimental procedure was articulated, from the start, in moral (as well as gendered and classed) terms as going hand in hand with a particular ‘gentlemanly’ ethos of honour and trustworthiness. Later, Shapin returned to the subject – with explicit reference to Merton – to trace the transformations in scientific norms which came with the increasing professionalization of science and the increasingly strong links which developed during the twentieth century between science and industry (Shapin 2008). Daston and Galison’s monumental history of changing understandings and practices of scientific objectivity (Daston & Galison 2007), traces the effects of changing instrumentation, new scientific problems, and historical contexts. At its heart, however, the book approaches objectivity precisely as an ‘epistemic virtue’ - something scientists genuinely strive for, although its content may change.
In anthropology, this interest in scientific virtues was bolstered by the broader consolidation of the anthropology of ethics as a field of study (Laidlaw 2014). It became easier to think of scientists at work as – much like persons everywhere – pursuing particular kinds of ethical projects and undergoing particular practices of self-formation. One could point out that scientists were not unique in this respect, and yet do justice to their sense that the aims, goals, and ascetic practices they underwent were distinctive (see e.g. Candea 2010).
In sum, from the diverse and interwoven strands and debates above, emerged three fairly strong elements of advice to the aspiring anthropologist of science: 1) Don’t forget the things: Pay attention to the power and effects of non-human entities; 2) Don’t stay put: think about sciences (in the plural) and other knowledges as they interact and intersect in power-laden ways in the world beyond the lab; 3) Take scientists seriously: keep in view the real politics of scientific world-building and scientists’ own sense of themselves as engaged in particular ethical projects. The best anthropology of science today does all of the above.
References
Candea, M. 2007. Arbitrary locations: in defense of the bounded field-site. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 13(1), 167-184.
——— 2010. ‘I fell in love with Carlos the meerkat’: engagement and detachment in human-animal relations. American Ethnologist 37(2), 241-58.
Daston, L. & P. Galison 2007. Objectivity. Cambridge, Mass.: Zone Books, distributed by the MIT Press.
Fleck, L. 2012. Genesis and development of a scientific fact. Chicago: University Press.
Foucault, M. 1984. Histoire de la sexualité 3: le souci de soi. Paris: Gallimard.
González, R.J. 2001. Zapotec science: farming and food in the Northern Sierra of Oaxaca. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Haraway, D.J. 1989. Primate visions: gender, race and nature in the world of modern science. London: Routledge.
——— 1997. [email protected]: feminism and technoscience. New York: Routledge.
Knorr-Cetina, K.D. 1983. The ethnographic study of scientific work: towards a constructivist interpretation of science (available on-line: http://kops.uni-konstanz.de/handle/123456789/11543).
Kuhn, T.S. 1962. The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago: University Press.
Laidlaw, J. 2014. The subject of virtue: an anthropology of ethics and freedom. Cambridge: University Press.
Latour, B. 1990. Postmodern – no, simply amodern – steps towards an anthropology of science. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 21(1), 145-71.
——— 2005. Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network theory. Oxford: University Press.
——— & S. Woolgar 1979. Laboratory life: the social construction of scientific facts. Vol. 80, Sage Library of Social Research. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
Lévi-Strauss, C. 1966. The savage mind. Chicago: University Press.
Malinowski, B. 1948 . Magic, science and religion. In Magic, science, and religion and other essays, 1-71. Glencoe, Ill.: The Free Press.
Marcus, G. E. 1995. Ethnography in/of the world system: the emergence of multi-sited ethnography. Annual Review of Anthropology 24, 95-117.
Martin, E. 1994. Flexible bodies: tracking immunity in American culture from the days of polio to the age of AIDS. Boston: Beacon Press.
——— 1998. Anthropology and the cultural study of science. Science, Technology, & Human Values 23: S1 (1: Anthropological approaches in science and technology studies), 24-44.
McDonald, M. 2012. Medical anthropology and anthropological studies of science. In Companion to the anthropology of Europe (eds) U. Kockel, M. Nic Craith & J. Frykman, 459-80. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Merton, R.K. 1973. The normative structure of science. In The sociology of science: theoretical and empirical investigations, 267-80. Chicago: University Press.
Mitroff, I.I. 1974. Norms and counter-norms in a select group of the Apollo moon scientists: a case study of the ambivalence of scientists. American Sociological Review 39(4), 579.
Nader, L. 1996. Naked science: anthropological inquiry into boundaries, power, and knowledge. New York: Routledge.
Parsons, K.M. 2003. The science wars: debating scientific knowledge and technology. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books.
Rabinow, P. 1996. Making PCR: a story of biotechnology. Chicago: University Press.
Ross, A. 1996. Science wars. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press.
Shapin, S. 2008. The scientific life: a moral history of a late modern vocation. Chicago: University Press.
——— S. Schaffer & T. Hobbes 1985. Leviathan and the air-pump: Hobbes, Boyle, and the experimental life: including a translation of Thomas Hobbes, Dialogus Physicus de Natura Aeris by Simon Schaffer. Princeton: University Press.
Traweek, S. 1988. Beamtimes and lifetimes: the world of high energy physicists (available on-line: http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/clc/916015).
Viveiros de Castro, E. 2003. And. Manchester: University Press.
Weber, M. 1998. 'Science as a vocation.' In Science as a vocation (ed.) H.H. Gerth, 129-56. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Note on contributor
Matei Candea is a lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge and former editor of the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (2013-2016). He is the author of Corsican fragments: difference, knowledge and fieldwork (2010, Indiana), and editor of The social after Gabriel Tarde (Routledge, 2010) and Detachment: essays on the limits of relational thinking (Manchester University Press, 2015) with Jo Cook, Catherine Trundle and Tom Yarrow. He has published a number of articles on politics, identity, hospitality, human-animal relations, behavioural science and anthropological comparison. His current research interests include anthropological heuristics and the comparative study of free speech. | https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/science |
SOI Systems is a company with a 50 year history of addressing student learning problems.
Our focus has been primarily on making sure that the student’s capacities for learning are matching the expectations of the teaching situation – whether that is in a school, a university, or less formal circumstances like home schooling.
When the student’s capacities for learning do not match the expectations of the learning situation, we take a clinical approach to the situation – isolate and identify the learning problem; make a preliminary diagnosis, test to find the probable cause; prescribe an intervention; and monitor to see if the intervention is effective.
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach – it is individualized for each student-client. On the other hand, as with any clinical practice, there are broad guidelines based on years of experience. These guidelines define three general areas.
INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES AND CONCEPTS
All learning situations are predicated on a set of expectations about the student’s cognitive abilities – acquisition of new data or concepts (cognition), recall of data acquired (memory), informationdiscrimination (evaluation), reasoning to acquire new concepts (problem-solving), and the ability to explore new applications (creativity).
We test for all of these abilities and have training materials to address any weaknesses. In addition to the abilities themselves, our assessments identify students’ learning profiles in terms of content — whether they are predominately figural, symbolic, or semantic learners. We then use their content strengths to create a more balanced profile for all types of learning.
PERCEPTUAL AND SENSORY INTEGRATION
All learning situations are predicated on a set of expectations about the student’s capabilities to process visual and auditory information, and to have an integrated command of the information that they receive from the senses – can they visually track across the page; can they locate their visual position on the page; can they re-establish their focus shifting from near-point to far-point; are both eyes working together in visual tasks; can they shift their perceptual focus from one side of their body to the other – all of these are capabilities that, when lacking, can adversely affect learning at a most basic level.
In the face of learning problems, we test for all of these capabilities – including the auditory counterparts – and have prescribed exercises to bring the perceptual processes back to the norm. The system is called SOI-IPP.
IDIOSYNCRATIC PROBLEMS
Some learning problems are genuine outliers – problems that occur with such infrequency that the most practical approach is not general screening, but rather training practitioners to be alert to the symptoms and have strategies for dealing with the problem. A good example would be the ability to identify a learning “perfectionist” and then having a structured approach to create new behaviors that will capitalize on the devotion-to-correctness, but not to the extent of penalizing overall performance. We have protocols for coaching these behavioral changes and others that can adversely affect learning
In summary, our goal is to help as many students as possible – by addressing the most prevalent learning problems with an individualized approach in the most efficient and practical means possible. | https://www.soisystems.com/2017/12/05/soi-learning-problems/ |
MOSCOW, January 4 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin has lifted a ban on public protests during the Olympics opening next month in Sochi, four months after signing an order banning demonstrations during the winter sports event.
Rally organizers still need to receive police approval on the number of participants, location or marching route, and time interval before going ahead with demonstrations during the Olympic period from January 7 through March 21, according to the Kremlin's statement on Saturday.
The Olympic extravaganza will last just over five weeks, with the opening ceremony scheduled for February 7 and the Paralympics drawing to a close March 16.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that in practice, local organizers will work with city and regional authorities to pick a city square where rallies or protests could be held freely.
He said that the demonstrations will have to get approval from Sochi city officials as well as the regional Interior Ministry and security services.
The surprise announcement was a U-turn from an August decree putting a blanket ban on public protests unrelated to the Games in Sochi during the Olympic period for security reasons, which drew condemnation from activists claiming it restricted free expression.
No official reason was given for the change, though it comes just weeks after Olympic officials said that protesters would be allowed to rally during the Games inside designated public protest zones in Sochi.
The Winter Olympics have been the focus of intense international scrutiny and security concerns following the double suicide-bomb attacks in Volgograd, 400 miles away, this week that killed 34 people and injured more than 60 others.
Russia’s controversial ban on gay propaganda last year has also been a source of international tension, with some foreign officials and activists questioning the safety of gay athletes and attendees at the Games in light of the law.
Some gay rights campaigners were outraged by the ban and have vowed to use the Winter Olympics in Sochi as a venue to protest the legislation.
Updated with presidential spokesman quotes, headline, lede and recast throughout. | https://sputniknews.com/20140104/Putin-to-Allow-Rallies-at-Sochi-Olympics-186223143.html |
Canton, NY – Nick Escalante (Whittier, CA) found the back of the net twice and goalkeeper Evan Drew (Elizabethtown, NY) stopped all six shots he faced including a penalty kick as the SUNY Canton men's soccer team defeated visiting Alfred University, 2-0, Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Kangaroos to 1-2, while the loss drops the Saxons to 1-3.
The Roos got the scoring started early on in the 7th minute taking advantage of an Alfred defensive miscue. Hunter Mowery (Elizabethtown, NY) played the ball up the center of the field as Escalante sprinted after it just outside the penalty box. Saxon keeper Matthew Unick came charging off his line but couldn't attack the ball with his hands as it was just outside the 18 yard mark. He attempted to clear the ball with his feet but missed as Escalante took advantage and found the open net for the early 1-0 edge.
There would be other opportunities throughout the opening period as Alfred had a number of quality balls played into the box but the Canton defense was up to the task as the back line stood strong clearing any chances away. The Roos held a 5-3 shots on goal advantage in the opening period. | http://northcountrynow.com/news-sports/escalante-nets-two-roo-mens-soccer-2-0-victory-over-alfred-095046 |
The Director of Recreation and Intramural Programs is responsible for the supervision of staff, fiscal operations, program development, marketing/public relations, participant retention, and customer service related to the recreation, intramural, club sports and wellness programs.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Provide direction for the marketing and promotion of facilities, programs and services.
Develop and guide University and administrative policies and procedures for Department.
Direct programs and services that cultivates collaboration with University departments/units to address student well-being on campus and provide student experienced that enhance academic achievement.
Direct the development of student leadership opportunities to enhance the student experience.
Lead committees and work groups to ensure that the student voice is included in all planning.
Develop and supervise the structure for evaluating and monitoring the Department's effectiveness in achieving planned results.
Ensure compliance of programs with University policy and procedures, along with local and national standards
Develop and supervise the structure for identifying, interviewing and hiring staff.
Identify short- and long-range Departmental goals and objectives.
Oversee coordination and scheduling of fitness classes, athletic clubs, intramural leagues and tournaments. With existing budget, hire and schedule qualified and skilled instructors for classes.
Develop and support staff programs for performance incentive and enhancement.
Maintain liaison with other University departments and executives and serve as pubic spokesperson for Department.
Direct the preparation and control of budget and financial operations.
Utilize data and metrics to monitor current and new programs initiatives
Set parameters for Department's management information systems.
Develop written policies and procedures as needed, including risk management procedures, to conduct the intramural and recreation program in the best and safest manner
Perform related Departmental duties as required.
Knowledge of organizational behavior, administration, and marketing, typically acquired through the completion of a Master's degree in Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.
Seven years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years with supervisory responsibility is necessary.
Nationally recognized CPR, First Aid and AED certification preferred
Membership with NIRSA (National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association) required; preferably an active role in the organization.
Undergraduate educational background in recreation or a related field is highly desirable. | https://careercenter.bluefishjobs.com/jobs/11082926/director-of-recreation-and-intramural-programs |
Hazzard urges caution as Mournes wildfire spreads
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has called on people enjoying the Mournes to exercise caution as emergency services continue to tackle a wildfire at Drinnahilly near Tollymore Forest Park.
The South Down MP said,
“Whether accidental or deliberate these wild fires are incredibly dangerous so I would urge everyone to exercise extreme caution when they are doing anything that might possibly start a fire.
“I would also like to appeal to anybody visiting the area to report any suspicious activity as the deliberate lighting of fires is completely unacceptable seeing as these fires cause widespread environmental destruction and are a risk to many local businesses and residents.
Mr Hazzard added:
“Finally I would like to recognise the efforts of the Irish AirCorps who have been assisting local emergency services this afternoon. | https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/50463 |
Seven African Powers: The Orishas
The Seven African Powers, referred to the seven Orishas, are a common spiritual force that people petition with overcoming obstacles, spiritual growth and connecting to one’s inner power. The phrase “Seven African Powers” is found in various religions, including, Hoodoo, Santeria, Candomble, and Arara.
Often depicted with their images linked together in a chain circling an image of the crucified Jesus, these deities represent all that is sacred and powerful in Santeria. But within Santeria but there is a common misconception around who they are and how they function. Anyone can call upon the Seven African Powers, as they are spirit guides and everyone has access to these Orishas for their guidance. | https://griotbda.com/products/0af7b240-abe0-11ea-fb5b-4c4f0d07d9f4 |
How Has Lockdown and Social Distancing Changed How We Listen to Feedback?
How do we check that what we’ve done is effective when you can’t easily go back to ask people because most countries are on lockdown and physical distancing is the new normal?
Everything we do is guided by the same goal: helping families rebuild after disaster. After our response teams have finished working with a disaster or conflict-affected community, our Monitoring and Evaluation team will go back to visit families and ask questions to understand how helpful our support has been. This means we keep on learning. By listening to feedback, adapting and improving, we can make sure the families we support are in the best possible position to start piecing their lives back together.
Monitoring and Evaluation 101:
- Find a suitable location to conduct the interview. This should be somewhere with a degree of privacy that enables the respondent to feel comfortable in the moment.
- Maintain eye contact and look to build rapport by showing the respondent that you are interested in what they have to say. Don’t just stare at the survey!
- Why not get a group of people together to discuss a topic? Focus groups can be a really good way of understanding why people hold a certain view on a subject.
Monitoring and Evaluation is a social science; it is as much about social interactions as scientific process. The data we enter into statistical packages is only as good as the interviews or surveys undertaken to gather this information. Our monitoring and evaluation team work hard to create an environment in which people feel empowered to tell us what they really think about our work; good or bad.
But in the COVID-19 era of face masks, social distancing and restricted movement, how can we hope to keep the essential monitoring and evaluation foundations of rapport-building and Do No Harm at the centre of everything we do? Should we even be putting people at risk by returning to communities and asking questions about our work?
Here are a few steps that we are taking to help us keep the feedback loop open without endangering people’s lives, while we respond to the global coronavirus pandemic.
1. Information is Paramount. We know that not all places will experience coronavirus in the same way, so our first step is to gather information about the area. By doing this, we can ensure that monitoring and evaluation teams are best placed to mitigate any risks posed to them and the community.
2. Modify and adapt. Rather than take a one-size fits all approach, we want to design data gathering processes that are appropriate to the situation. In some cases, this may mean that we can maintain face-to-face contact – although likely from a distance. In other situations, we may utilise tech-based platforms or social media to understand people’s views on our work. Recently in Somaliland, we spoke to families who had received aid over the phone. The important thing is that we understand the risks and limitations with each approach.
3. Plan to a fluid context. Things can change. Fast. What is considered an appropriate approach when we are planning a response may soon be considered unsafe as the virus spreads. By continually monitoring the situation we hope to keep abreast of changes in real time, adapting our approach as new information comes to light.
4. Work with the community. We need to make sure that our data gathering intentions support localised approaches to delaying the spread of coronavirus. We aim to communicate our plans to members of the affected community so that they can advise us on the appropriateness of our approach and suggest changes.
5. Triangulate data. Our Monitoring and Evaluation team use several data sources when evaluating a response. We often cross reference information we gather through surveys with distribution reports and data collected by other organisations working in the area. This helps us to recognise when the results of a survey may have been affected by a methodology that didn’t work as anticipated. When trialling new approaches to data collection, triangulation becomes more important than ever.
To learn more about how coronavirus is affecting other areas of our work, take a look at our coronavirus response.
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What an amazing website. So much to read and get informed on .Fun as well. | https://www.shelterbox.org/news/blog/monitoring-and-evaluation-during-the-global-coronavirus-pandemic/ |
Urban storyteller Dominic Brogsdale brings readers tales of raw, intense authenticity. The following stories arise from urban reality, from what he and the people he's known have experienced.
In this second collection of Concrete Chronicles, you'll meet: Jetta, a 16-year-old girl who isn't as grown up as she thinks and defies her parents' strict rules. Her arrogance and naivete result in tragedy for her entire family, especially for her two younger sisters.
Sophia, a devout Muslim whose deadbeat ex-husband leaves her and her children on the brink of homelessness. Turning to crime to feed her children, she reaps kindness from the storekeeper whose merchandise she steals.
Paul, serving a 10-year prison sentence for the crime of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He relies on his mentally unstable cellmate to protect him from predation and pours out his innermost thoughts and feelings in heartfelt poetry.
Jimmy, who escapes a home where he's not wanted only to fall prey to his larcenous uncle, a pastor. Caught and imprisoned, he learns from another inmate how to turn his life around.
Devin and his friends, young children whom family, society, and the government have failed at every turn. Neglected to raise themselves, these children obey no rules other than want, self-gratification, and vengeance.
Sophia
By Dominic Brogsdale
Dedicated to the struggling single mother, and Sophia
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.
Proverbs 6:30
“You don't have enough money. About the time you get a paycheck, it's already gone.”
Retrieved from “Two Jobs, Hard Times” by Jordan Malter, CNN Money
“I actually have to work three jobs, and my husband works three jobs as well, and we’re still not able to get ahead.”
Retrieved from “A Firefighter Works Three Jobs to Support His Family” on A Hidden America with Diane Sawyer on ABC News
“This is a stop at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This fire station, Pennsylvania’s bravest, I learned that 20 out of 68 full-time firefighters here have to work at least a second job. Chris Smith has three jobs he works on rotation; his schedule’s a Rubik’s Cube.”
(Retrieved from “A Firefighter Works Three Jobs to Support His Family” from Hidden America with Diane Sawyer on ABC News)
Two-thirds of college grads struggle to launch their careers.
Harvard Business Review
Sobbing, Sophia wiped the tears from her eyes with her left hand and asked her ex-husband over the phone, “What have I done to you? How could you leave me and the children like that?”
“I don't have to explain anything to you,” he answered.
Sophia sniffled. “You have to say something. You just left us without any explanation.”
He sighed and spat, “You were a bad Muslim woman and a bad mother, that's why.”
Sophia gasped at the accusation and fresh tears flowed. “What do you mean I was a bad Muslim woman and a bad mother?” She started to cry louder, and tears blurred her vision. “I worked hard every day; you had no job. I supplied everything. I went to law school while you stayed at home with the children. I provided for the family and not once did I throw it in your face.”
He sighed and said, “Listen to me—”
Sophia cut him off. “For once, I want you to listen to me. I provided since day one. You told my parents before we got married that you would try to do better and get a job in teaching. You tried for a little bit and then stopped. I never cheated on you. I took care of the children. I helped you when you needed, and I supported you when you needed it. I have never disrespected you—and even now I’m not disrespecting you—and all I ask is why?”
There was a long pause. Sophia teared up some more. “So, you’re just gonna leave me here with the children? Does she have more money than me? Is she prettier than me? So, you’re not gonna say anything? I need help. I've been laid off while looking for a job, and you know how hard it is to raise the children on one income.”
The connection terminated and the phone fell silent. Sophia closed her big, bright eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose as more tears dripped down her cheeks. She delved deep into her conscience to figure out what she did wrong to explain why her husband had left her for another woman. Perhaps it was just him. She lived a clean life: no drinking, no smoking, no partying. She took care of her family the best she could. She didn't understand it all.
It was just after sunset, time for her fourth prayer of the day. Sophia washed her face and hands, then got on her prayer rug in the study where she wept and prayed. After five minutes, she walked over to the desk and looked at a picture of her mother and father. She rubbed her index finger over her father’s cheek, forehead, and heart. A few more tears ran down her face as she whispered, “May Allah make your grave spacious, full of light, and a place of comfort. May Allah forgive his sins and ours and grant him Jannatu-al-Firdous. Amen.”
She sniffled, few more tears falling as she smiled and rubbed the picture. “I asked if Mother could recite Surah Fatiha for you, Father.” She stared at the picture and reminisced about her father's kindness and love for her and her sister and his grandchildren. She smiled gently at the photograph, rubbing her fingertip over his heart and dropping a couple more tears, and whispered, “Ya Allah, forgive his sins, open the gates of Jannah-tul Firdous for him, and may he be at ultimate peace in the grave with no torment. May his reckoning be swift and full of mercy. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.”
Sophia let out a deep sigh, wiped her eye with her index finger, and mumbled, “It's been four years since you left us, Father. I need your guidance.”
She looked at her Koran, which was sitting in a clean space on the desk next to a Bible and a Torah. She picked up the Bible and opened it to a bookmarked page in the Book of Titus and read:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
She set down the Bible, then picked up the Koran and opened it. Placing her index finger beneath the text, she read line for line, mumbling under her breath,
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. Successful are the believers.
2. Those who are humble in their prayers.
3. Those who avoid nonsense.
4. Those who work for charity.
5. Those who safeguard their chastity.
6. Except from their spouses, or their dependents—for they are free from blame.
7. But whoever seeks anything beyond that—these are the transgressors.
8. Those who are faithful to their trusts and pledges.
9. Those who safeguard their prayers.
10. These are the inheritors. | https://www.dominicryanbrogsdale.com/books/concrete-chronicles-volume-2/ |
Once within the level crossing there are no readily visible cues (like short range lights) to alert a driver that the level crossing protection system is operating.
Response to safety issue by: Metro Trains
Metro Trains agrees that the addition of short-range lights may provide a general safety benefit and will explore the potential benefit of fitting short range lights at this crossing, and will also explore their potential at other similar crossings. It should be noted that modifications to the equipment beyond the scope of the current design will require approval and funding from VicTrack and Public Transport Victoria as the asset owner.
ATSB comment:
The ATSB has reviewed Metro Trains submission and notes the intended action, but considers that further action is required to adequately address the safety issue.
Recommendation
|Action organisation:||Metro Trains|
|Action number:||RO-2012-007-SR-007|
|Date:||18 December 2013|
|Action status:||Released|
The ATSB recommends that Metro Trains takes further action in relation to the fitting of short range lights at the Cherry Street level crossing.
Correspondence
|Date received:||07 April 2014|
|Response from:||Wyndham City Council|
|Action status:||Closed|
|Response text:||
|
A meeting was held on 9th January 2014 between VicTrack, Metro Trains Melbourne, VicRoads and Wyndham City officers to investigate and discuss actions and staging of treatment to enhance the safety of the Cherry Street crossing. From the meeting, the
VicTrack has confirmed that a funding sum will be provided for these works. The specific details of the scope of works and design is to be prepared between the agencies.
Recommendation
|Action number:||RO-2012-007-SR-007|
|Action status:||Released|
|Current issue status:||Adequately addressed|
|Status justification:||
|
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken/proposed by Metro Trains Melbourne will addresse this safety issue. | http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2012/rair/ro-2012-007/si-03/ |
Summary. Quinazolines are among the most useful heterocyclic compounds due to their diverse chemical reactivity and a wide range of biological activity. Despite a large number of publications devoted to quinazolines and their derivatives, information is presented predominantly regarding the features of the synthesis of these compounds and their structure. The studies of specific pharmacological activity and antitumor activity of these compounds are mainly limited to primary screening using enzyme systems and cell lines. In this mini review information concerning the potential targets for antitumor action of quinazoline compounds is summarized and discussed.
Abbreviations used: EGFR — epidermal growth factor receptor; NSCLC — non-small cell lung cancer; PI3K — phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases; RTKs — receptor tyrosine kinases; TKIs — tyrosine kinase inhibitors; VDSCs — voltage-dependent sodium channels.
Quinazolines are among the most useful heterocyclic compounds due to their diverse chemical reactivity and a wide range of biological activity. Among the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, quinazolines are “building blocks” of more than 200 natural alkaloids isolated from plants, animals, and microorganisms . Quinazoline derivatives exhibit antimalarial, antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, diuretic, muscle relaxant activities and many others [2, 3].
The number of various compounds synthesized on the basis of quinazolines, and presented in the scientific literature is striking [4–7]. Most likely this is due to the relative simplicity of their synthesis and high expectations of their high pharmacological activity . However, the majority of literary sources devoted to quinazolines and their derivatives provide only information on their synthesis and structure . Studies of specific pharmacological activity are mainly limited to primary screening using enzyme systems and cell lines. This fully applies to studies of the antitumor activity of these compounds [10–12]. Information on in vivo studies involving experimental tumor models is scanty, and such data are mainly related to the compounds already registered for clinical use by pharmacological centers in various countries. One can only guess that in vivo studies of quinazoline compounds, which have shown good cytotoxic/cytostatic activity on cell lines, are conducted by the companies on a “non-disclosure” mode.
inhibition of voltage-dependent sodium channels (antiangiogenic and analgesic effects) .
Of all the above-mentioned spectrum of targets for the antitumor action of quinazolines and their derivatives, inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), mostly EGFR inhibitors have received the greatest development.
This specificity reflects, firstly, the current trend in oncology towards the creation of targeted anticancer drugs, and, secondly, the important role of RTK in vital activity of cells, including cancer cells [21, 22].
In maintaining the life of higher organisms, the control of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration plays a key role. The normal course of these processes ensures the correct development and protective reactions of the body. The loss or weakening of their control can cause serious illnesses, including cancer. The appropriate regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and cell motility is carried out through various mechanisms. One of them is the interaction of the cell with growth factors.
Growth factors are usually small polypeptides that stimulate or inhibit the main functions of cells. Growth factors act on their target cells, which are distinguished from other cells by the presence of specific receptors to the growth factor, exposed on the surface of cell membranes and characteristic of this particular cell type.
Surface receptors that perceive extracellular factors and “inform” the cell accordingly are “sensory organs” of cells. The specific interaction of external factors and membrane receptors initiates the process of signal transduction: the “impulse” that occurs on the cell membrane is amplified and transmitted into the cell along certain signal pathways. A cell response to a signal stimulus can have various manifestations: cell division (or, on the contrary, stopping of this process), differentiation, hormone secretion, etc.
Among the main participants in the chain of signal transduction in cells are various types of kinases (tyrosine kinases), an important function of which is the transfer of the phosphate group from ATP (usually competitive) to amino acid residues of other proteins. Phosphorylation of target proteins leads to an instantaneous change in their conformation and properties. The balance between phosphorylation and dephosphorylation determines the transduction of intracellular signals.
Despite the fact that protein phosphorylation by tyrosine residues is a rarer event compared to serine or threonine phosphorylation, it has been established that tyrosine phosphorylation plays a key role in many cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and migration .
intracellular (cytoplasmic) tyrosine kinases are involved in cell signaling processes, including the transfer of information to the nucleus.
All RTKs have a similar structure — they consist of a ligand-binding extracellular region, a hydrophobic transmembrane domain, and an intracellular (cytoplasmic) region. The latter, along with the catalytic tyrosine kinase domain, contains regulatory domains.
Recently, a special group of receptors transducing information involving tyrosine kinase has been identified among RTKs. These receptors do not have their own catalytic tyrosine kinase domain, but when activated they bind to cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases and form a signaling complex.
In a normal cell, kinases provide “awareness” and sensitivity of the cell to the action of the body’s regulatory systems (its “obedience”). Such “obedience” includes an adequate cell response to a signal to divide or to stop division, a signal to differentiation or apoptosis, a signal to move or not to move.
In contrast to normal cell, cancer cell is characterized by functional “deafness”, which ensures its independence from signals from tissues and other functional systems of the body. Such functional deafness of cancer cell is often provided by a disruption in the functioning of kinases (due to the numerous mutations of the genes encoding these proteins). Almost all nosological forms of malignant neoplasms are characterized by the presence of numerous mutations of the genes encoding kinases. Mutated RTKs can generate an intracellular proliferation signal in the absence of a ligand (growth factor). Other mutant growth factor receptors can block the differentiation of certain cell types . It is important to note that kinase-independent programs can be activated in cancer cells, providing a high proliferative activity of these cells, which eliminates the cell response to the inhibitory effect of certain growth factors.
The important role that tyrosine kinases play in the biology of tumor cells has led to an intensive search for and creation of targeted antitumor drugs capable of inhibiting the activity of tyrosine kinases, both normal and mutant (tyrosine kinase inhibitors — TKIs). Table shows some of TKIs and their clinical status.
Note: Inhibitors based on quinazoline compounds are highlighted in bold. CML — chronic myeloid leukemia; GIST — gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
It is noteworthy that the main targets of the quinazoline-based TKIs are RTKs, among which EGFR prevails. The first generation of EGFR inhibitors, to which belong gefitinib and erlotinib, is characterized by a reversible mechanism of action. Their relatively high efficacy has been shown in multicenter clinical studies in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations [29–31]. Based on these studies, gefitinib and erlotinib are recommended as the first line therapy for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations [32–35].
Afatinib belongs to the class of irreversible inhibitors of mutant EGFR (the second generation of inhibitors) [36, 37]. The last two randomized blocks of clinical studies of this drug showed its high efficacy against NSCLC, and it was included in the treatment standards as the first line therapy for this localization .
However, despite such striking successes, the antitumor effect of gefitinib and erlotinib lasts about a year, and then most patients show an expressed disease progression due to the development of tumor resistance to the action of these targeted drugs. There are several mechanisms for the development of resistance to first-generation TKIs . In about half of the cases, resistance is due to the emergence of an additional mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor, which disrupts their binding to active sites. In another 35–40% of cases, resistance is due to the activation of additional signaling pathways in cancer cell. Unfortunately, second-generation TKIs, such as afatinib, have not been effective enough in the case of development of resistance to first-generation inhibitors. Third-generation TKIs such as rociletinib were synthesized to induce an antitumor effect in the presence of the Del19, L858R and T790M mutations and are now in Phase I–II of clinical trials .
The third generation of kinase inhibitors with a new molecular target includes vandetanib, which inhibits the kinase of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. This receptor is actively involved in tumor angiogenesis and its inhibition causes antiangiogenic and, as a result, antimetastatic effect. This is reflected in the results of both preclinical and clinical studies. This drug has proven to be effective in treating metastatic forms of medullary thyroid cancer and has been approved for the treatment of patients with this localization .
The search for and creation of new quinazoline-based antitumor compounds, which are able to effectively and selectively inhibit the EGFR, is being actively pursued . The synthesis of quinazoline compounds capable of acting simultaneously on several molecular targets that affect the survival of malignant cells is also promising. For example, there are studied compounds that simultaneously inhibit (i) EGFR and tubulin polymerization in cancer cells or (ii) EGFR and PI3K .
The ability of some quinazolines and their derivatives to inhibit tubulins undoubtedly deserves special attention . It is known that tubulin is the main structural protein of microtubules, which play an important role in cell division and cell motility. Tubulin is a target for such effective anticancer drugs widely used in oncological practice as vincristine, vinblastine, taxol, docetaxel and paclitaxel. By binding to tubulin, these agents prevent the formation of microtubules involved in the mitotic spindle. Tubulin-inhibiting agents also provide an antimetastatic effect by inhibiting cell motility and invasiveness.
The ability of quinazolines to inhibit voltage-dependent sodium channels (VDSCs) can also provide the antimetastatic effect . It is known that VDSCs have a significant effect on cell proliferation, adhesion, motility, etc. . VDSCs are expressed not only in nerve and muscle cells, but also in many non-excitable cell systems, including endothelial cells and cancer cells. The important role played by VDSCs in cell activity, as well as the high expression of these channels in metastatically active cells, give reason to consider them as a promising molecular target for antitumor, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic therapy . It is also important to emphasize that inhibition of VDSCs underlies the analgesic effect, a very important property for the creation of antitumor drugs.
The pharmacological properties of quinazolines substantially depend on their structure. The limiting factor is undoubtedly the poor solubility of many quinazoline compounds. High chemical reactivity can also complicate the study of their specific antitumor or antimetastatic activity. Despite that, quinazolines represent promising “chemical construction set” for creating anticancer drugs with a wide arsenal of targets for therapeutic intervention.
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What is the Perceptible Breath?
The Perceptible Breath educates us to trust and appreciate our breath as it comes and goes on its own, to perceive its undisturbed, natural rhythm. It is a breathing practice that is not dominated by our will. The primary emphasis is not to control the breath coluntarity by drawing it in or pushing it out, but to allow it to find its own natural rhythm.
Most of the time in everyday life and when we sleep, our breath comes and goes naturally, involuntarily without us becoming conscious of our breathing. We do not have to allow it, it happens by itself. Prof. Middendorf called it “unconscious breathing” and contrasted it with the voluntary breath under conscious control. In between the unconscious breathing function and the voluntary breath, there is a third form of breath, which Middendorf called the “Perceptible Breath”. Her studies are grounded on the perception and the experience of the unconscious function of the breath raising it into our consciousness without disturbing it.
The breath accompanies every act of the body and the mind. Every activity, every thought, every life situation we find ourselves in changes our breathing pattern. Happiness and joy permit our breath to flow freely, easily and effortlessly. Fear, anxiety, and pain on the contrary restrict our breathing, which is harmful to us. As a result, our muscular and connective tissues become tight and inflexible, and disturb the normal function of our organs and immune response, which can lead to illness.
"Our breathing reflects every emotional or physical effort and every disturbance."
Mosché Feldenkrais (1904–1984)
Scientific studies show that breath therapy reduces pain perception. It modulates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and stimulates the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which facilitates relaxation and digestion.
How do you teach the Perceptible Breath to children?
I contrast the free flow of the breath with other breathing practices that require some form of control over the breath or manipulation of the breath as in pranayama, the yogic forms of breathing* and let her feel and express the difference.
At the beginning of a practice, the child is encouraged to extend all parts of her body into the space around her just like a cat pandiculating upon waking, which will prompt her to breathe deeply. The larger respiration ‘breathing in and breathing out’ supports the smaller respiration on the cellular level. Every cell in the body requires oxygen. Every cell in the body is dependent on the breath. When breathing in, the child will begin to sense more internal space and when breathing out more vital energy. As soon as she brings her awareness to a specific part of her body, she begins to feel that part of her body entirely.
For example, when you place your hands around your ankle, you not only bring your awareness to your ankle and sense it between your hands; you also arrive there with the full presence of your Whole Self. Consequently, you begin to feel and consciously experience that part of your body entirely: the underlying structure of your bones and tissues, the temperature and moisture of your skin, and the rhythmic throbbing of your arteries. As you are there, so is your breath, if you allow the breath to come naturally.
Children find joy in expressing themselves through movement. With carefully chosen instructions pertaining to the breath, they are encouraged to move as they like. Once they make the connection of breath and movement, their movements become clear, light, expressive and graceful. Children love imagination and visualization and find joy in comparing themselves to a feather floating through space or a bird spreading its wings to fly. After each practice, the child rests lying down on a blanket with his hands on his stomach sensing the up and down movement of his breath. With time, the child will learn to calmly observe his breath without disturbing it.
The breath in particular carries an infinite ability to heal. It holds the key to your child’s health. In consultation and coordination with your child’s primary healthcare provider, I recommend integrating the practice of the consciously perceiving breath between your child’s doctor visits and monitoring potential benefits of this whole person care approach.
* I would like to emphasize that yogic breathing practices have their own health benefits and shall also be part of your child’s daily routine. | https://www.childarthritis.org/breath-therapy |
Even though his boys basketball team was playing on the road Friday night at Westminster High School, new Winters Mill coach David Wynne was used to the environment.
Wynne played guard for Westminster High and graduated in 2000, and came over to the Falcons’ boys side after coaching WM’s girls for nine seasons.
Wynne was a defensive-minded guard who took pride in his defense but as coach of the visiting team he watched the host Owls dominate defensively using a three-quarter court trap and tight man-to-man approach that propelled them to a 48-32 victory.
“It’s something we’ve been working on and we use it to get our energy going,” Westminster coach Steve Byrnes said. “I didn’t think we had enough energy so we went to a little bit of full-court defense and that helped pick up the intensity and it helped us on both ends turning defense into offense.”
Westminster led 15-3 after the first quarter and never looked back.
It was Winters Mill’s first game in two weeks and the Falcons had 14 turnovers in the first half when the Owls built a 25-11 lead. The win evened the Owls’ record at 3-3 while the Falcons dropped to 1-2.
In the first quarter Westminster also made 7 of 8 free throws which gave them an opportunity to set up the press.
“We do a lot of shooting in practice with a shorter season we are starting to get the free throws going,” Byrnes said.
The Owls also got a pair of field goals from Alan Joseph and one each from Connor Levinson and Colby Cotoia in the opening quarter. The defense held the Falcons scoreless for 7:19 between the first and second quarter.
Josh Popielski knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:38 left in the first half to break the scoring drought, and Kunal Shah added a trey later in the quarter, but Westminster maintained a comfortable 25-11 lead at halftime thanks to balanced scoring.
Erick Stranko and Cotoia had seven points each and Levinson added five in the first half for the Owls.
Winters Mill’s Tyler Sabad scored eight points in the third quarter and a switch from a man-to-man to a 1-3-1 zone defense helped the Falcons pull to within 30-20 following Sabad’s layup with 2:28 left in the quarter, but that was the closest they would get as Westminster closed the quarter with a 7-1 run.
A 3-pointer by Patrick Haynes started the surge and a traditional 3-point play by Billy Hyatt-Otovic and free throw from Levinson concluded it.
“We just had to start executing and show some more patience when they first went zone on us and after that we started getting the shots we wanted,” Byrnes said.
Stranko, Westminster’s senior captain, finished with eight points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists, but he was most proud of his team’s tenacious and consistent defense.
“We preach energy all four quarters, execution of defense, get to the ball with five people running around,” Stranko said. “If someone doesn’t have the right energy we can bring another kid in. If we can get five people in playing good hard defense and working hard on offense, we should win a lot of games.”
Winning aside, just playing games makes the captain happy,
“Just getting on the court is a blessing, Stranko said, “and just hanging out with teammates is great.”
Westminster (48): Connor Levinson 9, Colby Cotoia, 9, Alan Jean Joseph 8, Erick Stanko 8, Patrick Haynes 5, Liam Long 4, Billy Hyatt-Otovic 3, Mark Chatkin 2.
Winters Mill (32): Tyler Sabad 8, Kunal Shah 7, Cam Vogel 5, Nate Gelsinger 5, Jacob Hinkhaus 4, Josh Popielski 3. | https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/sports/high-school/cc-sp-boys-hoops-winters-mill-westminster-012321-20210123-kt5y3lvdyvfnpmvfipf2gw5jma-story.html |
When Wynton Marsalis rocketed to stardom in the 1980s, he seemed poised to enjoy a long career as a hyper-virtuoso trumpeter.
Though Marsalis remains a top-flight soloist, it's his work as composer of epic scores that more deeply defines his art. Clearly, no one else in recent jazz history has produced a comparable list of vast compositions, including the thunderous "All Rise" (performed earlier this year by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), the incantatory "In This House, On This Morning" (a jazz evocation of a gospel church service) and the incendiary "Blood on the Fields" (the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, in 1997).
On Saturday night, Marsalis and two large but distinct ensembles brought his latest major work to the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park for its Chicago-area premiere. But "Congo Square" unfolded somewhat differently than one might have presumed.
Named for the sacred ground in New Orleans where African slaves were allowed to play otherwise forbidden drums and practice various cultural rituals in the 18th and 19th Centuries, "Congo Square" -- by dint of its title -- suggested a contemplation of the roots of jazz. The earliest chapters of the music, after all, first emerged in New Orleans, an obvious flowering of seeds planted in Congo Square.
But Marsalis' evening-length score was hardly a nostalgic journey to the origins of America's indigenous art form. Instead, it amounted to a bristling, brilliant dialogue between two epochs of black musical culture. The sounds of the distant past and the music of the 21st Century were speaking to each other throughout this majestic piece, as if Marsalis were communing with ancestral ghosts.
And by opening the piece with his own, fiery soliloquy about the man-made tragedies of post-Katrina New Orleans, Marsalis gave "Congo Square" political heft and urgency.
His use of two radically different ensembles -- Yacub Addy's percussion-vocal unit Odadaa! and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra -- emphasized the conversational aspects of this piece.
To hear the ancient chant and hand-held percussion of the Ghanaian ensemble Odadaa! riffing against the ultramodern music Marsalis penned for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra was to view a single art form through two perspectives at once. The effect was stunning.
Never has the composer so explicitly bookended the history of jazz: Odadaa! gave voice to some of the earliest known African music, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra responded with unflinchingly contemporary blasts of sound. By assigning a 20th Century blues song to one of the Odadaa! vocalists and by occasionally giving the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra simple, folkloric riffs to play, Marsalis provided a bit of connective tissue between two glorious eras of black music. | https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-06-25-0706240325-story.html |
The is the best broccoli cheese soup recipe, no kidding! Creamy, cheesy comfort food loaded with tender chunks of broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese. Ready to devour in under an hour!
I absolutely love a piece of sourdough bread dunked into a warm bowl of broccoli cheese soup. Talk about a match made in heaven. This broccoli soup with cheese is about as easy as it gets when it comes to a quick soup recipe.
This soup is amazing served right away but it also reheats very well, so make enough for leftovers. You'll be glad you did!
Recipe steps
Let's go over the steps needed to get this delicious soup on your dinner table tonight!
- Cook onions: Saute onions in melted butter over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
- Make a roux: Sprinkle the flour on top, stir to coat the onions and cook for 2 minutes.
- Thicken: Add one cup of stock to the pot and stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Simmer: Add the remaining stock, half and half, broccoli, carrots and seasonings to the pot. Stir, cover the pot and simmer the soup for 20 minutes.
- Melt cheese: Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted.
- Serve and enjoy!
Best cheese
Sharp cheddar is ideal for broccoli cheese soup. It has a strong flavor, but it's light enough not to overpower the broccoli. White cheddar, mild cheddar or colby cheese are other varieties that work well with this recipe. Shred the cheese by hand for freshest flavor!
Fresh or frozen broccoli?
Use fresh or frozen broccoli florets and stems cut into bite-sized pieces. The stems will soften as the soup simmers and add more broccoli flavor. If you are using frozen broccoli, allow it to thaw and drain off excess liquid before adding it to the pot.
TIP: For a recipe that tastes like Panera broccoli cheddar soup, add thinly sliced carrots. Either cut them by hand or grab a package of "matchstick" carrots which are conveniently sold in packages with the carrots sliced into thin strips.
Substitutions
- half and half: Whole milk or equal parts heavy cream and milk.
- vegetable stock: Chicken stock or water. Additional salt will be needed if using water. Bouillon cubes can be added to the water for more flavor than substituting water alone.
How to store and reheat
Store leftover broccoli cheese soup in a closed container for up to 3 days in the fridge. The soup can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. If using the microwave, stir halfway through heating time as there will be some separation of the cheese and milk. Freezing is not recommended.
Easy soup recipes
- homemade tomato soup
- roasted butternut squash soup
- chicken noodle soup (coming soon)
- french onion soup (coming soon)
Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Rate this recipe!
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half and half
- 4 cups vegetable stock (chicken stock or water)
- 3 cups chopped broccoli florets and stems
- 1 cup carrots (thinly sliced)
- 3 cups (12 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a stockpot over medium heat and saute the diced onions for 5 minutes to soften. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
- Pour 1 cup of the vegetable stock into the pot. Stir continuously until the mixture starts to thicken and becomes smooth with no visible lumps of flour. Add the remaining 3 cups of stock, half and half, broccoli, carrots, salt, pepper and garlic powder, stir and cover with lid. Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
- Add the cheese to the soup and stir until melted. Check seasonings and add more if desired. Serve immediately. | https://littlespoonfarm.com/broccoli-cheese-soup-recipe/ |
Singapore has joined the First Movers Coalition (FMC) as a Government Partner, along with Denmark, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. First announced by U.S. President Joe Biden at the COP-26 World Leaders Summit in November 2021, the FMC serves as a platform for companies to harness their purchasing power and supply chains to create early markets for innovative clean energy technologies to tackle the climate crisis.
Singapore’s membership to the FMC builds on our commitment to achieve net zero emissions by or around mid-century, in line with the Glasgow Climate Pact. Our participation in the FMC is aligned with our efforts to decarbonise the economy, including emissions-intensive sectors, and promoting public-private collaboration to develop and scale low-carbon technologies.
Such efforts include working with private sector partners to establish the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation to pilot and deploy low-carbon technologies and fuels in the maritime sector. Singapore is also bringing together public research institutes and Energy & Chemicals companies for a Carbon Capture and Utilisation Translational Testbed, to facilitate the evaluation of such technologies.
The Government will engage companies and encourage them to participate in the FMC. The FMC presents an opportunity for companies to collaborate with like-minded partners and access low-carbon technologies.
Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran announced Singapore’s membership to the FMC at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos on 25 May 2022. He said, “Climate change is an existential threat, especially to a small island state like Singapore. As a global business and financial hub, Singapore is well-placed to contribute to the FMC in developing and scaling up innovative low-carbon technologies in hard-to-abate sectors. We look forward to working closely with the FMC government partners and industry players to enable a low-carbon future.”
Singapore seeks to work with international and regional partners to enable collaborations, strengthen consensus and galvanise collective climate action.
Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran (fifth to the left from U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry), together with Government and business leaders, at the First Movers Coalition Leaders Meeting on 23 May 2022. | https://www.nccs.gov.sg/media/press-releases/singapore-joins-first-movers-coalition-to-decarbonise-emissions-intensive-sectors |
✏Art of the Andes Book Summary : This wide-ranging survey, now established as the best single-volume introduction to Andean art and architecture on the market today, describes the strikingly varied artistic achievements of the Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Chimú and Inca cultures, among others. For this fully revised third edition, Rebecca Stone has rewritten and expanded the text throughout, touching on many of the recent discoveries and advances in the field. These include new work on the huge stone pyramids and other structures at Caral; continued excavations of Inca child sacrifices perched on mountaintops throughout the empire, with their perfectly preserved clothing and miniature offerings of metal, ceramics and shell; spectacular murals and the remarkable burial of a tattooed female warrior-leader at the Moche site of Huaca Cao Viejo; and many new finds of high-status textiles, along with fresh analyses of weaving technology and new interpretations of designs and motifs.
📒Folk Art Of The Andes ✍ Barbara Mauldin
✏Folk Art of the Andes Book Summary : With over four hundred color photographs, this book presents an overview of the religious, textile, costume, utilitarian, and festival folk arts made after the Andeans were free from Spanish colonial rule.
📒Art Of The Andes ✍ Rebecca Stone
✏Art of the Andes Book Summary : This is a study of the art and architecture created by the various cultures of the ancient Andes. The book examines the goldwork, intricate textiles, vast cities and tall pyramids that constitute one of the oldest artistic traditions in history which, although the Incas are famous as the masters of the largest empire in the Renaissance world, remains relatively little-known."
📒Andean Art ✍ Penny Dransart
✏Andean Art Book Summary : The aim of the book is to explore various facets of artistic expression (ranging temporally from four thousand years ago to the present day) in the Andean regions of South America, based on themes: social contexts, cultural expressions, recontextualisation, construction and meaning, and the role of art in the creation and animation of Andean landscapes. The various authors also move towards an archaeology, anthropology, or art history of visual expression that allows for an assessment of self-critical and reflexive developments on the part of the people who produced the artistic works under consideration. These visual worlds they created and continue to create make art in the Andes a fruitful and exciting field of study
📒Art Nature And Religion In The Central Andes ✍ Mary Strong
✏Art Nature and Religion in the Central Andes Book Summary : From prehistory to the present, the Indigenous peoples of the Andes have used a visual symbol system—that is, art—to express their sense of the sacred and its immanence in the natural world. Many visual motifs that originated prior to the Incas still appear in Andean art today, despite the onslaught of cultural disruption that native Andeans have endured over several centuries. Indeed, art has always been a unifying power through which Andeans maintain their spirituality, pride, and culture while resisting the oppression of the dominant society. In this book, Mary Strong takes a significantly new approach to Andean art that links prehistoric to contemporary forms through an ethnographic understanding of Indigenous Andean culture. In the first part of the book, she provides a broad historical survey of Andean art that explores how Andean religious concepts have been expressed in art and how artists have responded to cultural encounters and impositions, ranging from invasion and conquest to international labor migration and the internet. In the second part, Strong looks at eight contemporary art types—the scissors dance (danza de tijeras), home altars (retablos), carved gourds (mates), ceramics (ceramica), painted boards (tablas), weavings (textiles), tinware (hojalateria), and Huamanga stone carvings (piedra de Huamanga). She includes prehistoric and historic information about each art form, its religious meaning, the natural environment and sociopolitical processes that help to shape its expression, and how it is constructed or performed by today’s artists, many of whom are quoted in the book.
📒The Stone And The Thread ✍ César Paternosto
✏The Stone and the Thread Book Summary : "Shows that precolumbian tectonic forms (especially as found in sculpture and weaving) appear to be an overlooked source, or anticipation, of much of the art of the 20th century. Second part of book deals with artifacts as American art and addresses reception of ancient tectonics in the 20th century. Emphasizes intense relationship that some members of the New York School (particularly Barnett Newman and Adolph Gottlieb) had during 1940s with the aboriginal arts of the North American part of the hemisphere and thus the affinities between their work and the work of the older Torres Garcâia in Montevideo, at the other end of the continent"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.
📒Andean Art At Dumbarton Oaks ✍ Dumbarton Oaks
✏Andean Art at Dumbarton Oaks Book Summary : Andean Art at Dumbarton Oaks presents the Andean portion of the Robert Woods Bliss Collection of Pre-Columbian Art. It superbly illustrates all 133 Andean objects in color plates, and includes many complementary and comparative black-and-white illustrations and drawings. The body of Pre-Columbian art that Robert Bliss carefully assembled over a half-century between 1912 and 1963, and which has been amplified slightly since his death, is a remarkably significant collection. These works of art are among the finest examples of the visual arts produced by Andean cultures. This Andean volume is the first in a series of four catalogues that will treat the entirety of the Bliss Pre-Columbian collection; the others planned will focus on objects from eastern Mesoamerica (Olmec and Maya), western Mesoamerica (Teotihuacan, Veracruz, Mixtec, and Aztec), and Lower Central America. Andean Art is composed of five topical essays, shorter essays on the Andean cultures represented in the collection, and discussions of the individual objects. These were written by specialists in Pre-Columbian art, presenting the latest in scholarly thinking on Andean cultures and the objects. All thirteen authors bring broad perspectives from Andean culture history, archaeology, and art history to their contributions, but they focus their attentions primarily on the objects themselves, in order to provide meaningful contexts for them and to highlight how these objects, as works of art created and used purposefully, reveal special qualities of Andean culture. The reader is provided with a fine sense of how the creators and original owners of the pieces in the Bliss collection used and valued these artworks on many levels. The authors also place individual objets alongside others of their type in so far as possible. An extraordinary feature of this volume is the technical descriptions of the metal objects provided by metals specialist Heather Lechtman.
📒Andean Archaeology Ii ✍ Helaine Silverman
✏Andean Archaeology II Book Summary : The origins and development of civilization are vital components to the understanding of the cultural processes that create human societies. Comparing and contrasting the evolutionary sequences from different civilizations is one approach to discovering their unique development. One area for comparison is in the Central Andes where several societies remained in isolation without a written language. As a direct result, the only resource to understand these societies is their material artifacts. In this second volume, the focus is on the art and landscape remains and what they uncover about societies of the Central Andes region. The ancient art and landscape, revealing the range and richness of the societies of the area significantly shaped the development of Andean archaeology. This work includes discussions on: - pottery and textiles; - iconography and symbols; - ideology; - geoglyphs and rock art. This volume will be of interest to Andean archaeologists, cultural and historical anthropologists, material archaeologists and Latin American historians.
📒Wari ✍ Susan E. Bergh
✏Wari Book Summary : "Eminent ancestors of the better-known Inca, the Wari ascended to power in the south-central highlands of Peru in about AD 600, underwent a period of explosive growth, and then, by AD 1000, collapsed. During this lifespan, they created a society of such unprecedented complexity that many today regard it as the first empire in the Andes. Elite arts and the ideologies that informed them were among the culture's most prominent exports. From their eponymous capital, one of the largest archaeological sites inSouth America, the Wari sent elaborate objects and textiles to their highland provincial centers as well as down into populous Pacific coastal areas to the west. The arts were crucial to their political, economic, and religious systems. Since the Wari did not write, the arts took on special roles in preserving and communicating information. This book is published on the occasion of an exhibition organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art that features some 170 objects from collections in Canada, Europe, Peru, and the United States. The selection covers the full range of Wari elite arts: elaborate textiles, which probably were at the core of Wari value systems; sophisticated ceramics of various styles; exquisite personal ornaments made of precious materials; carved wood containers; and works in stone and other media. The exhibition, the first in North America devoted to the arts of the Wari, was curated and the cataloged edited by Susan E. Bergh, curator of Pre-Columbian and Native North American art at theCleveland Museum of Art."--P. of cover.
✏Traditional Art of Mesoamerica and the Central Andes Book Summary : | https://www.booklibrarian.com/pdfepub/art-of-the-andes/ |
On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, Ahmed Hussein Suale, a member of the Tiger Eye PI investigative team led by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, was shot and killed by unknown gunmen.
The incident has attracted local, regional and international attention and condemnation. All actors including the UN have called on the Ghanaian authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter to bring the perpetrators to book.
While we are saddened by the death of Suale, the incident brings to bare three critical challenges on safety of journalists in Ghana that must be highlighted and given attention by all actors.
State Failure
While individuals and institutions have a responsibility to protect journalists, the state has a primary responsibility in providing safety and protection for all, including journalists. But over the years, the Ghanaian state has woefully failed to live up to its duties as far as safety of journalists is concerned.
In the last four years for example, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has reported 62 incidents of attacks on journalists and media houses in Ghana. This translates into more than one attack on journalists per month.
On many of these instances, the MFWA has often petitioned the appropriate authorities with due follow-ups or issued statements demanding action from authorities.
Recent examples of such abuses include the attacks on a reporter by a body guard of former President John Mahama; the attack on four reporters by security officers of the ruling New Patriotic Party at the party’s headquarters in Accra; soldiers’ assault on a freelance journalist, Kendrick Offei.
Latif Iddrisu suffered a fractured skull after he was brutalised by the police
Others have included police brutality against Joy News reporter, Latif Idrissu and attack on GBC reporter, Yahyah Kwamoah by presidential staffer Stan Dogbe. There have also been attacks on media organisations such as Hot FM in Accra, Radio Justice in Tamale, and the Daily Guide’s offices in Kumasi.
Sadly, apart from actions taken by individual media organisations, notably the Multimedia Group, to secure justice for their abused staff, there is no evidence of state-led investigations leading to conclusions and justice for victims. Not even when an assault happened at their Headquarters have the police been able to unravel it.
For instance, one would have expected the state security agencies to have taken action against the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, on his publicly made and widely publicised incitement of violence against the late Suale.
The consequence of the continued phenomenon of state inaction on issues of attacks on journalists have bred a thriving culture of impunity that can only create the impression that journalists can be abused without accountability.
Inertia on the Part of the Media
The media themselves – media organisations, journalists and other workers – bear a great responsibility in raising the profile of safety of journalists issues and setting the agenda for authorities to consider them as priority national issues.
Unfortunately, over the years, reports on attacks on journalists rarely make top-level headlines in media coverage and discussions. At best, such reports are often taken up by the media organisation of the victims and very few others, and even in that case, the issue is not discussed on a sustained basis.
Quite often too, journalists who are victims of attacks and their respective media organisations fail to report the incidents to the police for investigations, and when they do, they often do not follow up. Indeed, in conversations between MFWA and the Ghana police on matters of safety of journalists, the police have often raised the issue of cases not being reported to them as one of their challenges.
Undignified Compromises
There have been a number of occasions when the pursuit of justice in cases of violence against journalists have been compromised through backdoor settlement.
Such settlements, which sometimes include compensations, are done on the blind side of media actors seeking justice and through whose action the matter became high-profile.
In some instances too, such backdoor negotiations and compensations on abuses that are criminal in nature, are actually facilitated by media actors to the detriment of the pursuit of justice.
The spate of impunity over attacks on journalists and media houses across the country is extremely worrying.
It is unquestionable that journalists themselves and their respective media organisations have a role to play when it comes to their safety. However, the state has the ultimate responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all, including journalists.
While we still commiserate with the family of the late Ahmed Suale and demand prompt and thorough investigations into the incident, the MFWA calls on the government to demonstrate greater commitment to matters relating to the safety of journalists.
We also call on management of media organisations to take appropriate steps to guarantee the security and safety of their staff and where violations occur, to take necessary actions to seek justice.
Source: Media Foundation For West Africa
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Why NRL cleared Maika Sivo’s controversial finish
The NRL has admitted Canterbury were hard done by in yesterday’s 18-16 loss to Parramatta, confirming a disallowed try to the Bulldogs should have been awarded.
However, the governing body’s head of football, Graham Annesley, backed referee Chris Sutton over another controversial moment that occurred on the final play of the match.
With the Eels leading by two points as the siren sounded, the Bulldogs kicked downfield, with Eels winger Maika Sivo collecting the ball and throwing it into touch. Replays showed the ball travelled forward by some distance, with suggestions the Eels should have been penalised for a deliberate forward pass.
That would have allowed the Bulldogs to have a shot at goal to level the scores and send the match into extra time.
In explaining the decision at his weekly briefing, Annesley was at a loss to explain how the ball went so far forward.
“It’s not a pass, he throws it into touch. He’s got the ball in his right arm, I ask you to look at the motion of his right arm as he throws it,” he said.
“His hand comes right around in front of his chest. The ball, in some kind of way that I can’t explain, goes on a banana pass.
“It goes on some kind of arc when he throws it. I can’t explain the physics of that.”
Given the ball had been kicked downfield by the Bulldogs, the referee and touch judges were still some distance away from Sivo when he released the ball, making it hard to judge on-field.
“The referee is a good 12-13 (metres) in front of the play, they’re well in front of the play, I don’t have any criticism of the officials, they got there as quickly as they could after the kick,” Annesley said.
“It’s not a pass, it’s a throw or a toss, whatever you want to call it, whether it’s tossed or thrown forward is difficult to say.
“Clearly the path of the ball takes a very peculiar angle. I don’t have any great explanation of that. It would be a difficult call for the officials to make, and also a tough call based on the action of the player’s arm.”
Annesley pointed out that the ball is allowed to float forward, as long as it goes backwards out of the hands.
“We talk every week about forward passes that has nothing to do with the flight path of the ball, it’s all about how the ball leaves the hands,” he added.
“I’ll let people make up their own minds on that one, but I can’t have any criticism of the officials because of the circumstances, where they were, and whether there’s camera angles playing a few tricks.”
Bulldogs players leave the field after being beaten 18-16 by Parramatta. (Getty images)
In such a tight match an early ruling that went against the Bulldogs could have proved costly, with Annesley disagreeing with the on-field decision to rule against a possible Bulldogs try earlier in the match.
With the Eels leading 6-0, Canterbury’s Marcelo Montoyo scored in the corner, only for Sutton to award a penalty to the Eels for obstruction, ruling that Bulldogs’ back-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner had taken out Mitchell Moses.
“The ball goes behind Faitala-Mariner, and Moses moves in and makes the tackle that he was always going to make,” Annesley said.
“We would call that a poor defensive read, but that is not an obstruction.”
Annesley said the ideal scenario would have been to let play continue and then refer it upstairs.
“We want referees to make decisions when they think they have all the information that they need,” he said.
“The try looked like it was going to be scored, I think the safety-first response in this case would have been to see what happens and then go to the bunker to determine whether there was any obstruction.
“I’m absolutely confident that if that had gone to the bunker it would have been ruled as a poor defensive read, and a try, assuming that everything else associated with it is correct.” | |
In Nixon v. TWC Administration LLC, 16-cv-6456, 2019 WL 1428348 (SDNY March 29, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s age discrimination (wrongful termination) claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA).
Plaintiff conceded that she violated several of defendant’s policies, but claimed that her termination based on such violations was a mere” pretext” for age discrimination. Specifically:
Nixon points to evidence that supervisors, including her own, made discriminatory comments regarding her age. See Nixon Dep. at 235:23–236:19; 237:11–238:10; 239:6–241:9. In particular, Nixon testified that the individual who served as her supervisor in months leading up to her termination harassed her; called her a dinosaur; asked her why she did not retire or leave; and told her that she was not wanted, did not understand technology, and would “never get it.” Id. at 171:11–24, 235:23–236:12; 175:2–20. She also testified that other supervisors called older employees dinosaurs and told older employees that they “should not be a part of this going forward with the changing of the company, building and restructuring” as well as that “if you can’t pick this up, then you are all dinosaurs.” Id. at 235:23–236:19; 237:11–23; 239:7–11; 240:6–241:9. Nixon could not recall the precise dates or circumstances of these comments, although her deposition testimony suggests that most dated to the summer or fall preceding her termination.
The court summarized the state of 2nd Circuit law on the subject:
[R]emarks suggesting age-based animus may support an inference of discrimination at the prima facie stage depending upon the context in which they are uttered: “the more remote and oblique the remarks are in relation to the employer’s adverse action, the less they prove that the action was motivated by discrimination.” Tomassi v. Insignia Fin. Grp., Inc., 478 F.3d 111, 115 (2d Cir. 2007), abrogated on other grounds by Gross v. FBL Fin. Servs., Inc., 557 U.S. 167 (2009). For example, as this Court has previously remarked, “statements of a few individuals—none of them decision-makers, none involved in [the plaintiff’s] discrimination, and some of them not even identified—suggesting that [the plaintiff] consider retiring” have low probative value in evaluating a claim of discrimination.
Applying the law, the court concluded that the discriminatory comments alleged did not support plaintiff’s pretext argument:
Remarks by another supervisor who Nixon admits played no role in her termination could—at most—support an inference that individuals in leadership positions at the College Point call center harbored age-based animus and believed that older employees should retire. But Nixon has identified no facts suggesting a nexus between these beliefs and either her disciplinary violations or her ultimate termination. The evidence that Nixon’s supervisor made such remarks is more probative of discrimination, but insufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact as to the cause of her termination, as Nixon fails to explain how her supervisor’s discriminatory motives or actions could be imputed to the makers of that decision. | https://www.pospislaw.com/blog/2019/04/01/age-discrimination-claim-dismissed-dinosaur-and-other-comments-lacked-sufficient-nexus-to-termination/ |
We all know that nursing assignments can be hectic and demanding for students. It is important to note that a correctly done capstone project paper is a way of letting your supervisors and potential employers acknowledge your level of skills.
Being a complex project that requires many steps to prove what experiences a nursing student has gained at the end of their program, it is crucial to get Nursing Capstone Project Writing help from our medical writing experts. They understand what the final project represents when it comes to the nursing students’ accomplishments. These types of assignments are very critical to a student’s last year.
This capstone course will include experiences similar to those students are likely to confront as newly employed baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses. Students will have one-on-one work experience with baccalaureate nurse preceptors in selected clinical settings. An emphasis is placed on the development of personal and professional strategies needed to make the transition from student to graduate nurse by highlighting role development skills of bedside nurse leaders.
Course Objectives
- Integrate theoretical concepts from nursing and other disciplines in understanding nursing practice issues.
- Refine personal leadership abilities based on self-assessment and analysis of personal leadership styles.
- Evaluate the health care environment utilizing a systems framework to consider policy, resources, and quality and safety concerns related to the selected nursing practice setting.
- Propose improvements for safe nursing practice using national patient safety initiatives and evidence based research.
- Evaluate and incorporate evidence based research related to professional development for the practice setting.
- Provide evidence based patient centered nursing care for a variety of a patients.
- Evaluate the utilization of patient care technological support systems that support patient care and prevent medical errors in the practice setting.
- Develop collegial relationships with inter- and multidisciplinary team members using management and leadership concepts and therapeutic communication skills while adhering to professional standards and behaviors.
- Prioritize and implement nursing aspects of multidisciplinary health plans which reflect legal and ethical standards of care and practice.
- Perform reflective ongoing self-evaluation of growth in professional nursing practice and attainment of professional practice goals.
- Provide for the safe and effective care of multiple patients and their families through direct care and delegation of care to other members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate the use of critical thinking and clinical judgment as a basis for decision making in clinical practice.
Additional Considerations
The decision as to when to take your capstone is an important one. Once you submit your intent, it should only be changed in extenuating circumstances and in collaboration with your advisor. Additionally, you are responsible for finding your own housing during your capstone experience. If you believe you will have difficulty with that, share this with the course instructor or your advisor. They may be able to put you in contact with alumni from the area that are willing to host you during your time.
Choosing a Capstone Site
We make every effort to help you have a meaningful experience. You will be asked to consider possible specialties and locations for your capstone. When thinking about locations, please take into account that your capstone instructor will try to plan a site visit with you during your experience. Because of state laws regarding nursing education and nursing licenses, you will be limited to considering a capstone location in Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin. More information on locations are on pages 4-5.
Some students feel that choosing a practicum site is one of the hardest things that they have to do before graduation! If you are having trouble deciding what to request you are not alone. Here are some tips to think about as you get ready to make a request.
- If you are shaky and/or feel at all weak in your basic nursing skills, have a low G.P.A., or need to improve organization and priority setting skills, then we recommend that you request a basic medical-surgical nursing unit experience.
- If you feel you have strong clinical skills and you have a strong G.P.A., perhaps you might consider a specialty placement such as an ER or ICU. While typically placement in a specialty area is your choice, if a clinical site limits the number of students in a particular setting, the placement will be at the discretion of the instructor. Your previous clinical instructors may be contacted to determine appropriateness.
- There are times when students feel an inpatient setting is not for them. That’s okay! Historically, students have had challenging experiences when in a home health care, hospice, or public health placements. However, outpatient clinics, procedural areas, and long term care facilities are viable options.
- Consider the location. If location is an issue due to costs or commuting, please consider this and indicate your needs when completing this request. Be sure to explain your facility preference as a strong factor in your rationale statement.
- Already know what nursing area you want to practice in? Then be sure to list the area as your top rationale and then provide choices of hospitals/agencies that provide that experience.
- Haven’t a clue? Think about what is important to you–geographical area? Size of hospital? Type of care model seen in hospital? Patient population? Readiness to take NCLEX exam? Ask your advisor, clinical instructors, and people who know you best to help you brainstorm. Then carefully craft what you feel would be best, second best and third best for you.
- We will do all that we can to place you in your first choice location. However you must know that there is no guarantee that you will be successful in first choices. There are several reasons for this––one is that we are very dependent on the availability of slots in the various hospitals/agencies and we do not have control over their decision to take a student.
Nursing capstone project ideas
If you’ve been searching for the best capstone project ideas for nursing, we’ve got you. We will guide you on the best capstone topic ideas to choose from. Being passionate about what we do, many nursing students want to be associated with us.
When you are ready for your BSN or MSN capstone project, it’s easy to get confused because many ideas flood your mind. You might even end up picking a capstone project idea that is insensible with no content online. With so many nursing capstone project ideas, you must choose one that best suits you. Our professional nursing writers will help you make the capstone project outline as well.
We are a reliable internet-based nursing service, and we make every effort to complete all the assigned projects according to your instructions and on time.
Our Research is based on Numerous Sources
Before recruiting any writing services, you need to find out about its reputation and capacity. We have invested in modern technology to provide our clients with high standard projects to score good grades. We give our writers access to many e-books and digital libraries to research their work well. The sources we use are the ones published within the last five years. When it comes to methodology, we ensure that we choose the appropriate and well-explained methods for your specific project.
We Follow Instructions Provided
We assure you that our BSN nursing capstone project writers will follow all the instructions when writing your capstone project. Also, the writers ensure that they come up with a capstone project that stands out. Our writer will analyze significant and present evidence-based literature when evaluating because they utilize recent journal articles, online directories and other scholarly sources.
Our Writers
Capstone project nursing writers know very well how vital the capstone projects are to the students. Therefore, we assign orders to well-qualified nursing writers with years of experience in this field. Our writers have earned a degree in nursing. Most of them have Master’s and Ph.D. thus;, there’s no project that can be too difficult for them. We hire people who have specialized in different projects to satisfy clients whose projects need special attention. Our nursing writers operate closely with editors who have advanced degrees in nursing and experience writing capstone projects on different subjects.
We Perform Thorough Data Analysis
Most Master of Science in Nursing students have a challenge with data analysis. We guarantee you the best data analysis using the best programming languages. For the analysis of capstone projects, we use hypothetic and descriptive analysis. Order from us today, and you will get your data results presented in the best way. Our writers will submit the information in graphs, tables, and charts then give a brief interpretation of the findings. They will then compare and contrast your capstone results with the project’s literature analysis. The writers will provide a summary of the main conclusions. Additionally, they will propose directions for more research in the conclusion chapter.
Our Guarantees
- Free revisions: Our editors take their time to proofread and edit capstone projects before submitting them to customers. If you are not satisfied with some sections of the paper, you can request your work revision. Our main objective is to submit error-free projects.
- Quality: Our nursing writers are experts. They submit high-quality assignments.
- Punctuality: Students have tight deadlines, and what we do is work towards meeting them. Our writers always work hard to beat the deadlines and submit your work on time.
Uniqueness
The critical point for us is that our content is always 100% authentic. Moreover, our skilled writers will guarantee the authenticity of the investigation and full conformity to the guidelines.
We operate 24/7. Get in touch with our support through the live chat for any enquiries. You can email us as well, and we will assist you quickly. | https://nursinghomeworks.com/best-nursing-capstone-project-writing-online/ |
Precarious Labor for Art's Sake
A lot of artists that end up getting the attention of the media are the art stars, selling their works for six figure sums or becoming the next it-piece in the celebrity universe. There is nothing wrong about this development, but one has to bear in mind that the vast majority of artists and workers in the creative industry do barely make a living with their art or work in precarious labor conditions manifested in unpaid labor or even having to pay for exposure. The definition of precarity on Wikipedia reads as “a condition of existence without predictability or security, affecting material or psychological welfare.” This description goes along with specific labor characteristics such as fluid working hours, high demand of mobility and intermittent contracts. Under the pressures of real estate costs, educational debt, increase of living costs and yet little to no pay, the urgency to focus on the conditions and structures that enable this system grows. As any other sector, contemporary art must be understood as a vast global industry built on corporate structures of wage-labor. It is not just the artists that are being affected by precarious working conditions but also low paid workers on the construction sites of mega museums, unpaid interns, or freelance professionals.
Precarious labor conditions on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi
In the beginnings of this year Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its third report on violations of the rights of migrant workers on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, where the Guggenheim and Louvre museums are planning outposts and New York University (NYU) is planning a campus. The 82-page report details serious abuses to workers’ rights and precarious working conditions on Saadiyat Island: some employers are withholding workers’ wages, the practice of charging recruitment fees and then failing to reimburse workers for them, the confiscation of workers’ passports, and substandard accommodation situations. In the most serious cases, workers are denied to organize in any way or strike and if they do so Authorities are informed, leading to the arbitrary deportation of striking workers. The recent HRW report finds that although there have been slight improvements on Saadiyat Island and in the UAE, the labor conditions are still precarious due to the lack of real law enforcement. As a reaction to these problematic labor conditions for construction workers at the site of the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, an international group of artists and art world figures are protesting the Guggenheim. A group known as Gulf Labor has put the international institution brand under pressure with different guerrilla protests in New York City or in Venice. On May 08, 2015, Gulf Labor and other arts groups including Venice-based groups, Sale Docks and Macao, occupied Venice’s Peggy Guggenheim Collection. This action was the first marking of Gulf Labor’s participation in the 2015 Venice Biennale curated by Okwui Enwezor. The group calls on all academic and cultural institutions building on Saadiyat Island to seek enforceable human rights protections, and better working conditions. The group includes such figures as Lebanese-born artist Walid Raad, Cuban performance artist Tania Bruguera and German-born Hans Haacke.
The artist is present – the intern is unpaid: Marina Abramovic
Nevertheless, the job description is just one of the many examples that can be found every day on job platforms searching for qualified and well educated work force, offering contacts or exposure but no to very low monetary compensation. Aspiring arts professionals complain that arts organizations habitually take advantage of their glamorous reputations to entice job candidates who are willing and able to work for no pay, leading to the exclusion of those who cannot afford these working conditions. The problem goes deeper, many graduates are put into a position of no choice to get insights and contacts, as art academies and universities still stick to a very theoretical approach leaving graduates with little to no practical experience. While real volunteering is a choice to be part of a community and provide your skills for a cause, unpaid labor is an exploitative tactic to increase the profits of a company.
If one chooses to work for little or no money there should be at least some important questions and benefits you should think about beforehand: Do you find true mentorship in the organization? You should not just replace the work that paid staff should be doing. Get a supervisor or mentor to make sure someone actually provides knowledge. If you are unsure, put a curriculum together that you oversee with your chosen mentor or supervisor to make sure you do a learning progress. Can they teach you one new skill that you really need for you professional development? Will they give credit to your work? You can get in touch with former interns and ask them if the interns were visible or if their work remained anonymous in the background. Does the organization provide a form of alumni organization that provides long-term professional contacts and future events? Your unpaid labor should never be misused to do involuntary or unproductive duties. A big name in the curriculum does not always pay off, in particular if you are just used to make unskilled work; it is preferable to choose quality of the internship over quantity or big name without outcome.
The artist in the creative economy
Artists are kind of in the center of the creative economy as the whole creative economy is based around their productions or ideas. Even though their role is crucial in the capitalization of the art market, many artists fail to benefit from this value. The problem is to define the value of labor in the arts. How much is a thought worth? How much money should ideas cost that built a community and engage in locally conditions? These questions are particularly important in a time where political situations are difficult and more and more artists are engaging in their local communities creating socially engaged art. This form of practice makes it almost impossible of being scalable in economic terms as the artists do not engage in the sphere of presentation and production of their work, instead they often try to improve communal living and working conditions through artistic tools.
In the US an artist-activist group called W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy), has developed a certification system for non-profit institutions to voluntarily pay artists an amount defined as minimum compensation for their work. The group publicly recognizes those institutions and lists them on their homepage. W.A.G.E. Certification was established as a policy and regulatory tool at the 2014 W.A.G.E. Summit and was launched in October 2014. Their fee schedule itemizes 14 categories of artistic activity, ranging from a solo exhibition to an artist talk. Even though the suggested artist compensation is sometimes more symbolic than really sustainable, being paid is a powerful gesture as it valorizes the labor behind art. By developing a form of arts policy, W.A.G.E. is aligned with several cultural worker initiatives and might be able to form a political position from where precarious conditions of work in the arts can be really argued. | https://www.widewalls.ch/precarious-labor-for-arts-sake/ |
What are the time limits for bringing civil claims?
The Swedish Limitations Act stipulates the principal statutory limitation under Swedish law, namely that a claim not invoked within a period of 10 years from its accrual is time-barred.
However, there are rules stipulating a shorter period of limitation. For example, there is a time limit of three months to challenge a shareholders’ meeting and a three-year limit in a consumer-to-business relationship. Further, in commercial relationships, parties are free to agree on amendments of the stipulated limitation rules, such as to agree on a shorter period of limitation, to change the criteria for interrupting the time bar or to amend the subject of limitation.
It should be noted that, in some cases, there is a formal requirement to instigate litigation in order to interrupt the time bar, while in other cases a written notification to the opposing party may be sufficient.Pre-action behaviour
Are there any pre-action considerations the parties should take into account?
There are no rules in the Swedish Code of Judicial Procedure stipulating any requirements prior to the commencement of formal proceedings. Procedural agreements generally do not preclude the parties from bringing an action to court, unless there is an explicit exception stated in law. One such exception stated in law, which precludes court proceedings, is an agreement between the parties to resolve the dispute by arbitration.
However, pursuant to the rules of the Swedish Bar Association, a legal action against an opposing party must as a general rule not be taken unless the opposing party is given a reasonable period of time either to settle the claim or state its position thereto. This main rule is usually met by virtue of a letter requesting, for example, fulfilment of the opposing party’s obligations under an agreement, payment of an amount due or claim for damages, with the notification that legal actions may be taken otherwise.
If a party initiates an action in court without the opposing party having given cause for it, this may have consequences as to the responsibility for litigation costs.Starting proceedings
How are civil proceedings commenced? How and when are the parties to the proceedings notified of their commencement? Do the courts have the capacity to handle their caseload?
Proceedings are commenced by an application in writing to the court for a summons. The writ of summons shall state:
- a distinct claim;
- a detailed account of the circumstances invoked as the basis of the claim;
- a specification of the evidence offered and what shall be proved by each piece of evidence (in practice, however, this is commonly deferred to a later stage of the proceedings); and
- the circumstances rendering the court competent, unless this is apparent from what is otherwise stated.
If the plaintiff has any requests as to the management of the case, the plaintiff should state such requests in the application.
When a summons is issued by the competent court, it will be served upon the defendant together with the summons application and the documents annexed thereto. The issuance of summons by the court constitutes the formal commencement of the proceedings, even though an application of summons shall be deemed to have arrived on the date it was filed (which, for example, will be the decisive date for assessing whether a claim has been brought within the limitation period).
In recent years, Swedish courts have been criticised for not being able to adjudicate disputes in a timely manner, mostly due to a heavy caseload. There are, for the time being, no proposals to ease any such capacity issues. However, the district courts have the possibility to fulfil the quorum requirement with only one legally qualified judge (instead of three) when the court considers it sufficient with regard to the extent and difficulty of the case. This makes court proceedings more time-efficient and enables the parties to reach a judgment in a shorter amount of time.Timetable
What is the typical procedure and timetable for a civil claim?
The defendant shall be afforded a reasonable time to provide a statement of defence (normally two to three weeks, but the defendant can apply for a longer time) and the statement of defence shall contain any procedural objections, information to what extent the plaintiff’s claims are admitted or contested and the basis thereof, together with the evidence invoked (as regards invoking of evidence in practice, see question 5). In the event the defendant fails to submit a statement of defence within the time stipulated by the court, the plaintiff may, on request, have the claim granted in a default judgment.
Failure by the defendant to raise objections to certain procedural impediments, such as lack of jurisdiction of the court, in the first statement of defence, precludes the defendant from invoking such objections later on in the course of the proceedings.
The main steps to trial are usually:
- issuance of summons by the court;
- preparation, which normally is effected by exchange of written submissions and one preparatory hearing;
- main hearing; and finally
- the court renders its judgment.
In order to speed up the proceedings, the court is responsible for setting a timetable to trial together with the parties. However, during the preparation stage, procedural issues for the court to decide may arise; for example, requests for production of documents, interim measures, allowance of claims and evidence.
The time for a case to reach trial depends on the complexity of the case and the workload of the court. Normally a commercial case will take approximately 12 to 18 months to reach trial in the first instance.Case management
Can the parties control the procedure and the timetable?
The parties have limited possibilities to expedite the procedure and the timetable.
If, however, a party in a commercial dispute delays the proceedings, the court may direct a party to finally determine its action or defence and to state the evidence (if any) that the party invokes. After the set time for such statement has expired, the party may not invoke new circumstances or new evidence unless it can reasonably prove that there was a valid excuse for its failure to invoke the circumstances or evidence earlier.
If no oral evidence is invoked, it is possible to request a judgment over the complete case without a main hearing. Generally, these types of judgments expedite the proceedings.Class action
May litigants with similar claims bring a form of collective redress? In what circumstances is this permitted?
A class action proceeding under the Swedish Class Action Act occurs when a plaintiff represents several persons for whom the prejudicial case will have legal consequences. Class action suits may be individual class action cases, actions by organisations or public class actions. A class action case may cover claims that can be addressed by a general court in accordance with the rules of the Swedish Code of Judicial Procedure.
An individual class action can be invoked by anyone who has a legal claim that is comprised by the class action. An organisation class action can be invoked by an unincorporated association that represents and protects consumers’ and wage earners’ interests. A public class action can be invoked by an authority that, depending on the subject of the dispute, is suitable to represent the group. A group trial may also be initiated pursuant to the specific provisions in the Swedish Environmental Code.
A class action can be filed if:
- the claims are based on circumstances that are mutual for the members in the class;
- a class action does not seem inappropriate because some group members’ claims differ significantly from other group members’ claims;
- a majority of the claims are not equally suitable to be invoked by each of the group members;
- the group is deemed appropriate with regard to size, delimitation and other circumstances; and
- the plaintiff is deemed suitable to bring a class action with respect to the plaintiff’s interest, economic conditions and other circumstances.
A class action involves all group members that, within a certain period, have notified the court that they want to be included in the group (an ‘opt in’ proceeding). The court is responsible for notifying and informing about the class action suit.
In general, the same rules apply for ordinary civil claims and class actions as regards the procedure. However, a class action can differ from ordinary proceedings in a few aspects. For instance, the court may designate a person as plaintiff, if the original plaintiff is no longer deemed to be suited for the task. A person that has been designated as a plaintiff to bring a class action has the right to receive compensation from public funds for litigation costs. The group members have no responsibility for the litigation costs in the proceedings. Exceptions to this main rule can be made in relation to a group member who negligently inflicts costs. In addition, contrary to ordinary litigation, the plaintiff’s counsel may enter into a ‘risk agreement’ with the plaintiff in respect of costs. The risk agreement may include a success fee, but it may not be based entirely on the value of the dispute. In order for a risk agreement to be valid, it must be in writing and be ratified by the court. | https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=50779bc1-2fd0-48c2-b966-8ce231028e8a |
This position supports the Wine Making/Production Team. The Production Assistant is responsible for maintaining an efficient, safe, qualitative, and enjoyable work experience for those in production. Being flexible and adaptive to the changing priorities of management and other departments is essential. Respecting and upholding stylistic wine and business goals is expected at all times.
Reporting Requirements
This full-time position reports to the Cellarmaster with key interaction with members of every department.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Fulfill deadlines set in weekly meetings with Cellarmaster and Enologist
- Assist with lab and Cellar logbook duties, ensuring timely fulfillment
- Set an efficient work-pace for self and those under supervision
- Assist with supervision of seasonal worker(s) and delegate tasks effectively
- Maintain daily sanitation/hygiene/appearance of all work areas
- Assist with advanced danger chemical sanitization of hardlines, crush equipment, stainless, and bottling line
- Assist with end of bottling day activities
- Assist with racking of barrels to tank and tank to tank movements
- Assist with bulk wine transfers and receival
- Assist with bulk inventory of all tanks
- Assist with pre-bottling QC and pre-bottling wine adjustments
- Assist with fining and cold stabilization processes
- Assist with all lab related procedures, actions and work orders
- Assist with bottling and warehouse operations
- Assist with facility upgrades as required and assigned
- Assist with forklift operations as required and assigned
- Assist with harvest operations and winemaking duties as required and assigned
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned
Desired Results
- Expedient information flow to Cellarmaster and staff when requested
- Not managing areas beyond the scope of this job role unless permitted by Cellarmaster
- Request for timeline extension in advance to deadline
- Self and those under supervision remain at an active and productive pace
- All safety guidelines are fulfilled and no work-related injuries
- High employee morale and retention is achieved when leading by good example
- Low to no injury risk potential/innovate where there is repetitive and unsafe tasks
- Maintain work areas in a clean and presentable fashion with appropriate buffer zones (wine & people)
- Practical and efficient use of PO’s, not exceeding material budgets
- Inventory, records, and work orders are thorough and up to date
- Utilize NSF food grade chemicals in every facet of production
- Sanitary hose fleet, winemaking equipment, Nitrogen, and RO system/ no cross-contamination of wine
- Well maintained (functional, cosmetic, and longevity) forklift and equipment fleet
- GMP processes and department procedures fulfilled at all times
- Minimal to no product, material, labor, and or utility waste/loss
- Waste directed to most appropriate path.
Professional Requirements
- Bachelors in Science or relevant trade school
- 2+ years of experience of hands on winemaking, lab, and cellar activities
- Positive attitude with the ability to work well as a team and contribute to group tasks
- Ability to take direction and follow policies and procedures
- Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety, be responsible for personal safety and safety of others
- Ability to adapt in a changing environment with shifting priorities
- Passion for wine and willingness to learn
Professional Requirements
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. | http://www.testarossa.com/production-assistant-2018 |
Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine mostly concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Proponents claim that such disorders affect general health via the nervous system, through vertebral subluxation, claims which are demonstrably false. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, especially spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), manipulations of other joints and soft tissues. Its foundation is at odds with mainstream medicine, and chiropractic is sustained by pseudoscientific ideas such as subluxation and "innate intelligence" that reject science. Chiropractors are not medical doctors.
Jump up ^ Brantingham, James W.; Bonnefin, Debra; Perle, Stephen M.; Cassa, Tammy Kay; Globe, Gary; Pribicevic, Mario; Hicks, Marian; Korporaal, Charmaine (2012). "Manipulative Therapy for Lower Extremity Conditions: Update of a Literature Review". Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 35 (2): 127–66. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.01.001. ISSN 0161-4754. PMID 22325966.
A large number of chiropractors fear that if they do not separate themselves from the traditional vitalistic concept of innate intelligence, chiropractic will continue to be seen as a fringe profession. A variant of chiropractic called naprapathy originated in Chicago in the early twentieth century. It holds that manual manipulation of soft tissue can reduce "interference" in the body and thus improve health.
Most chiropractic medicine programs require that applicants have at least three years of undergraduate education, and an increasing number require a bachelor’s degree. In either case, your undergraduate studies must include a prescribed number of prerequisite courses, as defined by the field’s accrediting body, the Council on Chiropractic Education.
“First of all, make sure your chiropractor is teaching you along with treating you,” says Dr. Jake LaVere, LaVere Performance Labs and Chiropractic. You want to make sure you’re educated and proactive in your treatment plan, working alongside your chiropractor to find a solution that will work for you. This will help you from both a preventative standpoint, as well as identifying when you’re in pain and what to do about it.
Early opposition to water fluoridation included chiropractors, some of whom continue to oppose it as being incompatible with chiropractic philosophy and an infringement of personal freedom. Other chiropractors have actively promoted fluoridation, and several chiropractic organizations have endorsed scientific principles of public health. In addition to traditional chiropractic opposition to water fluoridation and vaccination, chiropractors' attempts to establish a positive reputation for their public health role are also compromised by their reputation for recommending repetitive lifelong chiropractic treatment.
^ Jump up to: a b Joseph C. Keating, Jr., Cleveland CS III, Menke M (2005). "Chiropractic history: a primer" (PDF). Association for the History of Chiropractic. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 2008-06-16. A significant and continuing barrier to scientific progress within chiropractic are the anti-scientific and pseudo-scientific ideas (Keating 1997b) which have sustained the profession throughout a century of intense struggle with political medicine. Chiropractors' tendency to assert the meaningfulness of various theories and methods as a counterpoint to allopathic charges of quackery has created a defensiveness which can make critical examination of chiropractic concepts difficult (Keating and Mootz 1989). One example of this conundrum is the continuing controversy about the presumptive target of DCs' adjustive interventions: subluxation (Gatterman 1995; Leach 1994).
We Serve the Exceptional Chiropractic Experience. Since 2010 we have been dedicated to the delivery masterful Chiropractic Adjustments in a fun, relaxing, loving and personalized way to better fascilitate healing.Personalized and Thorough hands-on Chiropractic Care for the whole family.Perinatal and Pediatric specialist trained and certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)
Neck pain is commonly associated with dull aching. Sometimes pain in the neck is worsened with movement of the neck or turning the head. Other symptoms associated with some forms of neck pain include numbness, tingling, tenderness, sharp shooting pain, fullness, difficulty swallowing, pulsations, swishing sounds in the head, dizziness or lightheadedness, and lymph node (gland) swelling.
Temporal arteritis [healthline] is an inflammation of arteries in the temple, with a lot of symptoms: severe headache, fever, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, vision trouble, and ringing in the ears are all possible symptoms, along with neck pain. It’s almost unheard of in people younger than 50, and it usually occurs in people with other diseases or infections.
Vertebral subluxation, a core concept of traditional chiropractic, remains unsubstantiated and largely untested, and a debate about whether to keep it in the chiropractic paradigm has been ongoing for decades. In general, critics of traditional subluxation-based chiropractic (including chiropractors) are skeptical of its clinical value, dogmatic beliefs and metaphysical approach. While straight chiropractic still retains the traditional vitalistic construct espoused by the founders, evidence-based chiropractic suggests that a mechanistic view will allow chiropractic care to become integrated into the wider health care community. This is still a continuing source of debate within the chiropractic profession as well, with some schools of chiropractic still teaching the traditional/straight subluxation-based chiropractic, while others have moved towards an evidence-based chiropractic that rejects metaphysical foundings and limits itself to primarily neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Most patients don't realize how much education chiropractors in Dagsboro have. Chiropractors are held to some of the most intense educational standards of any health field. In fact their education standards are very comparable to that of a medical doctor. After completing a strong emphasis of basic sciences in college, chiropractors attend a four year chiropractic college. This means that chiropractors are primary care physicians. In other words you don't have to have a referral to see a chiropractor.
Vertebrobasilar artery stroke (VAS) is statistically associated with chiropractic services in persons under 45 years of age, but it is similarly associated with general practitioner services, suggesting that these associations are likely explained by preexisting conditions. Weak to moderately strong evidence supports causation (as opposed to statistical association) between cervical manipulative therapy (CMT) and VAS. There is insufficient evidence to support a strong association or no association between cervical manipulation and stroke. While the biomechanical evidence is not sufficient to support the statement that CMT causes cervical artery dissection (CD), clinical reports suggest that mechanical forces have a part in a substantial number of CDs and the majority of population controlled studies found an association between CMT and VAS in young people. It is strongly recommended that practitioners consider the plausibility of CD as a symptom, and people can be informed of the association between CD and CMT before administrating manipulation of the cervical spine. There is controversy regarding the degree of risk of stroke from cervical manipulation. Many chiropractors state that, the association between chiropractic therapy and vertebral arterial dissection is not proven. However, it has been suggested that the causality between chiropractic cervical manipulation beyond the normal range of motion and vascular accidents is probable or definite. There is very low evidence supporting a small association between internal carotid artery dissection and chiropractic neck manipulation. The incidence of internal carotid artery dissection following cervical spine manipulation is unknown. The literature infrequently reports helpful data to better understand the association between cervical manipulative therapy, cervical artery dissection and stroke. The limited evidence is inconclusive that chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy is not a cause of intracranial hypotension. Cervical intradural disc herniation is very rare following spinal manipulation therapy.
What's to know about ulnar nerve entrapment? The ulnar nerve gives sensation to the forearm and fourth and fifth fingers. Entrapment occurs when the nerve is compressed or irritated. Arthritis, swelling, or bone spurs may be responsible. Many make a full recovery, but entrapment can lead to paralysis and loss of feeling if treatment is delayed. Learn more here. Read now
Chiropractic treatment of the back, neck, limbs, and involved joints has become more accepted as a result of research and changing attitudes about additional approaches to healthcare. As a result, chiropractors are increasingly working with other healthcare workers, such as physicians and physical therapists, through referrals and complementary care.
A 2010 study by questionnaire presented to UK chiropractors indicated only 45% of chiropractors disclosed with patients the serious risk associated with manipulation of the cervical spine and that 46% believed there was possibility of patient would refuse treatment if risk correctly explained. However 80% acknowledged the ethical/moral responsibility to disclose risk to patient.
For over a decade, Advanced Chiropractic has been helping families achieve better health and wellness through the finest chiropractic care. Based in Maplewood, Minnesota, our team utilizes hands-on adjustments and a holistic (whole-istic) approach to wellness to enrich the lives and educate clients about the power of their own bodies. We have a special focus on prenatal and pediatric chiropractic, truly serving entire families.
Regulatory colleges and chiropractic boards in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia are responsible for protecting the public, standards of practice, disciplinary issues, quality assurance and maintenance of competency. There are an estimated 49,000 chiropractors in the U.S. (2008), 6,500 in Canada (2010), 2,500 in Australia (2000), and 1,500 in the UK (2000).
DCs may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other health care providers.
The AANS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products or physicians referenced in these patient fact sheets. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific neurosurgical advice or assistance should consult his or her neurosurgeon, or locate one in your area through the AANS’ Find a Board-certified Neurosurgeon online tool.
Performance Health®, Bon Vital'®, Biofreeze®, BVspa™, TheraBand®, the Color Pyramid Design™ and Associated Colors™, TheraPearl®, Hygenic®, Pedigenix®, Prossage®, Active Ankle® and Cramer® trademarks are property of Performance Health and/or its subsidiaries and may be registered in the United States and other countries. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. ©2017 Performance Health. All rights reserved. | http://chiropractorsconcord.com/backache-from-car-accident-neck-and-shoulder-pain-after-car-accident-concord-nc.html |
142 P.3d 463 (2006)
2006 OK CR 35
Michael Edward HOOPER, Appellant
v.
STATE of Oklahoma, Appellee.
No. D-2004-1098.
Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma.
August 18, 2006.
*465 Mark Henricksen, El Reno, OK, Julie Gardner, Norman, OK, attorneys for defendant at trial.
Cathy Stocker, District Attorney, Michael Gahan, Assistant District Attorney, El Reno, OK, attorneys for the State at trial.
Traci J. Quick, Lee Ann Peters, Capital Direct Appeals Division, Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, Norman, OK, attorneys for appellant on appeal.
W.A. Drew Edmondson, Attorney General Of Oklahoma, Robert Whittaker, Assistant Attorney General, Oklahoma City, OK, attorneys for appellee on appeal.
OPINION
CHAPEL, Presiding Judge.
¶ 1 Michael Edward Hooper was tried by a jury and convicted of Counts I-III, Murder in the First Degree, in violation of 21 O.S. 1991, § 701.7(A), in the District Court of Canadian County, Case No. CF-93-601.[1] The jury found as to Count I that Hooper (1) knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person, and (2) probably would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society; as to Count II, that Hooper (1) knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person, (2) probably would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society, and (3) committed the murder in order to avoid or prevent a lawful arrest or prosecution; and as to Count III, that Hooper (1) knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person, and (2) probably would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. In accordance with the jury's recommendation, the Honorable Edward C. Cunningham sentenced Hooper to death in all three counts. This Court affirmed Hooper's convictions and sentences, and the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari.[2] Hooper's post-conviction appeal was denied.[3] The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal district court's grant of a new sentencing hearing based on ineffective assistance of counsel.[4] The case was remanded to the District Court of Canadian County for resentencing.
¶ 2 After the remand Hooper filed a pro se pleading, "Motion for Negotiated Plea and Waiver of Rights", asking that the sentence of death be upheld.[5] This motion was properly treated as a waiver of Hooper's rights to a jury trial on resentencing and to present mitigating evidence. In April, 2004, the trial *466 court ordered an independent competency evaluation. At a July 24, 2004, hearing, Hooper waived his right to a jury trial on the issue of competency. The trial court reviewed the competency evaluation submitted by the expert who had been appointed by the court, and found that Hooper was competent. The trial court separately considered Hooper's waiver of a jury trial for resentencing. A sentencing hearing was held on September 8 and September 30, 2004, and the trial court imposed the death penalty on all three counts. At the formal sentencing hearing on October 27, 2004, Hooper waived his right to direct appellate review.
¶ 3 This Court has carefully scrutinized cases in which a defendant essentially volunteers for the death penalty, by waiving his rights to a jury trial, presentation of mitigating evidence, and direct appellate review. We have developed a strict procedure which must be followed in such cases. This is ultimately designed to ensure that the defendant has the capacity to understand the choice between life and death, and to knowingly and intelligently waive his right to appeal his sentence.[6] Our requirements ensure that a capital defendant's waiver of rights comports with the general standard set forth by the United States Supreme Court to determine whether a capital defendant may end his appeals: "whether [the defendant] has capacity to appreciate his position and make a rational choice with respect to continuing or abandoning further litigation or on the other hand whether he is suffering from a mental disease, disorder, or defect which may substantially affect his capacity in the premises."[7]
¶ 4 Before permitting a waiver of the rights to jury trial and to present mitigating evidence, the trial court must order an independent competency evaluation.[8] After making the determination that a defendant is competent to waive a jury trial, a trial court must follow several steps to ensure a defendant is knowingly and intelligently waiving the presentation of mitigating evidence.
(1) The court must inform the defendant of the right to present mitigating evidence, and what mitigating evidence is.
(2) The court must inquire both of the defendant and his attorney (if not pro se) whether he or she understands these rights.
(3) The court should also inquire of the attorney if he or she has attempted to determine from the defendant whether there exists any evidence which could be used to mitigate the aggravating circumstances proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the prosecution.
(4) If such information has been given, the attorney must advise the court what that mitigating evidence is; if the defendant has refused to cooperate, the attorney must relate that to the court.
(5) The trial court must inquire of a defendant and make a determination on the record whether the defendant understands the importance of mitigating evidence in a capital sentencing scheme, understands such evidence could be used to offset the aggravating circumstances proven by the prosecution in support of the death penalty, and the effect of failing to present that evidence.
(6) After being assured the defendant understands these concepts, the court must inquire of the defendant whether he or she desires to waive the right to present such mitigating evidence.
(7) Finally, the court should make findings of fact pursuant to Grasso of the defendant's understanding and waiver of rights.[9]
¶ 5 At the outset, we compliment the trial court on its handling of these proceedings. The trial court scrupulously followed these steps, and repeatedly offered to allow Hooper to change his mind at virtually every stage of the proceedings. We also are compelled to confirm the procedural posture of *467 this case. Hooper received a resentencing hearing below, and this Court is conducting a mandatory sentence review of the death sentences imposed at that proceeding. While the State seems somewhat confused regarding the nature of this hearing, with prosecutors and appellate attorneys suggesting that Hooper was entering a guilty plea, the trial court made clear that, pursuant to the federal court remand, it was conducting a resentencing hearing. The trial court heard and considered evidence, as is common in trial proceedings but not done in plea proceedings. No plea proceedings were conducted and the record nowhere reflects that a guilty plea was entered at any time. There was no question of guilt, as Hooper had already been convicted of the crimes, and one cannot plead guilty to a particular sentence.
¶ 6 Before beginning resentencing proceedings, the court appointed an expert to conduct an independent competency evaluation, and urged Hooper to submit to an evaluation by an expert retained by defense counsel as well. The court's expert conducted a thorough evaluation. The expert's written competency evaluation, which is included in the record, shows that he examined Hooper thoroughly on his capacity to understand the choice between life and death, and the rational and intelligent reasons Hooper gave for preferring execution to life imprisonment. The expert specifically noted that Hooper did not express delusional beliefs regarding what would happen if he were executed. During the hearing, defense counsel stated that he accepted the expert's conclusion of competency. Counsel noted that Hooper had been evaluated by a defense expert but did not provide the trial court with any expert report.[10] Defense counsel stated that he had no evidence available which contradicted the expert's conclusion that Hooper was competent to stand trial. Based on the evidence before it, the trial court made an initial determination of competency.
¶ 7 The sentencing hearing was held on September 8 and 30, 2004. Before beginning the sentencing hearing on September 8, and during the hearing itself, the trial court offered Hooper another opportunity to have a jury trial. Hooper continued to waive that right. The trial court engaged in a long colloquy with the defendant regarding the definition, nature and purpose of mitigating evidence. Defense counsel stated that Hooper had explicitly directed counsel not to contact experts, family, friends, or anyone else for the purpose of presenting mitigating evidence, and Hooper confirmed this. Counsel presented the trial court with an oral and written proffer of mitigating evidence, including expert evidence, which counsel would present if allowed, and discussed other areas which counsel would investigate if allowed. Both Hooper and defense counsel assured the court that Hooper understood the purpose and importance of mitigating evidence and his right to present it, and Hooper unequivocally stated he did not wish to present mitigating evidence. The trial court formally found Hooper competent to understand the nature and purposes of the proceeding, to waive his right to a jury, and to waive his right to present mitigating evidence. The court found that Hooper had asked the trial court to conduct a resentencing hearing and had specifically prohibited counsel from calling witnesses or presenting mitigating evidence. The hearing was continued while the trial court reviewed evidentiary materials presented by the State.
¶ 8 At the September 30 continuation of the sentencing hearing, the trial court began by again addressing the issue of Hooper's competency to waive his right to jury trial. Counsel confirmed that Hooper had been seen by a mental health provider, who suggested he be medicated for chronic depression. However, Hooper was taking only arthritis medication at the time of the hearing. Counsel stated that he felt Hooper was suffering from chronic serious depression, but was competent for purposes of the proceedings. The trial court found Hooper competent to assist counsel and understand the nature, purposes and consequences of the proceedings. The Court once again offered Hooper a jury trial on resentencing, and *468 Hooper again waived that right. The trial court offered Hooper the opportunity to withdraw his March 19 pro se motion, which asked for a sentence of death. Hooper declined to withdraw that motion and stated he would accept whatever sentence the trial court found appropriate. As a final preliminary matter, the trial court noted that Hooper could ask to stop the proceedings at any time in order to consult with counsel.
¶ 9 Before announcing its decision, the trial court made a lengthy and very specific record as to what evidence it had considered. This evidence included evidence presented by the State and defense in the first and second stages of Hooper's trial. It did not include voir dire, opening statements, victim impact evidence, or argument by attorneys. It also did not include evidence which both parties had agreed should be omitted. The trial court also reviewed the tender of mitigation evidence prepared by Hooper's defense counsel for resentencing. The trial court again asked Hooper whether he wished that evidence to be presented on his behalf, and Hooper said he did not. The trial court, noting counsel's opinion that Hooper suffered from severe depression, found Hooper competent to waive presentation of mitigating evidence.
¶ 10 The trial court once again determined that Hooper was knowingly and intelligently waiving the right to present mitigating evidence. The trial court noted that defense counsel were experienced and accomplished capital attorneys, and that Hooper was proceeding against their advice. In a lengthy conversation, the trial court asked whether Hooper had been pressured in any way to disregard counsels' advice, defined evidence in aggravation and mitigation, and asked whether Hooper understood the purposes of that evidence.[11] Hooper said he had not been pressured, that he understood the issue, that he had discussed his decision with counsel many times, and that he did not wish to present mitigating evidence. The trial court asked whether Hooper understood that he was facing the death penalty, and the difference between that sentence and the sentences of life and life without parole. Hooper said he understood. The trial court asked whether Hooper understood that he could not change his mind and ask an appellate court to allow him to present mitigating evidence after waiving that right. Hooper said he understood and preferred not to present mitigating evidence.
¶ 11 The trial court entered formal findings of fact on these issues.[12] The trial court repeated its formal findings of fact regarding competency and Hooper's waivers which had been entered on September 8. The trial court further entered formal findings of fact that Hooper understood the importance of aggravating and mitigating evidence, his right to present mitigating evidence, and that defense counsel advised Hooper to investigate and present mitigating evidence in addition to the evidence tendered on September 8. The trial court found that Hooper understood that failure to present mitigating evidence could result in imposition of the death penalty, understood the difference between life and death, and understood the different sentences which might be imposed. The trial court made these findings to support the determination that Hooper was competent to waive the presentation of mitigating evidence, and that that waiver was knowing and intelligent.
¶ 12 After reviewing the evidence and hearing argument, the trial court made findings regarding the allegations in the Bill of Particulars. The trial court found beyond a reasonable doubt that, as to Counts I, II and III, Hooper knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person. As to all three counts, the trial court found beyond a reasonable doubt that Hooper would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society, based on the brutal and callous nature of Hooper's actions, his efforts to conceal the crimes, and evidence of prior unadjudicated violent acts. As to Counts II and III, the trial court also found beyond a reasonable doubt that the murders were committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or *469 prosecution. The court considered, and put on the record, mitigating evidence which had been presented on Hooper's behalf during his first trial, as well as the proffer of mitigating evidence tendered to the court for this sentencing proceeding. The trial court found as a matter of law that the aggravating circumstances were not outweighed by the mitigating evidence. The trial court again noted that Hooper was competent to waive his rights to jury trial and to present mitigating evidence, and had done so against the advice of counsel. The trial court sentenced Hooper to death on all three counts, but emphasized that the sentences were based on the law and the facts, not on Hooper's personal wishes.
¶ 13 Formal sentencing was held on October 27, 2004. After inquiry of counsel and Hooper, the trial court determined that Hooper was competent to continue with the proceedings. The court determined that Hooper understood this Court was required by statute to conduct a mandatory sentence review. The trial court discussed Hooper's right to appellate review, and made a preliminary determination that Hooper did not wish to initiate a direct appeal of his sentences. The court determined that Hooper had not been pressured in any way to waive his right to a direct appeal. The trial court determined that Hooper understood the difference between life and death, and that he would be put to death by lethal injection if the trial court imposed the death sentences. The trial court then formally imposed sentences of death on Counts I, II and III.
¶ 14 After the imposition of the death penalty, the trial court discussed Hooper's right to appeal those sentences. Hooper directed counsel, in writing, not to file either a direct appeal from the sentences or a post-conviction challenge. The trial court questioned Hooper and determined that he understood his right to direct appeal and that a mandatory sentence review would occur whether or not an appeal was filed. After this exchange the trial court found Hooper understood the proceedings and was competent to waive his right to a direct appeal from the resentencing proceedings. The trial court further found that Hooper had the benefit of experienced and capable capital counsel. The court found that Hooper understood the difference between life and death and had made a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to appeal. This meticulous record shows that Hooper had the capacity to understand the choice between life and death, and to knowingly and intelligently waive his right to appeal his sentence, and did knowingly and intelligently waive that right.[13]
¶ 15 Hooper claims in Proposition I that this Court's current competency standard in these cases is inadequate to ensure that mentally ill defendants can make a valid waiver of the right to present mitigating evidence and to a direct appeal. Hooper essentially concedes that the trial court followed the law in determining that Hooper was competent to knowingly and intelligently waive his rights to a jury trial, to present mitigating evidence, and to appeal. Hooper claims that the standard questions regarding competency to stand trial are not adequate to determine whether a mentally ill defendant can make a valid waiver.[14] Hooper suggests that, in addition to the factors currently used to determine competency, we add three more: (1) whether a person is suffering from a mental disease or defect; (2) if that disease or defect prevents him from understanding his legal position and the options available to him; and (3) if his condition does not prevent him from understanding his legal position and available options, does it prevent him from making a rational choice among his *470 options.[15] He suggests that these questions are necessary to fulfill the United States Supreme Court requirement that a court determine whether a defendant can appreciate his position and make a rational choice with respect to continuing or abandoning further litigation, or instead suffers from a mental disease, disorder, or defect which may substantially affect his capacity.[16] However, Oklahoma's combination of questions which must be asked to determine competency, and which must be specifically asked where capital defendants wish to waive their statutory rights to a jury trial, presentation of mitigating evidence, and appeal, are comparable to Hooper's proposed questions. A defendant whose mental disease or defect either prevents him from understanding his legal position and available options, or prevents him from making a rational choice among his options, will not be found competent under our current law.[17]
¶ 16 Hooper's claim in Proposition I rests substantially on his contention that he is mentally ill and that his mental illness affected his ability to make a valid waiver. The record does not support the claim that Hooper was unable to make a valid waiver due to a mental illness. The record does indicate that defense counsel and a defense expert believed Hooper to be suffering from chronic, serious depression. However, neither counsel nor the defense expert believed that his condition affected Hooper's ability to make a valid waiver. The expert who performed the independent competency evaluation specifically found that Hooper, while depressed, did not present with symptoms of a mental illness, and offered a rational basis for his decisions. Further, although the State's expert evaluation answers the standard competency questions, the evaluation itself explores Hooper's competency specifically as it relates to the death penalty and capital punishment issues. Hooper presents this Court with affidavits suggesting that now, after receiving medication and treatment, he would make a different choice.[18] This material tells the Court what Hooper might do now, faced with the same options he had at the time of his sentencing hearing. However, it does not show that Hooper was unable to make a valid waiver at that time. The trial court thoroughly examined Hooper, and considered the expert evaluation and Hooper's attorney's information, before determining *471 Hooper was competent to validly waive his rights to jury trial and mitigating evidence, and to appeal. As we find above, our current procedures protect the rights of a defendant who wishes to waive the rights to jury trial, presentation of evidence and appeals. Hooper was competent to make a valid waiver, and this proposition is denied.
¶ 17 We have found that Hooper entered a valid waiver of his right to a direct appeal from his sentences of death. Simply put, by this waiver Hooper gave up the right to contest evidentiary issues arising in the resentencing trial. In Propositions II, III, and IV Hooper complains of particular evidence, or categories of evidence, which he argues the trial court should not have considered.[19] Hooper has waived these claims and we do not consider them.
¶ 18 In Proposition V Hooper claims that insufficient evidence supported the trial court's finding of the continuing threat aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial court found this aggravating circumstance was supported by (a) the brutal and callous nature of the crimes themselves, including the gunshot wounds at close range to the face and head of all three victims, and the circumstance that one victim was fleeing at the time she was shot; (b) Hooper's conscious and deliberate efforts to conceal and destroy evidence and conceal the commission of the crimes; and (c) evidence of prior unadjudicated acts of violence by Hooper against his former wife. This Court has upheld use of the circumstances of the crime,[20] and of unadjudicated offenses,[21] to support this aggravating circumstance. Hooper argues the evidence was too remote in time to support a contention that he is presently a continuing threat to society. Although Hooper presented no mitigating evidence, the trial court considered his proffer of mitigating evidence. This included prospective testimony that Hooper had adjusted well to prison life. The trial court did not err in concluding, from the evidence in the record, that Hooper presently constitutes a continuing threat to society. This proposition is denied.
¶ 19 This Court is required by statute to conduct a mandatory sentence review, to determine whether the death sentences were imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor; and if the trial court's findings of statutory aggravating circumstances are supported by the evidence.[22] As noted above, our standard of review is whether the defendant had the capacity to understand the choice between life and death, and to knowingly and intelligently waive his right to appeal his sentence.[23] We find the record amply establishes that Hooper understood the choice between life and death, that he was competent, and that he knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived his rights to jury trial, to present mitigating evidence, and to appeal.[24] The trial judge meticulously put on the record all the evidence he considered which supported the aggravating circumstances beyond *472 a reasonable doubt.[25] Although Hooper did not present mitigating evidence, the trial court considered the proffer of mitigating evidence presented by defense counsel, and reviewed the mitigating evidence admitted in the original sentencing trial.[26] The record supports our conclusion that the trial court's imposition of the death penalty was based on the law, facts and circumstances of the case, and is supported by the evidence. The evidence considered by the trial court supports the statutory finding of aggravating circumstances. The sentences were not imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice, or any other arbitrary factor, including Hooper's own expressed wish to receive the death penalty.[27]
Decision
¶ 20 The Judgments and Sentences of the District Court are AFFIRMED. Hooper's Application for Oral Argument is DENIED. Hooper's Motion to Supplement the Record with Extra-Record Material is GRANTED. Pursuant to Rule 3.15, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2006), the MANDATE is ORDERED issued upon the delivery and filing of this decision.
C. JOHNSON, A. JOHNSON and LEWIS, JJ.: concur.
LUMPKIN, V.P.J.: concur in results.
LUMPKIN, Vice-Presiding Judge: concur in results.
¶ 1 I concur in the results reached by the Court in this case. However, I disagree with the Court's manner of handling the ex parte materials addressed in 18. Ex parte filings are not evidence in the case as they have not been subjected to an adversarial testing in the trial court. Our Court rules and case law have consistently held that matters of this type are submitted and accepted for a very limited purpose, i.e., to make a threshold showing that an evidentiary hearing in the District Court is warranted. See Rule 3.11, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2006). See also Lott v. State, 2004 OK CR 27, ¶ 135, 98 P.3d 318, 351; Short v. State, 1999 OK CR 15, ¶ 93, 980 P.2d 1081, 1108. Untested ex parte filings are never to be accepted as part of the record on appeal for determination of issues presented on the merits. See Dewberry v. State, 1998 OK CR 10, ¶ 9, 954 P.2d 774, 777 (materials not presented to the trial court for review are not a part of the appellate record and should not be considered by this Court).
¶ 2 Reviewing the material presented in the present case, for their proper limited purpose, I find an evidentiary hearing is not supported. While Appellant may feel better about himself due to the medication he now takes, it in no way changes the fact he was competent, fully understood the rights and admonitions given by the District Court, and knowingly waived these rights. He was unequivocal at that time and his current equivocation should not be allowed to override that decision. Judge Cunningham was meticulous, thorough, and repeatedly gave Appellant an opportunity to change his mind, which he declined. Therefore, I find the decision of this Court to be factually and legally correct.
NOTES
[1] Hooper's trial was held in June, 1995. The crimes occurred in December, 1993.
[2] Hooper v. State, 1997 OK CR 64, 947 P.2d 1090, cert. denied, 524 U.S. 943, 118 S.Ct. 2353, 141 L.Ed.2d 722 (1998).
[3] Hooper v. State, 1998 OK CR 22, 957 P.2d 120.
[4] Hooper v. Mullin, 314 F.3d 1162 (10th Cir. 2002). The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari. Hooper v. Mullin, 540 U.S. 838, 124 S.Ct. 97, 157 L.Ed.2d 70 (2003).
[5] OR. 608. The sentence of death was no longer in effect, and the trial court had no authority to uphold it.
[6] Wallace v. State, 1995 OK CR 19, 893 P.2d 504, 510; Grasso v. State, 1993 OK CR 33, 857 P.2d 802, 806.
[7] Rees v. Peyton, 384 U.S. 312, 314, 86 S.Ct. 1505, 1506, 16 L.Ed.2d 583 (1966).
[8] Fluke v. State, 2000 OK CR 19, 14 P.3d 565, 567; Grasso, 857 P.2d at 806.
[9] Wallace, 893 P.2d at 512-13.
[10] The proffer of mitigating evidence prepared for the trial court includes a summary of the defense expert's findings. The expert concluded that Hooper was severely and profoundly depressed.
[11] The trial court had conducted this same conversation in the September 8 hearing.
[12] Wallace, 893 P.2d at 513.
[13] Duty v. State, 2004 OK CR 20, 89 P.3d 1158, 1160; Wallace, 893 P.2d at 510; Grasso, 857 P.2d at 806.
[14] Those questions are: (a) whether the defendant understands the nature of the charges against him; (b) whether he can consult with his attorney and rationally assist in the preparation of his defense; (c) if the answer to questions (a) or (b) is no, whether the defendant can attain competency within a reasonable time if appropriately treated; (d) if the defendant is a person requiring treatment for mental illness or mental retardation as defined in the Oklahoma Statutes, and, if so, specifically why the defendant is incompetent; (e) whether, if the defendant were released without appropriate treatment, he would presently pose a danger to himself or others. 22 O.S.2001, § 1175.3(E).
[15] These questions are based on those asked in Ross ex rel. Smyth v. Lantz, 392 F.Supp.2d 236, 238 (D.Conn.2005) and Rumbaugh v. Procunier, 753 F.2d 395, 398 (5th Cir.1985), and implied in an Eighth Circuit case, Smith ex rel. Mo. Pub. Defender Comm'n v. Armontrout, 812 F.2d 1050, 1057 (8th Cir.1987). Those cases interpret the Rees standard, which asks if a defendant can appreciate his position and make a rational choice with respect to continuing or abandoning further litigation, or instead suffers from a mental disease, disorder, or defect which may substantially affect his capacity. Rees, 384 U.S. at 314, 86 S.Ct. at 1506,
[16] Rees, 384 U.S. at 314, 86 S.Ct. at 1506.
[17] Hooper suggests that the Tenth Circuit has required more than our current law provides. In Hays v. Murphy, 663 F.2d 1004 (10th Cir. 1981), the Tenth Circuit found the state court determination of competency inadequate where a capital defendant wished to waive all appeals after his conviction was affirmed on direct appeal. That case was well before the imposition of the current statutory and case law requirements for capital competency issues, and the minimal state procedures used to uphold competency there would not be adequate under current law.
[18] On November 8, 2005, Hooper filed a request to supplement the record with evidence of his present mental health, bearing on his ability to make a valid waiver at the time of his resentencing proceedings. We consider this material as part of our mandatory sentence review. While our Rules limit the ways in which this Court will normally consider that material, that limitation applies only to cases in which an appeal is pursued. Rule 3.11(B), Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2006) (extra-record material offered to supplement an appeal may only be offered in connection with a timely filed motion for new trial or a particular claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel). Rule 3.11(B) does not apply here, where the Court is not considering a direct appeal or post-conviction claim. In this mandatory sentence review, we are required by statute to determine whether Hooper's sentence of death was factually substantiated by evidence of aggravating circumstances, and was imposed under the influence of passion, prejudice or any arbitrary factor. 21 O.S.2001, § 701.13(C). The scope of materials we may consider in making this determination is not limited by whether a proffered filing might be considered on traditional appellate review. Hooper's motion to supplement the record is GRANTED.
[19] In Proposition II Hooper claims the trial court should not have allowed the State to present evidence in aggravation by way of transcript without a showing that the witnesses were unavailable. In Proposition III Hooper claims the trial court erred by reading transcripts from a previous trial in private rather than having the transcripts read in a public hearing. In Proposition IV Hooper claims the trial court should not have considered Officer Abrahamsen's testimony regarding statements made by a victim.
[20] Wackerly v. State, 2000 OK CR 15, 12 P.3d 1, 18; Malicoat v. State, 2000 OK CR 1, 992 P.2d 383, 398; Fitzgerald v. State, 2002 OK CR 31, 61 P.3d 901, 906 n. 26.
[21] Wackerly, 12 P.3d at 16-17; Lockett v. State, 2002 OK CR 30, 53 P.3d 418, 428; Malicoat, 992 P.2d at 397; Charm v. State, 1996 OK CR 40, 924 P.2d 754, 763. I continue to believe that evidence of unadjudicated offenses should not be admitted to support the continuing threat aggravating circumstance. I find that, even without this evidence, sufficient evidence supports the finding of each aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt.
[22] 21 O.S.2001, § 701.13(C). Hooper has also waived his right to oral argument, and no oral argument is necessary. His Application for Oral Argument, filed November 8, 2005, is DENIED. Duty, 89 P.3d at 1161 n. 4.
[23] Grasso, 857 P.2d at 806.
[24] Fluke, 14 P.3d at 569.
[25] This includes the facts and circumstances of the crimes themselves, Hooper's subsequent actions taken to conceal the crimes, and prior unadjudicated violent acts by Hooper.
[26] This includes evidence that Hooper currently suffers from serious and profound depression; the possibility that Hooper suffers from other mental disorders; the troubled circumstances of his childhood; his childhood learning disabilities, frustration, and problems with impulse control and completion of projects; his history of alcohol and substance abuse and treatment; that Hooper loved animals, is involved with is family, has behaved well in prison, and is helpful and good.
[27] Id.
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The invention discloses an intelligent street lamp remote operation and maintenance control system which comprises an operation and maintenance control terminal, the output end of the operation and maintenance control terminal is connected with the input end of operation and maintenance total data, and the output end of the operation and maintenance total data is connected with the input end of a neural network classifier. According to the invention, the operation and maintenance control terminal is connected with the neural network classifier, so that the neural network classifier can be utilized to classify the operation and maintenance total data into application operation and maintenance data, system operation and maintenance data, database operation and maintenance data and security operation and maintenance data; and meanwhile, the application operation and maintenance data, the system operation and maintenance data, the database operation and maintenance data and the security operation and maintenance data are subjected to data optimization through an Oracle optimizer, the data transmission speed is increased, after optimization is completed, the data are transmitted to a first processing host, a second processing host, a third processing host and a fourth processing host respectively, the four kinds of data are processed respectively, and the data processing efficiency is greatly improved. | |
In the previous article I discussed the importance of climate when determining the value of a farm. Rainfall, temperature, wind, frost and hail were of specific importance.
In this article we are going to take a closer look at one of the biggest factors influencing the value of a farm, namely the level of development.
The level of development in terms of infrastructure and improvements has a direct influence on a farm’s price per hectare. Undeveloped farms in the same area are normally cheaper per hectare than developed farms. However, the increased value due to the development is seldom equal to the cost of the development. Over-capitalization is always a risk, especially on smaller farming units. Over-capitalization, put simply, means to improve a property beyond its resale value. This usually happens when improvements are added which are not necessary for the normal functioning of the farm. Or when the quality of the finishes of improvements is much higher than what is considered to be normal and acceptable. One of the primary “laws” of property valuation comes into play here, which is COST DOES NOT EQUAL VALUE.
The types of improvements are classified as follows:
Class A improvements
These are improvements normally found on a farm and that are utilized in the normal day-to-day operations of a farm. These include residential housing and normal operational farm buildings. Class A improvements are valued in addition to the value of the land components. They do not form part of, for instance, the normal wasteland, homestead or grazing land value. Residential houses are placed in categories that relate to different ranges of building costs.
Normal operational farm buildings are those buildings that are necessary for the day-to-day activities on the farm, such as sheds, store rooms, workshops, pump houses, an office etc. Specialized improvements are improvements that are not usually found on a standard farm, but which have been constructed for a specific farming type. These improvements include amongst others abattoirs, charcoal plants, cold rooms, feed and grain mills, pack houses, silos, saw mills, stables, wine cellars etc.
The key factor when determining the additional value of Class A improvements is depreciation. Depreciation, put simply, is a reduction in the value of an asset over time. The method of valuation that is universally used to value Class A improvements on a farm is called the Depreciated Replacement Cost method. It involves determining a market related replacement cost for the improvement, where-after amounts are deducted for more than one type of depreciation. The types of depreciation include physical, economical and functional depreciation. Additionally, an amount for Purchaser’s resistance is also deducted.
Class B improvements
These consist of improvements that are universally accepted as “part of the land”. These includes fences, pipelines, water reservoirs, roads, erosion works (weirs), normal livestock handling facilities and so forth. Class B improvements are valued as an integral part of the land, for instance the value of grazing land includes the value of fences, water reticulation and normal livestock handling facilities. The same applies to irrigation land, which include the value of irrigation mainlines, furrows and canals, and everything from the point of extraction to the point of connection to the in-land irrigation system, for example a pivot.
If Class B improvements are in a poor condition, the land component will be valued lower than the norm or calculated comparable value for the area.
Class S improvements
Specialised improvements are those that are not usually found on a standard farm, but which have been constructed for a specific farming type. These include amongst others abattoirs, charcoal plants, cold rooms, feed and grain mills, pack houses, silos, saw mills, stables, wine cellars etc. These improvements are valued and classified separately from the normal Class A improvements. Specialised improvements usually require specialised equipment, such as a milking machine, layer-hen cages, fruit sorting machines etc. It is always debatable whether these types of equipment are moveable assets or integral parts of the fixed improvement. Without this equipment the structure is not functional.
Financial institutions often require that the valuation of improvements exclude specialized equipment, whereas a prospective buyer or an auditor may require it to be included in a valuation.
Permanent crops
The factors that influence the value of permanent crops are locality, crop type, plant population, orchard establishment, irrigation, location on farm, yield history and condition of the orchard.
The area of locality and crop type have to do with adaptability related to climate, water requirements, etc. The plant population, establishment, irrigation and location on the farm have to do with technical issues, while yield history and the condition of the orchard have to do with the performance of the orchard. The adaptability can be expressed in a cultivar index while the rest are normally expressed as a rating for each individual orchard.
These factors will be discussed in more detail in a follow-up article.
It is evident that the level of development of a farm has a profound influence on its open market value. The possible presence of over-capitalization should however be duly noted by a prospective buyer, and the negative effect be negotiated with a seller.
Rumpff Krüger
Professional Valuer
Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural
Special mention and thanks to Mr. Pine Pienaar who graciously gave permission for his book, Farm Valuations in Practice (Pienaar, 2013) to be used as a source. | https://saiv.org.za/buying-a-farm-a-valuers-perspective-improvements/ |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of responding to the intention of a player or a game house side and minimizing influence to operation of a game house.
SOLUTION: A selection ratio mode desired by an operator can be selected during a standby state from a plurality of types of selection ratio modes determined for specifying a selection ratio of selecting a predetermined specific game direction for a game. Determination of whether or not to practice the specific game direction is carried out in accordance with the selection ratio specified by the selected selection mode, and the specific game direction can be controlled in response to the determination.
COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO | |
Historically, vaccines against viral diseases have used live-attenuated (weakened) viruses or inactivated whole viruses to induce protective immune responses. The development process often takes 15 to 20 years or more and requires virus cultivation, animal model testing, product formulation, immunogenicity testing and years of costly clinical trials.
However, substantial technological advances of the past decade, such as synthetic vaccinology and platform manufacturing, can expedite the process and shorten manufacturing time, allowing clinical evaluation to begin sooner, according to the authors. Synthetic vaccinology uses information from viral gene sequencing to create DNA and mRNA molecules encoding viral proteins. Because this research does not require replicating “live” viruses, it does not need to be done in high-level containment facilities when developing vaccines for highly pathogenic viruses. | https://www.eurasiareview.com/24032018-advanced-vaccines-could-limit-future-outbreaks/ |
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Overall a very good course. It covered various different topics. In Summary, happy with training course.
Excellent and knowledgeable faculty. I would recommend CPH aspirants to join IIS for their certifications. | http://shieldedsystems.com/courses/ethical-hacking-course.php |
We have about a 1/2 dozen houses we're going to look at today, so please be praying! Our camper maintenance guy came out for the last time on Tuesday and fixed all our lights. The only other thing we need now is new tires - and we're not exactly in a big rush to shell out that kind of money! We had put the proceeds from the sale of our old house last year in a 1 year CD and it matured on Tuesday. We have 1 week to get it out before it rolls over into another 1 year CD (which we would have to pay penalties to get it out!) and I kept forgetting to do that this week! So Monday is the day! I have alarms on my phone set and time set aside so I won't forget! We found out who our new NACA mortgage counselor is, and he's one of the senior guys who has been there for awhile. He immediately told me something I never knew - namely we need to make consistent appointments with our counselor, not to come in and see them, but so that it sets time aside for them to work on our file. I did not know that! So we have an appointment for this Monday for him to work on our file. The interest rate for NACA is now down to 3.675%! Wow! I ran into a former neighbor at the grocery store yesterday, and she said she's tired of all the maintenance of her house and yard and wants to move into a condo. :-) She asked me rhetorically if I was really sure I wanted to get back into that rat race again? It made me smile. "Yes and no," I thought. Mainly, I still want whatever the Lord wants, so it's nice not to be clammering and frantic which I imagine I could be at this point! Please continue to pray we hear His voice saying, "This is the way, walk in it"! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Tim & Jodie
Tim and Jodie have been married since Nov. 5, 1988. Tim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and retired city of Tampa Firefighter. Jodie is a happily laid off IBM/AT&T 21 yr veteran employee turned stay-at-home home-schooling mom (say that fast three times!). She works very part-time for a local Christian author and speaker. They have four wonderful children: triplets Nathan, Nicole, and Noah born 11/16/97 and Nicholas born 5/16/99.
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The UK's Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched a second Capital Support competition, with the aim of encouraging greater recovery and recycling of plasterboard through growing both the infrastructure and facilities available to carry out this type of work.
A number of key criteria will be used by the organisation when considering applications that will include overall value for money; a start date no later than 31st March 2008; the applicant's arrangements for necessary planning consents and operational licenses and the applicants arrangements for sourcing inputs and marketing the output products.
Projects that will be eligible for funding will include but are not restricted to new or additional collection and bulking facilities for onward recycling; new or additional collection and mobile processing capacity; and new or additional processing and recycling facilities that produce recovered plasterboard for sale back into plasterboard manufacture, or for onward sale into markets such as agriculture, cement and clay block manufacture.
Successful applicants can expect to receive up to 30% of the total eligible capital costs of their project, covering equipment, plant, land infrastructure. | https://www.khl.com/news/funding-for-recycling-plasterboard/1009605.article |
Last week’s launch of Facebook Groups resulted in the inexplicable disappearance of “Clear Chat History” button from Facebook Chat. According to sources “button’s removal was due to load issues cause by new reliance on Group chats, as chat data greater that 14 days would have to make a database hit, overloading the server if scaled to apply to large Groups and causing performance issues.”
However, a group of Facebook users protested, despite above cited concerns, Facebook responded:
We’ve been making a number of changes to optimize and simplify Facebook Chat over past weeks. As part of the effort to improve Chat, we’ve been testing an interface without the “clear chat history” link prominently displayed, since only a small number of people use it.
Based on tests, we’ve decided to keep “clear chat history” and to optimize it’s placement within Chat interface. We’re placing it at the top of Chat scroll ? where it’s still easily accessible without cluttering UI space throughout the course of chat. We believe this solution strikes a good balance between many different interests of the millions of people on Facebook Chat. | https://www.ditii.com/facebook-clear-chat-history-is-back-with-optimized-placement/46054/ |
By Annie Grant
In November, a faculty member from the Department of Communication was selected as a University Faculty Scholar. Dr. Adriana de Souza e Silva, associate professor and director of the CRDM program, is the first person in the department to receive this award and only the sixth from Humanities and Social Sciences since the award’s inception in 2012.
Approximately 20 faculty members are recognized as faculty scholars each year. With 2,323 faculty members at NC State, it is quite an achievement. These scholars are tenured or tenured-track faculty and nominated by their college. Nominees are reviewed and then recommended by the provost’s administrative advisory committee. After discussion with the chancellor, the provost makes the final selection of scholars based on “Significant achievement appropriate to rank in research/scholarship, teaching, and/or extension/engagement/service.”
“What made Dr. Adriana de Souza e Silva such a great nominee — and eventual University Faculty Scholar — is her very important and creative research on how people use mobile technologies to interact with people in public spaces and in society overall. This work is really at the cutting edge of thinking about how these technologies — which have rapidly spread around the world — are affecting the way we live,” said Dr. Thomas Birkland, associate dean for research and engagement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Birkland manages assembling the nominations for the faculty awards in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. de Souza e Silva was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in 2001 as a visiting scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has been at NC State since 2005 and teaches courses at all levels in the Department of Communication, primarily about the Internet and society and mobile communication.
In her research, Dr. de Souza e Silva looks at mobile communication interfaces and location-based services. She studies the impact these technologies have on how people move around cities and interact with others. She also conducts part of her research in her home country. Specifically, she studies how low-income people in Brazil appropriate technology creatively. The goal is to understand the way socioeconomic differences affect the creative use of technology.
“I’ve always been a very curious person,” said Dr. de Souza e Silva with a laugh. “Being a university professor allows me to do the research I like and to interact with students. I don’t think I have anything I would complain about.”
Fellow researchers have cited Dr. de Souza e Silva more than 700 times, according to Google Scholar. She says she is proud of her publications and awards, but her 3-year-old son is her greatest accomplishment.
Along with the five-year title of being a University Faculty Scholar, Dr. de Souza e Silva, and the others awarded, receive a $10,000 annual supplement for salary or program support. | https://spring2016departmentofcommunicationnewsletter.wordpress.ncsu.edu/professor-wins-university-faculty-scholar-award/ |
Wanderers head to the Abbey Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on Cambridge United, with Ian Evatt’s side looking to continue their fine start to the 2021/22 campaign with a third league victory in a row.
The team were of course in action during the week, going out of the Carabao Cup on penalties after a goalless draw in a feisty encounter with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
Cambridge have had a decent start to their first season in the third tier of English football since 2001/02, with Mark Bonner’s side recently beating Burton Albion 3-0 at the Abbey Stadium. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Brewers had won every league game up to that point.
United too were in Carabao Cup action during the week, going down 3-1 to Sky Bet Championship side Millwall at the Den. George Williams gave the visitors the lead, but a Murray Wallace brace and a goal from Matt Smith secured victory for the Londoners.
Pre-match quotes: From the bosses
Ian Evatt: “They’ve had a good start to the season. They’re a well-organised and well-coached team. It’s always a difficult place to go, and with Wes Hoolahan they have a bit of quality – someone I know well having played with him for a few years at Blackpool. He’s a very talented player and someone we’ll have to keep our eye on. But, as in most cases we’ll go and try to win the game, do our own thing, play our own way, and hopefully, that’ll be enough.”
Mark Bonner: “Ian Evatt has done a good job. They have got a real identity about how they play, it is obvious they want to go out and attack games. We saw that in the early games with the two 3-3 draws. Since then, they have had a couple of good results against strong sides. We will have to be the best version of ourselves with and without the ball to be competitive in the game.”
Team News:
In his pre-match press conference, manager Ian Evatt has confirmed that MJ Williams and Lloyd Isgrove will return to contention having missed Tuesday’s trip to Wigan Athletic with slight injuries.
Amadou Bakayoko has been ruled out for approximately six weeks, whilst defender Will Aimson is back in full training and close to contention for selection. Still waiting to make his Wanderers debut, the former Plymouth man will likely come into the manager’s consideration for Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy fixture against Port Vale.
Tickets and Travel
Wanderers supporters will be able to purchase tickets at the Abbey Stadium tomorrow afternoon, ahead of our Sky Bet League One clash with Cambridge United.
Tickets will be sold from the Ticket Office on Newmarket Road. Both seated & terrace tickets will be available to purchase on the day.
Supporters will be able to pay via debit/credit card and cash.
Seated Ticket Prices
Adults - £24.00
Over 64s - £19.00
Student - £19.00
Under 24s - £19.00
Under 18s - £12.00
Under 12s - £7.00
Terrace Ticket Prices
Adults - £20.00
Over 64s - £16.00
Student - £16.00
Under 24s - £16.00
Under 18s - £10.00
Under 12s - £7.00
Last Time Out
Wanderers came from behind to earn a draw at one of League Two’s early pace-setters Cambridge United. With Ian Evatt’s side still looking to get into their groove after a slow start to the season, they dominated much of the proceeding at the Abbey Stadium but fell behind following an error from Billy Crellin.
The equaliser came with eight minutes to go, when Antoni Sarcevic fired a low shot past Dimi Mitov, capping a precise passing move.
Cambridge United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers | Saturday 24 October 2020
Line-Up: Crellin, Kioso, Baptiste, Almeida Santos, Delaney, Brockbank (Gordon 72), Tutte, Sarcevic, Crawford, Delfouneso, Doyle (Gnahoua 50).
Unused Subs: Greenidge, Taft, Hickman, Mascoll, Darcy.
Match Officials: | https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/august/-preview-cambridge-united-vs.-bolton-wanderers/ |
Many have contemplated learning a foreign language at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many have also dropped the idea when faced with the difficulties involved. The truth is, however, that picking up a new language does not have to be so difficult, after all.
According to Stephen Krashen, a linguistics expert who specializes in theories of language acquisition and development, it is a myth that some people are more adept at learning languages than others. Krashen believes that no one has the innate ability to learn a language faster than anyone else. He does, however, make an important distinction between learning a language and acquiring one.
According to Krashen, “learning” is the traditional grammar-based process used in the classroom, while “acquisition” is how humans pick up their first language as children. Krashen believes that the mistake lies in trying to teach languages the same way we teach science, history and mathematics. He believes that one should instead acquire a second language in the same way children acquire their first.
Many have shifted from the traditional classroom techniques of teaching grammar and vocabulary in a boring, repetitive way, and are instead opting to learn languages in a more immersive fashion. By making the target language itself more accessible to the learner and using a more personalized approach, the new language is more likely to stick.
I have personally found that the best way to learn a language is to do so by diving in headfirst. If you know a native or fluent speaker in your target language, try to get them to teach you the basics. Greetings, names of family members, colors, clothing items and travel words are all good places to start.
Language learning courses can be very effective, but as a linguist myself, I recommend that having a personal tutor is the fastest and most effective way to learn. A personal tutor will focus entirely on you as a student without having to worry about you lagging behind a number of classmates. A personal tutor can also help you tackle problem areas without wasting time on concepts you have already grasped.
By engaging in one-on-one conversations with my instructors, using the target language as much as possible, I was able to become certified in French (with a diplôme d’études en langue française from the French Ministry of Education) and German (from the Berlitz Language Learning Institute in Germany). I have recently started learning Spanish during quarantine.
Those wishing to learn a new language on their own, however, or who want to become at least proficient before engaging with an instructor, can definitely pick up the basics by themselves.
Language learning apps and websites abound. While some better than others, any of them will suffice depending on the goals of the student. Those wanting to casually pick up basics and phrases in a target language can start with Duolingo. The app has both free and paid options. The free version is perfectly acceptable for those wanting to test the waters before committing full-time to a new language.
To practice your English writing, try https://rephraser.ai/, you can use it for free for up to 2000 words per month, or for a minimum investment, practice your writing much more. You simply insert your non-native English content in the left-hand text box and the text is instantly rephrased into native English, highlighting the changes in both the original and revised texts.
More serious language learners can opt for Rosetta Stone’s language learning courses, widely recognized as one of the best in the business. Though Rosetta Stone courses come with a pretty hefty price tag ($179 for a single level, $279 for two, $379 for three, and $479 for the full five-level course), anyone looking to become professionally fluent in a language will probably find the investment worth it.
However, it must also be noted that learning a new language requires patience and dedication. No one knows this better than Steve Kaufmann. Once a diplomat and entrepreneur involved in international trade, Kaufmann has been learning languages for over 50 years — and he speaks 20.
“You have to accept that it will take months and maybe years to become fluent, but it can be done. You have to be motivated, to like the language enough and to think you can succeed,” says Kaufmann on his website, thelinguist.com.
Adapted from an article first written by HALA TASHKANDI on 5/18/2020 and published on https://www.arabnews.com/. | https://rephraser.ai/blog/learning-a-language-during-quarantine-where-and-how-to-start |
Vision Quest Windelectric has completed construction of the 75 MW McBride Lake wind farm, six months after it started. The last of McBride's 114 Vestas 660 kW wind turbines were commissioned in late June. The C$100 million project is jointly owned by Vision Quest and Enmax Corporation, an energy utility with about half a million customers across Alberta. The entire wind farm output qualifies for a subsidy of C$0.012/kWh under the federal government's wind power production incentive (WPPI) program, even though turbines commissioned after March 31 are supposed to receive only C$0.01/kWh. The government granted an extension, says Vision Quest's Jason Edworthy, because of the tough weather conditions, including high winds and cold temperatures, faced by construction crews during the winter and spring. The McBride Lake plant will produce about 235,000 MWh a year, enough to power more than 32,500 homes. Enmax is buying the wind farm's entire output. Completion of the plant -- the second project to be commissioned this year -- brings Canada's total installed wind capacity to 311 MW. In January, a single 750 kW Lagerwey turbine owned by the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative and Toronto Hydro started operation on the city's waterfront.
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and free email bulletins. | https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/954002/mcbride-lake-75-mw-complete |
The angel.--It has been proposed to translate this word the "messenger," or ambassador of God, and understand "the priest" (see Malachi 2:7); and it has been regarded as one of the notes of later date in this book that the word should be used in such a sense. But even in the passage of Malachi there is no trace that the word "angel" had then become an ordinary name for the priest, such as would be intelligible if used in that sense without explanation from the context. Neither, again, is there reason for supposing that the priest had power to dispense with vows alleged to have been rashly undertaken. The power given him (Leviticus 27) is of a different nature. I therefore adhere to the obvious sense, which suggests that the real vow is observed and recorded by a heavenly angel. It falls in with this view that the phrase is "before the angel." If an excuse pleaded to a priest was intended, we should have, "Say not thou to the priest."
Error.--The word is that which describes sins of ignorance (Numbers 15). The tacit assumption in this verse, that God interposes to punish when His name is taken in vain, clearly expresses the writer's real conviction, and shows that such a verse as Ecclesiastes 9:2 is only the statement of a speculative difficulty.Verse 6. - Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin. "Thy flesh" is equivalent to "thyself," the whole personality, the idea of the flesh, as a distinct part of the man, sinning, being alien from Old Testament ontology. The injunction means - Do not, by uttering rash or inconsiderate vows, which you afterwards evade or cannot fulfill, bring sin upon yourself, or, as others render, bring punishment upon yourself. Septuagint, "Suffer not thy mouth to Cause thy flesh to sin(τοῦ ὠξαμαρτῆσαι τὴν σάρκα σου);" Vulgate, Ut peccare facias carnem tuam. Another interpretation, but not so suitable, is this - Do not let thy mouth (i.e. thy appetite) lead thee to break the vow of abstinence, and indulge in meat or drink from which (as, e.g., a Nazarite) thou wast bound to abstain. Neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error. If we take "angel" (malak) in the usual sense (and there seems no very forcible reason why we should not), it must mean the angel of God in whose special charge you are placed, or the angel who was supposed to preside over the altar of worship, or that messenger of God whose duty it is to watch man's doings and to act as the minister of punishment (2 Samuel 24:16). The workings of God's providence are often attributed to angels; and sometimes the names of God and angel are interchanged (see Genesis 16:9, 13; Genesis 18:2, 3, etc.; Exodus 3:2, 4; Exodus 23:20, etc.). Thus the Septuagint here renders, "Say not before the face of God (πρὸ = προσώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ)." If this interpretation be allowed, we have an argument for the literal explanation of the much-disputed passage in 1 Corinthians 11:10, διὰ τοὺς ἀγγέλους. Thus, too, in 'The Testaments of the XII. Patriarchs,' we have, "The Lord is witness, and his angels are witnesses, concerning the word of your mouth" ('Levi,' 19). But most commentators consider that the word here means "messenger" of Jehovah, in the sense of priest, the announcer of the Divine Law, as in the unique passage Malachi 2:7. Traces of a similar use of ἄγγελος may be found in the New Testament (Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:1, etc.). According to the first interpretation, the man comes before God with his excuse; according to the second, he comes to the priest, and confesses that he was thoughtless and overhasty in making his vow, and desires to be released from it, or, at any rate, by some means to evade its fulfillment. His excuse may possibly look to the cases mentioned in Numbers 15:22, etc., and he may wish to urge that the vow was made in ignorance (Septuagint, Ὅτι ἄγνοιά ἐστι, "It is an ignorance"), and that therefore he was not responsible for its incomplete execution. We do not know that a priest or any officer of the temple had authority to release from the obligation of a Tow, so that the excuse made "before" him would seem to be objectless, while the evasion of a solemn promise made in the Name of God might well be said to be done in the presence of the observing and recording angel. The Vulgate rendering, Non eat providentia, makes the man account for his neglect by assuming that God takes no heed of such things; he deems the long-suffering of God to be indifference and disregard (comp. Ecclesiastes 8:11; Ecclesiastes 9:3). The original does not bear this interpretation. Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice - the words in which thy evasion and dishonesty are expressed - and destroy the work of thine hands? i.e. punish thee by calamity, want of success, sickness, etc., God's moral government being vindicated by earthly visitations. Proverbs 20:25;
neither say thou before the angel that it was an error; that it was done ignorantly and through mistake: that it was not intended, and that this was not the meaning of the vow; and therefore desires to be excused performing it, or to offer a sacrifice in lieu of it. Interpreters are divided about the angel before whom such an excuse should not be made. Some think angel is put for angels in general, in whose presence, and before whom, as witnesses, vows are made; and who were signified by the cherubim in the sanctuary, where they were to be performed, and who are present in the worshipping assemblies of saints, where these things are done, 1 Timothy 5:21; others think the guardian angel is meant, which they suppose every man has; and others that Christ, the Angel of the covenant, is designed, who is in the midst of his people, sees and knows all that is done by them, and will not admit of their excuses; but it is most probable the priest is intended, called the angel, or messenger, of the Lord of hosts, Malachi 2:7; to whom such who had made vows applied to be loosed from them, acknowledging their error in making them; or to offer sacrifice for their sin of ignorance, Leviticus 5:4;
wherefore should God be angry at thy voice; either in making a rash and sinful vow, or in excusing that which was made;
and destroy the work of thine hands? wrought with success, for which the vow was made; and so, instead of its succeeding, is destroyed, and comes to nothing. Vows made by the Jews were chiefly about their houses, or fields, or cattle; see Leviticus 27:28; and so the destruction suggested may signify the curse that God would bring upon any of these, for excusing or not performing the vow made. | https://www.bibleapps.com/commentaries/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm |
I want to thank all those who reached out to
me and those who spoke out at the last couple of Town Hall Meetings, regarding
the Temporary Emergency Homeless Shelter project we are considering. Many
concerns and expectations have been expressed, and it has become obvious that
to move forward with this project will be a complex venture.
With that said, should the congregation
approve moving forward with this project, a committee will be formed and tasked
with negotiating an agreement with the city and the service provider that
addresses the concerns voiced by the congregation and minimizes the liability
to the church. A core group of people have been identified to serve on this
committee. A wish list of points that need to be included with this agreement
have already been established. These points include (but are not limited to)
improved lighting in our parking lot; a market-value lease payment for the use
of the property; annual review and adjustments to the agreement; designated
point-persons for working out issues that may arise during the course of this
project; a net increase in parking spaces. The committee will always be open to
congregational input. For those who wish to send their thoughts,
recommendations, or concerns directly to this committee, they can email them at
[email protected].
In an effort to maintain full transparency, I
have set up a forum on our website so that everyone can follow the progress of
the committee. People can provide feedback and recommendations here during this
process as well. I will be updating this forum as new information is provided.
The forum is located at: https://www.nilesdiscoverychurch.org/emergencyshelter.
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Contents
OLPC Vietnam project is progressing to a full fledge OLPC project by building a supporters community and bringing communities, educational institutions and official partners together. Ultimate goal of the project is a large scale deployment to support and foster the change of frontal teachers centralized methods to a learner and learning focused methodology in Vietnam.
Project Goals
Vietnam is an emerging country, that is very famous for its friendly people, good food, motorbike transportation and the desire of people to constantly learn and improve their lives - perfect conditions for an OLPC project.
Participation of the OLPC project in Vietnam is supporting the current change of the way children are taught in schools, a change from teachers centralized methods to a methodology that puts children and learning itself in the center. OLPC Vietnam support a holistic approach that puts students in the center and fosters active participation, learning in the digital society and using IT for a change to the better.
The mission of this Nonprofit project organization is to create an environment for the OLPC project, take necessary steps to ensure every OLPC delivered gets to a child and to cooperate with partner projects, such as Freifunk to bridge the digital divide especially in remote regions.
Current Status
The OLPC project in Vietnam is currently in the process of building a wide network of support and partners involving key players including universities, the National Institute of IT, computer associations and outlining the project with potential partners in the ministry of science and technology and the ministry of education.
Stakeholders
There are a number of stakeholders already involved to improve education and bring new opportunities for economic development through low cost computing and computer literacy for the Vietnams's and the region's future.
The project is in the process of discussing official agreements with the following actors:
Educational Institutions and Universities
Software and education community groups
Event organizers such as GNOME.Asia
Asian lightweight software projects such as LXDE
Community Network operators including Freifunk
Government officials
Members
Pilots/Deployments
OLPC Vietnam Project Proposal (Phase 1)
Technical Team Pilot Program: The OLPC Vietnam team is working closely together with community multipliers. In the first phase of the project the team includes about 30 volunteers, who are getting themselves acquainted with the XO, software and hardware. In the initial phase team members will specialise in different areas and work together to develop the details of the following phases. Experience of successful deployments from Peru to Afghanistan have shown, that local support of technical as well as non-technical people is essential. The implementation of the OLPC project in Vietnam includes staff from previous OLPC deployments and builds on the experience of successful projects elsewhere.
Technical Implementation: The OLPC technical implementation and translation teams start working in October 2009. The current focus is on setting up a test lab. The project is applying for XO's for the team. These XO's are used for experiments and testing in the OLPC-VN Office by its technical team, in order to develop and test new activities and software for XO's.
The Vung Vieng Fishing Village is located in Bai Tu Long Bay, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The Village is located about 40 kilometers from Ha Long City, Vietnam. Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are located in Northeast Vietnam approximately 165 kilometers from Hanoi. A successful deployment in this very unique site will be visible to visitors from many nations, generating interest and excitement for OLPC. Small deployments around the world are a good business model to keep the OLPC Laptop Project excitement alive, and to effect change, one child, one school, and one community at a time. This project will be a good deployment and activity model for the OLPC Community. A condition of receiving/using these XOS will be willingness to participate in follow-up by the VVV Laptop Project Team in Vietnam.
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Principles and Applications of Liquid Scintillation Counting · PDF file1 Fundamentals of...
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Principles and Applications ofLiquid Scintillation CountingA PRIMER FOR ORIENTATION
National Diagnostics Laboratory Staff
Principles
1.1 RADIOACTIVE EMISSIONS
1.2 MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION AND ISOTOPE QUANTITATION
1.3 MECHANISM OF LIQUID SCINTILLATION COUNTING
1.4 LIQUID SCINTILLATION SIGNAL INTERPRETATION
1.5 THE COMPLETE SCINTILLATION COCKTAIL
1.6 CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND STATIC ELECTRICITY
1.7 WASTE DISPOSAL ISSUES
Applications
2.1 COUNTING DISCRETE SAMPLES
2.2 SPECIAL SAMPLE PREPARATION PROTOCOLS
2.3 FLOW LIQUID SCINTILLATION
2.4 LIQUID SCINTILLATION AND RADIATION SAFETY
USA: 1-800-526-3867EUROPE: 441 482 646022 2004 National Diagnostics
USA: 1-800-526-3867EUROPE: 441 482 646022
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LSC Concepts - Fundamentals of Liquid Scintillation Counting
Liquid Scintillation Counting...Making Light of the Situation
The chemical properties of an element are determined by its atomic number - the number of protons in thenucleus (and electrons within neutral atoms of that element). Uncharged neutrons, within the nucleus alongwith protons, do not contribute to the atomic number, but will alter the atomic mass. This makes possible theexistence of isotopes, which are atoms of the same element with different atomic weight. Most isotopes are stable,and do not undergo any spontaneous nuclear changes. A subset of isotopes possess too few or too many neutrons tobe stable. These are radioactive. Radioactive atoms spontaneously rearrange their nuclei, emitting energy or par-ticles in the process.
Radioactive isotopes of common elements are extremely useful in life science disciplines, among others, becauseradioactive atoms can be substituted for their nonradioactive counterparts in chemical formulations. The resultingradioactive compound is easily detectable but still chemically identical to the original material. Two detectionmethods predominate for assaying such incorporated radioactivity. In autoradiography, labeled material is allowedto expose a photographic emulsion. Development of the emulsion reveals the distribution of labeled material. Inthe second detection method, the amount of radioactivity in labeled samples is directly measured, either by a Geigercounter or by a scintillation counter. In scintillation counting, the sample is mixed with a material that will fluoresceupon interaction with a particle emitted by radioactive decay. The scintillation counter quantifies the resultingflashes of light.
1 Fundamentals of LiquidScintillation Counting1.1 RADIOACTIVE EMISSIONS
Types of Radioactive Emission / Characteristics ofUseful Isotopes / Use of Isotopes in Research
1.2 MEASUREMENT OF RADIATIONAND ISOTOPE QUANTITATIONIonization Detection / Scintillation Detection
1.3 MECHANISM OF LIQUIDSCINTILLATION COUNTINGThe Role of the Solvent / The Role of Phosphors(Scintillators)
1.4 LIQUID SCINTILLATION SIGNALINTERPRETATIONPatterns of Light Emission / Pulse Analysis /Counting Efficiency / Quenching
1.5 THE COMPLETE SCINTILLATIONCOCKTAIL
1.6 CHEMILUMINESCENCE ANDSTATIC ELECTRICITY
1.7 WASTE DISPOSAL ISSUES
LSC Concepts - Fundamentals of Liquid Scintillation Counting
USA: 1-800-526-3867EUROPE: 441 482 646022
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1.1 Radioactive Emissions
1.1.1 Types of Radioactive Emission
Radioactive decay occurs with the emission of particles or electromag-netic radiation from an atom due to a change within its nucleus. Formsof radioactive emission include alpha particles (), beta particles (),and gamma rays (). particles are the least energetic, most massiveof these decay products. An particle contains two protons and twoneutrons, and thus comprises a stable helium nucleus. particles onlyweakly penetrate whatever matter they encounter. They are unable topenetrate even 10 cm of air.
particles are high energy electrons. These are produced during theconversion of a neutron to a proton in the nucleus. particles areemitted in concert with a neutrino (Neutrinos are almost impossibleto detect). The sum of the energies of the neutrino and particle is aconstant for a given isotope, and defines the maximum energy (Emax)which can be observed for any particle emitted from that isotope. Emaxis approached only for particles emitted with a low energy neutrino.In practice a distribution of energies is observed, which is characteris-tic for the emitting isotope.
-rays differ from and emissions in that -rays are electromagneticradiation, not particles. -rays are quite penetrating, in many casespassing through up to 5 cm of lead. Additionally, -rays are capableof generating secondary emission from material they pass through.An electron in the material may absorb the energy of the -ray, and bepromoted to an excited state which is no longer bound to its nucleus.Such an electron escapes from the atom as a free -particle.
1.1.2 Characteristics of Useful Isotopes
The list of known radioisotopes is extensive, but the number of iso-topes used in research is fairly small. To be useful as a label in re-search, an isotope must meet a restrictive set of qualifications. First ofall, it must be an element that is already a part of the experimentalsystem. For biological research, for example, isotopes of carbon, hy-drogen, oxygen, and phosphorus are widely used. Alternatively, anelement which can be substituted for another in the system may beused: sulfur isotopes can be used in place of oxygen, for example.
Useful isotopes must also have a reasonable half-life. The half-life ofan isotope is a measure of the rate at which it decays to a nonradioac-tive state. As each nucleus emits its radiation, it eventually reaches astable configuration which will not emit again. Thus a given quantityof isotope will eventually yield a finite total amount of radiation. Eachnucleus decays independently, so the probability of a decay event oc-curring at any time is equal to the probability of any one nucleus de-caying multiplied by the total number of radioactive nuclei present.This number changes as decay progresses, always proportional to thenumber of radioactive nuclei remaining. To express a rate of radioac-tive decay which is independent of the amount of material involved,the time required for the decay of 50% of the starting material, thehalf-life, is a useful quantity. Half-lives may range from millisecondsto thousands of years, a value characteristic of the particular isotope.Assuming that a 24 hour period is required for an experiment, an iso-tope with a half life (t1/2) of 6 hours would undergo 2
4 fold reductionin emissions, or a loss of 94%. Most experimentally used isotopes havet 1/2 values of 10 days or more.
To determine the number of radioactive at-oms present within a sample at a given time,use the equations above.
= decay constantt1/2 = half-lifeN = number of radioactive atomsN0 = initial numbert = elapsed time
Radioisotopes: Decay Products and Energies
Isotope EmissionEnergy(MeV)
Tritium (3H)
Carbon (14C)
Sulfur (35S)
Phosphorus (32P)
Phosphorus (33P)
Iodine (125I)
Half Life (t1/2)
0.019
0.156
0.167
1.710
0.249
0.178
12.3 yrs
5730 yrs
87.2 days
14.3 days
25.3 days
59.9 days
Table 1.1.2a
1.1.3 The Use of Isotopes in Research
For many kinds of research, the utility of radioisotopes stems from theirchemical identity with their nonradioactive counterparts. This allowstheir incorporation into tracers, radiolabeled components which canbe followed and detected through a series of reaction steps. Tracers areinvaluable in metabolic studies, where they allow the determination ofthe catabolic and/or anabolic fates of nutrient compounds. Animalsare fed diets containing labeled molecules, such as sugars or amino ac-ids, and the radioactivity is followed through the system until excretionor incorporation. Another use for isotopes has been protein and DNAanalysis studies, where probes which bind to specific macromoleculescan be radiolabeled without interfering with their activity.
Figure 1.1.3a Examples of radiolabeled biological molecules including tritiated gly-cine and ATP labeled with either 35S or 32P.
ATP [-35S] ATP [-32P]
1.2 Measurement of Radiation andIsotope Quantitation
Most research applications of radioisotopes, at some stage, requirequantitation of the isotope, which is done by measuring the intensityof radiation emitted. Common nomenclature expresses this intensityas disintegrations per minute (DPM). The SI unit for radiation, theBecquerel (Bq), corresponds to 60 DPM (one disintegration per sec-ond). The curie, an earlier and still prevalent measure, is equal to 3.7x 1010 Bq. Truly accurate measurement of DPM would require thatevery emission event be detected and counted, which is not possiblein most situations. Additionally, naturally occurring isotopes and cos-mic radiation contribute significant background radiation. Correc-tions for efficiency and background are needed to convert CPM, thecounts per minute measured, into DPM, the number of decay eventswhich actually occurred. Techniques have been developed for apply-ing these corrections, and a great deal of research has been carried outto improve the efficiency of counting, using various detection systems. | https://fdocument.org/document/principles-and-applications-of-liquid-scintillation-counting-fundamentals-of-liquid.html |
Aniframes College of Animation Arts and Multimedia is the largest and leading animation institution in Mysore. Aniframes offers a wide range of courses in Animation, Film Making, Graphic design, Web design, Visual Effects, Architectural visualization, Compositing and Film Editing. The courses are designed to suit specific individual requirements, like career courses for students who have just completed their 10 or 12 grade and short term courses for professionals who are looking at gaining expertise or enhancing their skillsets in a specific subject.
Aniframes also offers graduation programs like BSc in Animation & Visual Effects, Bsc in Graphics and Multimedia, Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) and also Diploma programs in animation and multimedia.
Students benefit from working in a state of the art infrastructure with production standard equipments and mentoring from industry veterans and industry experienced professionals. Having a strong placement cell with a good rapport across production houses supports in getting students employment in some of the major production houses. | https://animation.mysurulive.in/ |
Developer of digital health platform intended to simplify and modernize how genetics tests are accessed, purchase and managed. The company's platform offers an easy to use digital tool that bridges genomic knowledge and medical practice, enabling physicians to generate personalized diagnosis and prognosis reports in a safe, secure and efficient way, adapting the treatment plan and prescriptions taking into account the patient's genomic information.
Contact Information
- Biocant, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede
- Núcleo 04, Lote 3
- Cantanhede, 3060-197
- Portugal
Elsie Timeline
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Want to dig into this profile? | https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/58589-83 |
By Tammy Marzigliano of Outten & Golden LLP posted in Retaliation & Whistleblowing on Thursday, August 11, 2016.
Stories of corporate greed, cover-ups, and corruption make headlines nearly every day. Scandals at Enron, AIG, Madoff Securities, and elsewhere rocked the investment world to the point that we almost take such violations in stride. What we shouldn't take for granted, however, is the critical role of the courageous whistleblower who exposes the wrongdoing, often at great personal risk.
But just who can be a whistleblower and how do U.S. laws encourage people to come forward while protecting them from retaliation?
Congress and the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) rely heavily on whistleblowers to report corporate fraud and deception. following the enactment of Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection in 2010, the expansion of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and other federal statutes, the number of whistleblower tips reported to the Commission has increased substantially - nearly 4,000 in 2015, up 30% from 2012, the first year in which data was collected. As a result, when investigation and enforcement by the SEC happen earlier, the risk to the public's investment in financial markets is potentially reduced.
The SEC defines a whistleblower as an individual or group of people who voluntarily provide the Commission or another regulatory or law enforcement authority "with original information about a possible violation of the federal securities laws that has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur."
foreign nationals outside the U.S.
Because many people - inside the organization and out - fear reprisal, the law allows them to submit a report anonymously if they are represented by an attorney.
Given the sheer size of the U.S. and global markets, the number of companies that operate in our economy, and the limited resources of the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice, federal whistleblower laws incentivize individuals to speak up by offering substantial awards equaling 10% to 30% of sanctions in excess of $1 million that the Commission recovers.
Intending for these lucrative bounties to be a sword to aid its enforcement efforts, the SEC has issued awards totaling more than $85 million since the inception of the whistleblower program in 2011.
(iii) in making disclosures that are required or protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any other law, rule, or regulation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Regarding the specificity of the report, the law does not require that the employee identify the particular SEC rule or regulation the company is suspected of violating, nor does the whistleblower have to be correct in his or her assertion. The statute deems the whistleblower's good faith belief about the wrongdoing to be sufficient notice.
Plaintiffs in civil actions usually have a limited amount of time in which to file a lawsuit, and whistleblower retaliation claims are no different. But unlike the 180-day statute of limitations under Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank extends the deadline significantly, requiring the action be filed either 1) within six years of the date when the retaliation occurs, or 2) within three years after the date that the employee knew or should have known "facts material to the right of action" but no more than ten years after the date of the retaliation.
The whistleblower's right to anonymity, though generally beneficial, can become a hurdle in alleging retaliation against the employer. To illustrate, if the employee anonymously reports a violation under Dodd-Frank and the employer never discovers his or her identity, it is extremely difficult for the employee to prove he or she was the subject of discrimination or a retaliatory act. There is an exception, however, if it can be shown that the employer knew or should have known it was the employee who reported the wrongdoing.
Employers often pay the price for retaliation. The law permits a whistleblower to seek job reinstatement and recover damages that can include double back pay, litigation costs, expert witness costs, and attorneys' fees. In addition to his or her own lawsuit, the SEC can also bring a separate suit against the employer.
And the protection against retaliation is expanding. Last year, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that Dodd-Frank protects whistleblowers who submit reports internally within their companies but not to the SEC, thus extending anti-retaliation protections beyond communications with the Commission. Because the Second Circuit includes New York - the center of U.S. financial markets - as well as Connecticut and Vermont, the implications are significant. By contrast, the Fifth Circuit, which includes oil and gas epicenter Texas as well as Louisianand Mississippi, strictly construed Dodd-Frank to exclude whistleblowers who make internal communications from the law's anti-retaliation protections. The split has divided federal district courts across the country and is ripe for consideration and resolution by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Efforts to uncover corporate wrongdoing are to be applauded, and the attorneys in Outten & Golden's Whistleblower & Retaliation Practice Group are proud to represent the brave individuals who report such violations. To learn more about the work we do and the people whose rights we pursue, please watch the videos below. | https://www.employmentlawblog.info/2016/08/dodd-frank-act-gives-corporate-whistleblowers-a-sword-a-shield-and-a-cloak.shtml |
Echo intensity compensation by echolocating bats.
Published
Journal Article
When mounted on a swinging pendulum, mustache bats, Pteronotus p. parnellii, emit ultrasonic pulses as they move toward and away from fixed targets. During forward swings they systematically decrease the intensity of their emitted pulses and during backward swings they increase the intensity. In this way, echo strength is continuously adjusted and apparently optimized for signal analysis. We have called this behavior echo intensity compensation. Pteronotus simultaneously Doppler and echo intensity compensate during forward swings of the pendulum but during backward swings they only echo intensity compensate. Pteronotus can regulate the intensity of both the constant frequency and frequency modulated components of their pulses; this regulation is independent of vestibular cues, pulse repetition rates, pulse durations and pulse-echo intervals. | https://scholars.duke.edu/display/pub1121812 |
Numerous research studies have shown us the importance of regular exercise for both weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy body weight. However the vast majority of these studies have typically been relatively short-term, running anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. From these studies, we typically infer that maintaining a lifelong habit of regular exercise is important for the maintenance of a healthy body weight; however, few studies have actually tested this.
A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association tested the impact of long-term exercise on long-term weight maintenance. For this study, researchers collected information from more than 3,500 men and women who took part in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults and who were 18 - 30 years of age at the start of the study. Study volunteers were classified as maintaining either a high, moderate, or low level of physical activity based on activity scores at the start of the study. The study investigators collected information on body weight, waist size, and physical activity at regular intervals during a 20-year follow-up period. The results of this study showed that: | http://diet.com/dietblogs/read_blog.php?title=Make+Exercise+A+Lifetime+Habit!&blid=21936 |
Some of the best discoveries in life are made by asking: “Why this or that? Why not this and that?” Certainly this has often been the case with my art. My high school art teacher wanted me to paint like a Post-Impressionist. I looked at the work of the Post-Impressionists, compared it with the work of older masters like Rembrandt, and asked myself: “Why this or that? Why not this and that?” Later, as a student, I looked at the work of the Abstract Expressionists, compared it with the work of Monet and Turner, and once again asked myself the same question.
On reflection, it seemed to me that by rejecting some of the techniques of the Old Masters along with the sterile academic approach of the art schools, the Modern movement had thrown the baby out with the bathwater. So I set out to rescue the baby.
First I set out to really master realism. In the beginning I refused to use photographs, working directly from life wherever possible. Because I knew that in realism drawing is the basis of everything, I learned to draw well in a variety of mediums. Later, feeling a need to go into more detail in my paintings, I began to use photographic reference material combined with sketches or on-the-spot work. Eventually, having become accustomed to photographs, I became a photo-realist. I gradually built a solid career and attracted the support of corporate sponsors as well as major galleries like Everard Read. Finally, in 2002, I achieved one of my important career goals – a one-man show in a recognised European art gallery.
Up until my last one-man show in 2003, I was well known for my highly finished realistic paintings of a variety of subjects : land- and seascapes, harbour scenes, street scenes, social scenes, portraits and so on. Since 2003 my work has changed dramatically. I’ve moved from realism to a form of abstraction. Although for the sake of brevity I refer to my “abstracts”, my current work cannot easily be categorised as either abstraction or surrealism. Like the work of Max Ernst, it has elements of both. My abstract work itself has changed and developed. I’ve gradually progressed from miniatures in acrylic on paper to large, multilayered, heavily textured oils on canvas.
In my realistic work I had begun to engage with light as the revealer of form and creator of mood. The technical approach this gave birth to has carried over into my abstract/fantasy work. I build up my paintings in alternating layers of transparent and opaque paint, leaving space for the unexpected, always looking forward to that magical moment when a painting begins to radiate light, and, as Paul Klee puts it, “to look back at you”. This concern with light is a common theme in all of my work.
I started my earliest experiments with abstract/fantasy painting in 1998. I’d begun by spontaneously playing around with paint and had discovered the unexpected pleasure of keeping the subject matter ambiguous and asking viewers to tell me what they saw. This idea of treating the viewer as a participant in the process of creation fascinated me. My paintings seemed to act as more complex equivalents of the Rorschach inkblot test, encouraging viewers to expose and examine their private obsessions.
I’d also been intrigued for a number of years by the links between painting and other arts such as music, dance, theatre and the martial arts. I’m fascinated by the multitude of ways in which the energy of life finds expression through the medium of human beings. At an early stage I became aware that fantasy painting allows me to use my sense of drama more fully, while gestural abstraction allows me to explore painting as movement.
To begin with I did these paintings purely as a hobby. As time passed and my experiments grew in size, I realised that they would eventually have to become my mainstream work. I consulted my art dealers. They warned me that such a radical change in style would mean virtually starting over, career wise. In spite of this well-meant advice I persisted in my new direction, driven by a deep inner conviction that this was what I had to do. In time I discovered new markets for my work and began to sell again.
In May 2017 I held a successful one-man show at the Cape Gallery. For the first time I showed some of my old realistic paintings alongside my abstract and fantasy work. I also showed a few of my recent experiments with a new form of representational painting which has grown out of my experience with abstraction and fantasy. In my notes to the show I explained that since 2003 I have been on a journey of discovery, experimenting with a variety of new approaches. This exhibition was an invitation to share that journey. The public responded enthusiastically, buying 12 paintings, including the largest and most expensive work on show. What I found particularly encouraging was that the majority of the works sold were in the abstract/fantasy genre.
I have already started working towards my next one-man show, which should take place sometime in 2018.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receiv notifications of new posts by email. | http://www.lambert-art.com/artists-statement/ |
A study by Pando Networks revealed striking disparities between the theoretical and real-world download speeds for British broadband users.
By tracking the end-user speeds for more than 400,000 users for the first six months of 2011, the study reflects a UK broadband experience that is far slower than many broadband providers advertise.
Across the whole of Britain the average download speed was 481KBps. Download speeds are also geography dependent, with major metropolitan areas tending to be faster than their rural counterparts.
The three fastest towns and cities were Brighton (1,010KBps), Ware (909KBps) and Stevenage (805KBps), and the three slowest were Stanford On Avon (130KBps), Loddington (151KBps) and Swithland (169KBps).
Generally, institutions hosting their own networks experienced the fastest speeds, notably at universities, where speeds around 1000KBps were the norm.
Of the nation’s capitals, Edinburgh was the fastest with an average of 653KBps, followed by London with a moderate 570KBps. Cardiff had a less impressive 533KBps and Belfast an above-the-national-average 494KBps.
The data also suggests that wide disparities exist between the speeds offered by Britain’s most popular home broadband providers.
Be Broadband proved to be the fastest, averaging downloads of 594KBps, followed by Virgin Media’s service clocking at 552KBps. British Telecom was the slowest at 399KBps. Other notable results for speed were Sky Broadband at 534KBps, Entanet at 465KBps and TalkTalk at 450KBps.
Not only was BT the slowest of the large ISPs, but only 77% of downloads started by its users were completed, suggesting problems with connectivity or frustration with the slow speeds. Be Broadband proved to be the most reliable, with a completion rate of 84%.
An interactive, embeddable map of the location-by-location data is available here. | https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2011/08/09/uk-network-and-isp-study-reveals-slow-speeds-and-geographic-variance/ |
This section of our website is focused on our Curriculum and provides an overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and the Curriculum offer for children in Years 1 to 6.
The Curriculum is all the planned activities that the school organises in order to promote learning, personal growth and development.
All classes use a mixture of teaching styles and techniques during the week in a variety of groupings – whole class, ability groups, mixed ability groups, paired working.
Children are taught daily lessons of English/Literacy and Mathematics/Numeracy where the level of work is tailored to individual ability. A broad and balanced curriculum is planned and taught in a happy and stimulating environment in accordance with the National Curriculum requirements.
Independent and collaborative skills are encouraged in all year groups and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is readily used and embedded across the whole curriculum.
All curriculum policies are available for parents to view (please ask at the office for details or see the school website). The school combines a variety of published national schemes together with its own Creative Curriculum to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for quality learning and teaching.
Our school curriculum is explained in further detail below.
Our curriculum includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of additional opportunities that the school organises in order to enrich the experiences of our children.
Our Curriculum also includes the social aspects imperative for lifelong learning. The Rights Respecting School Award and Investing in Children Award demonstrates the importance of children having high expectations of behaviour and tolerance towards each other.
St. Cuthbert’s RC Primary School aims to maximise social and academic potential for every pupil on their exciting school journey.
Religious Education
As a Catholic School Religious Education is central to the education we provide for our pupils. We base our teaching upon the ‘Come and See’ scheme. We place great importance on providing opportunities for everyone within the school community to continue their personal Faith journey. During the school year there are many opportunities for the children to take part in school worship through assemblies, Mass and other celebrations.
The Governors are required to remind parents of their right to withdraw pupils from religious worship and education. However parents are also reminded that the school exists to give a Catholic/Christian education to its pupils and therefore parents are expected to be in sympathy with the aims and objectives of the school. It should be noted that parents who choose to exercise their right of withdrawal are responsible for the supervision of their children during these periods of withdrawal.
The Sacraments
The children receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist during Year Three. We believe in the importance of a Home and Parish partnership in the preparation of the children for these important Sacraments. The children receive the Sacraments with their own family and the Parish community.
Education in Personal Relationships
We consider that sex education should be taught within the context of personal relationships and that it should also be linked to Religious Education, because it is concerned with the person as a whole. Through Science, R.E., P.S.H.E. (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Citizenship, our aim is to make the children aware of the changes which take place both emotionally and physically as they mature. We aim to do this in a caring and supportive atmosphere, linking this knowledge to an understanding of God’s plan for our growth and personal relationship with Him.
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
All pupils follow the National Curriculum at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their abilities. Our philosophy places SEND children at the heart of personalised learning and our curriculum is tailored to meet individual pupils needs.
At times and when it is felt appropriate, modifications to the curriculum may be implemented. To successfully match pupil ability to the curriculum St. Cuthbert’s RC Primary School remain committed to: | http://www.stcuthbertscrook.org.uk/web/send/our-curriculum/ |
Awareness of hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” has been increasing across the country, mainly related to the environment. As the demand for energy in the U.S. rises with a growing population, hydraulic fracturing likewise grows to correspond with domestic gas and oil production.
What Is Hydraulic Fracturing?
The hydraulic-fracturing process extracts oil and gas through the high-pressure fracturing of rock or shale. High-pressure water and chemicals are pumped into the rocks for thousands of meters vertically and then horizontally to create fractures for extraction. The spaces are filled with frac sand, which is silica sand with small, uniform particles that allow oil and gas to flow through low-permeability rock to keep the fractures open.
What Is Respirable Crystalline Silica?
Dust can include both large, visible pieces and fine or microscopic particles. Airborne material smaller than 100 microns is defined as particulate matter. As a matter of scale, human hair is usually between 70 and 100 microns in diameter.
Particulate matter’s size affects how long the particles can stay airborne and how far they can travel before settling onto surfaces. Because they are so fine, tiny particles can remain in the air longer and travel farther than larger particles can.
Crystalline silica is a common mineral in construction materials such as sand, stone, brick, and concrete. When workers cut, crush, grind, blast, drill, or tunnel with crystalline silica materials, tiny dust particles are created and released into the air.
Respirable crystalline silica refers to particles smaller than four microns in size, also identified as particulate matter 4 (PM4). PM4-sized particles can travel through the air and deep into the lungs, where the crystalline silica is believed to be most hazardous.
What Are the Main Concerns About Frac Sand?
Some estimates suggest that an average fracking site will use between 1 million and 7 million pounds of frac sand over its lifespan. These massive amounts often involve truck traffic and road congestion as the frac sand is hauled and poured.
This movement of frac sand produces exposure to silica dust, which the National Institute of Safety & Health has identified as the hydraulic-fracturing procedure’s main health risk. Inhalation of silica-dust particles is linked to lung disease, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and increased mortality.
Public-health concerns extend to contamination of water supplies as well. Beyond the settling of silica dust into open water sources, hydraulic fracturing includes frac fluid, which consists mainly of water and quartz sand. It also contains chemicals to ensure efficiency and lessen wear and tear on injection equipment, including additives like acids, corrosion inhibitors, iron-control components and friction reducers.
Frac fluid is pumped at a high pressure far below the ground surface into the rock and shale. As a result, the fluid can dissolve parts from geological formations, including petroleum constituents such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and minerals. The resultant liquid might then remain in place or return as flowback-produced water or wastewater.
The OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard
The high levels of silica dust at fracking sites prompted the OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153), requiring employers to protect workers from silica dust exposure.
Employers can either use a control method specified in the standard’s Table 1 or measure workers’ exposure to silica and independently decide which dust controls work best to limit exposures in their workplaces to the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
According to Table 1, heavy equipment and utility vehicles used to abrade or fracture silica-containing materials or used during demolition activities involving silica-containing materials must be operated from within a closed cab. When workers are engaged in the task outside of the cab, water or dust suppressants must be applied as needed to minimize dust emissions.
Employers who do not fully implement the control methods in Table 1 must follow practices such as determining the number of silica workers exposed to a defined PEL during an average eight-hour day. They must also use dust controls and safer work methods to protect workers from silica dust exposure above the PEL.
The OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard further calls for employers to:
- Establish and implement a written dust-exposure control plan and designate a proper person to implement it
- Offer medical exams, including chest X-rays and lung-function tests, every three years for workers required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days per year
- Train workers on the health effects of silica exposure, workplace tasks that can expose them to silica dust and ways to limit exposure
- Keep records of workers’ silica exposure and medical exams
Further Frac Sand Dust Control
Beyond regulatory steps to control dust and respirable particles, industrial advances have been made to further protect workers and communities from the dangers of silica dust.
Newer equipment has been designed to minimize fugitive silica dust. In some cases, older equipment also can be modified or rebuilt to aid in frac sand dust control.
Another option is the installation of specially designed dust collectors on equipment such as frac sand movers. These systems can help notably decrease the dust that is released.
Local governments and agencies can assist in protecting health as well through proper zoning and direct negotiation with site operators concerning best practices.
Benetech: Your Ally in Safe Bulk Material Handling Solutions
Here at Benetech, we are always on top of the current issues that matter to you as a bulk material handler. We welcome each opportunity to answer your questions about achieving a safer, more productive operation. If you would ever like to discuss greater dust control or the dangers of silica dust, contact us at (630) 844-1300 to speak with a specialist. | https://benetechglobal.com/hydraulic-fracturing-silica-dust/ |
State Auditor Mike Harmon has released the audit of the financial statement of the Clinton County Fiscal Court for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. State law requires annual audits of county fiscal courts.
The audit and it’s accompanying report was for the period of July 1, 2017, through June 20, 2018, during the administration of Clinton County Judge/Executive Richard Armstrong.
Auditing standards require the auditor’s letter to communicate whether the financial statement presents fairly the receipts, disbursements, and changes in fund balances of the Clinton County Fiscal Court in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The fiscal court’s financial statement did not follow this format. However, the fiscal court’s financial statement is fairly presented in conformity with the regulatory basis of accounting, which is an accepted reporting methodology. This reporting methodology is followed for 115 of 120 fiscal court audits in Kentucky.
As part of the audit process, the auditor must comment on noncompliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grants. The auditor must also comment on material weaknesses involving internal control over financial operations and reporting.
(Editor’s Note: Due to the length of the 16-page audit letter, only highlights of the noncompliance and material weaknesses listed in the audit findings are published in this article. A full audit report can be found on the state auditor’s website.)
The audit contains the following comments:
The fiscal court lacks adequate segregation of duties over all accounting functions. This is a repeat finding and was included in the prior year audit report.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. Due to the size of the county total segregation of all duties is challenging. The current administration will require accounting duties to be reviewed and acknowledged by at least two employees.
The fiscal court’s disbursements exceeded budgeted appropriations: This is a repeat finding and was included in the prior year audit report. Disbursements exceeded approved budget appropriation for the general, jail, and occupational tax funds as follows:
General fund-administration by $6,576; jail fund-protection to persons and property by $80,410; Occupational Tax fund-administration by $27,384.00.
We recommend the fiscal court and the county treasurer monitor the budget closely and amend the fiscal court’s budget or transfer necessary appropriations in order to prevent the fiscal court from exceeding the budget. We also recommend the county judge/executive or his designee not approve purchase orders or claims that exceed the budge appropriations. We further recommend the fiscal court not vote to approve payment of claims that would cause a line item to exceed the budget.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: The official did not provide a response.
The fiscal court lacks internal controls over cash transfers. This is a repeat finding and was included in the prior year audit report. The court did not approve the following cash transfers:
Road to general fund on August 18, 2017 for $90,588; general fund to disaster and emergency services on September 19, 2017 for $10,000; occupational fund to LGEA fund on November 17, 2017 for $3,000; occupational tax fund on January 19, 2018 for $10,000; occupational fund to jail fund on April 20, 2018 for $30,000; occupational fund to general fund on April 20, 2018 for $30,000; occupational fund to ambulance fund on April 20, 2018 for $30,000; occupational fund to forestry fund on April 20, 2018 for $1,500.00.
We recommend the fiscal court implement stronger internal controls over the cash transfer process to ensure all cash transfers are approved by the fiscal court and properly recorded to the financial statements.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration requires all transfers to be reviewed and approved by the fiscal court.
The fiscal court had overdrawn bank balances in numerous bank accounts during fiscal year 2018. This is a repeat finding and was included in the prior year report. The fiscal court had negative bank balances in numerous bank accounts due to checks being written for disbursements and submitted for payments that exceeded the available cash in the bank account.
The report noted that purchase orders for goods and services were approved without determining if there was available cash in the bank accounts to cover all disbursements. The invoices were presented to the fiscal court, checks were issued, and the finance officer/deputy judge/executive and county treasurer signed each check.
Due to submitting payments that exceeded the balances of their accounts, the county was charged a total of $1,307 in service charges from the financial institutions.
We recommend the fiscal court refrain from issuing payments for disbursements when there is no available cash in bank accounts to cover those disbursements. We also recommend the county treasurer comply with all applicable requirements outlined in the DLG’s (Department of Local Government’s) County Budget Preparation and State Local Finance Officer Policy Manual concerning countersigning of checks.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. Procedures have been implemented to monitor bank accounts. This is reviewed at least weekly by the County Judge/Executive.
The fiscal court’s payroll account was not properly reconciled. This is a repeat finding and was included in the prior year audit report.
Deposits are made into the bank account from the fiscal court’s general, road, jail, LGEA, DES, ambulance, occupational tax and 911 funds for salaries, taxes, fiscal court matching portion of taxes, retirement, health insurance, and other payments to benefit vendors. The payroll account should reconcile to zero every month because the total amount consistently prepared inaccurate reconciliations on this account and a reconciled balance existed on June 30, 2018 of $2,046, which includes a prior year outstanding liability to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that has not been paid.
According to the county treasurer, the former judge/executive’s administrative assistance inaccurately reconciled the payroll account. The county treasurer stated the outstanding IRS liability just didn’t get paid. As a result, the fiscal court had an underpayment of $17,062 of federal taxes due to the IRS from June 2017.
We recommend the fiscal court reconcile the payroll revolving bank account to a zero balance each month. In addition, we recommend the fiscal court reconcile all reports for federal taxes, state taxes, local taxes, retirement, and health insurance to determine the correct amounts are deducted, reported, paid, and agree with the amounts deposited into the payroll account. We also recommend the fiscal court contact the IRS and resolved the outstanding liability of $17,062.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration will review the payroll account by at least two employees to ensure proper reconciliation.
The fiscal court did not have proper internal controls over disbursements. This is a repeat finding. The fiscal court did not follow proper procedures and requirements for disbursements of county funds. The report listed 10 different instance of deficiencies and non-compliances in its report.
The deficiencies and noncompliance resulted in line items over budget, bank accounts overdrawn, claims possibly being paid not related to the fiscal court, inaccurate reporting, and potential misappropriation of assets.
We recommend the fiscal court implement policies and procedures to ensure disbursements are in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Additionally we recommend the fiscal court put into place internal controls to monitor that these polices and procedures are operating effectively.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration will require at least two employees to review disbursements.
The fiscal court was not in compliance and did not have adequate internal controls over the Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) fund. This is a repeat finding. The adopted budget included $20,576 of revenues expected from LGEA for mineral tax. However, when the fiscal court received payments from the DLG, the monies were deposited, spent from, and posted to the general fund in numerous account codes.
We recommend the fiscal court ensure all LGEA funds are deposited and expended from the LGEA bank account on allowable disbursements and reported properly on the financial statement. We also recommend the fiscal court ensure a public hearing is held on the disbursement of funds received for mineral tax to be in compliance with KRS 42.455.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration will implement internal controls over the Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) Fund.
The fiscal court lacked adequate internal controls over payroll. This is a repeat finding. Eight instances of deficiencies pertaining to the payroll was listed in the auditor’s report.
With a documented copy of a salary schedule and without ensuring employees sign their time sheets, employees could have been under or overpaid.
Strong internal controls over payroll and time keeping are vital in ensuring that payroll amounts are calculated for properly and ensuring that the county’s assets are safeguarded, the report states.
We recommend fiscal court strengthen its internal controls by including a copy of the approved salary schedule with fiscal court minutes. Additionally, the county should ensure all time sheets/cards are signed by the corresponding employee and his/her supervisor, by ensuring all employees’ withholdings are being computed correctly and by ensuring that employees are receiving additional benefits if they are paying for them. And the fiscal court should correctly code “on call” time worked as wages earned. Furthermore, we recommend the fiscal court update its personnel ordinance to ensure these policies are followed.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration has implemented procedures to provide internal controls over payroll. Payroll will be reviewed by the Finance Officer, Treasure and County Judge/Executive prior to posting payroll.
The fiscal court did not properly reconcile retirement reports with payroll reports, a repeat finding.
Four deficiencies were noted, including:
* $129,551 of full time employee wages were not reported and $88,365 of employee full time wages were reported in excess of actual wages earned.
* $2,363,900 total wages (part-and full time) were paid out but only $2,004,540 were reported leaving $359,360 unreported.
* $112,164 was withheld from employee pay for the employee share of retirement but only $97,137 was paid leaving $15,027 still due to CERS (County Employees Retirement System).
Some employees were over reported and some under reported and not all of the employee share of retirement has been paid.
We recommend the fiscal court put procedures in place to ensure wages are reported to CERS correctly. We also recommended the detailed retirement reports be printed each month from CERS website. Furthermore, we recommend fiscal court contact CERS concerning the $15,207 of employee share of retirement not paid during the fiscal year 2018. These findings shall be reported to CERS.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration has implemented procedures to ensure reconciliation is performed with accurate retirement reports and payroll reports. We have been in contact with the Kentucky Retirement Board to correct errors.
The fiscal court did not pay tax liabilities timely. During fiscal year 2018, withholdings and employer contributions were not reported timely to the IRS or DOR (Kentucky Department of Revenue.)
Federal and state taxes were not remitted in accordance with the required withholding deposit schedules. As a result, the fiscal court could incur penalties and interest.
We recommend the fiscal court implement internal controls over tax liabilities. Additionally, the fiscal court should implement strong oversight over tax payments to state and federal entities to ensure those payments are made timely.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: The official did not provide a response.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: This comment was based on findings from the past administration. The current administration will assign an employee to ensure proper controls over capital assets.
The jail commissary does not have strong internal controls over disbursements. This is a repeat finding. Receipts collected from inmates for booking, housing, and medical fees are deposited into the commissary account each month, but are not paid to the fiscal court timely, with five instances of inmate fees being turned over late.
In addition, taxes are collected on all applicable jail commissary sales, but are not being paid to the Kentucky Department of Revenue on a monthly basis with 11 such late payments noted from July 2017 through May 2018.
These deficiencies could result in inaccurate reporting and misappropriation of assets. Additionally, failure to submit all sales tax as required will result in penalties and interest being charged.
We recommend the jail commissary implement internal controls over disbursements by turning over all inmate fees to the county within 30 working days of collection and that the jailer collect and submit sales tax to DOR monthly.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: The official did not provide a response.
County Jailer’s Response: The official did not provide a response.
The former jailer did not deposit receipts daily, a repeat finding. We recommend the jailer make daily deposits.
County Judge/Executive’s Response: The official did not provide a response.
County Jailer’s Response: The official did not make a response.
The former jailer lacked adequate segregation of duties over the jail commissary fund, and the jail inmate account, a repeat finding.
Neither the (current) county judge/executive or jailer made a response. | |
Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Aug 22:
In a major breakthrough, Commissionerate police today arrested two hard-core criminals after conducting a surprise raids in their houses and seized three gold chains and two gold rings weighing about 81 grams worth more than Rs 2 lakh.
The accused, identified as Tejraj Ahemad Khan (21) alias Rahul and Maheswar Sahu (19) alias Bulu, were forwarded to a local court today. Both of them hail from the city,
Police have slapped charges under sections 379, 394 of IPC and 25 Arms Act against the accused.
According to Kharvela police, acting on a complaint lodged by a local person, police conducted raids on the hideouts of the criminals and apprehended them. During interrogation, the duo confessed to their crime and revealed that they had committed such crimes in Satyanagar, Kharvela Nagar and other areas in the city, police said.
Three gold chains and two gold rings were recovered from the accused during search. The investigation in the case is in progress, police added. | https://sambadenglish.com/two-criminals-arrested-odisha-capital-ornaments-worth-rs-2-lakh-seized/ |
The severity of the unsportsmanlike act will determine the severity of the resulting disciplinary action. Any MYAS representative has the authority to use their best judgment to administer appropriate disciplinary action to any player, coach, official, host or spectator. Possible disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to censure, disqualification, suspension for a definite or indefinite period of time, or expulsion from any or all MYAS sponsored programs. Behave or be gone!
On-Site Disciplinary Actions:
Any disciplinary action administered on site shall be subject to immediate review by the MYAS Event Protest Committee (EPC). The EPC is composed of one representative from the host organization, one representative of the officials’ organization assigned to the event and one representative from the MYAS. This committee will conduct an on-site hearing to determine if the disciplinary action is appropriate. All decisions of the EPC are in effect for the remainder of that specific event. The committee does not have the authority to issue any disciplinary action that shall exceed the length of that specific event. (Exception: If the disciplinary action occurred during the offending party’s last game of the event, it will carry over to the next MYAS event.) Any decision by the EPC may be appealed to the MYAS Review Committee at the earliest possible date.
Off-Site Disciplinary Actions:
The MYAS reserves the right to issue additional disciplinary action depending upon the frequency and severity of the offense. Additional disciplinary action may be taken after the completion of a formal hearing by the MYAS Review Committee. All actions of the MYAS Review Committee are final.
Organization Actions for Suspensions:
The MYAS recognizes and upholds suspensions issued by bona fide youth sport organizations. The MYAS will not knowingly allow those suspended persons to participate in any MYAS League, Tournament or Special Event, until that suspension has been lifted or expired. The MYAS reserves the right to disallow persons to participate in MYAS events at the discretion of the MYAS. | http://myas.org/information/policies/disciplinary-policy/ |
The invention relates to an implant for insertion into body cavities, in particular for insertion into blood vessels and preferably into aneurysms, comprising at least one fiber, preferably a plurality of fibers, in particular by means of which a coagulation of blood can be brought about.
Implants of this type are known in the prior art and are used e.g. in order to close off body cavities, preferably aneurysms, permanently. The effect of these implants is based on the fact that the fibers cause the blood flow in the body cavity to slow down and as a result thereof bring about thrombosis of the cavity. As a result, a body cavity, preferably an aneurysm, can be closed off by the blood clot which is formed and which develops around the implant.
Implants which are known in the prior art comprise fibers which, through their mere presence or through a coating, promote formation of thrombi. For example, such fibers can be attached individually or as a bundle to twisted core wires in such a way that the fibers are oriented essentially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of the core wire, that is to say protrude radially from the twisted core wires. Such an implant is disclosed by e.g. DE 10 2007 025 466.
Such an implant can be pushed by means of a guide aid, e.g. a guide wire, through a catheter into the body cavity to be treated and disconnected from the guide aid there, with the result that it remains in the body cavity.
It is a problem with such implants that they have, in the direction of extent of the twisted core wires, a degree of flexural rigidity which counteracts a compressibility of the implant in this direction. Depending on the application, the insertion of such an implant into a body cavity thus proves difficult, in particular if in order to achieve a high filling level a plurality of such implants are to be inserted into the body cavity, and the implants are therefore to be plugged e.g. successively into the cavity.
An object of the invention is therefore to make available an implant of the generic type mentioned at the beginning which permits not only good guidability in a catheter but also allows a high filling level in a body cavity to be achieved, in particular if a plurality of such implants are to be inserted into the body cavity, e.g. an aneurysm.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of an implant of the generic type mentioned at the beginning which comprises at least one driving element, or comprises precisely one driving element, which can be formed into a first shape and which can be converted from the first shape automatically into a second, in particular relaxed shape by a mechanical stress which is applied to the element in the first shape, and the implant comprises at least one driven fiber, in particular a multiplicity of driven fibers, and a respective driven fiber with regions which are spaced apart in the direction of extent of the fiber is attached to the at least one driving element in regions which are at a different position with respect to one another, in particular at a larger distance from one another, in the first shape than in the second shape, and the at least one driven fiber, preferably the multiplicity of driven fibers, is driven by the driving element to change its shape with the conversion of the driving element from the first shape into the second shape.
The essential core idea of the invention is that the implant can change its shape automatically or changes during or after the positioning in the body cavity, wherein it is preferably provided that, in the first shape of the driving element, the implant overall has a shape which is such that it promotes guidance of the implant in a catheter. For example, in the specified first shape of the driving element, the implant can have a shape which is such that the implant is elongated in a predefined direction, in particular which corresponds to the direction of extent of the catheter, in particular in this context has the largest extent in this direction of longitudinal extent and the smallest extent perpendicularly with respect thereto.
In this first shape, the specified mechanical stress is impressed on the at least one driving element of the implant, which stress relieves the implant automatically, e.g. after the release from the catheter, that is to say changes into a relaxed state of the driving element. The relaxation can occur directly as a result of the release from the catheter or else as a result of an external induction, that is to say an external effect.
A system composed of a catheter and an implant can therefore be embodied e.g. in one embodiment in such a way that the catheter holds the implant in the first specified shape of the at least one driving element, and the element automatically changes into the second shape when the effect of the catheter on the implant is eliminated. In another embodiment, in the first shape of the at least one driving element the implant can also be intrinsically stable and require the specified induction through an external event, e.g. warming by the blood, in order to change into the second shape of the element and therefore overall carry out a change in shape.
The change in shape of the implant overall is generated essentially by virtue of the fact that the at least one driven fiber also carries out a change in shape by way of the change in shape of the at least one driving element from the first into the second shape because the at least one driving element applies a shape-changing force to the at least one driven fiber. Therefore, each driven fiber also changes from a first into a second shape when the at least one driving element carries out the change in shape. The specific shapes of a driving element or elements and a driven fiber or fibers are not necessarily the same here, in particular they are preferably different, i.e. the change in shape of the at least one driving element is different to that of the driven fiber or fibers. In particular, the change in shape of the at least one driving element is precisely predetermined, i.e. the first and second shape of the at least one or of the precisely one driving element are defined, while the change in shape of the at least one fiber is dependent on the change in shape of the driving element but indefinite. It is to be generally noted here that a feature which is described with respect to at least one driven fiber or one driving element can, given the presence of a plurality of fibers or elements, accordingly also be respectively implemented for all these fibers or elements.
Irrespective of the type of triggering of the change in shape which is caused by the at least one driving element of the implant, the change in shape preferably brings about a shortening of the implant with respect to the first shape and therefore a change in position of the driven fiber or fibers, which gives rise to a change in shape, in particular a swelling, of the implant as a result of the reduction in distance between the fiber ends, in particular essentially caused by the fact that the at least one driven fiber changes its profile or course or path or shape between the attachment points at the driving element from the direction of extent of the fiber which is present in the first shape into at least one direction which is perpendicular with respect thereto, in particular a radial direction.
In particular in this context “swelling” does not necessarily mean that the cross section of the driven fiber(s) is increased even though such an embodiment may be also possible. Particularly “swelling” means that the fiber (even if its cross section is maintained) occupies in an area between its respective ends in the second shape a bigger volume or at least cross section of the cavity compared to the first shape.
By means of this shortening, the implant brings about an enlargement of the occupied cross section perpendicular to the shortening direction, which automatically contributes to a filling of the body cavity. As a result of the preferred swelling of the at least one driven fiber, the filling density, that is to say the fiber content per volume unit of the body cavity, is automatically increased, the blood flow significantly reduced and the coagulation promoted. In particular, in a method for treating a body cavity by means of the automatic change in shape, a plurality of such implants can easily be successively positioned in a body cavity. It is a further advantage here that the user does not have to apply any plugging forces to the body cavity, since the filling of the cavity takes place automatically as a result of the change in shape.
In one preferred embodiment, the at least one driven fiber, in particular each driven fiber of a multiplicity of driven fibers, is attached by its respective ends to the ends of the at least one driving element which are spaced apart further in the first shape than in the second shape and preferably are spaced apart to a maximum degree. As a result, a change in shape can be achieved from a relatively large longitudinal extent, in particular a maximum one, starting in a direction of shortening. The degree of change in shape can therefore be maximized.
The invention can provide that the at least one driving element has, at its respective end, an attachment structure, to which in each case one of the ends of a respective driven fiber is attached. An attachment can be carried out e.g. by bonding or welding or by seals or press fixing. In the case of press fixing, the fixing, pressing force can be applied e.g. by the driving element itself.
360
An attachment structure can particularly preferably extend around the end, in particular in at least one direction perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal extent, preferably through degrees in a plane perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal extent. This provides the possibility of arranging a plurality of driven fibers around the at least one driving element. The driven fibers can be arranged e.g. in the first shape in a plane in which the at least one driving element is also located, or the driven fibers can be arranged in three dimensions around the at least one driving element. For example, all or at least some of the fibers in the first shape can lie on an imaginary lateral surface of a cylinder. The fibers can therefore also fill a space arranged around a driving element.
In the first shape, the driven fibers preferably each have a linear extent between the attachment ends, but this is not absolutely necessary for the purpose of the invention. In the case of this linear extent, the fibers can be tensioned between the ends or the attachment structures of the at least one driving element. This can mean, in particular, that such a tensioned fiber is longer in this state than in a non-tensioned, that is to say relaxed, state. This lengthening of the fiber is preferably reversible. This abovementioned embodiment can preferably be combined with the texturing of a respective driven fiber or of a filament which is to be mentioned below.
The at least one driving element can be embodied e.g. by means of a single wire or multiple wire which has a straight longitudinal extent in the first shape or is arranged, e.g. wound or wrapped, e.g. helically wrapped, around a straight direction of longitudinal extent. The term “wire” does not necessarily imply an embodiment made of metal here, even if such an embodiment is preferred. In particular in the case of the wrapped embodiment, the preferred attachment variant mentioned at the beginning, in which the at least one driven fiber, preferably a multiplicity of fibers, are secured in the interior of the wrapping through pressing forces, e.g. by virtue of the fact that the fiber ends on both sides are inserted into the wrapping ends of the driving element, which are each likewise open on both sides, and are compressed by the wrappings, preferably with a compression force which is radial with respect to the central longitudinal axis.
The invention can also provide, in particular in conjunction with the abovementioned embodiment, that the at least one driving element is elastically deformed in the first shape with respect to the second shape. The driving element can therefore be deformed out of the second shape in the boundaries of its elastic deformability in the direction of the first shape, with the result that it automatically returns to the second shape if an influence which maintains the first shape, e.g. an external influence, such as for example by means of a catheter, is eliminated.
In one preferred embodiment, the at least one driving element, in particular a metallic element, can be deformed in a super elastic/pseudo-elastic fashion in the first shape, in particular can be present as a stress-induced martensite in the first shape and as an austenite in the second shape. Such an embodiment can be achieved e.g. by means of a metallic shape memory alloy, e.g. by using Nitinol as the material of the at least one driving element. The second shape can therefore be a “learnt” shape of the shape memory alloy, and the first shape can in turn be one which results from the second shape as a result of mere elastic deformation within the superplasticity limits. The first shape is therefore not intrinsically stable in this case either.
The invention can also provide for the at least one driving element to be constructed from a shape memory material and also to specifically use its shape memory, that is to say to change the shape between the first and the second by changing its temperature beyond a conversion temperature. For example, the change in temperature can take place as a result of contact with blood. In the first and second shape, the driving element is therefore intrinsically stable, i.e. retains the respective shapes without external influences, and the force which resets it from the first to the second shape is only caused by the change in temperature. In particular, in this way in both shapes the implant assumes a relaxed state in its respective temperature range which is assigned to the shape.
The invention can also provide in all possible embodiments that the at least one driven fiber does not have any further connection to the at least one driving element between the end-side attachment regions to the ends or attachment structures of the at least one driving element. In this case, a quasi-random change in shape of the at least one fiber can take place in the regions between the attachments by virtue of the change in shape.
The invention can also provide for the at least one fiber also to be attached in at least one region, preferably a plurality of regions, between the end-side attachments to the at least one driving element, e.g. in a direct contact-forming fashion or by means of an intermediate element, such as e.g. also a piece of fiber. As a result, the change in shape, preferably swelling in a predetermined region around the at least one driving element, can be restricted.
One preferred embodiment can provide in all embodiment variants that the at least one driven fiber is constructed as at least one textile filament. For example a polymer can be selected as material for such a textile filament, for example.
In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one textile filament can have a circumferential length per unit of cross-sectional area (that is to say considered perpendicularly with respect to the direction of extent) which is larger than in the case of a circular cross section, in particular has a cross section which deviates from the circular shape, can preferably comprise a grooved structure in the direction of extent. As a result, the surface of such a textile filament can be significantly increased, which has a further positive effect on the coagulation.
A fiber can e.g. be embodied in a trilobal fashion or in the shape of a snowflake in cross section. Likewise, a fiber can be configured in a hollow or porous fashion in all possible embodiments.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention can provide that the at least one textile filament is formed from a filament which is textured in the relaxed state. As a result, the implant can be constructed in such a way that the at least one textured filament has, in the second shape of the driving element, a distance between its regions for attachment to the driving element which is smaller than the distance between the same regions in the relaxed state of the respective textured filament, in particular in comparison with the distance which the same ends of the filament would assume with respect to one another if the relaxed, textured filament were not attached to a driving element, and in this state is oriented in a relaxed and linear fashion. The texturing of the at least one textured filament in the first shape of the driving element is also preferably reduced, preferably removed by stretching.
In this specified embodiment, in the first shape of the at least one driving element, the driven textured textile filaments are therefore stretched, or tensioned, in comparison with their relaxed state, as a result of which the texturing is at least reduced, if appropriate is completely removed by the stretching.
In particular, the invention can provide that an implant with such stretched, textured filaments is kept in a dimensionally stable state by an inherently stable, driving element in the first shape. The invention can also provide that a state of the implant in which the textured filaments are stretched is present only if a force is applied to the implant by a pushing element within a catheter. For this purpose, the pushing element can be used to apply a pushing force to the end of the implant, which points to the implantation location, with the result that this end to which force is applied pulls back the other end.
These embodiments have the effect that a considerable increase in the surface area already results solely from the respective fiber when this fiber performs the change in shape, in particular when the texturing which is initially reduced or even removed by stretching returns again with the change in shape. Therefore, both texturing of the respective fiber and preferred swelling of the fibers occur with the change in shape.
According to the invention, the change in shape in the filaments can be carried out in two stages. If, in particular after the release from the catheter, the distance between the attachment ends of the driving element decreases, initially each stretched filament returns to a state in which it retains the texturing, in particular wherein it still has a longitudinal extent parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant. Subsequently, the filaments change their shape together with the conversion of the driving element into its first shape. In particular, the filaments swell here, preferably as a result of them assuming a radially larger spatial region in comparison with the first shape. Texturing of a respective fiber can be constructed e.g. in an undulating shape, in particular with round and/or pointy undulations, for example as a knit/deknit texture and/or as false-twist texturing. Further preferred texturing types are e.g.: helical or twisted or darned or synfoam texture by means of an e.g. twist-untwist method or stretch core texture or lofted effect by texturing by means of an air jet, as well as high bulk texturing by means of stretch-relax methods.
Any inserted fiber can also be biodegradable, that is to say degrade over time in the body or be constructed as an e-spun or nano-fiber-based yarn.
In order to further promote thrombosis, the invention can also provide that the at least one driven fiber has a coating which acts in a coagulating fashion.
In order to facilitate the implantation, the implant can have, at the proximal implant end, a detachable connection to a guide element, e.g. a guide wire. Such a connection can be a connection which can be detached mechanically, electrolytically or electrothermally.
The invention can therefore provide that, in a first shape of the at least one driving element, the implant is pushed through a catheter with the guide element into a body cavity, released from the catheter into the body cavity and separated from the guide element, wherein or after which the at least one driving element changes from the first into the second shape, and as a result the at least one driven fiber simultaneously carries out a change in shape, in particular the entire implant consequently swells and more preferably the respective fiber textures.
FIG. 1
1
1
3
1
2
1
2
3
1
shows a schematic view of the basic design of an implant according to the invention in a first shape which comes about when the driving element is present in its first shape. In this embodiment, the driving element has, at its ends which are spaced apart in the direction of extent, attachment structures which extend here laterally, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to the direction of extent of the entire element . This results in the possibility of arranging a plurality of fibers around the driving element. In particular, the driving element can be located centrally between the fibers . The fibers are each attached by their ends to the attachment structures lying opposite, and in the first shape of the element are present in a likewise linearly extended shape.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
1
1
1
3
2
1
is a schematic view of a first possible action mechanism of the invention. Assuming that the element has experienced elastic deformation in the first shape, owing to its elasticity the element can return automatically to a second shape in which, according to , the element is present in a shortened shape in comparison with the first shape. As a result of the shortening during the change in shape, the distance between the attachment structures with respect to one another thus changes, which applies a shape-changing force to the fibers , which as a result change their relative position with respect to the element . In this context, the fibers also move out into regions which are located laterally beyond the ends of the attachment structures, with the result that swelling is produced by the shortening of the implant. A cavity in a body, for example an aneurysm, can in this way be filled well without there being the need to plug the implant into the cavity.
1
1
2
Owing to the shortening, which is purely elastic here, of the element , in this embodiment a shortening occurs in the direction of the spacing apart of the ends of the element. The element , which is extended in a linear fashion here, can be embodied e.g. as a helical spring. The elements can then be fixed outside or inside the helical spring.
FIG. 3
FIG. 1
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
1
1
1
In contrast, shows a possibility of a nonelastic change in shape, for which the driving element is constructed e.g. from a shape memory material. The first shape of the element according to can therefore be an intrinsically stable shape. As a result of contact with blood, heating can take place above a conversion temperature, which can bring about a change in shape into the shape shown in . It is basically to be noted that, in the first shape according to , stretching of an element made of a shape memory material can also be present, which has taken place within the super-elasticity limits of the material, that is to say is not intrinsically stable. A second shape according to can be applied to the material, which shape is intrinsically stable and into which the element returns automatically if external shape-maintaining effects, e.g. as a result of a catheter, are eliminated.
FIG. 3
FIG. 2
1
1
1
1
3
It can be seen in that, as a result of the change in shape, the position of the ends of the element with respect to one another changes, in particular the distance is also reduced, as indicated in , but this change in distance does not take place along the connecting line of the ends of the element in the first shape. As shown here, in the second shape the element can have a shape which deviates from the linear extent, in particular a curved shape, in particular in which the element can have a self-intersecting profile. As a result of the reduction in the distance which has also taken place here between the ends or attachment structures , swelling of the surrounding fibers occurs in turn.
1
2
The non-shaped-elastic element can be embodied e.g. as a helical spring. The elements can then be fixed outside or inside the helical spring.
FIG. 4
FIG. 1
4
5
1
displays an implantation process. An implant according to within a catheter which is pushed forward through the catheter to the implantation location by means of a guide element is illustrated. The implant is e.g. not deformed in an intrinsically stable fashion within the elasticity limit or within the super-elasticity limit of the element and is held in shape by the catheter which is positioned around the outside of the implant.
FIG. 5
4
4
1
2
displays the moment of the emergence of the implant from the catheter , as a result of which the shape-maintaining effect of the catheter is eliminated and the element deforms immediately in the direction of its applied second intrinsically stable shape and in the process the fibers swell.
FIG. 6
FIG. 7
2
3
1
2
2
3
1
6
shows a possibility of attaching the individual driven fibers to the attachment ends , shown on the left here, by means of a frictionally locking connection in the case of a helically wound, driving element , in particular one which corresponds approximately to a helical spring. On the right, the attachment is of identical design and the fibers are guided from the left-hand side in an arcuate shape to the right-hand side. The free fiber ends are inserted here into the turns which are axially open at the end. The turns themselves apply a radial force K to the fiber ends, causing them to be held tight. In order to generate the radial force, there may be provision that, before the insertion of the fiber ends, the diameter of the turns is widened, with the result that the radial force is generated by the restoring force. shows an alternative of a materially-joined connection. The ends of the fibers at the attachment end can also here be inserted axially into the open turns of the driving element and are then bonded to the turns by means of a bonding agent .
FIGS. 8A to 8C
2
clarify an implantation process of an implant with textured filaments as driven fibers .
FIG. 8A
4
2
2
1
2
shows an implant in a catheter . The fibers are formed by textured, textile filaments , the texturing of which is removed by stretching in the first shape of the driving element . The filaments are therefore axially tensioned here.
5
3
3
a
b
This shape is brought about here by an axial, stretching force which is applied by a pushing element which is guided past the attachment end which points away from the implantation location and engages at the end pointing towards the implantation location. The stretching is therefore present only during the pushing process.
FIG. 4
There can alternatively also be provision that the stretched shape is maintained by an intrinsically stable, driving element. In this case, the embodiment is identical to .
FIG. 8B
4
clarifies a partial emergence of the implant from the catheter . At least the emerged part of the filaments of the implant have retained their texturing, but the filaments are still longitudinally extended. If appropriate, the fibers/filaments end can already be structured again over their entire length.
FIG. 8C
FIG. 5
2
2
shows a case analogous to in which in order to texture the filaments the swollen shape of these filaments now also occurs.
1
3
1
1
FIG. 5
The driving element has a shorter distance between its attachment ends in the second shape than in the first shape, but in this embodiment is still axially linearly longitudinally extended. As an alternative, the element can assume a shape as shown in in which the distance between the attachment ends is reduced but the element does not have a linearly extended profile.
Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures, in which:
FIG. 1
: shows an embodiment of an implant in a first shape of the driving element,
FIG. 2
: shows the implant after an elastic change in shape of the driving element,
FIG. 3
: shows the implant after a nonelastic change in shape of the driving element,
FIG. 4
: shows the process of the pushing forward of an implant through a catheter,
FIG. 5
: shows the release of the implant from the catheter with immediate change in shape of the implant,
FIG. 6
: shows an attachment possibility by means of pressing forces,
FIG. 7
: shows an attachment possibility by means of a material join,
FIG. 8
: shows an implantation process with textured filaments. | |
The Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ) is a membership-based network of Environmental Funds (EFs) or Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) in Africa that has been operating since 2011. Annually, CAFÉ members meet for their general assembly. This year, BIOFUND – The Foundation for Conservation of Biodiversity hosted the 11th General Assembly of CAFÉ in Maputo city, which took place in a hybrid format (presential and virtual) from October 6th to 8th.
The 11th CAFÉ General Assembly provided an opportunity to exchange experiences on the role of environmental funds in promoting synergies to support conservation of biodiversity in Africa under the theme “Experience Exchange as a Key Factor for The Success of Biodiversity Conservation: Promoting Conservation in Times of Crisis in Africa”.
Interesting perspectives, stories, and strategies were shared throughout the course of the 3-day conference, inspiring participants and CTFs to take new pathways, risks, and opportunities for impactful work in Africa.
Pauline Nantongo Kalunda of ECOTRUST, shared Uganda’s experience in payments for environmental services based on water and forest restoration, which has served as a major source of livelihood for local communities in Uganda. Implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures (reforestation), monitoring, and assisting local communities in collecting and managing funds resulting from payments for environmental services.
The conference also saw the election of new members of the CAFÉ Executive Committee, and a discussion of a transitional presidency process to strengthen CAFÉ governance and leadership in Africa.
For more information about 11th General Assembly of CAFE keep following check out the CAFE website.
This event was supported by German Cooperation via KfW and by AFD/FFEM. | https://ecotrust.or.ug/the-11th-cafe-general-assembly-2021/ |
Overall, the Brussels-Capital Region now boasts 31 certification holders (20% of hotel rooms recognised by the Region and 80% of youth hostel capacity).
Aside from meeting the mandatory Green Key criteria, the Plaza conference and event centre with its exceptional decor and historic cinema setting, stands out most notably due to :
- its various energy conservation measures: significant insulation measures for the ventilation system, double doors and strapped curtains to seal out the cold and reduce drafts; energy efficient lighting and an ongoing energy audit;
- measures undertaken for more environmentally friendly maintenance: eco-label cleaning products (70%), use of microfibre rags, and tight controls on the amount of maintenance products used, use of rain water to clean exterior spaces, etc.;
- the ongoing feasibility study to replace table linens (tablecloths and napkins) at banquets and seminars with organic cotton products;
- sustainable food: organic menus upon request at banquets and seminars;
- environmental communication, especially by means of a satisfaction questionnaire and a "green corner";
- its social responsibility measures ("Diversity" training for its personnel). | https://visit.brussels/en/article/latest-news/the-plazatheatre-a-new-green-key-certification-for-brussels |
Part One: Respect for Yourself
Chapter navigation:
- Introduction
- Dance 1.1: Compose Movement Sequences
- Dance 2.2 Choreograph a Solo Dance
- Suggested Learning Sequence
- Assessment
- Answers: Families of Emotions
- Choreographic Intent
- Worksheet Two: How We Express Our Emotion
Writer: Julie Cadzow
Years 11-13 Level 6-8 Duration 12-16 lessons (approximately)
This unit, written by Julie Cadzow, takes students on a movement journey towards respect for themselves. They will identify characteristics of selected emotions and explore ways to control their emotions through dance. They will compose movement sequences alone and with others, and will consider the idea of 'balance' as not only a still shape in dance but also as a sign of respect for themselves and something to be attained in their emotional lives.
RESPECT:
- To treat with consideration
- To treat with esteem, or high regard
- To recognise
- To honour
- To look up to
In order for people to show respect towards others, it is necessary for them to have self-respect. In order for people to be able to respect themselves, they need to be aware of their own emotions.
Emotions determine the quality of our lives. They occur in every relationship we care about - in the work place, in our friendships, in dealing with family members, and in our most intimate relationships. They can save our lives, but they can also cause real damage. They may lead us to act in ways that we think are realistic and appropriate, but our emotions can also lead us to act in ways that we regret terribly afterward.
Paul Ekman, (2003) Emotions Revealed. London: Phoenix
Included in this unit are two possibilities for NCEA assessment. Many schools have multiple levels in their dance classes and for this reason the unit allows for all students to participate in every activity, with a specific NCEA assessment opportunity for Levels One Dance 1.1 (AS 90001), Part 1 and Level Two Dance 2.2 (AS 90294) at the end of the unit. Level Three students could use this work to develop ideas for Dance 3.1 (AS 90594): Produce a Dance for Performance, or work together to produce a sequence to be performed for Dance 3.2 (AS 90595): Perform a Solo or Duet Dance Work to an Audience. (The achievement standards for these are not included).
Key Competency
Thinking and Managing Self
Students will critically reflect upon and analyse the way they respond to a variety of situations. They will consider different points of view and explore different ways to react to emotions such as anger and sadness. They will create movement and still shapes to represent selected emotions.
Key Words
Respect: To treat with consideration, to recognise, admire or honour
Emotion: A feeling and its distinctive thoughts, psychological and biological states and a range of propensities to act. (Daniel Goleman)
Motif A repeated gesture or phrase that is developed in a variety of ways and is like a signature to a dance
Augmentation A dance device where a motif is developed by making the movements larger in space or time
Embellishment A dance device where a motif is developed by adding detail to a move, such as a hand gesture or an arm movement
Insertion A dance device where a motif is developed by including new movement material into the motif (e.g. a roll)
Resources
Emotions: Biological Reactions and facial expressions (Word 28 KB)
Photocopied to A3
Worksheet 1: What does an emotion look like? (Word 25 KB)
One per student
Families of Emotions: (Word 41 KB)
Photocopied, cut, laminated (if desired) and organised into packs for groups of three or four students
Worksheet 2: How we express our Emotions (Word 38 KB)
One per student
Pathway Cards (Word 22 KB)
AS 1.1 Compose Movement Sequences 'It's About Balance'
AS 2.2 Choreograph a Solo Dance 'It's About Balance'
Photocopied and laminated
Post Box question sheets (Word 24 KB)
Music Suggestions
A wide range of music is listed below. Select as appropriate for the students.
Chillout Sessions 10 Disc 1: Idlewild Blues: Outkast (12)
Chillout Sessions 10 Disc 2: Cowboys: Dusty Kid (14) - instrumental
Chillout Sessions 10 Disc 2: Karma Car: Brooka Shade (15) - instrumental
Deep Forest - Pacifique: La Legende Part 2 (2) Night Village (3), La Baiser (6), L'ile Invisible (8)
Electronomicon: Pitch Black - Reptile Room (1), Electric Earth Part 2 (3)
Moods: Ian Anderson - In a Stone Circle (4) Oceania: Oceania - Kotahitanga (Union), 11
Te Vaka: Lakilua - Tutuki, 3
The Black Seeds - On the Sun Tuk Tuk (1), Shazzy Dub (8)
The Corrs - Erin Shore (instrumental), Moods 3
Watermark: Enya - River (9)
Waves: The Southern Drop - Dan Sperber & Luke Casey: 'Relaxomatic' (4)
Whale Rider: Lisa Gerrard - Biking Home (4)
Achievement Objectives Level 6
Developing Practical Knowledge in Dance: Develop and demonstrate their dance skills in at least one selected dance genre/style and explore the use of a variety of dance technologies.
Developing Ideas in Dance: Select and use choreographic devices, structures, processes and technologies to develop and give form to dance ideas.
Communicating and Interpreting in Dance: Describe, explain and respond to the ways in which dance uses elements, devices, structures, the performers, and production technologies to communicate ideas, feelings and experiences.
Specific Learning Outcomes
Assessment opportunities are suggested throughout this unit. Assess only those most appropriate for your students. It is not necessary to assess every Learning Outcome.
LO1: Students can identify selected emotions and situations in which these emotions may occur
LO2: Students can create group and solo still shapes based on emotions
LO3: Students can create movement along air and floor pathways to represent emotions
LO4: Students can develop a motif using the dance devices of augmentation and embellishment
LO5: Students can develop expression in their dancing by performing movement based on emotions, and reactions to emotions
LO6: Students can compose movement sequences based on balances and the idea of emotions
LO7: Students can participate in activities about self-respect
Suggested Learning Sequence
Assessment
NCEA Assessment Opportunities
There are two opportunities for achievement standards to be gained. Select as appropriate for the level of the students.
Achievement Standards
- Level 1 Dance 1.1: AS90001 Compose Movement Sequences (Part One only. Part Two and Part Three can be achieved in Units Two and Three of this resource.)
- Level 2 Dance 2.2: AS90294 Choreograph a Solo Dance
Printing this unit: | https://artsonline.tki.org.nz/Teaching-and-Learning/Secondary-teaching-resources/Dance/Units-and-sequences/Dancing-Towards-Respect/Part-One-Respect-for-Yourself |
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), a worldwide flagship experiment being placed in the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility in the US, is intended to shed light on neutrinos’ riddles. By improving our knowledge of neutrino behavior, it is intended that the experiment will provide a clearer picture of how the Universe functions.
The experiment will take place at the Illinois-based Fermi National Acceleratory Laboratory (Fermilab), which is run by the US Department of Energy. Massive neutrino detectors will make up DUNE, and a neutrino beam will travel 800 miles from Fermilab to the Sanford Underground Research Facility, where it will hit its objective.
Over 1,400 scientists and engineers from all over the world are collaborating to the experiment since it is such a complicated and technological undertaking that calls for significant international collaboration. The UK is a vital partner in the experiment since it is providing the anode plane assemblies, which are essential parts for the DUNE Far Detector (APAs). The parts are being constructed at Sci-Tech Daresbury, the Daresbury Laboratory of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), in the Liverpool City Region.
The project’s scientific leadership is provided by physicists from the universities of Liverpool and Manchester. Due of the enormous size of the APAs and the high quantity (150) needed for DUNE, a sizable plant was developed specifically for APA production at Daresbury inside a decommissioned accelerator hall. Editor Georgie Purcell met with Justin Evans from the University of Manchester, who is significantly involved in the APA creation process, to learn more about the capabilities of the APAs and the UK’s participation in DUNE.
Summarising the UK’s involvement in DUNE
DUNE involves the UK significantly because we are one of the project’s largest international partners. The anode plane assemblies, which I am most closely working with, is one of the high-profile contributions the UK is giving to DUNE (APAs). These are the detector’s primary readout tools. To begin, let me simply define an anode plane. The APAs will be put in the first of four modules for the DUNE detector. 17.5 kilotonnes of liquid argon will be stored in the first module, which will be one mile below in a cryostat. When the neutrinos from Fermilab impacted the argon, charged particles like protons, electrons, and muons were created. The neutrinos ionize the argon as they pass through it, removing the electrons from the argon atoms and leaving free electrons floating around in the argon. That is everything you need in order to visualize the muon, pion, and proton motions as well as the neutrino reaction. The negative electrons are moved from the cathode to the anode by applying 180,000 volts across this tank of liquid argon.
A 58-meter long and 12-meter-high anode plane covers the cryostat’s interior walls. In essence, we want to cover that wall with a grid of wires so that when electrons strike the wall, we can determine which wires they hit from the grid of wires. This grid of wires then behaves like the pixels of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, essentially taking a picture of the electrons inside the argon. We are creating similar readout walls; however we are unable to construct a wall measuring 12 m by 58 m since the detector must be buried. As a result, we are building 2.3 x 6 m rectangular steel panels that are covered in 3,500 150 micron-diameter wires. The electrons are captured by these long wires. To extract the data from the detector, the next step is to electronically weave those electrons out. We are constructing 150 of these APAs altogether, which will finally comprise the necessary walls.
The data acquisition system, which deals with the data flow out of a detector, is also being delivered by the UK. It consists of computer hardware and supporting software. Huge volumes of electrical data are being produced by the anode planes, and eventually, we will capture 30 petabytes of data from the DUNE detector annually. Therefore, we require an intelligent system that only retains data when anything important occurs. The data collecting system fills this demand. It must constantly check the detector to see, for instance, if a neutrino has passed through it. When anything intriguing occurs, a variety of sophisticated algorithms send the signal that activates the detector, turning it on and storing data. Given that you don’t want to miss anything crucial, it must be sophisticated enough to only read something out when something noteworthy is happening. When DUNE is turned on, for instance, we might only detect one of the neutrinos from supernovas that we are hoping to look for.
We are also contributing a great deal of physics expertise. Pattern recognition algorithms are one specific UK deliverable that offers an automated data analysis way to examine what occurs when the neutrinos impact something. The development of the industry-recognized pattern recognition program Pandora for liquid argon was spearheaded by the UK. The UK also contributes to the accelerator in addition to the detector. The accelerator beam originating from Fermilab is known as the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility, and DUNE is the detector (LBNF). The UK has enormous experience in accelerator technology, not simply detector technology, especially in our national labs. By speeding protons to high energies and smashing them against a target—a chunk of graphite—the accelerator at Fermilab is being improved to produce an extremely strong neutrino beam. At some point after the impact, neutrinos are created. The accelerator will receive two things from the UK. The protons are accelerated to high energy in the first method, cavities. The graphite target, which the protons strike to produce neutrinos, is also supplied by the UK. This is a significant piece of expertise because this piece of graphite will be struck by protons irradiated in a high radiation environment for many years, necessitating that it be extremely robust and maintain its coolness.
What knowledge can the UK provide to DUNE?
The UK has a long history of making top-tier contributions to important particle physics experiments, especially in the area of neutrino physics. For the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), for instance, many of our academic groups and labs constructed key detector components, including as the ATLAS, LHCb, and CMS detectors. We have a wide range of academic professionals who are knowledgeable about the specifics of detector technology because we constructed significant detector components for earlier neutrino investigations in America and Japan. It is not limited to academics, though. The national laboratories and colleges have a wealth of technical knowledge. We have technicians, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers that are aware of the requirements necessary to construct this advanced technology on a wide scale. On a significant scale for construction, we are executing custom engineering. A crucial contribution from the UK to DUNE is having this technological know-how at the universities because building something the size of a cathedral demands a unique skill set.
We have a strong history in neutrino physics as well. Many of us who are working on DUNE have conducted assessments of earlier American or Japanese experiments that provided information about the behavior of neutrinos. In particular, we have led some of the most important measurements of neutrinos’ behavior and interactions with matter. We also have a great deal of experience with liquid argon. A liquid argon detector is called DUNE. Although it is the largest one to ever be constructed, it is not the first one. Liquid argon has been used successfully in other tests, supporting this new investigation. For instance, I also serve as the Co-Spokesperson for the MicroBooNE experiment, a smaller liquid argon detector, in addition to my duties with DUNE. It is considerably smaller than DUNE, but it was the first relatively sized liquid argon time projection chamber (TPC) to run for a considerable amount of time. This demonstrated that the detector could be run steadily for more than five years while still enabling top-notch neutrino physics. As part of MicroBooNE, numerous methods and devices that we will employ for DUNE were developed, including the algorithm for pattern recognition called Pandora.
What development has there been with the APA elements in 2022?
2022 was a significant year for us since we entered a phase of mass production. Between now and the beginning of 2027, we must construct 150 APAs. To accomplish this, we’ve built a 1,000m2 production facility at the Daresbury laboratory with four enormous winding machines that hold the 6m x 2.3m frames and wind 3,500 wires around them to connect them to the electronics. All four of these production lines are now operational, compared to just one at the beginning of the year. The process has evolved over the course of the year from commissioning the factory, discovering the quirks of the machine, getting it up and running, commissioning the machine, and beginning to teach our personnel on how to use it to the point where four teams are currently operating concurrently. In addition to the setup, we have been employing a group of individuals and teaching them in the factory to independently operate extremely specialized machinery and construct particle detectors. In the northwest of England, where we have created jobs, technicians who have no prior knowledge of particle physics are being hired and trained to construct a particle detector.
And we’ve been working hard to forge lasting bonds with our supply chain partners. We purchase the steel used in the construction of these APAs from a manufacturer in the Sunderland area. Additionally, a business in North Wales will provide us with the approximately 40,000 electronics boards we need to install on the APAs for the entire production operation. These are just two instances, but the fact that these multimillion-pound agreements were made and signed this year was essential to guaranteeing the plant would receive materials throughout the project at CERN, we also completed a final prototype this year. A final prototype was also built to ensure that the parts we are building in the UK fit together with the parts our international partners are building, such as photon detectors and readout electronics. We built an initial prototype back in 2018 to demonstrate that the detector worked before we started production. We feel we have made significant progress this year and are now in the period of mass production.
Have there been any big obstacles you’ve had to overcome thus far in the process? If so, how?
Large challenges, yes. This project had to be set up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is difficult to organize a large construction project with international partners during a pandemic. For instance, the global lockdowns were implemented at the same time that we were constructing the 1,000-square-metre facility in Daresbury, which undoubtedly slowed the process down. But we had to keep going, work on things, and bring people back into the lab as soon as we could. The procedure was challenging because we couldn’t visit our suppliers because we were just beginning to build relationships with them at the time of the lockdown. Additionally, we were unable to collaborate with international engineers at Fermilab and CERN in the same manner as before. Therefore, we made extensive use of video conference calls and returned to work as soon as the constraints would allow.
We are fortunate to have a team of highly motivated, skilled individuals who go above and beyond to accomplish their goals. With one specialist in the factory and everyone else online attempting to troubleshoot remotely, we were guiding individuals through setups via video call. We also had to figure out ways to speed things up because lockdown was slowing things down. To make up for the time we missed due to lockdown constraints, we are now considering purchasing a fifth winder. Doing this during a time of inflation is a significant additional barrier because everything has seen a sharp increase in price. We estimated the study in 2019 after receiving a funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) right before the pandemic. However, throughout the pandemic, expenses for international transportation, steel, and production in general went up. As a result, we had to carefully consider our designs and look globally for the most affordable suppliers in order to identify ways to cut expenses. Then, as we were attempting to construct something at CERN, Brexit occurred, posing further logistical and financial difficulties.
What is the collaboration’s next step, and what goals do you have for the near future?
The project is entering the mass production stage internationally. Up until the beginning of 2027, the UK will continue to produce APAs. Our global partners are moving into the stage of mass production for many other components, such as photon detectors, readout electronics, and the detector structure, elsewhere. We are also tackling the logistics of getting this detector down, such as moving the components to South Dakota precisely when it has to go underground because it is a logistical headache to get everything underground at the appropriate moment when using a single mile-deep mineshaft. | https://neutrino-science.com/dune-solving-the-universes-mysteries/ |
This article appeared in symmetry on Oct. 7, 2015.
Finding a small discrepancy in measurements of the properties of neutrinos could show us how they fit into the bigger picture.
Physics, perhaps more so than any other science, relies on measuring the same thing in multiple ways. Different experiments let scientists narrow in on right answers that satisfy all parties—a scientific system of checks and balances.
That’s why it’s exciting when a difference, even a minute one, appears. It can teach physicists something about their current model – or physics that extends beyond it. It’s possible that just such a discrepancy exists between a certain measurement of neutrinos coming out of accelerator experiments and reactor-based experiments.
Neutrinos are minuscule, neutral particles that don’t interact with much of anything. They can happily pass through a light-year of lead without a peep. Trillions pass through you every second. In fact, they are the most abundant massive particle in the universe—and something scientists are, naturally, quite keen to understand.
The ghostly particles come in three flavors: electron, muon and tau. They transition between these three flavors as they travel. This means that a muon neutrino leaving an accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois can show up as an electron neutrino in an underground detector in South Dakota.
Not complicated enough for you? These neutrino flavors are made of mixtures of three different “mass states” of neutrinos, masses 1, 2 and 3.
At the end of the day, neutrinos are weird. They hang out in the quantum realm, a land of probabilities and mixing matrices and other shenanigans. But here’s what you should know. There are lots of different things we can measure about neutrinos—and one of them is a parameter called theta13 (pronounced theta one three). Theta13 relates deeply to how neutrinos mix together, and it’s here that scientists have seen the faintest hint of disagreement from different experiments.
There are lots of different ways to learn about neutrinos and things like theta13. Two of the most popular involve particle accelerators and nuclear reactors.
The best measurements of theta13 come from nuclear reactor experiments such as Double Chooz, RENO and Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment based in China (which released the best measurement to date a few weeks ago).
Detectors located near nuclear reactors provide such wonderful readings of theta13 because reactors produce an extremely pure fountain of electron antineutrinos, and theta13 is closely tied to how electron neutrinos mix. Researchers can calculate theta13 based on the number of electron antineutrinos that disappear as they travel from a near detector to the far detector, transforming into other types.
Accelerators, on the other hand, typically start with a beam of muon neutrinos. And while that beam is fairly pure, it can have a bit of contamination in the form of electron neutrinos. Far detectors can look for both muon neutrinos that have disappeared and electron neutrinos that have appeared, but that variety comes with a price.
“Both the power and the curse of long-baseline neutrino oscillation is that it’s sensitive to all of neutrino oscillation, not just theta13,” says Dan Dwyer, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and researcher on Daya Bay.
With that in mind, we come to the source of the disagreement. The results coming out of accelerator-based experiments, such as the United States-based NOvA and Japan-based T2K, see just a few more electron neutrinos than researchers would predict based on what the reactor experiments are saying.
Data coming out of the accelerator experiments is still very young compared to the strong readings from reactor experiments, and it is complicated by the nature of the beam. No one is jumping on the discrepancy yet because it can be explained in different ways. Most importantly, the accelerator experiments just don’t have enough information.
“We have to wait for T2K and NOvA to get sufficient statistics, and that’s going to take a while,” says Stephen Parke, head of the Theoretical Physics Department at Fermilab. Parke, Scholberg and Dwyer all estimated that about five more years of data collection will be required before researchers are able to start saying anything substantial.
If the accelerator experiments gather more data and if a clear discrepancy emerges—a big if—what does it mean?
Turns out there are lots of reasons to love theta13. It’s one of the fundamental parameters that can define our universe. From a practical standpoint, it helps design future experiments to better understand neutrinos. And it could help physicists learn something new.
That something could be CP violation, evidence that neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently. CP violation has never been seen in neutrinos before, but if researchers observed it with accelerator experiments, it could help explain why our universe is made of matter rather than equal parts of matter and antimatter.
Figuring out if CP violation is occurring means nailing down all of the different neutrino mixing parameters, which in turn means building more powerful, next-generation experiments such as Hyper-K in Japan, JUNO in China and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment in the United States. DUNE will build on oscillation experiments like NOvA but will be able to better separate background noise from neutrino events, see a broader energy spectrum of neutrinos and find other neutrino characteristics.
DUNE, which will be built in a repurposed gold mine in South Dakota and detect neutrinos passed 800 miles through the Earth from Fermilab in Illinois, will be one of the best ways to see CP violation and rely on expertise gained from smaller neutrino experiments.
Ultimately, the neutrino puzzle is still missing many pieces. A variety of experiments are ramping up to fill in the gaps, making it an exciting time to be a neutrino physicist.
On May 31, about 50 miles from the Canadian border, an electric car struggled up steep hills, driving along at 40 miles per hour. The sun was coming up and rain was coming down. Things were looking bleak. The car, which usually plotted the route to the nearest charging station, refused to give directions.
Rewind to a few weeks earlier: Tom Rammer, a Chicago attorney, had just won two days with a Tesla at a silent cell phone auction for the American Cancer Society. He recruited Mike Kirby, a Fermilab physicist, to figure out how to get the most out of those 48 hours.
Rammer and Kirby agreed that the answer was a road trip. Their initial plan was a one-way trip to New Orleans. Another involved driving to Phoenix and crossing the border to Mexico for a concert. Tesla politely vetoed these options. Ultimately, Rammer and Kirby decided on an 867-mile drive from Chicago to Boston. Their goal was to pick up Jayatilaka, a physicist working on the CMS experiment, and bring him back to Fermilab. To document their antics, the group hired a film crew of six to follow them on their wild voyage from the Windy City to Beantown.
Jayatilaka joked that he didn’t trust Rammer and Kirby to arrange the trip on their own, so they also drafted Jen Raaf, a Fermilab physicist on the MicroBooNE experiment, whose organizational skills would balance their otherwise chaotic approach.
“There was no preparing. Every time I brought it up Tom said, ‘Eh, it’ll get done,’” Raaf laughed. Jayatilaka added that shortly after Raaf came on board they started seeing spreadsheets sent around and itineraries being put together.
“I had also made contingency plans in case we couldn’t make it to Boston,” Raaf said, with a hint of foreshadowing.
On May 29, Rammer, Kirby and Raaf picked up the Tesla and embarked on their journey. The car’s name was Barbara. She was a black Model S P85D, top of the line, and she could go from zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds.
The trip started out on flat terrain, making for smooth, easy driving. But eventually the group hit mountains, which ate up Barbara’s battery capacity. In the spirit of science, these physicists pushed the boundaries of what they knew, testing Barbara’s limits as they braved undulating roads, encounters with speed-hungry Porsches and Canadian border patrol.
The result of the experiment was that Barbara didn’t make it all the way to Boston. As they approached the east coast, it became clear to Kirby and Raaf that they wouldn’t have made it back in time to drop off the car. Although Rammer was determined to see the trip through to the end, he eventually gave in somewhere in New Jersey, and they decided to cut the trip short. Jayatilaka met the group in a parking lot in Springfield, Massachusetts, and they plotted the quickest route back to Chicago.
Flash forward to that bleak moment on May 31. After crossing the border, just as things were looking hopeless, Barbara’s systems suddenly came back to life. She directed the group to a charging station in chilly Kingston, Ontario. Around 6:30 in the morning, they rolled into the station. The battery level: zero percent. After a long charge and another full day of driving, they pulled into the Tesla dealership in Chicago around 8:55 p.m., minutes before their time with Barbara was up.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on Aug. 12, 2015.
A school bus-sized detector packed with 170 tons of liquid argon has seen its first particle footprints.
On Aug. 6, MicroBooNE, a liquid-argon time projection chamber, or LArTPC, recorded images of the tracks of cosmic muons, particles that shower down on Earth when cosmic rays collide with nuclei in our atmosphere.
“This is the first detector of this size and scale we’ve ever launched in the U.S. for use in a neutrino beam, so it’s a very important milestone for the future of neutrino physics,” said Sam Zeller, co-spokesperson for the MicroBooNE collaboration.
Picking up cosmic muons is just one brief stop during MicroBooNE’s expedition into particle physics. The centerpiece of the three detectors planned for Fermilab’s Short-Baseline Neutrino program, or SBN, MicroBooNE will pursue the much more elusive neutrino, taking data about this weakly interacting particle for about three years. When beam starts up in October, it will travel 470 meters and then traverse the liquid argon in MicroBooNE, where neutrino interactions will result in tracks that the detector can convert into precise three-dimensional images. Scientists will use these images to investigate anomalies seen in an earlier experiment called MiniBooNE, with the aim to determine whether the excess of low-energy events that MiniBooNE saw was due to a new source of background photons or if there could be additional types of neutrinos beyond the three established flavors.
One of MicroBooNE’s goals is to measure how often a neutrino that interacts with an argon atom will produce certain types of particles. A second goal is to conduct R&D for future large-scale LArTPCs. MicroBooNE will carry signals up to two and a half meters across the detector, the longest drift ever for a LArTPC in a neutrino beam. This requires a very high voltage and very pure liquid argon. It is also the first time a detector will operate with its electronics submerged in liquid argon on such a large scale. All of these characteristics will be important for future experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE, which plans to use similar technology to probe neutrinos.
Another benefit of the experiment, Zeller said, is training the next generation of LArTPC experts for future programs and experiments. MicroBooNE is a collaborative effort of 25 institutions, with 55 students and postdocs working tirelessly to perfect the technology. Collaborators are keeping their eyes on the road toward the future of neutrino physics and liquid-argon technology.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on Aug. 11, 2015.
If you’ve ever looked at a graphic of Fermilab’s future Mu2e experiment, you’ve likely noticed its distinctive, center s-shaped section. Tall and wide enough for a person to fit inside it, this large, curving series of magnets, called the transport solenoid, is perhaps the experiment’s most technologically demanding piece to build.
Last month a group in the Fermilab Technical Division aced three tests — for alignment, current and temperature — of a prototype transport solenoid module built by magnet experts at Fermilab’s Technical Division and INFN-Genoa in Italy.
The triple milestone means that Fermilab can now order the full set for production — 27 modules.
“The results were excellent,” said Magnet Systems Department scientist Mau Lopes, who is leading the effort.
There’s not much wiggle room when it comes to the transport solenoid, a crucial component for the ultrasensitive Mu2e experiment. Mu2e will look for a predicted but never observed phenomenon, the conversion of a muon into its much lighter, more familiar cousin, the electron, without the usual accompanying neutrinos. To do this, it will send muons into a detector where scientists will look for particular signatures of the rare process.
The transport solenoid generates a magnetic field that deftly separates muons based on their momentum and charge and directs slow muons to the center of the Mu2e detector. The maneuver requires some fairly precisely designed details, not the least of which is a good fit.
When put together, the 27 wedge-shaped modules will form a tube with the snake-like profile. Muons will travel down this vacuum tube. To guide them along the right path to the detector, the solenoid units must align with each other to within 0.2 degrees. The Magnet Systems team exceeded expectation: The prototype was aligned with 100 times greater precision.
The team achieved not just the right shape, but the right current. The electrical current running through the solenoid coil creates the magnetic field. The Mu2e team exceeded the nominal current of 1,730 amps, reaching 2,200 amps. As a bonus, while that amount of current has the potential to create a slight deformation in the module’s shape, the Mu2e team measured no change in the structure.
Nor was there much change in the model’s temperature, which must be very low. The team delivered 2.5 watts of power to the coil — well above what the coils will see when running. The module proved robust: The temperature changed by a mere whisker — 150 millikelvin, or 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit. The coils will be at 5 Kelvin when operating. The prototype sustained the nominal current at up to 8 Kelvin.
Fermilab has selected a vendor to produce the modules. Lopes expects that it will be two and a half years until all modules are complete.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on Aug. 10, 2015.
In 1995, physicists working on the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector, or LSND, at Los Alamos National Laboratory stumbled upon some curious results.
The experiment, whose goal was to investigate oscillations between the three different flavors of the elusive neutrino, saw evidence that there might be at least one additional flavor of neutrino lurking just out of reach. In 2002, an experiment at Fermilab called MiniBooNE started collecting data to explore this anomaly, but the results were inconclusive: some data seemed to refute the possibility of a fourth neutrino, but other data seemed to indicate particle interactions that couldn’t be explained with conventional three-neutrino models. The possibility of a mysterious, fourth neutrino remained alive.
Scientists from Fermilab and more than 45 institutions around the world have teamed up to design a program to catch this hypothetical neutrino in the act. The program, called the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program, makes use of a trio of detectors positioned along one of Fermilab’s neutrino beams. Although there are other reactor and source-based experiments in the world that actively seek a fourth neutrino, also called a sterile neutrino, SBN is the only program that uses a particle accelerator to produce neutrinos and multiple neutrino detectors for this search.
Determining whether there are more than three neutrino flavors would affect how scientists interpret data from experiments like the planned Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, which is expected to make transformative discoveries about neutrinos, and perhaps other aspects of the universe, in the future. Solving the mystery of the anomalies seen at LSND and MiniBooNE, however, will not be easy. Because the sterile neutrino would not interact through the weak nuclear force as the other three do (hence the name “sterile”), detecting this particle would be like chasing the shadow of a ghost.
It begins at the Fermilab Booster, where protons are accelerated to 8 GeV and smashed into a target, creating new particles. Charged particles are bent forward by a magnetic focusing device into a tunnel where most decay to produce muon neutrinos. The three detectors — named the Short-Baseline Near Detector, or SBND, MicroBooNE and ICARUS — will be spread out over a distance of 600 meters. SBND, 100 meters from the target, will take data close to the source to reduce systematic uncertainties by measuring the initial characteristics of the muon neutrino beam. Four hundred meters beyond the planned site for SBND is MicroBooNE, which is already installed. ICARUS will be located 110 meters past MicroBooNE. ICARUS is an existing detector from a previous experiment at the Italian INFN laboratory at Gran Sasso that is currently being refurbished at CERN. It will have a massive chamber holding 760 tons of liquid argon to beat down statistical uncertainties in the experiment.
All three of the detectors are time projection chambers, a type of detector that allows physicists to analyze particle collisions in three dimensions. For these particular TPCs, scientists use liquid argon because its relatively heavy mass ensures a higher rate of interactions.
MicroBooNE received its last fill of liquid argon in July and recently began taking data. Scientists are expecting to break ground on buildings for both ICARUS and SBND by this fall. In 2017, ICARUS will be fully refurbished and delivered to Fermilab. Scientists hope to complete building SBND that same year.
Since experimenters won’t be able to directly detect the sterile neutrino, they will search for clues in the trails of particles the three known neutrino flavors leave behind in the liquid argon after they interact. If the experiments, expected to begin running in 2018, see deviations in the expected neutrino oscillation pattern, scientists will know that they’re on the right track in their hunt for this fugitive particle. If not, they will be able to put the mystery of the sterile neutrino to rest.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on July 24, 2015.
A magnet two meters long sits in the Experiment Assembly Area of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The magnet, built by Fermilab’s Technical Division, is fire engine red and has on its back a copper coil that doesn’t quite reach from one end to the other. An opening on one end of the magnet’s steel casing gives it the appearance of a rectangular alligator with its mouth slightly ajar.
The APS is a synchrotron light source that accelerates electrons nearly to the speed of light and then uses magnets to steer them around a circular storage ring the size of a major-league baseball stadium. As the electrons bend, they release energy in the form of synchrotron radiation — light that spans the energy range from visible to x-rays. This radiation can be used for a number of applications, such as microscopy and spectroscopy.
In 2013, the federal Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee, which advises the Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, recommended a more ambitious approach to upgrades of U.S. light sources. The APS Upgrade will create a world-leading facility by using new state-of-the-art magnets to tighten the focus of the APS electron beam and dramatically increase the brightness of its X-rays, expanding its experimental capabilities by orders of magnitude.
Instead of the APS’ present magnet configuration, which uses two bending magnets in each of 40 identical sectors, the upgraded ring will deploy seven bending magnets per sector to produce a brighter, highly focused beam.
Because the APS Upgrade requires hundreds of magnets — many of them quite unusual — Argonne called on experts at Fermilab and Brookhaven National Laboratory for assistance in magnet design and development.
Fermilab took on the task of designing, building and testing a pre-prototype for a groundbreaking M1 magnet — the first in the string of bending magnets that makes up the new APS arrangement.
The M1’s magnetic field is strong at one end and tapers off at the other end, reducing the impact of processes that increase the beam size, producing a brighter beam. Because of this change in field, this magnet is different from anything Fermilab had ever built. But by May, Fermilab’s team had completed and tested the magnet and shipped it to Argonne, where it charged triumphantly through a series of tests.
Although this pre-prototype magnet is unlikely to be installed in the complete storage ring, scientists working in this collaboration view the M1 development as an opportunity to learn about technical difficulties, validate their designs and strengthen their skills.
This Fermilab press release came out on July 8, 2015.
A key element in a particle-accelerator-based neutrino experiment is the power of the beam that gives birth to neutrinos: The more particles you can pack into that beam, the better your chance to see neutrinos interact in your detector. Today scientists announced that Fermilab has set a world record for the most powerful high-energy particle beam for neutrino experiments.
Scientists, engineers and technicians at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have achieved for high-energy neutrino experiments a world record: a sustained 521-kilowatt beam generated by the Main Injector particle accelerator. More than 1,000 physicists from around the world will use this high-intensity beam to more closely study neutrinos and fleeting particles called muons, both fundamental building blocks of our universe.
The record beam power surpasses that of the 400-plus-kilowatt beam sent to neutrino experiments from particle accelerators at CERN.
Setting this world record is an initial step for the Fermilab accelerator complex as it will gradually increase beam power over the coming years. The next goal for the laboratory’s two-mile-around Main Injector accelerator — the final and most powerful in Fermilab’s accelerator chain — is to deliver 700-kilowatt beams to the laboratory’s various experiments. Ultimately, Fermilab plans to make additional upgrades to its accelerator complex over the next decade, achieving beam power in excess of 1,000 kilowatts, also referred to as 1 megawatt.
“We have the world’s highest-power beam for neutrinos, and we’re only going up from here,” said Ioanis Kourbanis, head of the Main Injector Department at Fermilab.
Laboratory-made neutrino experiments start by accelerating a beam of particles, typically protons, and then smashing them into a target to create neutrinos. Scientists then use particle detectors to “catch” as many of those neutrinos as possible and record their interactions. Neutrinos rarely engage with matter: Only one out of every trillion emerging from the proton beam will interact in an experiment’s detector. The more particles in that beam, the more opportunities researchers will have to study these rare interactions.
The amped-up particle beam provided by the Main Injector enriches the lab’s neutrino supply, positioning Fermilab to become the primary laboratory for accelerator-based neutrino research. Neutrinos are also made in stars and in the Earth’s core, and they pass through everything — people and planets alike.
Fermilab currently operates four neutrino experiments: MicroBooNE, MINERvA, MINOS+ and the laboratory’s largest-to-date neutrino experiment, NOvA, which sends particles from Fermilab’s suburban Chicago location to a far detector 500 miles away in Ash River, Minnesota. The laboratory is working with scientists from around the world on expanding its short-baseline neutrino program and would also serve as host to the proposed flagship Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE. Scientists aim to address basic questions about the mass and properties of each kind of neutrino as well as the role neutrinos played in the evolution of the universe.
Fermilab is also preparing to operate two experiments for studying muons, short-lived particles that could reveal secrets about the earliest moments of the universe. The increased beam power will also benefit the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, one of the few facilities in the world that provides muons, pions and other particles that researchers can use to test their particle detectors.
Since 2011, Fermilab has made significant upgrades to its accelerators and reconfigured the complex to provide the best possible particle beams for neutrino and muon experiments. With the dedicated work of the Fermilab Accelerator Division, the Main Injector is on track to nearly double its Tevatron-era beam power by 2016.
“Fermilab’s beamline has been a tremendous driver of neutrino science for many years, and the continued improvements to the intensity mean that it will remain a driver for many years to come,” said Indiana University’s Mark Messier, co-spokesperson for the NOvA experiment.
Fermilab is America’s premier national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. A U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, Fermilab is located near Chicago, Illinois, and operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance LLC. Visit Fermilab’s website at www.fnal.gov, and follow us on Twitter at @Fermilab.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on July 8, 2015.
Bonnie Weiberg sits down in front of a small monitor in the Proton Assembly Building at Fermilab. Her job is to test the signal strength of the liquid-argon purification monitors for the proposed DUNE experiment. But Weiberg isn’t your average particle physicist. In fact she isn’t a physicist at all: She’s a physics and chemistry teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie, Illinois.
Weiberg is here this summer as part of the Fermilab TRAC program, which is funded by the Particle Physics Division. Harry Cheung, an associate head for the CMS Department who has been head of the TRAC program since 2010, said that this year, seven teachers were selected from a pool of 33 applicants to be matched with a mentor and work on cutting-edge physics.
The TRAC program gives middle school and high school teachers of science, math, computer science and engineering an opportunity to come to Fermilab, work with a scientist or an engineer for eight weeks, and experience what Fermilab research is like.
This summer the teachers, most of whom are from Illinois, are working on projects such as building and testing photodetectors, reconstructing the Muon g-2 ring and controlling high-voltage supplies for the MINERvA neutrino experiment.
Kerbie Reader, a high school math teacher at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, Washington, said that TRAC is the only program she could find in the country that enables teachers to participate in this sort of research. She appreciates the opportunity to remember what it’s like to be a student and to gain experience that will help her relate to her own students.
Weiberg and Reader agreed that the most valuable aspect of this program is being able to gain real-life experiences that they can bring back to their schools and share with their students. Weiberg is even working on a unit about particle physics to incorporate into her curriculum.
Reader added that the TRAC program gives her a chance to participate in difficult research: to be challenged and learn the value of getting things wrong.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on June 22, 2015.
Last month, a group collaborating across four national laboratories completed the first successful tests of a superconducting coil in preparation for the future high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, or HL-LHC. These tests indicate that the magnet design may be adequate for its intended use.
Physicists, engineers and technicians of the U.S. LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) are working to produce the powerful magnets that will become part of the HL-LHC, scheduled to start up around 2025. The plan for this upgrade is to increase the particle collision rate, or luminosity, by approximately a factor of 10, so expanding the collider’s physics reach by creating 10 times more data.
“The upgrade will help us get closer to new physics. If we see something with the current run, we’ll need more data to get a clear picture. If we don’t find anything, more data may help us to see something new,” said Technical Division’s Giorgio Ambrosio, leader of the LARP magnet effort.
LARP is developing more advanced quadrupole magnets, which are used to focus particle beams. These magnets will have larger beam apertures and the ability to produce higher magnetic fields than those at the current LHC.
The Department of Energy established LARP in 2003 to contribute to LHC commissioning and prepare for upgrades. LARP includes Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermilab, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and SLAC. Its members began developing the technology for advanced large-aperture quadrupole magnets around 2004.
The superconducting magnets currently in use at the LHC are made from niobium titanium, which has proven to be a very effective material to date. However, they will not be able to support the higher magnetic fields and larger apertures the collider needs to achieve higher luminosities. To push these limits, LARP scientists and engineers turned to a different material, niobium tin.
Niobium tin was discovered before niobium titanium. However, it has not yet been used in accelerators because, unlike niobium titanium, niobium tin is very brittle, making it susceptible to mechanical damage. To be used in high-energy accelerators, these magnets need to withstand large amounts of force, making them difficult to engineer.
LARP worked on this challenge for almost 10 years and went through a number of model magnets before it successfully started the fabrication of coils for 150-millimeter-aperture quadrupoles. Four coils are required for each quadrupole.
LARP and CERN collaborated closely on the design of the coils. After the first coil was built in the United States earlier this year, the LARP team successfully tested it in a magnetic mirror structure. The mirror structure makes possible tests of individual coils under magnetic field conditions similar to those of a quadrupole magnet. At 1.9 Kelvin, the coil exceeded 19 kiloamps, 15 percent above the operating current.
The team also demonstrated that the coil was protected from the stresses and heat generated during a quench, the rapid transition from superconducting to normal state.
Over the next few months, LARP members plan to test the completed quadrupole magnet.
This article appeared in Fermilab Today on May 27, 2015.
Dark energy makes up about 70 percent of the universe and is causing its accelerating expansion. But what it is or how it works remains a mystery.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will study the origins and effects of dark energy by creating the largest 3-D map of the universe to date. It will produce a map of the northern sky that will span 11 billion light-years and measure around 25 million galaxies and quasars, extending back to when the universe was a mere 3 billion years old.
Once construction is complete, DESI will sit atop the Mayall 4-Meter Telescope in Arizona and take data for five years.
DESI will work by collecting light using optical fibers that look through the instrument’s lenses and can be wiggled around to point precisely at galaxies. With 5,000 fibers, it can collect light from 5,000 galaxies at a time. These fibers will pass the galaxy light to a spectrograph, and researchers will use this information to precisely determine each galaxy’s three-dimensional position in the universe.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is managing the DESI experiment, and Fermilab is making four main contributions: building the instrument’s barrel, packaging and testing charge-coupled devices, or CCDs, developing an online database and building the software that will tell the fibers exactly where to point.
The barrel is a structure that will hold DESI’s six lenses. Once complete, it will be around 2.5 meters tall and a meter wide, about the size of a telephone booth. Fermilab is assembling both the barrel and the structures that will hold it on the telescope.
DESI’s spectrograph will use CCDs, sensors that work by converting light collected from distant galaxies into electrons, then to digital values for analysis. Fermilab is responsible for packaging and testing these CCDs before they can be assembled into the spectrograph.
Fermilab is also creating a database that will store information required to operate DESI’s online systems, which direct the position of the telescope, control and read the CCDs, and ensure proper functioning of the spectrograph.
Lastly, Fermilab is developing the software that will convert the known positions of interesting galaxies and quasars to coordinates for the fiber positioning system.
Fermilab completed these same tasks when it built the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), an instrument that currently sits on the Victor Blanco Telescope in Chile, imaging the universe. Many of these scientists and engineers are bringing this expertise to DESI.
“DESI is the next step. DECam is going to precisely measure the sky in 2-D, and getting to the third dimension is a natural progression,” said Fermilab’s Brenna Flaugher, project manager for DECam and one of the leading scientists on DESI.
These four contributions are set to be completed by 2018, and DESI is expected to see first light in 2019.
“This is a great opportunity for students to learn the technology and participate in a nice instrumentation project,” said Juan Estrada, a Fermilab scientist leading the DESI CCD effort.
DESI is funded largely by the Department of Energy with significant contributions from non-U.S. and private funding sources. It is currently undergoing the DOE CD-2 review and approval process.
“We’re really appreciative of the strong technical and scientific support from Fermilab,” said Berkeley Lab’s Michael Levi, DESI project director. | https://www.quantumdiaries.org/author/fermilab/ |
BACKGROUND
Mixed-reality systems, including virtual-reality (VR) and augmented-reality (AR) systems, have received significant attention because of their ability to create truly unique experiences for their users. For reference, conventional VR systems create a completely immersive experience by restricting their users' views to only virtual environments. This is often achieved through the use of a head-mounted device (HMD) that completely blocks any view of the real world. As a result, a user is entirely immersed within the virtual environment. In contrast, conventional AR systems create an augmented-reality experience by visually presenting virtual images (i.e. “holograms”) that are placed in or that interact with the real world.
As used herein, VR and AR systems are described and referenced interchangeably. Unless stated otherwise, the descriptions herein apply equally to all types of mixed-reality systems, which (as detailed above) include AR systems, VR systems, and/or any other similar system capable of displaying virtual images. As used herein, the term “virtual image” collectively refers to images rendered within a VR environment as well as images/holograms rendered in an AR environment.
Some of the disclosed mixed-reality systems use one or more on-body devices (e.g., the HMD, a handheld device, etc.). The HMD provides a display that enables a user to view overlapping and/or integrated visual information (e.g., holograms) in whatever environment the user is in, be it a VR environment, an AR environment, or any other type of environment. Continued advances in hardware capabilities and rendering technologies have greatly improved how mixed-reality systems render virtual images. Notwithstanding these advances, the process of immersing a user into a mixed-reality environment creates many challenges, difficulties, and costs, particularly with regard to providing high-quality virtual images to the user and to controlling the laser emitter(s)/assembly(s) used to generate the virtual images. As used herein, the terms “laser,” “laser emitter,” and “laser assembly” are interchangeable with one another.
For instance, methodologies are in place to use a red, green, blue (RGB) laser assembly to visually project one or more virtual images for the user to view and interact with while immersed in a mixed-reality environment/scene. Often, however, the narrow spectral linewidth and high coherence of laser-based displays coupled with waveguide holographic gratings causes certain fringe image artifacts (e.g., Newton Rings) to be introduced into those virtual images due to forced attempts of using traditional lasers having suboptimal light coherence characteristics. Such imperfections/image artifacts can negatively impact the display quality and the user's experience.
Additionally, difficulties arise when the laser assembly operates at low or lower power intensities. These difficulties arise as a result of misestimating or miscalculating the laser assembly's lasing current threshold. For instance, when the laser operates at or near the lasing current threshold, any miscalculations in that lasing current threshold will significantly impact the accuracy of color rendering of the display because the laser will not deliver the correct number of photons for accurate color intensity. From this, it will be appreciated that there is a substantial need to improve virtual image quality by reducing undesired fringe image artifacts. There is also an ongoing need to provide techniques for controlling operation of the laser assembly(s), at various output power levels.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, methods, and devices that can be used to improve how virtual images are rendered and that can also be used to improve how a laser is controlled. Such improvements, for example, can be achieved (as discussed herein) by operating lasers using ultra-short laser pulses and at relatively high or higher power outputs.
Some embodiments operate a display system in a manner so as (i) to reduce an impact of a lasing current threshold misestimation error for a laser assembly by selectively controlling how many laser pulses the laser assembly emits to illuminate a particular pixel as well as by operating the laser assembly at higher power output levels and/or (ii) to increase a spectral linewidth and reduce coherence of laser light emitted by the laser assembly so as to reduce the occurrence of undesired visual artifacts by emitting pulses having ultra-short durations. In some cases, this is achieved by determining or dynamically setting the pulse width for each of the pulses for each pixel. To do so, an illumination energy value for a pixel of an image frame is determined. Additionally, an illumination time period for the pixel is determined. The illumination time period defines a maximum period of time during which the pixel is permitted to be illuminated by the laser assembly. A number of laser pulses that are to be emitted by the laser assembly to illuminate the pixel during the illumination time period is also determined. Here, the number of laser pulses is based on the illumination energy value for the pixel. Then, within the illumination time period and in accordance with the determined number of laser pulses, the pixel is illuminated by causing the laser assembly to emit one or more laser pulses that are directed towards the pixel and that cause the pixel to be illuminated at the illumination energy value.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
illustrates how, when a microelectromechanical scanning (MEMS) mirror system is used in conjunction with a laser assembly, any number of virtual images may be rendered in a mixed-reality system.
FIG. 2A
FIG. 2B
illustrates an example of a MEMS/laser system being used in a VR system having a display, and illustrates an example of a MEMS/laser system being used in an AR system having a diffraction grating waveguide-based display.
FIG. 3
illustrates an example of an undesired visual artifact (e.g., a Newton Ring) that may occur as a result of using laser light having a too narrow spectral linewidth.
FIG. 4A
illustrates a first graph showing a linear relationship between laser power and current and a second graph showing a relationship between turn-on delay and current.
FIG. 4B
illustrates how misestimations in computing the lasing current threshold can significantly impact laser performance, especially when the laser is operating at low or lower power levels.
FIG. 5
illustrates a flowchart of an example method for operating a display system to reduce an impact of a lasing current threshold misestimation error while also increasing the spectral linewidth of laser light.
FIG. 6
illustrates an example technique of emitting ultra-short laser pulses to illuminate a pixel, where the ultra-short laser pulses results in the ability to better control the laser assembly and in the ability to increase spectral linewidth.
FIG. 7A
illustrates how the spectral linewidth of laser light can be increased by operating the laser according to disclosed principles. The spectral characteristics are in arbitrary units and are represented linearly.
FIG. 7B
illustrates some data showing how spectral linewidth and coherence are dependent on modulation frequency and/or pulse width.
FIGS. 8A and 8B
illustrate additional techniques of emitting ultra-short laser pulses and how the laser is fully modulated between each ultra-short laser pulse.
FIG. 9A
illustrates how a laser's output power can be modified so that the laser operates in a higher power region. Operating at the higher power region allows the laser to have less error in the actual vs. expected output power in the presence of threshold current and slope efficiency estimation errors.
FIG. 9B
illustrates how the number of laser pulses can be based on a function of the desired illumination energy for a pixel, and in particular how a relatively higher number of laser pulses can be emitted for higher illumination energies and how a relatively lower number of laser pulses can be emitted for lower illumination energies. In some cases, the pulse width can also be used to modulate the device.
FIG. 10A
illustrates a flowchart of an example method for estimating the lasing current threshold for a laser assembly.
FIG. 10B
illustrates an example technique for estimating the lasing current threshold of a laser assembly by emitting a number of calibration laser pulses at an area outside of a display area.
FIG. 11
illustrates an example computer system configured to perform the disclosed operations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Technical Benefit(s)
Mixed-Reality Systems
Lasing Current Threshold
Example Method(s)
Estimating Laser Operational Characteristics
Example Computer System(s)
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, methods, and devices that beneficially increase a laser light's spectral linewidth and spatial coherence using ultra-short laser pulses while simultaneously improving how a laser is controlled by causing the laser to operate at high or higher power levels that are distant (e.g., a predetermined amount) from its lasing current threshold.
To do so, an illumination energy value for a pixel and an illumination time period for the pixel are both determined, where the illumination time period may be different that a pulse duration for a laser pulse. A number of laser pulses that are to be emitted by the laser assembly to illuminate the pixel during the illumination time period is also determined. This number is based on the illumination energy value for the pixel. The laser assembly beneficially generates ultra-short laser pulses and operates at a higher power output to thereby achieve larger spectral linewidths and improved control of the laser (e.g., by operating further away from the lasing current threshold). The number and pulse duration of these ultra-short laser pulses is designed to achieve the desired illumination energy value for the pixel. Then, within the illumination time period and in accordance with the determined number of laser pulses, the pixel is illuminated by causing the laser assembly to emit one or more ultra-short laser pulses that cause the pixel to be illuminated at the illumination energy value, thereby achieving broad spectral linewidth, reduced turn-on delay for the laser assembly, and improved power output control of the laser assembly.
The disclosed embodiments bring about substantial benefits to the technical field. Specifically, with MEMS scanning systems that use waveguides to direct and project laser light, it is often the case that undesired fringe artifacts occur in the resulting virtual images due to matched coherence properties of the laser and the surface relief grating waveguides. The disclosed embodiments reduce or even entirely eliminate the occurrence of these undesired artifacts by increasing the spectral linewidth and reducing spatial coherence of the laser light. Increasing the spectral linewidth causes the coherence level of the laser to be reduced, thereby resulting in better image quality for systems that use waveguides to propagate laser light.
512
512
The disclosed embodiments also improve the technical field by enabling easier control of the laser emitter/assembly. For instance, a display with a certain number (e.g., perhaps ) different brightness intensities would require the ability to precisely know the threshold current and slope efficiency of the device, and to control the laser power over the entire number (e.g., in this case ) of different brightness levels. For instance, in order for a laser to lase (i.e. produce laser light), the laser is required to operate at or above its lasing current threshold. Sometimes, however, the exact value for this lasing current threshold is often not known, as lasing current threshold and slope efficiency are dependent on device temperature and laser drive characteristics. In fact, the value is often estimated. It is often the case that there is a misestimation or miscalculation error in determining the lasing current threshold. When the laser operates at lower power levels near the lasing current threshold, any errors from the misestimation significantly impact the performance of the laser (e.g., the laser might not even lase).
Additionally, it is simply more difficult to operate the laser at lower power levels that are nearer the lasing current threshold. To resolve these issues, the disclosed embodiments beneficially modify the power output of the laser so that the laser operates at higher power levels further removed from the lasing current threshold (e.g., by a predetermined amount or percentage away from the lasing current threshold). In doing so, any misestimation errors in the lasing current threshold calculation will have a substantially smaller impact on the laser's performance because the laser is not operating near the boundary or threshold.
Additionally, operating the laser assembly at high or higher power output levels results in a smaller turn-on delay for the laser assembly, which is also highly beneficial. To operate the laser assembly at the higher power levels, the disclosed embodiments cause the laser to emit one or more ultra-short laser pulses, as will be discussed in more detail later. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments bring about many real and substantial benefits to the technical field.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
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shows some components that may be included within a display for a mixed-reality computing system. These components are beneficially provided to render the virtual images that were discussed earlier. Specifically, shows a MEMS/laser unit that includes a laser emitter which functions as a projector for the mixed-reality display.
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Laser emitter (or laser assembly) includes a (first) laser A, a (second) laser B, and a (third) laser C. Examples of these lasers may be a red laser, a green laser, and a blue laser such that the laser emitter is a red, green, blue (RGB) laser assembly having RGB lasers. While only three lasers are presently shown, it will be appreciated that laser emitter may include any number of lasers. Moreover, in some embodiments, lasers A, B, and C may be included within their own different discrete laser assemblies. In some embodiments, an infrared (IR) laser may be included as a part of laser emitter or within a separate assembly/emitter.
FIG. 1
FIG. 1
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In some embodiments, such as the one shown in , the laser light from the lasers A, B, and C is optically/spectrally combined to form RGB laser light . That is, the laser light A from laser A, the laser light B from laser B, and the laser light C from laser C is optically/spectrally combined (e.g., either within the laser emitter or outside of the laser emitter ) to produce a single collimated beam of red, green, and blue laser light . It will be appreciated that laser light may be a continuous beam of laser light, or, alternatively, it may be a pulsed beam of laser light. In the example shown in , the laser light is a pulsed beam, as demonstrated by its dashed-line illustration.
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The laser light is then directed to a microelectromechanical scanning (“MEMS”) mirror system . The MEMS mirror system includes a multi-directional mirror array that is able to rapidly redirect and aim laser light to any desired pixel location. For example, scanning direction shows how the MEMS mirror system is able to rapidly redirect pulsed (or continuous) scanning laser light A and pulsed scanning laser light B to any location. Here, pulsed scanning laser light A and B originate from the laser light . While only two instances of the pulsed scanning laser light (e.g., A and B) are labeled, it will be appreciated that the MEMS mirror system is able to redirect any number of pulsed emissions. By scanning laser light back and forth horizontally and up and down vertically, the MEMS/laser unit is able to illuminate individual pixels of a virtual image within a desired field of view. Because the MEMS/laser unit is able to illuminate individual pixels so rapidly, the MEMS/laser unit is able to render an entire virtual image (e.g., an image frame) for a user to view and interact with without the user realizing that the virtual image was progressively generated by scanning individual pixels.
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FIG. 1
In some embodiments, the MEMS/laser unit includes more than one laser emitter. For instance, shows a (second) laser emitter . In cases where there are more than one laser emitter, then the emitters can be configured to jointly or concurrently illuminate pixels to generate an image frame. For instance, in some embodiments, an image frame is illuminated by two separate laser emitters (e.g., laser emitter and laser emitter ). In some cases, the two separate laser emitters concurrently illuminate corresponding pixels. In other cases, the two separate laser emitters stagger when pixels are illuminated.
FIGS. 2A and 2B
FIG. 1
FIG. 2A
FIG. 2B
FIG. 1
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further expand on this concept by showing how a MEMS/laser unit A can be used in a VR environment and how a MEMS/laser unit B can be used in an AR environment, respectively. MEMS/laser units A and B are both example implementations of the MEMS/laser unit from . Pulsed laser light A in and pulsed laser light B in are example implementations of laser light and pulsed scanning laser light A and B from .
FIG. 2A
FIG. 2A
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In , the display is representative of a VR display. As described earlier, in a VR environment, the user's view of the real-world is entirely occluded such that the user is able to see only the VR environment. Here, display is shown as including a vertical field of view (“FOV”) and a horizontal FOV. also shows the progressively backward and forward horizontal and upward and downward vertical scanning direction in which the MEMS/laser unit A is able to scan individual images of a virtual image onto the display . By rapidly scanning/rastering the individual pixels, the MEMS/laser unit A is able to render an entire virtual image or even an entire VR environment.
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Building on the earlier discussion, it will be appreciated that each pixel rastered on the display is generated by pulsing the laser included within the MEMS/laser unit A. In this manner, it is possible to illuminate each pixel on display in a pixel-by-pixel basis all the way from the top portion of the display to the bottom portion of the display . Consequently, as the MEMS mirror system in the MEMS/laser unit A is scanned/aimed at a given pixel position on the display , the laser is pulsed to a determined intensity or power output level so as to properly illuminate that pixel within the overall virtual image. The intensity or brightness of the pixel is referred to herein as the “illumination energy” (or illumination energy value) for the pixel. As will be discussed in further detail later, a pixel's illumination energy is a function of the laser's output power and a laser pulse's pulse duration.
FIG. 2B
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shows an example implementation within an AR system. Instead of scanning pixels on a display (e.g., display ), the AR system causes its MEMS/laser unit B to scan pixels onto the user's eye through the use of a waveguide , which receives the laser light and then directs the laser light towards the user's eye.
FIG. 2B
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To illustrate, shows the MEMS/laser unit B generating pulsed laser light B which is directed towards the waveguide . This waveguide includes an entry grating , through which the pulsed laser light B enters the waveguide , and an exit grating , through which the pulsed laser light B exits the waveguide . The waveguide is structured to enable the pulsed laser light B to propagate through it so that the pulsed laser light B can be redirected to a desired location, such as the scanning area . In many instances, the scanning area corresponds to a user's eye. In this regard, there is a display module (e.g., the MEMS/laser unit B) that shines light into a waveguide (e.g., waveguide ). Light is then refracted/reflected along that waveguide and then coupled out of the waveguide towards the user's eye. As such, instead of scanning light onto the display in the VR scenario, pulsed laser light can be scanned to a user's eye in the AR scenario. Similar to the earlier discussion, the intensity or brightness of a pixel is referred to herein as the illumination energy for that pixel.
FIG. 3
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In some instances, the disclosed waveguide is embedded with diffraction gratings that diffract the incident light onto the waveguide and towards the user's eye. Diffraction gratings are inherently sensitive to the spectral characteristics of the illumination source. These types of devices are often highly dependent on the input wavelength and spectral characteristics of the incoming light. Due to the characteristics of the disclosed waveguide, if a spectrally narrow beam of laser light were used (i.e. laser light with a smaller spectral linewidth), the resulting image will have many fringe image artifacts due to constructive and destructive interference effects of the coherent laser light (e.g., Newton Rings). An example of an undesired visual artifact is shown in in the form of Newton Rings . These visual artifacts can be eliminated by broadening out/increasing the spectral linewidth of the laser light. Stated differently, if a broader range of wavelengths are included in the pulsed beam of laser light, more dispersion will result. This dispersion will beneficially lead to a more uniform virtual image resulting in less or no fringe image artifacts.
Additionally, given a horizontal MEMS resonance frequency and a vertical field of view refresh rate (or rather, a refresh rate in the vertical direction), one factor that defines the overall resolution of the resulting virtual image is dependent on how fast the laser device can be pulsed. That is, the faster the laser can be actively pulsed, a larger number of pixels can be scanned within the same FOV, thereby resulting in virtual images with higher resolution and less artifacts.
Accordingly, it is desirable to design a system that achieves (1) a broadened spectral linewidth for the pulsed beam of laser light by pulsing ultra-short laser pulses and (2) improved control of the laser emitter/assembly by operating the laser emitter at higher power levels away from the lasing current threshold to reduce the impact of any lasing current threshold misestimations or miscalculations. By designing a system that achieves both of these objectives, the quality of the resulting virtual images will be substantially improved and the ability to control the laser emitter will be made significantly easier.
FIG. 4A
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shows a graph illustrating the functional relationship between laser power (in mW) and current. On graph , there is a point, referred to as the actual lasing current threshold , where the laser will begin to lase. Once the laser begins to lase, then graph shows the trajectory of the laser's output power in the form of laser slope efficiency , which is typically a linear trajectory and illustrates the relationship between laser output power and input pump/drive current (i.e. the current indication on the x-axis).
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If the actual lasing current threshold is not satisfied (as shown by the left-hand side of that point), then the laser will not have sufficient drive current and the laser will not lase. On the other hand, if the laser's output current or power levels meet or exceed the actual lasing current threshold , then the laser will have sufficient drive current and the laser will lase, as shown by the laser slope efficiency . To be more precise, slope efficiency is defined as the change in power versus the change in current (e.g., dP/dI). It will be appreciated that laser slope efficiency is referring to the slope of the line as opposed to a particular point on graph . Graph also shows an example laser pulse power that may be used to illuminate a particular pixel. It will be appreciated that the laser pulse power may be different for each pixel, depending on the desired characteristics of the corresponding virtual image. Recall, the intensity or brightness of a particular pixel is based on its illumination energy, which itself is a function of laser pulse power and pulse duration.
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Graph also shows a lower power region and a higher power region . Of course, these are symbolic regions provided for example purposes only and should not be considered limiting or otherwise binding.
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As shown, the lower power region is nearer to the actual lasing current threshold while the higher power region is further removed from the actual lasing current threshold . The higher power region may be a predetermined amount of pump/drive current or percentage away from the actual lasing current threshold . As will be discussed in more detail later, any misestimations of the actual lasing current threshold will have a larger impact on the laser when the laser operates within the lower power region (i.e. when the laser's output power is within the lower power region ) as compared to when the laser operates within the higher power region .
With traditional lasers, there are a few undesirable outcomes that may occur when those lasers are used with a waveguide-based scanning display. In particular, there can be a substantial amount of turn-on delay associated with the amount of time it takes between when the laser device is initially biased and when photons are actually coupled to the resonant cavity. This time delay is in the range of 0.25 ns to 10 ns, depending on the drive conditions of the laser. This time delay results in the laser device not being able to emit a laser beam until the photon density in the laser's resonant cavity is sufficiently high. This delay also results in the laser device not being able to raster as many pixels, thereby causing the virtual image to have a reduced resolution. This is especially significant for high resolution displays with pixel times, or rather pixel illumination durations, in the 5 ns range.
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Graph shows the functional relationship between turn-on delay and driving/pumping current. The line corresponds to the turn-on delay for a laser device. As shown, when the input current is lower (i.e. nearer the actual lasing current threshold ), there can be a substantial amount of turn-on delay (e.g., 5-6 nanoseconds). By following the disclosed principles (which will be discussed in more detail later), it is possible to significantly reduce this turn-on delay by causing the laser device to operate within the higher power region shown by the dotted area . The disclosed embodiments have achieved turn-on delays of substantially less than 1 nanosecond. That is, by operating in the dotted area , significant reductions in turn-on delay may be achieved.
FIG. 4B
FIG. 4B
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again shows graph , the actual lasing current threshold , and the lower power region . additionally shows a number of additional laser slope efficiencies A, B, C, D, E, and F along with corresponding misestimations . To clarify, when operating a laser emitter, it is often the case that the actual lasing current threshold is not perfectly known. Consequently, it is often the case that an estimation is performed to predict or estimate the actual lasing current threshold . These estimations are symbolically represented by laser slope efficiencies A-F.
It should be noted that the threshold current and slope efficiency are dependent on the junction temperature of the laser device. Furthermore, the temperature of the laser device can change depending on frame content (e.g., how bright or intense an image frame is, such as by projecting highly illuminous content or a large amount of content) and/or depending on the duration of the image frame. As a consequence, the impact of any misestimation errors can vary and change over the display frame.
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Often, errors are present in these estimations, resulting in any number of misestimations in which there is a discrepancy between a modeled, predicted, or estimated determination of the lasing current threshold and the actual lasing current threshold . While the impact of these misestimations is relatively reduced when the laser operates in the higher power region , the impact of these misestimations can be particularly pronounced when the laser operates in the lower power region (e.g., because the laser is operating closer to the actual lasing current threshold , thereby resulting in a larger impact).
FIG. 5
Accordingly, attention will now be directed to which refers to a number of methods and method acts that may be performed. Although the method acts may be discussed in a certain order or illustrated in a flow chart as occurring in a particular order, no particular ordering is required unless specifically stated, or required because an act is dependent on another act being completed prior to the act being performed.
FIG. 5
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illustrates a flowchart of an example method of operating a display system that includes a microelectromechanical scanning (MEMS) mirror system and a laser assembly. The display system is configured to illuminate pixels of an image frame within a mixed-reality system. Here, each pixel in the image frame is illuminated with one or more laser pulse(s) that are provided by the laser assembly and that are aimed by the MEMS mirror system and in which multiple pixels are combined to form the image frame.
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In addition to illuminating pixels, method is also operable to reduce an impact of a lasing current threshold misestimation error of the laser assembly. This is achieved by selectively controlling how many laser pulses the laser assembly emits to illuminate any particular pixel as well as by selectively controlling the laser's power output and the pulse duration. Additionally, this is achieved by controlling the pulse width of these pulses.
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Even further, method is operable to increase the spectral linewidth of laser light that is emitted by the laser assembly. By reducing or shortening laser pulse duration, the resulting laser light has a broader spectral linewidth, which is highly advantageous for eliminating undesired fringe artifacts.
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In this regard, method is at least able to beneficially achieve (i) a broadened spectral linewidth through the use of ultra-short pulsed beams of laser light and (ii) an improved operational control of the laser emitter/assembly by operating the laser emitter at higher power levels to reduce any impacts of lasing current threshold misestimations/miscalculations while still achieving the pixel's desired illumination energy. The embodiments also achieve a reduced turn on delay.
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Initially, method includes an act of determining an illumination energy (or illumination energy value) for a pixel that is to be illuminated by the laser emitter. As an example, it may be desirable to illuminate a pixel at an illumination energy value anywhere in a range of 0.1 pico-Joules up to 30 pico-Joules. As an example, a device with 512 different intensity levels operating at 30 pico-Joules would result in a 0.58 pJ (e.g., 30/512) per intensity level operation. The illumination energy value ultimately determines the brightness/dimness of the pixel that is to be illuminated. For instance, virtual images that are bright and highly colored will have higher illumination energy values while virtual images that are darker and not as highly colored will have lower illumination energy values.
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Method also includes an act of determining an illumination time period for the pixel during which the pixel is to be illuminated with laser light generated by the laser assembly. To clarify, the illumination time period defines a maximum amount or period of time that a pixel will be illuminated with laser light (e.g., defining a maximum period of time during which the pixel is permitted to be illuminated by the laser assembly). It will be appreciated that a pixel's illumination time period may be different than the pulse duration of a laser emission. For instance, as will be discussed in more detail later, a pixel may have an illumination time period of 4 nanoseconds. During this 4 nanosecond time period, the embodiments may emit one, two, three, four, or more than four pulses, where each pulse has its own corresponding pulse duration and where the combination of the pulse durations is set to not exceed the illumination time period. In this regard, the illumination time period will have some impact on the spectral linewidth of the resulting laser light, though the laser pulse's individual pulse duration will have a larger impact on its spectral linewidth.
In some cases, the illumination time period is between 4 nanoseconds and 10 nanoseconds (or sometimes between 3 nanoseconds and 15 nanoseconds). Recall, with a MEMS scanning mirror system, each individual pixel is illuminated with a pulse of laser light for a determined period of time. In some cases, a single pulse of light is used to illuminate the pixel during the illumination time period while in other cases, according to the disclosed embodiments, multiple pulses of light illuminate the pixel during the illumination time period. When the illumination time period elapses, then the next subsequent pixel is illuminated with laser light. Because the MEMS scanning mirror system is able to operate so quickly, the MEMS scanning mirror system is able to illuminate pixels on an individual basis, where the collection of these pixels results in an image frame being generated for a user to view and interact with.
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FIG. 6
Method then includes an act of determining a number of laser pulses that are to be emitted by the laser assembly/emitter to achieve the illumination energy value during the illumination time period and to illuminate the pixel during the illumination time period. Additionally, this step may include a process of determining a pulse time for each laser pulse. That is, the embodiments are able to selectively control how long the laser pulses when illuminating a pixel. will later provide additional detail on this aspect. Here, the number of laser pulses is based, at least in part, on the illumination energy value for the pixel.
In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, instead of operating the laser in a continuous manner or even instead of emitting a single pulse of laser light spanning the entire illumination time period, the disclosed embodiments are able to emit any number of ultra-short laser pulses during the illumination time period. It should be noted that the pulse duration for these ultra-short laser pulses is shorter than the overall illumination time period, even if only a single pulse is emitted.
As will be described in more detail later, the number of laser pulses that are to be emitted is based on a function of the desired illumination energy value for the pixel. For instance, a relatively larger illumination energy value for the pixel results in a relatively higher number of laser pulses being emitted during the illumination time period while a relatively lower illumination energy value for the pixel results in a relatively lower number of laser pulses being emitted during the illumination time period. Further detail on this feature will be provided later.
In some cases, during the illumination time period (e.g., between 4 nanoseconds and 10 nanoseconds or sometimes between 3 nanoseconds and 15 nanoseconds), any number of laser pulses may be emitted. Example numbers include, but are not limited to, between 1 laser pulse and 10 laser pulses during the illumination time period.
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Subsequently, within the illumination time period and in accordance with the determined number of laser pulses, method includes an act of illuminating the pixel with the laser light by causing the laser assembly to emit one or more laser pulse(s) that are directed towards the pixel by the MEMS mirror system and that cause the pixel to be illuminated at the illumination energy value. Because the embodiments use ultra-short laser pulses, a spectral linewidth of the laser pulses is set to, or rather will be, at least a determined value (e.g., as a result of limiting the individual pulse durations for the laser pulses the spectral linewidths increase). Examples of pulse duration ranges for the ultra-short laser pulses will be presented later. Consequently, by emitting the ultra-short laser pulses, the corresponding spectral linewidths for the one or more laser pulse(s) are increased and fringe artifacts are eliminated, as will be discussed in more detail later.
FIG. 6
FIG. 6
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provides additional detail and context with regard to method . In particular, shows a graph plotting illumination time versus laser drive/pump current. When illuminating pixels, some traditional systems cause their lasers to emit a continuous wave of laser light. In other traditional systems, an illumination time period (e.g., 4 nanoseconds) is determined, and then those traditional systems emit a single short pulse of laser light during the illumination time period , where the duration of the single short pulse spans the entire or a majority of the illumination time period . While these traditional systems do have some benefits, the disclosed principles provide even greater benefits.
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FIG. 6
FIG. 6
That is, according to the disclosed embodiments, a determined number (e.g., one, two, three, four, or any multiple) of ultra-short pulses are emitted during the illumination time period . In the scenario shown in , four separate ultra-short laser pulses are shown as being emitted during the illumination time period . It should be noted that these multiple laser pulses are being emitted for the same pixel. To clarify, causing the laser assembly to emit the one or more laser pulse(s) (e.g., in , there are four laser pulses) includes causing the laser assembly to emit multiple laser pulses such that multiple pulses of laser light illuminate the same pixel during the illumination time period . Once the illumination time period elapses, then a new pixel will be illuminated. The combination of all of the illuminated pixels results in an image frame rendered by the mixed-reality system.
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FIG. 5
FIG. 7A
As described earlier, the disclosed embodiments are able to selectively control the pulse duration for each individual pulse that is provided during illumination time period . For instance, the pulse duration or width for each one of the ultra-short pulses can be selectively controlled. In some embodiments, a laser pulse duration of an ultra-short laser pulse (e.g., the one or more laser pulse(s) described in method of ) is between 0.4 nanoseconds and 3 nanoseconds. As such, an individual ultra-short laser pulse's duration is substantially shorter than the illumination time period for a pixel. As a result of emitting an ultra-short laser pulse (e.g., in the range of 0.4 nanoseconds to 3 nanoseconds), the spectral linewidth of these ultra-short laser pulses is increased or broadened. That is, as the laser pulse duration decreases, the spectral linewidth increases. An example is shown in .
FIG. 7A
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shows a graph plotting different spectral linewidths as a function of wavelength and optical intensity (e.g., in dB). Graph includes three illustrations of laser light spectral linewidth in the form of spectral linewidths A, B, and C, including their corresponding full width at half maximum measurements (FWHM) A, B, and C, respectively.
FIG. 7A
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also shows the coherence level of a laser. The term “coherence” generally relates to the capability of light to interfere with itself. To be perfectly “coherent,” light from a light source is structured to have a definite phase relationship both in terms of electrical field values at different times and electrical field values at different positions. The term spatial coherence is used to describe the coherence of the laser light with itself over distance).
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As the coherence level decreases (i.e. as the laser light becomes less spectrally pure), it results in a widening or broadening of the laser light's spectral linewidth. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, it is desirable to have a relatively broader spectral linewidth because this results in the elimination of undesired fringe image artifacts. That is, by broadening the spectral linewidth, the coherence level is reduced and the amount of undesired visual artifacts created by a MEMS mirror scanning system with a waveguide is reduced, thereby improving the visual appearance of the resulting virtual images. In some embodiments, the coherence level , which is associated with the laser assembly, is a reduced coherence level occurring as a result of the laser assembly emitting one or more ultra-short laser pulse(s) (e.g., pulses having durations between the range of 0.4 nanoseconds and 3 nanoseconds) during the illumination time period as opposed to continuously emitting a continuous laser pulse during the illumination time period or a non-ultra-short laser pulse.
FIG. 7A
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In some embodiments, a spectral linewidth of the laser pulses is also set to at least a determined value as a result of limiting the individual pulse durations for the laser pulses to the desired ultra-short pulse duration range. That is, by setting the pulse duration for each individual laser pulse to be within the ultra-short pulse duration, the embodiments are able to selectively control the spectral linewidths for those laser pulses. With reference to , spectral linewidth A (i.e. a narrower spectral linewidth) corresponds to a longer laser pulse duration while spectral linewidth C (i.e. a broader spectral linewidth) corresponds to a shorter laser pulse duration.
In some embodiments, by emitting ultra-short laser pulses (e.g., in the range of 0.4 nanoseconds and 3 nanoseconds), the resulting spectral linewidth of these laser pulses is between 2 nanometers and 6 nanometers (or sometimes between 2 nanometers and 10 nanometers). In some embodiments, the spectral linewidth of the laser pulses is extended to be between 1 nanometer and 10 nanometers. Accordingly, the spectral linewidth increases as the pulse duration of the laser pulses decreases.
FIG. 7B
FIG. 7B
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Turning briefly to , this figure provides a plot illustrating the spectral linewidth and coherence of a laser beam that has a 500 MHz RF modulation and that has about a 1 ns pulse duration. As spectral linewidth increases, the coherence level decreases. In , the spectral linewidth is relatively wide (i.e. the width of the plotted data is wider), resulting in the coherence being relatively lower. Accordingly, by emitting ultra-short pulse laser emissions, the disclosed embodiments are able to beneficially remove undesired visual artifacts. Accordingly, spectral linewidth and coherence are dependent on modulation frequency and/or pulse width.
FIG. 8A
FIG. 8A
FIG. 8A
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Turning now to , as described above, some embodiments are able to dynamically adjust the width or pulse duration of the laser pulses. shows a graph plotting drive/pump current as a function of time. Graph shows multiple ultra-short pulses (in this case three separate pulses, pulse A, pulse B, and pulse C) that are emitted during a single pixel's illumination time period. Each individual pulse width of the multiple laser pulses is adjustable and may be dependent on the illumination energy/intensity value. For instance, the individual laser pulse duration/width for pulse A is larger than the pulse widths for pulses B and C. also shows how illuminating the pixel with the multiple laser pulses results in the laser assembly being fully modulated for each one of the multiple laser pulses. Consequently, during a pixel's illumination time period, the laser assembly can be fully modulated (e.g., full modulation ) any number of different times, where each modulation corresponds to a laser pulse.
FIG. 8A
FIG. 8B
FIG. 8B
FIG. 8A
FIG. 8B
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While showed a scenario in which multiple ultra-short laser pulses were emitted, embodiments disclosed herein are also able to cause only a single ultra-short laser pulse to be emitted during a pixel's illumination time period, as shown in . shows another graph , similar to graph of . Here, however, only a single ultra-short laser pulse is emitted. also shows the individual laser pulse duration for the single ultra-short laser pulse . It will be appreciated that the individual laser pulse duration may be in the ultra-short ranges discussed earlier (e.g., between 0.4 nanoseconds and 3 nanoseconds).
Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are able to dynamically alter the number of pulses that are emitted during a pixel's illumination time period. In some embodiments, the number of pulses emitted for a pixel is directly dependent on the desired illumination energy value for that pixel. At this point, some examples will be helpful.
FIG. 4A
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As a first example, suppose a pixel is to be illuminated with 5 milli-Watts (mW) of laser output power over an illumination time period of 4 nanoseconds (ns), thereby resulting in an illumination energy value of 20 pico-Joules (pJ) (i.e. 5 mW×4 ns). Controlling a laser at 5 mW is manageable because any impact from a lasing current threshold misestimation error is relatively small due to the relatively higher amount of laser output power being expended (i.e. with reference to , the laser output is in the higher power region far removed from the actual lasing current threshold ).
FIG. 4A
420
Now, however, suppose the illumination energy value is set to 2.0 pJ with the same illumination time period of 4 ns. Here, the resulting laser power output would be 0.5 mW if a single pulse were used over the entire 4 ns illumination time period. While controlling a laser at 0.5 mW is achievable, the impact of any lasing current threshold misestimation is significantly higher than situations where the laser power is higher (e.g., 5 mW). With reference to , a power output of 0.5 mW may cause the laser to operate in the lower power region . In some cases, turn-on delay also impacts the number of photons delivered, as described earlier. By following the disclosed principles, the turn-on delay is beneficially reduced, thereby achieving the benefits described earlier.
The disclosed embodiments are able to beneficially shift or modify from emitting a single pulse over the entire illumination time period to emitting one or more ultra-short pulses over the illumination time period. For instance, suppose the illumination time period for the pixel is still 4 ns and the illumination energy value is still 2.0 pJ. Now, instead of emitting a single laser pulse spanning all or a majority of the 4 ns, the disclosed embodiments emit one or more laser ultra-short pulses, where the pulse duration for those ultra-short laser pulses is significantly smaller (e.g., a small percentage) of the illumination time period. For instance, the pulse duration for an ultra-short laser pulse can be in the range of 0.4 nanoseconds to 3 nanoseconds. Furthermore, multiple laser pulses may be emitted during the illumination time period in such a manner so that the laser fully modulates in between each laser pulse. Notably, the number of laser pulses is dependent on the desired illumination energy value for the pixel, as will be described later.
To continue the example, the illumination energy value for the particular pixel is still 2.0 pJ and the illumination time period is still 4 ns. Instead of emitting a single laser pulse that spans the 4 ns, the disclosed embodiments emit one or more ultra-short laser pulses. As an example, suppose the individual laser pulse's pulse width/duration is modified to now be 0.5 ns. In this case, it is possible to operate the laser at a power level that is 8 times the previous power level while still achieving the same illumination energy value.
FIGS. 4A and 4B
425
445
405
420
For instance, the modified power level of the laser is now set to 4 mW, where 4 mW×0.5 ns=2.0 pJ and the desired illumination energy value is achieved. With reference to , the laser is now operating in the higher power region (e.g., 4 mW as opposed to 0.5 mW), and any misestimations in the actual lasing current threshold will have a relatively smaller impact as compared to when the laser was operating in the lower power region .
430
430
FIG. 4A
Another benefit of operating the laser using ultra-short laser pulses by operating at higher power regions is that the turn on delay of the laser is reduced. For instance, with reference to graph in , by operating at a higher power level (i.e. higher current levels on the graph), graph shows that the turn on delay is beneficially reduced. A shorter turn on enables a greater number of ultra-short pulses or even a higher resolution image.
As indicated earlier, it should again be noted that the pixel intensity/brightness perceived by a user's eye while using the mixed-reality system is not the power level of the laser. Instead, the pixel intensity/brightness is related to the total illumination energy of the pixel (e.g., the 2.0 pJ discussed earlier). In this regard, the total illumination energy is the controlling factor in viewing pixel intensity/brightness.
By operating with shorter (i.e. ultra-short) laser pulse widths, it allows the embodiments to not only achieve a broader spectral linewidth (which reduces undesired visual artifacts), but it also allows the embodiments to operate the lasers at higher power levels, which is ideal for laser controllability and to reduce the impact of any lasing current threshold misestimations.
For relatively higher illumination energy values (e.g., bright and colored pixels), it is beneficial to use multiple pulses that have shorter pulse durations. Using multiple pulses for relatively higher illumination energy values allows the embodiments to still emit ultra-short pulses while still achieving the desired number of joules (i.e. the illumination energy value). For relatively lower illumination energy values (e.g., relatively dim pixels), it is beneficial to reduce the number of pulses and operate with smaller pulse durations. In this regard, the number of pulses and the pulse durations used to illuminate a pixel (according to the disclosed embodiments) are based on or dependent on the desired illumination energy value for that pixel.
FIG. 9A
FIG. 4A
FIG. 4A
FIG. 4A
900
400
900
905
420
910
425
920
915
905
915
910
910
910
Attention will now be directed to , which illustrates another graph plotting laser power versus drive/pump current, which is similar to the graph of . Graph shows a lower power region , which is representative of lower power region from , and higher power region , which is representative of higher power region from . In accordance with the principles disclosed herein, the disclosed embodiments are effectively able to move , change, or otherwise modify an initial power output A of the laser from being in the lower power region to a modified higher power output B that is now in the higher power region . This movement is achieved by reducing the pulse duration of a laser pulse that is emitted during a pixel's illumination time period. In other words, the disclosed embodiments shorten the pulse duration of the resulting laser light, which results is a broader spectral linewidth and which results in the laser operating in the higher power region . By operating in the higher power region , the embodiments also reduce the impact of any lasing current threshold misestimation calculations and also reduce the turn-on delay of the laser.
FIG. 9B
925
930
935
940
945
further shows how the individual pulse duration multiplied by the individual pulse power of a laser results in determining a pixel's illumination energy value . For lower illumination energy values, the embodiments operate using a relatively lower number of pulses (while beneficially decreasing pulse duration and increasing laser output pulse power). For higher illumination energy values, the embodiments operate using a relatively higher number of pulses (while beneficially decreasing pulse duration and increasing laser output pulse power, but by also operating using multiple pulses to achieve the higher illumination energy value). As stated earlier, using multiple pulses for higher illumination energy values enables the system to still obtain the higher illumination energy values even while operating at ultra-short pulse durations. That is, the combination of the multiple pulse's higher laser output pulse powers results in achieving the higher illumination energy value.
FIG. 10A
1000
1000
illustrates a flowchart of an example method for estimating some of the laser characteristics of a laser. For instance, as discussed earlier, the amount of misestimation that occurs when determining lasing current threshold can play a significant impact on how the laser is controlled. Method illustrates an example technique for performing these calculations and potentially identifying these errors.
1000
1005
1020
1020
FIG. 10B
Initially, method includes an act of estimating a lasing current threshold for the laser assembly. shows an example process for generating a model of lasing current threshold . This model of lasing current threshold can be used to estimate the lasing current threshold for the laser assembly/emitter.
FIG. 10B
FIG. 10B
1025
1030
1025
1035
1035
1035
1040
1030
Specifically, shows a MEMS/laser unit , which is representative of the MEMS/laser units discussed earlier. also shows a display (though a waveguide scanning system could be used as well). To estimate lasing current threshold, the MEMS/laser unit illuminates pixel areas (e.g., pixels A, B, and C) at an outside area of the display so that the user will not see these illuminated pixel areas. These emissions or illuminations constitute calibration laser pulses and the user need not see these calibration laser pulses.
In this regard, estimating the lasing current threshold includes illuminating an area outside of a display area of the display system with one or more calibration laser pulses. By emitting calibration laser pulses, where the laser power output of the calibration laser pulses is selected to be near an anticipated value for the lasing current threshold, the embodiments can measure the laser power output and generate an estimation regarding the lasing current threshold. As such, estimating the lasing current threshold is based on a measurement of the calibration laser pulses and an attempt to emit laser light having a drive/pump current as close to the lasing current threshold as possible.
FIG. 10A
FIGS. 4A and 4B
FIG. 9A
1000
1010
900
Returning to , method then includes an act of estimating a slope efficiency of the laser assembly (e.g., the slope efficiencies discussed earlier in connection with ). For instance, with reference to , the solid line shown in graph represents the slope efficiency of the laser emitter, as described in the earlier figures.
1000
1015
910
FIG. 9A
Method then includes act of causing an output current level of the laser (i.e. the laser assembly/emitter) to operate at least at or above a determined amount (or threshold amount) above the lasing current threshold. For instance, with reference again to , by estimating the lasing current threshold (i.e. the transition point on the graph from being horizontal to being angled), the embodiments are able to attempt to operate the laser at or above the lasing current threshold. Further, in accordance with the disclosed principles, the embodiments cause the laser to operate in the higher power region , which is a determined amount above the lasing current threshold. By performing the disclosed principles, in which the laser is caused to operate at higher power output levels and with ultra-short laser pulses, any impact of a misestimation in the model or estimation of lasing current threshold can be reduced with regard to the performance of the laser.
Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, one or more different modifications may be made on both the pulse duration of a laser and on the output power of a laser. In some embodiments, one or more modifications may also be made on the estimated lasing current threshold, where these modifications are performed in response to feedback that is collected on the laser's performance. That is, feedback may be collected regarding where the actual lasing current threshold is located. Some embodiments are able to dynamically adjust their models or estimations regarding the lasing current threshold so as to reduce an misestimations or miscalculations. As such, some embodiments are able to attempt to modify or further correct any estimations in lasing current threshold and attempt to even further reduce any impacts misestimations may have on the laser's performance.
Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are able to dynamically alter how many laser pulses are emitted during a particular time period, are able to dynamically alter the pulse durations for these laser pulses to achieve ultra-short durations, and are able to dynamically modify the laser's output power for each one of the pulses. In doing so, the disclosed embodiments are able to beneficially achieve a broader spectral linewidth for the resulting laser light and are able to better control the laser emitter/assembly.
FIG. 11
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
1100
Attention will now be directed to which illustrates an example computer system that may be used to facilitate the disclosed methods and/or that may comprise one of the disclosed systems. It will be appreciated that computer system may be configured within various form factors. For example, computer system may be embodied as a tablet A, a desktop B, or a HMD C. The ellipsis D demonstrates that computer system may be embodied in various other forms too. For instance, computer system may also be a distributed system that includes one or more connected computing components/devices that are in communication with computer system , a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a server, a data center, and/or any other computer system. The ellipsis D also indicates that other system subcomponents may be included or attached with the computer system , including, for example, sensors that are configured to detect sensor data such as user attributes (e.g., heart rate sensors), as well as sensors like cameras and other sensors that are configured to detect sensor data such as environmental conditions and location/positioning (e.g., clocks, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers and so forth), all of which sensor data may comprise different types of information used during application of the disclosed embodiments.
1100
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1105
1110
1115
1120
1120
1125
FIG. 11
In its most basic configuration, computer system includes various different components. For example, shows that computer system includes at least one processor (aka a “hardware processing unit”), input/output (“I/O”) , a MEMS mirror system , a laser assembly A with laser driver circuitry B, and storage .
1100
Computer system may also include a depth engine which includes any type of 3D sensing hardware to scan and generate a spatial mapping of an environment. For instance, the depth engine may include any number of time of flight cameras, stereoscopic cameras, and/or depth cameras. Using these cameras, the depth engine is able to capture images of an environment and generate a 3D representation of that environment. Accordingly, depth engine includes any hardware and/or software components necessary to generate a spatial mapping (which may include depth maps, 3D dot/point clouds, and/or 3D meshes).
1125
1130
1125
1100
1100
1100
Storage is shown as including executable code/instructions . Storage may be physical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination of the two. The term “memory” may also be used herein to refer to non-volatile mass storage such as physical storage media. If computer system is distributed, the processing, memory, and/or storage capability may be distributed as well. As used herein, the term “executable module,” “executable component,” or even “component” can refer to software objects, routines, or methods that may be executed on computer system . The different components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processors that execute on computer system (e.g. as separate threads).
1105
1125
The disclosed embodiments may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors (such as processor ) and system memory (such as storage ), as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions in the form of data are physical computer storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, the current embodiments can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.
Computer storage media are hardware storage devices, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, solid state drives (SSDs) that are based on RAM, Flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), or other types of memory, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions, data, or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.
1100
1100
1135
1100
Computer system may also be connected (via a wired or wireless connection) to external sensors (e.g., one or more remote cameras, accelerometers, gyroscopes, acoustic sensors, magnetometers, etc.). Further, computer system may also be connected through one or more wired or wireless networks to remote systems(s) that are configured to perform any of the processing described with regard to computer system .
1100
1110
1100
1110
During use, a user of computer system is able to perceive information (e.g., a mixed-reality environment) through a display screen that is included with the I/O of computer system and that is visible to the user. The I/O interface(s) and sensors with the I/O also include gesture detection devices, eye trackers, and/or other movement detecting components (e.g., cameras, gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, acoustic sensors, global positioning systems (“GPS”), etc.) that are able to detect positioning and movement of one or more real-world objects, such as a user's hand, a stylus, and/or any other object(s) that the user may interact with while being immersed in the scene.
1105
A graphics rendering engine may also be configured, with processor , to render one or more virtual objects within a mixed-reality scene/environment. As a result, the virtual objects accurately move in response to a movement of the user and/or in response to user input as the user interacts within the virtual scene.
1120
1120
1120
1120
The laser assembly A is representative of the laser assemblies/emitters discussed earlier. The laser driver circuitry B is operable to drive/pump the laser with current in order to generate laser light. Accordingly, the laser assembly A and laser driver circuitry B are able to perform any of the disclosed operations related to operating the laser.
1135
1100
1135
FIG. 11
A “network,” like the network shown in , is defined as one or more data links and/or data switches that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems, modules, and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred, or provided, over a network (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Computer system will include one or more communication channels that are used to communicate with the network . Transmissions media include a network that can be used to carry data or desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or in the form of data structures. Further, these computer-executable instructions can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Upon reaching various computer system components, program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a network interface card or “NIC”) and then eventually transferred to computer system RANI and/or to less volatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.
Computer-executable (or computer-interpretable) instructions comprise, for example, instructions that cause a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or special-purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The embodiments may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems that are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network each perform tasks (e.g. cloud computing, cloud services and the like). In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
1105
Additionally, or alternatively, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components (e.g., the processor ). For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Program-Specific or Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-On-A-Chip Systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), and other types of programmable hardware.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. | |
S. S. & W., INC. v. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI(1975)
The appeal is dismissed for want of a substantial federal question.
Mr. Justice BRENNAN, with whom Mr. Justice STEWART and Mr. Justice MARSHALL join, dissenting.
Appellants, operators of adult theaters and book stores, commenced this action in the Circuit Court of Missouri, Sixteenth Judicial District, for a declaratory judgment that Kansas City's obscenity ordinance, 26. 141 to 26.144, is unconstitutional. Section 26.142 provides in pertinent part as follows:
* * * * *
The Circuit Court found the ordinance valid and denied relief. The Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed. [421 U.S. 925 , 926] It is my view that 'at least in the absence of distribution to juveniles or obtrusive exposure to unconsenting adults, the First and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit the State and Federal Governments from attempting wholly to suppress sexually oriented materials on the basis of their allegedly 'obscene' contents.' Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton, 413 U.S. 49, 113 (1973) (Brennan, J., dissenting). It is clear that, tested by that constitutional standard, 26.142, as it incorporates the definition of 'obscene' in 26.141, is unconstitutionally overbroad and therefore invalid on its face. For the reasons stated in my dissent in Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 47 (1973), I would therefore not probable jurisdiction, and, since the judgment of the Supreme Court of Missouri was rendered after Miller, reverse. In that circumstance, I have no occasion to consider whether the other questions presented merit plenary review. See Heller v. New York, 413 U.S. 483 , 494-495 (1973) (Brennan, J., dissenting).
Mr. Justice DOUGLAS took no part in the consideration or decision of this appeal. | https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/421/925.html |
The Borderline Personality Disorder Test can help to determine whether you might have the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Use the online BPD Self-Test results to decide if you need to see a doctor or other mental health professional to further discuss diagnosis and treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.
This Borderline Personality Disorder Test (BPD test) can help determine whether you might have the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Use the results to decide if you need to see a doctor or other mental health professional to further discuss diagnosis and treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Trying to stay under control makes the pain build up and get buried away. The lack of leeway to express emotions that are too extreme for most to understand or sympathize so you keep it in until it comes out in the wrong ways.
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For general inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
Museum Leadership:
Ken Emery (Colonel, ret.)
Director, USAF
TBD
Curator / Deputy, USAF
Tony Day
Chief of Restoration, USAF
Foundation Leadership:
Darlene McLendon
President and CEO
Jenny Maas
Director of Operations
Melissa Spalding
Director of Education
Museum of Aviation Foundation Operations Team:
Dan Hart: Volunteer Coordinator
Teresa Davis: Special Events Manager
Gwen Davis: Development Director
Sarah Gaff: Gift Shop Manager
John Barajas: Event Services Coordinator
Linda Gail Maye: Foundation Office Manager
Tanner Hughes: IT / Audio Visual
Lacey Meador: Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
Heather Turner: Bookkeeper
TBD: Receptionist
David Anderson: Weekend Manager
Mike Trotter: Strategic Planner
Bart Ramos: Event Services
Al Parlato: Security
Dan Byrd: Security Lead
Richard Surrency: Security
Charlie Cather: Security
Greg Joiner: Security / Volunteer
Contact the Museum of Aviation Foundation for questions: 478-926-6870, [email protected]
Museum of Aviation Foundation National STEM Academy:
Rufus Crane
Tami Daniels
Patty Forehand
Ashley Harris
Candi James
Greg Joiner
Valerie Myers
Kim Ruberti
Liz Skinner
Thomas Stahl
Clare Swinford
Mike Trotter
Contact the National STEM Academy for questions: 478-926-5558, [email protected]
Whistleblower Policy
No Director, officer, or employee who in good faith reports a violation of the organization’s Handbook on Ethics shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequences as a result. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. The policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns within the organization prior to seeking resolution outside the organization.
In most cases, the employee’s supervisor is in the best position to address an area of concern. However, if that is not practical or the employee is not comfortable with that avenue, he/she may talk to anyone in the chain of command including the Foundation President to resolve the issue.
The organization’s compliance officer is responsible for investigating and resolving all reported complaints and allegations concerning violations of the code. Compliance officer duties are assigned to the organization’s Director of Operations. If the compliance officer is unavailable, or would experience a conflict of interest in resolving the case, then compliance officer duties will be accomplished by the organizations Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Anyone filing a complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove to not be true and which prove to have been made maliciously and knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serous disciplinary offense.
All violations will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Employees will be required to sign a document annually in January identifying any conflicts of interest that have occurred during the past year. | https://www.museumofaviation.org/visit/about-museum-of-aviation/staff/ |
Not too many years ago, many politicians, as well as most candidates for office, both Republicans and Democrats, made a big deal about the excessive increases in our national debt. There was constant emphasis on the importance of balancing the federal budget, and maybe even acquiring a “surplus”. Somehow, in 2019 it no longer seems to be a concern of our national leaders. These days, little is being said in the media or by our elected officials about the non-stop growth in our national debt.
Much of the rhetoric from both Congress and the White House leans heavily towards lowering taxes, while at the same time promising more programs sought after by voters and constituents. Lowering taxes, coupled with greater spending (for such things as health care, education, infrastructure, etc.) directly contribute to our federal deficit. This approach takes us further away from the necessary goal of achieving a “balanced” federal budget, or even a “surplus”.
Our US government has not had a balanced budget, or a budget surplus, since the years covering 1998-2001. At our current pace of creating larger deficits, that possibility will not occur again any time soon.
Many of our individual state governments are currently in much better shape. It was reported in 2018 that at least 25 out of 50 states have balanced budgets. In most of those states, it’s partly due to legislation requiring the balancing of revenue versus spending.
If many states can balance their budgets, why can’t the federal government? Maybe the US Congress needs to enact legislation, or even propose a constitutional amendment, requiring annual balancing of our budget.
In addition to the power of Congress, and the White House, to enact legislation raising or lowering taxes, and increasing or decreasing spending, there is the unique ability of the federal government to print and issue currency. States are prohibited by the constitution from issuing their own currencies, but our federal government enjoys the power to print as much money as it chooses. I’m not an economics scholar, but it seems to me that the power to issue currency would give Congress and the Executive branch a powerful tool to help achieve a balance between our revenue and our spending. Through the Federal Reserve, the US government can increase or decrease the money supply, thereby raising and lowering interest rates for borrowers. This directly influences everyday commerce and consumer spending.
I do understand the concept of revenues and expenses – how much money we have or take in vs. how much we spend. It applies to families on a personal level, to large and small business, and to charitable institutions as well. The basic formula for all types of entities is that in order to stay in balance, the entity can only increase spending if it takes measures to also increase revenues. Practically speaking, no matter how it happens, if US revenue from taxes increases, then federal spending can increase proportionally. This can be done without increasing the deficit.
Naturally, people don’t want their taxes to go up. I am clearly not advocating increases in tax rates. Yet, without changing tax rates, if more and more people earn more money over the years, US tax revenues will grow. Sometimes, even the reduction in tax rates can result in overall revenue growth, if more and more individuals and businesses earn more money.
As a final comment on lowering or raising taxes, I advocate that all levels of income should be treated proportionately and fairly, relative to their levels of income. The minimum wage workers, and the vast middle class, as well as the high-income earners, should all be expected to contribute their respective fair shares. As the gross national output of our economy increases, and as individuals and families begin to earn more income, total revenue will increase without the necessity of raising tax rates. Or, more simply, as people earn more, more taxes are paid. Perhaps tax rates can be safely lowered, without decreasing overall US revenues. Increases in revenues will proportionately allow for increases in spending for necessary services and infrastructure.
With current runaway growth in our national debt and unchecked spending not in balance with our country’s revenues, the overall deficit dangerously grows without a limit in sight.
Why are our leaders no longer emphasizing the need to balance our federal budget? | https://customizewallstreet.com/blog/balanced-budget-no-longer-important-government/ |
Last week, BT Wholesale and Bulldog announced that they will be continuing their strategic agreement on the provision of local loop unbundled SDSL services provided by Bulldog Communications to BT Wholesale customers in the Central London exchanges covered by Bulldog. These will allow BT customers faster access to a wider range of services so that they can take advantage of upstream-intensive applications such as VoIP and video conferencing as well as opening DSL solutions to more businesses currently using leased lines. These SDSL Services run at up to 2 Mbps.
"We’re delighted to be able to augment BT Wholesale’s SDSL portfolio through adding both a wider product range and greater geographical reach. We’re also particularly pleased that Bulldog’s SDSL products are being so fully integrated into BT’s own product portfolio. It really is a powerful combination." | https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/1443-bt-wholesale-continue-bulldog-partnership |
This buttoned jacket/cardigan features a unique take on the classic circular yoke. Set against a garter stitch backdrop, the usual colorwork is replaced with a charming row of flowers created from textured stitches. This simple, modern cardigan offers versatile style and plenty of warmth knit up in DK weight Patagonia, Juniper Moon Farm's woolen spun organic merino.
Sizes: To fit bust: 33 (37, 41, 45, 48.75)"
Gauge: 22 sts and 40 rows to 4" in garter stitch on size US 4 needles.
Yarn: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) hanks Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia
Item Number: 41503400
....
Expected shipping 2-4 weeks. This item may ship separately from other items in order. More Info.
Related items: US 4 circular needle, 31", 14 (15, 15, 16, 16) buttons Yarn weight: Medium
We have some suggestions!
We've blogged about this: | https://halcyonyarn.com/knitting/41503400/patagonia-merino-thjorven-jacket |
This is the age of cognitive learning with great production of work output. The world is opening up to the students in every subject area, as they learn to read for content. Our lessons are rooted in a realistic big picture concept designed to spark the child’s interest and imagination, where students can dig deeper into areas of interest. In our classroom, we demonstrate concepts using hands-on materials and allow students to practice independently with the manipulatives. As they move from concrete to abstract, they will master foundational concepts and build on that knowledge to strengthen understanding. The students progress at their own pace based on concept mastery, rather than a pre-determined lesson plan for the week. This keeps students engaged and challenged in every curricular area.
Our program focuses on independence and self-initiative. Students develop weekly learning goals with the support of a classroom teacher, learning how to balance activities, prioritize assignments, and pursue extensions within areas of interest. Lead teachers give a combination of individual, small group and full class lessons throughout the week to introduce new concepts and assess students’ levels of understanding for readiness to move to advanced concepts.
Community involvement and responsibility are also vital at this developmental level. Within our elementary classrooms, students develop a communal understanding of justice while working collaboratively to solve problems. Lower Elementary students regularly use discussion as a vehicle for communication of needs and ideas, as seen through peer conflict resolution, class meetings and individual meetings with teachers. Not only are the students trying to make sense of themselves as learners, they also have a great desire to understand the world around them and how the rules of a community serve them. To this end, the service learning activities and conversations about equity and equality help feed our students’ strong desire for justice and connection to the world beyond Brickton.
Learn how the Montessori elementary years, ages 6 through 12, prepare children intellectually, emotionally, and socially to navigate the next stage of their education through this video prepared by the national Association of Montessori Schools (AMS). | https://www.brickton.org/programs/lower-elementary-6-9-years/ |
Ancient Garden combines traditional classic Persian patterns with an updated fresh modern look. Using a sophisticated color palette, focusing on antique shades and intricate design details, Ancient Garden creates a refined hand-knotted look that is above all other machine made rugs. Woven with Decolan, a wool-like fine heat set polypropylene, Ancient Garden creates a hand made feel with elegant style.
Collection: ANCIENT GARDEN
Design: 57011
Color: Navy
Country of Origin: Belgium
Construction: Machine-Made
Material: Decolan Polypropylene
Pile Height: 0.43”
Warranty: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Defect
* The images presented are informational only and are not intended as a specification. Products may vary from those illustrated and colors may not be accurate. | https://buyrugscheap.com/products/ancient-garden-57011-3464-navy-area-rug |
Convenient Critical Analysis Of Literature Programs – Updated
Like all college essays, the English paper requires crucial thought and powerful argumentation, but its give attention to language and close textual analysis makes it distinctive. I requested the editor as I needed my essay to be proofread and revised following the teacher’s feedback. Edits were made in a short time. I am happy with the author’s work and would recommend her services. Typically, the authors use the nonlinear plot, i.e., they embrace the flashbacks or future events to make the story extra charming.
Sensible essay sample Solutions Around The Usa
In nations like the United States and the United Kingdom , essays have become a significant a part of a proper education in the type of free response questions. Secondary college students in these nations are taught structured essay formats to improve their writing skills, and essays are sometimes used by universities in these countries in selecting applicants (see admissions essay ). In each secondary and tertiary training, essays are used to evaluate the mastery and comprehension of the material. Students are asked to clarify, comment on, or assess a subject of research within the type of an essay. In some programs, college college students should full one or more essays over a number of weeks or months. As well as, in fields such as the humanities and social sciences, citation needed mid-term and end of time period examinations typically require college students to put in writing a brief essay in two or three hours.
mechanism for the plot to unfold. If there’s not an effective plot with identifiable characters, the theme of any story is lost to the reader, so clearly the three go hand in hand with each other. Maupassant’s capacity to speak info and descriptions, leaving the emotional interpretation for the reader, is what he is known for. The truth is, this ability makes the reader feel as though Maupassant is telling the story for his or her ears and hearts solely. Kate Chopin eloquently wrote, I wish to cherish the delusion that he has spoken to nobody else so directly, so intimately as he does to me” (Chopin 862).
Avoid plot abstract. The primary objective of an English paper is to advance an argument. As a common rule, point out solely plot details which can be related to your argument. You may often have to contribute a small amount of extra details about the storyline to make your analysis coherent, but preserve the abstract to a minimal, and leave loads of house for your own ideas. You’ll be able to often assume that your reader knows the narrative properly.
Your thesis should be something arguable – that is, one thing that you simply suppose is true about the text, however which is not a easy matter of truth. It must be advanced enough to develop by way of evidence and arguments across the course of your essay.
It could have been very easy for Goodman to disregard the whole issue of citizen reporting, but the resultant one-sided argument would have been much much less convincing. As an alternative, Goodman acknowledges issues like the power of social media throughout life of pi summary essay the Arab Spring, as activists convened and reacted to changing circumstances.” In consequence, when he partially refutes this counterargument, stating the unease” many longtime career correspondents feel over the pattern of ‘citizen journalism’ really feel, the reader agrees.
Your context for quotes ought to reply basic questions. Who says that and what’s taking place in the chosen textual content? This is what prepares your audience for quotes in your literary analysis by introducing a particular speaker, scenario, and settings. Concrete details are all about particular examples from a piece of literature that you just use to offer sturdy proof for subjects sentence or your thesis.
A Guide To Speedy Methods Of literature essay samples
A literary evaluation is both a private opinion of a author and an instructional paper that’s aimed toward analyzing a certain literary work and presenting a private point of view. In reality, writing literary evaluation requires developing with solid factors of view about a sure analyzed literary work. Therefore, quite a few writers want any such academic paper since you’ll be able to write an amazing piece of writing about a literary work you might be fascinated to discover. This piece of writing may be also referred to as a particular type of analysis work. Thus, when writing a literary essay, students need to analyze and summarize the primary details, characters, and events introduced in a chosen literature pattern.
As with the novel , essays existed in Japan several centuries earlier than they developed in Europe with a style of essays often called zuihitsu — loosely related essays and fragmented concepts. Zuihitsu have existed since nearly the beginnings of Japanese literature. Many of the most noted early works of Japanese literature are in this genre. Notable examples embody The Pillow Guide (c. a thousand), by court girl Sei Shōnagon , and Tsurezuregusa (1330), by significantly famend Japanese Buddhist monk Yoshida Kenkō Kenkō described his short writings equally to Montaigne, referring to them as “nonsensical ideas” written in “idle hours”. Another noteworthy difference from Europe is that ladies have historically written in Japan, although the more formal, Chinese language-influenced writings of male writers have been extra prized at the time.
Clarifying Real-World Methods For literature essay samples
In small dramas, the events become extra necessary inwardly, to our principal characters’ personal lives, threatening to change them ceaselessly. It should summarize and restate the main points you made, but it surely mustn’t be repetitive. Chances are you’ll make a relevant comment from a distinct perspective, or restate the primary thesis to point out how your arguments proved it.
As soon as your evaluation is complete, develop a thesis that makes an debatable claim about the text. It should join one of many themes you have identified with specific proof from the textual content (i.e. setting, context, plot, characters, symbolism, allusions, and so forth.). Generally, additionally, you will use the assist of other analysts or literary specialists. | http://decoratorandhandyman.co.uk/2021/03/20/convenient-critical-analysis-of-literature-programs-updated/ |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the arrangement of onscreen objects in a computer system having a display and means for a user to manipulate the onscreen objects and, more particularly, to methods for spacing onscreen objects with respect to each other and to text objects. It further relates to methods for adjusting the spacing of text within a text object, including non-linear line spacing and paragraph movement within documents. The invention also relates to a method for establishing touch transparency of onscreen objects with respect to other objects that are overlying or underlying.
2. Description of Related Art
Modem word processing approaches have evolved from traditional text concepts, such as line width (or page width minus left and right margins), line height (generally expressed as font size in points) and line spacing (generally expressed as single, double or triple line spacing). In virtually all word processing programs these parameters control the presentation of text, and this approach has sufficed for many uses. Line spacing in the vertical direction is thus limited to individual settings of font size and line spacing intervals. When graphic objects (such as graphics, photos, formulae, and the like) are introduced into a text field, some word processing programs react by defining an object space that is equal to an integer multiple of the line spacing set for the text field. This spacing may be awkward or inapt, given that the preset line spacing may not permit balanced spacing above and below the object, or may be too great or too small in proportion to the object size. Text wrap functions are present in some applications that allow a lateral spacing effect in which the text lines approach to within a minimum preset lateral distance to the graphic object.
However, the advent of page layout systems, graphic programs, and the like have complicated the task of spacing objects onscreen. Some graphic programs enable spacing objects by selecting them and activating a spacing function that creates equal spacing of the objects, in either Cartesian direction. These functions generally do not work well, or at all, with mixed text objects and graphic objects, nor do they enable spacing a graphic object among the lines of a text object. Nor are these applications capable of respacing a collection of graphic objects when one of them is resized or moved, without first reselecting the group and commanding a new spacing routine. Nor are they capable of respacing lines of text when an interposed graphic object is resized. Thus the prior art software applications are limited in their functions and usefulness.
Another problematic aspect of graphics application involves multiple onscreen objects and more specifically a situation in which multiple objects are positioned and depicted one atop the other. The general rule is that the object currently occupying the uppermost layer (virtual vertical position) in the depiction is available to be selected and moved or otherwise activated by positioning the cursor and clicking on the topmost object. However, it is often the case that the user may wish to select an onscreen object below the topmost object, and can visualize the desired object in the depiction, yet cannot select it because of the presence of a superjacent object. Generally, there is no way to provide “touch transparency” in prior art graphics programs (“touch transparency”) being defined herein as the ability of an onscreen object in a vertical arrangement of multiple objects to transfer any mouse click thereon to an onscreen object below it (subjacent in the vertical order of the multiple objects). Rather, the user must adjust the layering of objects and groupings of objects, using UP/DOWN commands in a pulldown menu or manipulating the numerical order of the vertical arrangement. These techniques are awkward and time-consuming, making it difficult to establish the vertical ordering that yields the desired depiction and desired selection.
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In the late afternoon we’ll have our get acquainted meeting and then go on to dinner together in a neighborhood restaurant.
Jaypee Siddarth (2N)
Day 2 3/12 Delhi
After breakfast we will visit Humayun’s Tomb before the tourist crowds arrive. This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. Next we will travel to Old Delhi for a cycle rickshaw tour of the Chandni Chowk. It is the old city’s nerve center for commercial activity where traditional workmanship survives. At midday we'll manage our lunch with a “food walk”, stopping to try Delhi street food specialties such as Kulfi Falooda, Chaat, and more. We’ll conclude our day with a visit to the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.
Day 3 3/13 Haridwar / Rishikesh
We depart Delhi early by train on the “Shatabdi Express” to Haridwar, arriving late morning. After checking in to our hotel and settling in, we’ll engage in our first yoga practice in the afternoon. In the evening we’ll attend the Ganga Aarti held at the riverside temple of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. The ceremony commences with the singing of Bhajans, prayers, and a purifying and sacred ritual that takes place around a fire, with offerings made to Agni, the fire god. Then lamps are lit and the aarti takes place: the ceremonial bidding of good night to mother Ganga.
Elbee Rishikesh (4N)
Day 4 3/14 Rishikesh
In the morning we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Rishikesh, visiting various temples and getting oriented to the city. In the afternoon you’ll be free to explore on your own.
Day 5 3/15 Rishikesh
This day begins with an early hike to Kunjapuri Devi Temple. This beautiful temple complex is situated on top of a hill with a lovely panoramic view of the area and the surrounding Himilayan peaks. In the afternoon we will engage in a Satsang with Yogi Sidhartha. Later we’ll visit the Mahrishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram. Also known as the Beatles Ashram, it was abandoned in 1997 and is now under the control of the forest department. However, many buildings, meditation cells, and lecture halls can still be seen, including Maharishi’s own house and the guesthouse where the Beatles stayed and wrote much of the White Album.
Day 6 3/16 Rishikesh
Our highlight activity today is a journey to Devprayag for a ceremonial dip in the River Ganges. Devprayag is one of Hindu’s sacred places and a popular pilgrimage destination. The name means “godly confluence” and indeed, it is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers here which give birth to the sacred Ganges. Our lunch today will be at the nearby, famous Glass House. Your afternoon is free for yoga practice, relaxation, or more Rishikesh explorations.
Day 7 3/17 Agra
Today is a travel day. After a leisurely morning we’ll be transferred to the Dehradun airport for a midday flight to Delhi (included). From Delhi’s airport we’ll drive south to Agra via coach (4 hours). Dinner this evening is at Pind Balluchi restaurant which is an interesting amalgamation of rustic ambience and delicious food. The interior boasts a “Punjab Village ” theme with Mud walls and Punjab artifacts, and the staff wear traditional attire.
The Grand Imperial (2N)
Day 8 3/18 Agra
Today’s destination is the jewel in India’s crown, the Taj Mahal. The ultimate monument to love and flawless architectural creation took 22 years and 20,000 men to build. Built in the mid-17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. After our Taj visit we’ll continue to Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Shaw Jehan’s son Jehangir. Today the citadel dominates the center of the city with distant views of the Taj. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore Agra further on your own.
Day 9 3/19 Jaipur
Today is a travel day with two amazing sights along the way. Fatehpur Sikri is the one-time capital of the Mughal Empire. The city was abandoned within a few years of being established and survives in almost perfect preservation – a ghost town of Mughal glory. The Chand Beori step well is an impressive hydraulic and engineering marvel of the 9th century.
Alsisar Haveli (3N)
Day 10 3/20 Jaipur
After breakfast we’ll proceed to the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General built the fort in the 17th century. Its picturesque setting, golden walls, and sumptuous palace interior make it one of India’s premier sights.
In the afternoon we’ll have some free time to explore Jaipur. Our guide can organize some shopping or handicraft demonstrations for those who are interested. But it is our evening that will mark this day as memorable. Holi Celebrations start with Holika Dahan on the night before Holi. The ritual symbolizes the Victory of Good over Evil. People gather around the holi fire for singing and dancing. We have made sure we are part of this vital Hindu ritual, spending the evening at your tour leader’s family home. There will be lots of excited relatives to meet and engage and they will help get you ready for the Holi celebrations. We will conclude the day by sharing dinner with the family.
Day 11 3/21 Jaipur
Today is a day you will remember for the rest of your life. Holi is one of India’s most spectacular festivals. We will start with a toned down version of Holi with our new family. This is a courteous affair where we put colors on each other’s cheeks and on those our host family and blow colored powder into the air. Then we’ll share traditional sweets. After this peaceful observance, it will be time to engage in the true spirit of Holi. This is war- but a playful war fought with harmless colors. We’ll be armed with packets of powdered dye plus water balloons and squirt guns filled with colored water. Then it is time to engage in the “fury of the colors”! Once we are all painted in multiple colors we can enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch prepared by our hosts, sitting with the family and enjoying the debate over who won the battle of colors.
Our afternoon and evening are free for relaxed recovery or free-time sightseeing.
Day 12 3/22 Varanasi
A morning flight (included) takes us to India’s most sacred city. An afternoon at leisure precedes a visit to the local ghats to witness Varanasi’s famous Aarti ceremony. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word for homage and devotion, Aarti takes place every evening on the banks of the River Ganges. During the ceremony, small diya (candle-lit lamps decorated with flowers) are floated down the river as an offering to the Goddess Ganga, accompanied by a chorus of chanting hymns, drums and temple bells.
Temple on Ganges (2N)
Day 13 3/23 Varanasi
Today starts early with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, where we can watch the light gradually illuminate the many ghats and temples along the river and observe the morning ablutions and worship of the many pilgrims. After breakfast we’ll take a walking tour of the old city, through narrow lanes packed with stalls and shops, past dhobi wallahs, burning ghats, and the endless temples that echo with bells and the pungent aroma of incense. We’ll have a free afternoon and our final dinner together this evening.
Day 14 3/24 Delhi
On our final morning together we’ll take a trip to nearby Sarnath, one of the world’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. The site is where Buddha preached his first public sermon about the path to enlightenment. The site features a huge stupa and many Buddhist temples to explore.
In the afternoon we’ll board a final flight, returning to Delhi.
We’ll have shared day-rooms at an airport hotel. Most international flights departing from Delhi do so between 10:00PM and 2:00AM (and you should not make departure plans before late evening on this day). For anyone wishing to extend their time in India, Imprint will assist with transportation into the city.
[Hotels and itinerary specifics subject to change.]
What's included: 13 nights accommodation. Meals: all breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners. All tips: hotel staff, group meals, entertainment, drivers, local guides, escorts, and tour director. All transportation: by coach; vans; domestic flight; train.
All entrances: Humayun’s Tomb; Sarnath temples; Taj Mahal; Fatehpur Sikri; Chand Baori; Amber Palace; Jama Masjid; Kunjapuri Devi Temple; Mahrishi Mahesh Excursions: Ganga boat cruise; Devprayag Activities: Yoga practices; Rickshaw and food tours of Chandni Chowk; Satsang with Yogi Sidhartha; Aarti ceremonies (2); and more.
Important exceptions: Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Terms and Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above. | http://imprinttours.com/india-yoga-itinerary/ |
Upon discovering that a bacterium, Pseudomonas putida, has the ability to degrade naphthalene through a specialized pathway, we worked on a proposed construct that serves as a thought experiment on the ability of C. elegans to acquire biodegradation capability.
The P. putida pathway is extensive, however, we propose that with enough time and resources, the entire pathway could be engineered in C. elegans to allow the worm to eat up naphthalene.
In this project, we decided to focus on the biodegradation of naphthalene. Naphthalene is an environmental contaminant that can be formed in industrial processes. Naphthalene is a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and is considered to be a suspected carcinogen. This chemical is a good target for bioremediation and can be broken down by the NAH7 operon of P. putida.
We put one of the enzymes of this pathway into the standard BioBrick format. While the enzyme (NAHD) that is encoded will not degrade naphthalene on its own, in future applications a combination of the remaining enzymes has the potential to offer C. elegans the capacity to fully degrade naphthalene.
You can view the BioBrick BBa_K631039 (NahD) here. | http://2011.igem.org/Team:Queens_Canada/Side/Biodegradation |
As a Technical Project Manager, you will take responsibility for supporting other colleagues in project planning, identifying internal and external dependencies, resource requirements across multidiscipline teams as well as project goals and timelines. The successful candidate will also act as the bridge between business, technology and data; demonstrating an aptitude and understanding of how technology contributes to the clients’ ambition.
As projects run, you will also support senior colleagues in project monitoring as well as the milestones on the SoW, to ensure that deliverables are on time, to cost and to Valcon’s quality standards, identifying potential problems and ensuring resolution and/or escalation to senior stakeholders. On completion of projects you will contribute to the continuous improvement of Valcon project and milestones delivery, ensuring that project success, lessons learned and areas of improvement are documented and communicated.
Can you say yes to the following?
- +3 years of Project Management experience
- Experience of working in a client-focused environment
- Experience working for either a technology, consultancy or data company
- Ability to manage personal workload and a significant portion of the project in co-operation with line manager
- A strategic thinker with broad problem-solving skills
- Able to work on own initiative
- Strong communication skills with experience working in a client-focused environment
- Positive attitude with a willingness to get involved
You will be
Joining one of the fastest growing consultancies in Europe.
We are now +850 people. We’re doers who think. Who can take the client’s strategy, turn it into an actionable blueprint and help the client get it done. Who have deep expertise in operationalising strategy, process design, digitisation, data and analytics, automation, technology and change. But because the whole will always be greater than the sum of the parts, we weave these skills together in different ways to respond to new opportunities and challenges.
We offer you
The opportunity to work in a diverse and international environment with an informal culture, with a flat hierarchy, in which we cooperate across business areas and levels. You will be working with some of the most talented and experienced consultants, and you will become part of a value-driven company.
We care about results, not methodologies. But first and foremost, we care about people and how we can constantly challenge each other to become better. To do better. Your background is less important to us than your ability to create results, to create change. We prize excellence and ingenuity but know that both have to be grounded in reality. The reality of making our clients ready for the future.
Application
Does this sound interesting to you?
We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews on an on-going basis, so please send us your application as soon as possible. | https://valcon.com/open-position/senior-specialist-technical-project-manager/ |
The Climate Change & Energy category focuses on specific commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as emissions reductions that schools have already achieved. Initiatives to improve energy efficiency and conservation, as well as efforts to obtain energy from renewable resources are examined.
This category recognizes the implementation of conservation campaigns that offer incentives to monitor and reduce one’s energy consumption; retrofitting appliances or power plants to make use of energy-efficient technology; conducting a carbon emissions inventory and using that information to formulate an emissions reduction plan; and making use of renewable energy through on-site installation of clean energy resources. Points are also given to colleges that have made renewable energy investments with the potential to benefit the community beyond campus, such as public/private partnerships for off-campus development of renewable energy projects.
Over half of the schools have made a carbon reduction commitment.
Increased attention to climate change is reflected at an impressive 58 percent of the schools through a commitment to carbon reduction. Fifty-two percent of the schools have signed the Presidents' Climate Commitment, while 23 percent made carbon reduction commitments in addition to, or instead of, the Presidents' Climate Commitment.
More than two-thirds of the schools have conducted a carbon emissions inventory.
A notable 69 percent of the schools have conducted an inventory of their carbon emissions.
Two in five schools purchase renewable energy.
Forty percent of the schools either purchase renewable energy directly from their utility providers or buy renewable energy credits equivalent to a percentage of their campus energy use.
Nearly half of the schools produce renewable energy on campus.
Facilities for producing solar, wind, bio, or geothermal energy are in operation at 45 percent of the schools.
The average grade for the Climate Change & Energy category is “C+.”
For a summary of grade distribution for this category, please refer to the chart on the right. | http://greenreportcard.org/report-card-2010/categories/climate-change-energy0d37.html |
Min Dong, PhD, and his lab are world experts in toxins and how to combat them. They’ve figured out how Clostridium difficile’s most potent toxin gets into cells and zeroed in on the first new botulinum toxin identified since 1969. Now, they’ve set their sights on Shiga and ricin toxins, and not only identified new potential lines of defense, but also shed new light on a fundamental part of cell biology: glycosylation.
The study, published in PLOS Biology last week, used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to explore what factors in cells are necessary for the toxins to get in. Shiga toxin, a widespread source of food poisoning, is produced by Shigella dysenteriae and some E. coli strains such as O157:H7. It occasionally causes hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney condition, in children. Ricin is a plant toxin used as a bioterrorism agent.
Once inside our tissues, Shiga and ricin toxins work similarly, disrupting cells’ ability to make proteins. To get in, though, they rely on different entry portals. Shiga toxins use a type of glycolipid (a fatty molecule with an attached sugar) called Gb3 as their receptor, while ricins use a variety of glycans (sugar molecules).
But beyond that, little was known. Dong and first author Songhai Tian, PhD, researchers in Boston Children’s Hospital’s Department of Urology, hoped to complete the picture.
The research team began with Shiga toxins. They used CRISPR/Cas9 to conduct a genome-wide screen. This entailed systematically deleting genes one by one in a cell line, to see if the loss of any of them prevented the toxins from entering.
When the team compared the two screens, they found two factors that both Shiga and ricin toxins require to penetrate cells: the transmembrane proteins TMEM165 and TM9SF2. Both are found in the cell’s Golgi apparatus, whose job it is to modify and package large molecules made by the cell. When either protein was deleted, the cells produced reduced amounts of a group of fatty molecules called glycosphingolipids, including Gb3.
TMEM165 and TM9SF2 are too general in their function to serve as safe targets to try to block with drugs, Dong says, but they could point the way to other targetable molecules.
A third protein, LATMP4a, offers more direct promise. It is specifically required for cells to make Gb3, the receptor used by Shiga toxin. “This protein was not known before, and we think it would make a very good therapeutic target for Shiga toxicity,” says Dong.
Dong is equally excited about what the work has to tell us about glycosylation — the attachment of sugars to large molecules like proteins and lipids. This fundamental biologic process enables our cells to create highly varied molecules with diverse functions, above and beyond what’s encoded in our genes. It also has a role in disease.
This isn’t the first time one of Dong’s toxin investigations turned up something unexpected. His team’s recent work on C. difficile’s toxin B revealed a potential anti-cancer strategy.
The current study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Boston Children’s Hospital Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. See the paper for a full list of authors and affiliations.
Botulinum-type toxins jump to a new kind of bacteria. Should we sound an alarm? | https://vector.childrenshospital.org/2018/12/shiga-ricin-toxins-glycosylation/ |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
FIELD
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/368,926, filed Jul. 29, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to the field of powered systems for assisting human ambulation and other activities.
BACKGROUND
2
3
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor disabilities caused by a perinatal non-progressive injury to the central nervous system. CP is the most common pediatric motor disorder, affecting to per 1000 live births. Individuals with CP present a variety of disabilities including spasticity, rigidity and diminished coordination and motor control. Individuals with CP are often partitioned into subgroups based on the type and distribution of motor impairments. One of the most common subgroups is spastic diplegia, in which pathologic gait patterns are frequently observed. Crouch gait, which is characterized by excessive stance phase knee flexion and may be accompanied by other deficits at the hip and/or ankle, is one of the most frequently observed gait deviations. Crouch gait can lead to joint pain and degenerative arthritis due to elevated joint contact forces, bony deformities, and increased risk for falls from inadequate foot clearance. Additionally, crouch gait is less efficient than normal walking patterns and many experience deterioration of walking ability with age, leading to a loss of ambulation in a large portion of the population.
The most common treatments for crouch gait include surgery, botulinum toxin injections, physical therapy and strengthening, and orthotic interventions. Outcomes from surgical interventions, which typically target the hamstrings, are variable. Distal femoral extension osteotomy procedures have shown improvement of knee extension in short-term follow up, particularly when combined with patellar tendon advancement, offering a potentially effective but more invasive solution. One reason for the mixed surgical outcomes may be heterogeneity underlying the crouch gait pattern in diplegic CP. In addition to hamstring spasticity, anti-gravity (extensor) weakness contributes to the deterioration of walking capabilities as a function of age. However, like surgery, muscle strengthening programs have inconsistent outcomes. Achieving and maintaining adequate strength levels in individuals with motor disabilities is a challenging problem that is exacerbated because ambulatory children with CP are less active than children without disabilities. Orthotic bracing, aimed to increase mobility of individuals with crouch gait, may block or restrict motion at the ankle and or the knee joint to provide passive weight support or to suppress unwanted motions. Traditional and floor reaction ankle-foot orthoses (AFO and FRAFO, respectively) have been shown to temporarily improve knee extension and spatiotemporal gait parameters while worn. However, long term use can lead to greater weakness in the restricted muscle groups over time. Treadmill based robotic assisted therapy offers the advantage of repetitive practice. Improved function has been reported in pilot studies of treadmill based training in CP, but their overall effectiveness compared to traditional therapies of equal intensity is equivalent. Furthermore, these strategies are limited in the environment and duration in which they can be applied and have not been explicitly studied for remediation of crouch gait. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices have been applied to treat crouch gait in children with CP with limited success using percutaneous and surface electrodes to stimulate extensor muscles; however, the intensity of stimulation required to extend the flexed knee can be difficult to reach.
Thus, there is a clear need for more effective interventions which can preserve and/or augment strength on a continuous basis for those with crouch gait from CP.
SUMMARY
Disclosed herein are powered gait assistance systems (sometimes alternatively referred to as robotic systems or exoskeletons) that can function as mobility aids and as training devices. The disclosed systems can include a programmed controller, various sensors, and a torque applicator (e.g., a motor, spring, etc.) coupled to a patient's leg (e.g., at the upper hips, leg/thigh, lower leg/shank, and/or foot) and operable to apply assistive torque to the patient's leg joint(s) to assist the patient's volitional joint actuation muscle output during selected stages of the patient's gait cycle, such that the applied torque improves the patient's leg posture, muscle activity, joint actuation moment, range of motion, and/or other parameters over the gait cycle. The sensors can include a torque sensor that measures torque applied by the system at the joint(s), muscle output sensors to track volitional effort exerted by the patient, joint angle sensor(s), foot-located sensor(s) that measure ground contact of the patient's foot, and/or other sensors. The level of applied torque can be based on predetermined levels or can be determined in real-time based on data received from the sensors, etc. The controller can determine what stage of the patient's gait cycle the patient's leg is in based on sensor inputs and cause the torque applicator to apply corresponding assistive or resistive torque to the joint(s) based on the gait cycle stage, sensor inputs, known patient characteristics, and/or other factors.
Disclosed systems and methods can be particularly beneficial as a treatment for crouch gait, such as in in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The disclosed systems can be based on the architecture of a conventional orthotic device (e.g., a KAFO), can be lightweight, adjustable over time, and modular, making them suitable for growing and developing children. Moreover, the disclosed technology can help improve the patient's native ability to walk over time (e.g., by strengthening muscles, improving native muscle output, correcting posture, and/or improving coordination) such that the patient may eventually no longer need assistive devices to walk with a sufficiently “normal” and efficient gait pattern.
In some embodiments, the system includes a transmission system coupling a motor to the knee joint. The transmission can include a chain, gear, or cable transmission system for example. A chain or cable transmission can allow placement of the motor farther from the knee joint. A transmission system can also be used to increase the torque output of the motor or increase the angular velocity output of the motor, as needed for a particular application.
In some embodiments, the system can assist patient knee joint extension during a late swing phase of the gait cycle prior to foot touch down, can assist patient knee joint extension during a ground contact phase of the gait cycle prior to toe take off, and/or can assist patient knee joint flexion during an early swing phase of the gait cycle after toe take off. In some embodiments, the motor applies no assistive torque or resistance during one or more portions of the gait cycle, such as an early swing phase.
In various embodiments, the torque applicator can be located in several different locations and still be operable to apply assistive torque to the patient. For example, in some embodiments, a motor is positioned anterior to the patient's knee, in some embodiments, the motor is positioned lateral to the patient's thigh, and in some embodiments, the motor is positioned on the patient's torso or hips.
In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing system and/or a cloud based communication system. This can allow for remote communication with a clinician and/or active adjustments from a clinician or operator, for example. This can also allow the system to feedback data to a database and receive software and firmware updates. This can also allow heavy computational work to be performed remotely, minimizing the size and cost of the disclosed systems.
The powered gait assistance systems can also be used with or as part of a computerized gaming/training system. For example, the patient's leg motions can control action in a computer game or other displayed environment, such that the patient is encouraged to bend and extend his knees to make an object in the game/display move. The patient may also wear a virtual reality headset as part of the gaming/training system.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a child with crouch gait wearing an exemplary gait assistance system comprising orthotic braces and motorized devices that provide assistive torque at the knees during selected portions of the gait cycle.
FIG. 2
is a lateral-anterior view of another exemplary gait assistance system comprising thigh, shank, and foot orthotics and a modular powered knee portion that provides assistive torque at the knee joint.
FIG. 3
FIG. 2
is a medial-anterior view of the system of .
FIG. 4
FIG. 2
is a lateral-posterior view of the modular powered knee portion of .
FIG. 5
FIG. 2
is a medial-posterior view of the modular powered knee portion of .
FIG. 6
is a table showing comparative data for kinematic, muscle activity, and spatiotemporal parameters measured during clinical evaluation of an exemplary gait assistance system.
FIG. 7
is a diagram of an exemplary finite state machine used to specify desired knee extensor assistance at different phases of the gait cycle.
FIG. 8
is a diagram illustrating the gait cycle and exemplary portions of the gait cycle when knee extensor assistance can be provided and not provided.
FIG. 9
is a schematic illustrating an exemplary control architecture for a gait assistance system.
FIG. 10
is a graph showing mean angular compliance between a patient and an exemplary gait assistance system throughout the gait cycle.
FIGS. 11A and 11B
show mean knee extensor torques applied by an exemplary gait assistance system across the gait cycle, as measured by an onboard torque sensor at the knee.
FIGS. 11C-11H
show mean sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle joint angles across the gait cycle during baseline, free, and powered system conditions. Shaded regions represent plus-minus one standard deviation from the mean.
FIGS. 12A-12H
show mean EMG linear envelopes (in mV) across the gait cycle for various leg muscles during free and powered system conditions. Shaded regions represent plus-minus one standard deviation from the mean.
FIG. 13
shows an exemplary gait assistance system comprising motors oriented along lateral aspects of the thighs and coupled to knee joints via right-angle drives.
FIG. 14
shows an exemplary gait assistance system comprising torso mounted cable-drive motors coupled to knee joints via tensioned cables.
FIG. 15
shows an exemplary gait assistance system comprising a linear actuator coupled between a thigh brace and a shank brace to provide torque at the knee joint.
FIG. 16
shows an exemplary gait assistance system comprising a thigh mounted motor that drives a cable coupled to a shank portion along an arcuate path to provide torque about the knee joint.
FIG. 17
shows an exemplary gait assistance system comprising a body mounted system controller that is wirelessly coupled to a remote control system and/or to a cloud based computing environment/data base.
FIGS. 18A and 18B
illustrate an exemplary computer game system that can be used to help train patients using disclosed powered gait assistance systems.
FIGS. 19 and 20
are screen shots from an exemplary computer game usable to help train patients using disclosed powered gait assistance systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Discussion
As discussed in the Background, there is a need for more effective interventions which can preserve and/or augment strength on a continuous basis for those with crouch gait from cerebral palsy (CP). The primary design focus of modern wearable robotic devices has been on restoring lost function due to paralysis, e.g., from spinal cord injury or stroke, to assist with load carriage, and enhance normal walking efficiency. Transfer of such wearable technologies to pediatric populations has been problematic. Challenges also exist for designing an exoskeleton specifically to treat crouch gait. The conditions that accompany or contribute to crouch, such as spasticity, contracture, instability, poor motor control, and muscle weakness, make the effects and efficacy of introducing motorized assistance unclear in this population.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of new powered devices and associated methods that can assist and augment a wearer's leg posture and strength while walking, and can be effective for rehabilitation of crouch gait in children with CP. Disclosed powered assist devices can be modular such that they can be attached to existing orthotic devices, such as knee-ankle-foot orthotics (KAFOs). Some disclosed device can optionally incorporate surface electrical stimulation (e.g., for functional muscle stimulation and/or electric nerve blocks) and/or accommodate the replacement of the powered motor assistance with a passive spring and/or damper at the knee.
Disclosed powered assist devices can provide powered assistance to knee extension during stance and/or swing phases of gait, helping a patient to more fully extend their leg during key points of their gait while allowing the user to retain volitional muscular control over their gait. Because the devices provide torque that is complimentary to the user's volitionally generated muscle output at the knee, the devices can help to improve the user's walking posture and leg strength over time, training the patient to improve their own gait. Accordingly, the powered devices can serve as a long term treatment and rehabilitation strategy to alleviate persistent knee flexion arising from crouch gait in children with CP. In addition to the knee, other embodiments may apply the same principles at the ankle and/or hip joint, either in combination or in isolation.
While pronounced knee flexion is the hallmark symptom of crouch gait in CP, the musculoskeletal system is a complex linkage with muscles spanning or influencing motion at multiple joints; thus, virtually all lower extremity muscles can induce accelerations at the ankle, knee, and hip and therefore have an impact on the flexed posture observed in this population. The capacity of hip and knee extensor muscles to extend the limb is reduced in a crouched posture while the flexion accelerations induced by gravity are increased. The result is persistent activity of extensors throughout stance phase and transference of responsibility for forward progression to more proximal muscle groups. The disclosed technology can dynamically change the posture during walking and enhance the patient's muscles' ability to extend the limbs.
In addition, targeted strength training of knee extensors can increase knee extension during walking, particularly in the absence of hamstring spasticity. The disclosed powered assist devices can similarly provide targeted strength training of knee extensors along with dynamic extension assistance at the knee and thereby strengthen the muscles while reducing excessive knee flexion and facilitating more normal, appropriate knee extensor activity. When worn for an extended period of time, disclosed devices can have therapeutic benefits in terms of muscle strengthening and improved motor coordination, and can ultimately eliminate the need to wear the powered assistance device.
Exemplary Powered Gait Assistance Devices and Systems
FIG. 1
The varying postures and physical deformities present in children with CP, combined with the heterogeneous causes of crouch gait, create a need for versatile, adjustable, and adjustable assistance devices, having human-machine interfaces that can be customized to each individual. Some disclosed powered gait assistance devices can be used with existing leg orthotics, such as knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) for example. Conventional KAFOs can comprise custom molded shells for the foot, shank, and/or thigh segments connected by rigid uprights mounted along the side of the leg (see, e.g., ). KAFOs can employ joint mechanisms in parallel with anatomical joint centers to allow (or control) segment motion, but typically do not include any powered assistance.
To generate additional assistive torque at the knee joint, some disclosed devices can comprise a powered motor that is coupled via a power transmission to a pivot joint that is positioned adjacent to the patient's knee (e.g., the pivot joint can be part of a KAFO or coupled to the knee joint of a KAFO). The motor and transmission can be positioned in various locations and the transmission can take various configurations, such as a chain drive, cable drive, right-angle drive, or direct drive, for example. The motor and transmission are desirably light weight, low-profile, and capable of providing a sufficient level of torque assistance to the patient. Of course the torque output, and therefore the size and weight, of the device that is sufficient depends on the size and pathology of each particular patient. In other embodiments, torque can be generated by a non-motorized device, such as a spring or spring system. Embodiments disclosed herein that comprise a motor-based torque application may alternatively be constructed using non-motor torque applicators, such as spring and damper mechanisms, at the like.
Internal knee extensor moment output scales with the degree of crouch and body mass, but rarely exceeds and is often much less than 50 Nm for children with mild to moderate crouch. As such, in powered gait assistance systems for such patients, peak torque output need not be very high, which can help reduce the size and power consumption of the device and increase compatibility of the patient's daily life activities. For example, in some embodiments, the powered device can be configured to provide about one third of the internal demand on knee extensors for patients with mild-moderate crouch (e.g., up to about 17 Nm of torque assistance). To provide such levels of torque at the knee joint, a transmission system can be utilized to increase a lower level of torque output from the motor, allowing for smaller motors. However, using a transmission to increase torque output can result in reduced angular speed capabilities. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the motor-transmission system can achieve a no-load angular velocity similar to peak angular velocity during swing phase knee extension, which can exceed 300 degrees per second.
In some embodiments, the sensors and controller can estimate the internal joint moment applied at the knee (i.e., the volitional muscle effort exerted by the user across the knee joint) and provide assistance based on that effort. In some methods, the assistance may be adjusted using a feedback controller which tracks volitional knee extensor moment (effort) and provides assistance as a percentage of instantaneous internal knee moment, thereby encouraging volitional muscle use while also providing knee extension assistance.
In some methods, the assistive torque may be adjusted in anticipation of an upcoming shortfall in volitional knee extension effort. The target for this approach can be to proactively adjust the posture of the limb so that the user's own muscles are able to create more torque around the joint. In this manner, the powered system can facilitate and/or encourage the user to activate their own muscles, producing the desired training effect. After repeated exposure to these adjustments, the resulting increased muscle activation can be adopted as a new walking strategy, enabling the assistance required to be slowly decreased over time. Examples of this can include anticipatory knee extension assistance during late swing to enable improved extension torque during loading response, and anticipatory knee extension during mid-stance to facilitate passive knee flexion and active ankle plantarflexion during push-off. Other anticipatory adjustments can be applied as well.
In some methods, the torque provided across the joint may act to resist the intended joint motion to provide targeted muscle training during walking. The target for this approach can be to proactively elicit excessive volitional muscle activity in an effort to provide gait-phase specific strength training during walking. In this manner, the system can facilitate enhanced activation of the user's own muscles beyond the typical activation during walking. After repeated exposure to this resistance, and the accompanying increased muscle activation, the resulting elevated muscle activation can be adopted as a new walking strategy without the device. Examples of this can include applying a flexor torque at the knee joint to resist knee extension during late swing, and/or applying a plantarflexor torque at the ankle during early swing to resist ankle dorsiflexion.
FIGS. 18-20
In some other embodiments, real-time biofeedback can be incorporated into the control strategy such that the user is made aware of their limb posture during walking for the purpose of eliciting greater volitional effort of knee extension. The biofeedback can be provided in the form of electro-tactile, vibro-tactile, auditory, and/or visual feedback, among others. Incorporating biofeedback with the exoskeleton provides a mechanism for which to incentivize the training of improved gait postures with the aid of robotic assistance. One possible embodiment of this incentive is to utilize the feedback to create a video (or audio) based game (i.e., gamification), as illustrated in , to encourage training and reward retention of the improved gait posture or walking strategy.
FIG. 1
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illustrates an exemplary powered gait assistance system that was constructed and tested (as discussed below) with a child having crouch gait from CP. The system includes orthotic braces of an existing KAFO and modular powered torque assist system including rigid members that couple to the KAFO braces at the thigh and shank and a motor-transmission assembly . As shown in the inset of , the motor-transmission assembly includes an encoder , electrical motor , gear box , transmission comprising a chain and sprockets and , chain tensioner , chain guard , and torque sensor . The system can also include a ground contact sensor mounted below the foot to detect when the patient's foot is in contact with the ground and when the leg is in the swing phase.
FIGS. 2-5
FIG. 1
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show various views a modular system similar to the system in . The system includes thigh brace , shank brace , foot brace , ankle linkage , rigid shank member , rigid thigh member , rigid torque members , coupling the members , to the powered knee mechanism, encoder , motor , gear box , sprockets , coupled via chain transmission , torque sensor , rigid transmission frame members , , and ground contact sensor . The motor can comprise a back-drivable V, W brushless motor with a 3-stage, for example. The gear box can comprise an 89:1 reduction planetary gear head, for example. The encoder can comprise an embedded quadrature encoder, for example. The chain sprocket transmission can provide a 3.5:1 speed reduction, for example, and can transmit torque from the inline shaft of the motor to the knee center of rotation. Other speed reductions ratios can be provided in other embodiments based on the motor and the patient's needs. The maximum rated output torque of the tested assembly in one embodiment is approximately 16.1 Nm with a 3.82 amp maximum continuous current draw. The torque sensor can be mounted on the drive shaft at the knee and provide a feedback signal indicating the currently applied assistive torque. The powered gait assistance assembly can be modular such that it can be attached to the lateral uprights on the thigh and shank, and/or other portions of existing KAFOs.
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To facilitate both powered assistance and the allowance of unrestricted knee motion during various phases of the gait cycle, the motor can be mounted anterior and superior to the knee joint, as shown in the exemplary systems and , for example. The motor-transmission assembly can be attached to both the lower (shank) and the upper (thigh) uprights of a KAFO such that the torque output causes the lower upright to pivot relative to the upper upright, assisting the patient's knee motion. Each upright can connect to and disconnect from a custom molded shell or other portion of the KAFO via quick release attachment mechanisms to facilitate simple and speedy removal and attachment even after the KAFO has been donned by the user.
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In some embodiments, an adjustable ankle joint mechanism, such as an adjustable dynamic response (ADR) ankle joint device, can be mounted on the lateral upright and can connect the foot and shank components of the system. The adjustable ankle joint mechanism can be located adjacent the angle linkage in the system , for example. The adjustable ankle joint mechanism can be freed to allow unencumbered ankle motion, locked to restrict motion, or adjusted to provide dynamic assistance. The system can also include a force sensitive sensor , such as force sensitive resistor (FSR) mounted on the foot portion of the device to detect and provide information regarding foot-ground contact. The foot portion of the system can include a foot plate that goes under the patient's foot and is worn inside the shoe. The force sensitive sensor can be coupled to the foot plate and located under the patient's foot to detect when the patient's weight is applied down on the foot plate, indicating when the foot is on the ground and the leg is in the stance phase of the gait.
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The system can also include a controller (not shown) comprising circuitry that provides power and signal conditioning for sensors (e.g., torque sensors, knee angle sensors, ground contact sensors, etc.) as well as feedback control of the motors. The controller can be positioned anywhere, such as mounted near the motor, on the side of the leg, on the upper body, or in a remote device that is coupled to the rest of the system via wires or wireless means. The controller can include or be coupled to servocontrollers that enable closed loop current control of the device motors (e.g., to control torque application at the knee) and knee joint position feedback based on encoder quadrature. Sensor signals can be input into a feedback control system implemented in an onboard computer/processor for real-time, autonomous control. The system can powered by an onboard batteries, for example.
FIGS. 13-17
show additional alternative embodiments of powered gait assistance devices, as described in more detail below.
Exemplary Controllers and Algorithms
FIG. 7
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Rule-based hierarchical control, as implemented in a finite state machine (FSM), can be deployed for control any of the disclosed systems to help assist and/or restore walking ability. Splitting the gait cycle into discrete states based on detected gait events provides enhanced consistency and robustness to an inherently variable process and allows implementation of lower level controllers within each state. In the exemplary FSM shown in , the gait cycle is divided into three discrete phases: stance , early swing , and late swing . FSM thresholds can be selected based on various criteria, such as data obtained from evaluated children with mild-moderate crouch, and can be verified and adjusted (if necessary) during initial walking sessions for each particular patient. As shown at , and , the foot plate sensor can be used to govern the transition between stance and swing states based on detected foot ground contact. As shown at and , knee angle position and velocity (e.g., computed as first derivative) can be used to detect transition between early and late swing phases. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control scheme can be used, for example, to achieve the desired torque output at the knee within each state. The PID error value can be computed as the difference between the measured and desired torque. In some embodiments, the PID gains can be adjusted prior to a patient donning the device, so that torque output reaches a stable response with minimal chatter and latency. For example, in an exemplary system, when the set-point is zero, as in early swing, the PID controller can compensate for the inherent friction of the motor-transmission assembly, allowing for the knee joint to be freely articulated (e.g., effectively frictionless).
FIG. 8
Various control strategies can be implemented to provide knee extension assistance at different intervals within the gait cycle. For example, as shown in , the powered device can provide extension torque at the knee during stance phase to assist body weight support and during the late-swing phase to assist knee extension for foot placement. At the same time, the control strategy can provide for a frictionless (e.g., near zero torque applied) period during early swing to facilitate knee flexion for toe-clearance.
FIG. 9
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is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary control architecture for the disclosed gait assistance devices. At , kinematic measurements are made (e.g., knee joint angles, other joint angles). The kinematic measurements are fed into an estimation model that outputs a predicted moment profile for the patient over the gait cycle. The predicted moment profile can be generated based on the kinematic measurements along with various other input data, such as patent size, weight, muscle strength, crouch severity, etc. The predicted moment profile can then be fed to a motor controller that converts the predicted moment profile into an electrical control signal appropriate for the particular motor/transmission system being used (e.g., the assistive device ). The assistive device then provides an assistive torque profile over the gait cycle based on the control signal and optionally based on real-time sensory feedback during the gait cycle. The control architecture can cycle continuously over the gait cycle to provide real-time adaptive control for the powered system.
Exemplary Device Testing and Evaluation
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FIG. 1
FIGS. 7 and 8
To validate the functional performance and efficacy of the exemplary gait assistance system shown in , implementing the disclosed control strategy illustrated in , one male participant diagnosed with crouch gait from CP was recruited and evaluated. He was classified level II on the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and was able to walk for at least 30 feet without assistance. At the time of data collection, he was six years old, height of 118 cm, and weight of 20.0 kg.
The participant completed five sessions of testing and evaluation. The first session included a clinical assessment of lower limb strength and spasticity, over-ground gait assessment of his baseline gait condition while wearing prescribed AFOs on each leg, and casting for fabrication of custom orthotic braces. The initial session was followed by three practice sessions, during which the participant walked with the powered gait assistance system over-ground and on a treadmill, and a final session for data collection. When using the powered gait assistance system, the participant was instructed to walk in a manner similar to their normal walking habits.
During the practice sessions, the system torque output was adjusted upwards from 1 Nm at 0.5 Nm increments. Final values of 3.5 Nm for stance phase and 2.625 Nm (75% of the stance value) for swing were established based on participant preference and visual feedback of participant comfort and walking stability. Total walking time in the powered gait assistance system was 18 minutes across the four sessions. Frequent short breaks were given to reduce fatigue and maintain participant attention and focus on the walking task. Total walking time does not include experimental setup, device tuning and calibration, or walking in control conditions (i.e., without powered assistance). The motor controller also incorporated safety measures that limited the maximum torque output and prevented knee hyperextension.
FIG. 8
The fifth session was for experimental data collection with the gait assistance system under two conditions: a free knee joint (no motor assist) and the assistive mode with extensor torque set at 3.5 Nm for stance phase and 2.625 Nm (75% of the stance value) for swing (). The purpose of these conditions was to assess the effect of the passive braces and the motorized assembly on gait separately. The ankle joint was set for free rotation in both conditions. The participant completed three successful overground walking bouts along a 5.5 m pathway in each mode. Kinematic data were collected at 100 Hz using 10 motion capture cameras and a custom marker set. Specifically, three markers were placed on the foot, clusters comprised of four non-collinear markers on the shank and thigh segments, four markers on the pelvis, and three on the trunk. Markers were also placed on the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and knee joints. Three markers were placed on each shank and thigh segment of the orthotic brace. Muscle activity was collected bilaterally from rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and medial gastrocnemius using a wireless EMG system recorded at 1000 Hz. EMG data were band-pass filtered at 15-380 Hz, full-wave rectified, and low-pass filtered at 7 Hz to create a linear envelope. Lower-extremity joint angles were computed from marker trajectories. Experimental data were time normalized to each gait cycle and averaged across the gait cycles for each walking condition.
Performance Validation
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FIGS. 11A and 11B
The latency of the exemplary gait assistance system was measured by attaching the uprights to a solid extruded aluminum frame, creating an isometric condition under which timing of torque application could be quantified. The on-off and off-on latency was measured as the time between when the controller triggered the transition and when torque measured by the onboard sensor reached the target value. The average latency, across trials, was 53±8 ms for activation and 57±7 ms for deactivation. The compliance between the brace and limb was evaluated by comparing sagittal plane knee joint angle computed from the system markers with the biological knee angle computed from markers placed directly on the skin, as shown in . The difference in knee angle was not significant (p>0.99) indicating minimal motion between the patient's body and system. As shown in , the torque provided by the powered system was consistent with the design specifications. Swing phase assistance was provided only after volitional knee extension began. Swing phase knee extension was delayed in the left leg compared to the right leg, which resulted in a reduced interval during which swing extension assistance could be applied to the left limb prior to heel-strike.
Joint Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Measures
FIG. 6
The experimental biomechanics data obtained from overground walking were screened to ensure that only complete gait cycles free from adverse events (e.g., toe-drag) were included in the subsequent analyses. The total number of analyzed gait cycles for each condition, along with other data obtained, is shown in the table in .
FIGS. 11C-11H
FIG. 6
As illustrated in , to assess the effects of motorized extension assistance on the participant's gait, kinematics (joint angles) and spatiotemporal parameters were calculated under three conditions: shod+AFO (baseline), walking with the powered system with a free knee joint (free), and walking with assistance from the powered system (powered). There was a significant increase in total knee range of motion (ROM) and knee extension during stance phase when walking with the powered system compared to the free knee and baseline conditions (as shown in ). Compared to baseline, the powered system increased peak knee extension during stance by 18.1° and 11.5° in the right and left leg, respectively. Maximum knee flexion during stance was decreased in the powered condition by similar levels (18.6° and 11.9°) compared to baseline. There was no significant difference in the hip angle between the baseline, free knee, and powered conditions. However, peak ankle dorsiflexion was increased significantly for both the free knee and powered conditions due to the free ankle joint compared to the rigid AFO at baseline. Yet, there was no significant difference in knee extension during stance or knee ROM between the baseline and free conditions. There were no significant differences in step length or step width between walking conditions. Cadence was significantly reduced in both the free knee and powered conditions compared to baseline.
Muscle Activity
FIGS. 12A-12H
As shown in , walking with the powered system affected EMG activity of several muscles compared to walking with the brace with a free knee joint. There was elevated activity during late stance phase in both rectus femoris and semitendinosus in the powered condition. Post-hoc tests showed a significant increase in peak semitendinosus linear envelope during late stance (p<0.001). Importantly, the tested powered gait assistance system did not have a large effect on the vastus lateralis activity, which maintained similar levels during late-swing and stance phases when assistance was provided. Likewise, no differences in medial gastrocnemius EMG were observed between the free knee and powered conditions.
The exemplary powered systems and control methods described herein can significantly help with ambulation, especially as a treatment of crouch gait in children with CP. The testing and evaluation described above examined the effects of relatively straightforward knee extension assistance during stance and late-swing phase. The analysis shows that the exemplary FSM control strategy activated and deactivated the assistance during walking with latencies of similar duration to those of biological processes (e.g., muscle contractions), and therefore are well-suited for adequate human-machine interaction.
The evaluation also assessed the level of relative motion that was permitted between the patient's limbs and the exemplary device when assistive torque is applied. The data indicate that the as-tested powered gait assistance system and implementation strategy suitably mitigated this issue as no significant motion of the system was observed relative to the underlying limb at the knee joint in the patient. Owing to the patient's weight (20.0 kg), the target torque levels were small but sufficient to demonstrate the functional capacity of the device to elicit the desired outcomes (e.g., increased knee extension during stance). The torque set-point during each assistive phase was held constant at 3.5 Nm for stance and 2.6 Nm for swing, respectively. Even though the torque was constant for each state, the resulting kinematic profile maintained relatively normal waveforms, including continuous knee extension for foot placement and an early stance loading response. In other embodiments, more sophisticated control methods can be utilized, to even more effectively inject additional energy into the gait cycle to alleviate crouch.
The tested device significantly altered lower extremity kinematics and reduced the amount of crouch compared to the baseline condition. As a result, the subject walked in a more extended, upright posture, and showed significant increases in maximum knee extension during stance phase in both the left and right legs. The improvement in maximum knee extension (12-19°) was similar to the range of long-term improvement reported from invasive surgical treatment (10-20°). Peak stance phase knee flexion was also significantly reduced in both legs when walking with the powered system. The participant displayed baseline asymmetry with slightly less crouch during stance in the left leg. The testing results illustrate that the assistive torque, set to the same value in both legs, had a larger effect on stance posture in the more affected limb. Other embodiments can employ alternative methods for delivery of assistive torque, such as by varying levels of assistance between limbs and/or adjusting the amount of torque applied within each phase in real-time.
The overall knee ROM for the entire gait cycle was significantly increased during walking with the powered system, resulting in a trajectory that was closer to that of normal waking. While there were gains in knee extension during stance, an increase in knee flexion during swing phase was also observed with both the powered system and the free knee condition.
FIGS. 11A and 11B
The increased knee ROM provided by the powered system can mitigate the kinematic benefit of extension assistance provided by the motor. A more flexed knee during swing increases the late swing extension requirement as the limb must articulate through a larger ROM. In the testing results, the transition from swing phase flexion to swing phase extension was delayed in the left leg compared to the right, limiting the time available to provide swing phase assistance from the powered system. Peak swing knee extension velocity in the left leg was approximately 350°/sec, resulting in motor shaft velocity of 18,160 revolutions per minute (RPM), which exceeded the no load speed of the motor (16,300 RPM or 314°/sec) and therefore limited the ability to provide extension assistance in this phase (). Swing phase knee extension velocities in the right leg were less than 300°/sec. In other embodiments, a higher power motor with a lower gear reduction can be deployed.
The tested torque set-points were also relatively small and selected according to patient preference and visual observation of walking stability. The applied torque levels were gradually increased during testing over the three practice sessions. Still, the participant walked with reduced cadence while using the powered system compared to his baseline gait, a somewhat expected finding given the novelty of the task that may be improved with additional time for accommodation to the system. Considering the limited time the participant walked with the powered system, continued use would likely result in increasing comfort levels, the opportunity to increase the assistance, and further kinematic improvements.
Differences in EMG were observed during walking evaluation with the tested powered system. In the left leg, elevated hip and knee flexor activity at the end of stance phase and in early swing (50-75% of the gait cycle) was observed. The knee extensor torque provided by the motor at the end of stance may have triggered this antagonistic flexion response. No differences were observed in knee extensor activity during stance or swing phase extension assistance in either leg. At the end of the stance phase in the left leg, vastus lateralis activity ceased earlier when using the powered system compared to the free knee. This pattern of activity more closely resembles that of normal walking, and illustrates the application of the disclosed technology for long term use of the disclosed assistance devices to help facilitate elimination of the persistent extensor activity during stance phase of crouch.
Robotic assistance during walking can be employed in neurologically intact populations without diminishing muscle activity, and can actually increase muscle activity. The testing results described herein show that certain patients, such as children with crouch gait from CP, do not significantly reduce their knee extensor activity when walking with powered extension assistance from a powered gait assistance system. For example, it was observed that the test participant did not simply allow the motors to take over control of knee extension responsibilities and that kinematic improvements were observed. The disclosed powered assistance devices can maintain and increase the user's volitional muscle activity over time, making them suitable as a rehabilitation tool.
Another challenge for long-term use of powered gait assistance systems, especially in children, is growth of the patient over time. Accordingly, the disclosed technology can be modular, adjustable in size and power, and can comprise or be used with orthotic devices that do not require custom molding to be individually adaptable. This can have the added benefit of reduced cost as well as longer-term adaptability.
Another advantage of the disclosed technology as a therapeutic intervention is that the implemented control strategy can be tuned to optimize the assistance for each individual, and can be changed over time as the patient changes. The modular design allows optional integration of additional modes of assistance, such as passive support at the ankle and surface electrical stimulation.
Alternative Embodiments of Powered Gait Assistance Systems
FIGS. 1-5
The systems illustrated in are representative of a wide variety of possible system in which the disclosed technology can be implemented. In alternative embodiments, the system can utilize different types of motors, transmissions, controllers, sensors, quick-connect mechanisms, etc. For example, the motors can comprise electrical motors, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, artificial muscles, etc. The transmissions can comprise direct drives, belt drives, chain drives, Bowden cables, geared drives, etc. The systems can be employed on one leg of a patient only, or on both legs. The technology can also be employed analogously on other joints, such as the ankle or hip joints. The motor and transmission system can also be positioned in different locations, such as to the lateral side of the leg, below the anterior aspect of the knee, at the hips or torso, etc. In some embodiments, it is desirable to reduce the lateral width of the device, such as when the patient uses a wheel chair, walker, or crutch. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to locate motor components far from the knee, such as at the hip or thigh, and use a chain, belt or cable type transmission to transfer torque to the knee joint. The device-limb interface can also have various structures, such as rigid thermoplastic orthotic braces, compliant restraints such as cloth, webbing, synthetic skin materials, or other interfaces. In some embodiments, the system controller can communicate wirelessly with other remote devices (e.g., via radio, cellular networks, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.). For example, the controller may communicate with a cloud based databases or remotes computing systems to exchange information, data logging, remote control and adjustment of system settings, firmware/software updates, etc.
FIG. 13
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shows an exemplary powered gait assistance system that includes a motor mounted along the lateral aspect of the patient's thigh brace . The motor is coupled to the knee joint via a right-angle drive to apply assistive torque to pivot the shank relative to the thigh. In this system, there is less structure anterior to the knee, and the mass of the motor is shift upward closer to the hip joint, which can reduce the added burden on the hip muscles caused by the system. The system also obviates the need for cables or chains to transmit power.
FIG. 14
500
506
506
508
510
512
500
502
504
510
shows an exemplary powered gait assistance system that includes torso mounted cable-drive motors . The motors include cable drives that apply tension to cables running down the lateral aspect of the thighs to knee pulleys , which use the cable tension to apply torque to the knee joints. The system minimizes the structural impedance around the legs, allowing less obstruction of gait motion between the braces and . The cables can be protected by being routed through tubes, for example.
FIG. 15
600
606
608
602
610
604
606
612
600
shows an exemplary powered gait assistance system that includes a linear actuator that has a first end coupled to a thigh brace and a second end coupled to a shank brace . Linear extension and contraction of the actuator causes torque application about the knee joint . The system allows there to be minimal structures around the knee joint.
FIG. 16
700
702
704
706
708
726
710
712
714
716
718
726
722
706
714
722
726
716
720
700
shows an exemplary powered gait assistance system that includes a thigh brace coupled to a shank brace via rigid uprights , and a pivot joint , with a motor and gearbox mounted along the thigh. The motor turns a cable driver that pulls and pushes a cable that follows an arcuate path through a cable guide around the knee joint to a connection point on a lower member fixed relative to the shank upright . The cable drive pushes and pulls the cable to cause the member to pivot the shank about the joint . A load cell can be mounted at the end of the cable to measure the applied force. A spring or other biasing member can be included in the upper portion and coupled to the cable to help bias the cable, such as to avoid kinking/crimping of the cable and maintain tension in the cable. The system can provide a greater range of motion over which the assistive torque can be applied, such as over knee angle range from 90 degrees to 270 degrees.
FIG. 17
800
802
804
802
806
808
802
804
802
804
802
shows an exemplary powered gait assistance system that includes a system controller configured to control the powered gait assistance system (e.g., any of the disclosed arrangements) wherein the controller is wirelessly coupled to one or more remote systems, such a removed computing or control system and/or a cloud based computing environment or database . The controller can include an onboard microcontroller that adjusts torque assistance of the mechanism based on wireless communications with remote systems, such as with researches or clinicians, and can send back data regarding the performance, compliance, etc. of the system. The controller can also communicate wirelessly with the motors and/or sensors of the system . The controller can optionally also include memory/data storage to store data until a later time when it can be communicated or used in processing steps.
The controller may optionally include a mobile application user interface to adjust the type, timing, and level of assistance, to provide user-interaction for bio-feedback based games for training, and to report user performance while using the exoskeleton system.
FIGS. 18A and 18B
show a computer based game system that can be used to help train a patient wearing one of the disclosed powered gait assistance systems. The game can show images that encourage the patient to bend and extend at the knees in a desired sequence, such as to control an avatar or other object in the game. This can help the patient, especially a child, perform the desired amount of repetitions and foster improved training results, while making the training fun and rewarding.
FIGS. 18A and 18B
Gaming mechanisms and immersive/non-immersive forms of virtual reality are showing promising results and rapidly gaining traction for neuro-rehabilitation. The powered gait assistance systems may optionally be used as a peripheral device in this emerging field of neurorehabilitation gaming Disclosed gait assistance systems can be capable of collecting and transmitting real-time measurements capturing user movement and effort, and as a result, can be integrated as a game controller for a custom application for exercise targeting knee extension and flexion in children with crouch gait from CP. Proper game control resulting in successful completion of repetitive exercises provides strengthening and cardiovascular training to the user. In addition, when coupled with a neuroimaging modality such as electroencephalography (EEG), these games allow for analysis of brain activation during task execution, allowing for further optimization of both game development and treatment strategies to maximize neuroplasticity. demonstrate knee movements measured by the worn device being used as input to drive a game engine capable of rendering real-time feedback to the patient using either immersive (head mounted display) or non-immersive virtual reality technologies. The software integration pipeline can utilize commercial game engines to broaden the scope of use of the powered gait assistance devices as a haptic game controller for neurorehabilitation gaming and tele-rehabilitation applications.
FIGS. 19 and 20
For example, show screenshots of an exemplary training game, where squatting at the knees causes a spaceship to move down and extending at the knees causes a spaceship to move up. The patient controls the spaceship to try get the spaceship to move up and down in real time to hit certain objects in the spaceship's flight path, creating a game that the patient can play and enjoy while training.
General Considerations
For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, devices, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
Characteristics and features described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the disclosed technology are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.
As used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element. As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A”, “B,”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, or “A, B, and C.” As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is at least as broad as the following claims. We therefore claim all that comes within the scope of the following claims. | |
About 50% of the world’s population (about 3 billion people) have little or no access to modern forms of energy, and use biomass fuels for cooking, heating and lighting. These are frequently burned within the households in open fires or inefficient stoves. In the rural areas of Latin America, 30–75% of households use biomass fuels for cooking, which have a dramatically high production of PM and carbon monoxide (CO). Solid fuels are still the dominant source of energy in households in rural China. In China, indoor air pollution from biomass fuels is responsible for approximately 1 000 000 premature deaths annually, compared with the 1 200 000 estimated to be caused in the country each year by outdoor PM pollution. A recent quantification of the disease burden caused by different risk factors globally indicates that in 2010, over 3.5 million deaths were attributable to household air pollution from solid fuels, representing more than 50% of the total deaths attributable to air pollution from particulate matter and ozone.
Figure 3 shows the main respiratory effects associated with biomass fuel smoke exposure. There is strong evidence of increased risk of acute lower respiratory infections in childhood (at least 2 million deaths annually in children under 5 years of age). There is also evidence of an association with the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mostly for women, and with the risk of tuberculosis and asthma.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified emissions from the indoor combustion of coal as a Group 1 carcinogen, i.e. a known carcinogen for humans. Indeed, there is strong evidence that women exposed to smoke from coal fires in the home have an elevated risk of lung cancer (the evidence is moderate for men) (figure 3).
Meta-analyses in low-income countries have estimated increased risks from solid fuel combustion averaging 3.5-fold for acute respiratory infections in children, 2.5-fold for chronic bronchitis in women, and 2.8-fold and 2.3-fold for COPD and chronic bronchitis in all adults, respectively.
Nitrogen dioxide
Indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is generated mainly by gas-fuelled cooking and heating appliances. The results of longitudinal studies on the asthmatic population (mainly children), or those at risk of developing asthma, indicate positive associations between NO2 concentration and respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, shortness of breath and cough. Adverse health effects in the general population are less evident. A recent study indicated that exposure to outdoor, but not indoor, NO2 during the first year of life increases the risk of persistent cough. Conflicting results could in part be explained by the difficulty of determining the amount of exposure, as this can fluctuate depending mainly on the season or the use of specific NO2 sources (i.e. peak concentrations occur during cooking or heating activities).
Volatile organic compounds
Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be related to a spectrum of illnesses ranging from mild (irritations) to very severe (cancer). Even the levels of exposure commonly found at the general population level are relevant. In infants and children, exposure to VOCs increases the risk of respiratory and allergic conditions such as asthma, wheezing, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, atopy and severity of sensitisation, rhinitis and respiratory infections. A recent meta-analysis estimated an average increase of 17% in the risk of asthma in children for each 10 μg·m-3 increase in formaldehyde concentration. In a national representative cross-sectional survey in France, high concentrations of VOCs in homes were associated with an increasing prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in adults.
The highest estimated risks between VOCs and health effects are: an approximately 8-fold increase for formaldehyde exposure with chronic bronchitis; 11- and 8-fold increases, respectively, for aromatic and aliphatic chemicals with increased specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E to milk; a 3.4-fold increase for plastics/plasticisers with persistent wheezing; and a 5.6-fold increase for painting with respiratory infections. The estimated increased risk for a diagnosis of asthma ranges from 1.2 to 2.9. Many of the effects observed in children have also been shown in adults. Exposure to VOCs generated by cleaning is a risk factor for asthma and it has been suggested that VOCs produced by microorganisms such as moulds (mVOCs) may contribute to asthma. At the population level, positive associations have been found between the exposure to mVOCs and nocturnal breathlessness, asthma, and chronic bronchitis-like symptoms. However, the role played by mVOCs is still controversial, due to their low specificity in relation to fungi and their very low concentrations in indoor air.
Phthalates also merit specific mention. These are semi-volatile organic compounds derived from the organic chemical compound phthalic acid. The main indoor sources of phthalate esters are plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, used in floor and wall coverings, shower curtains, adhesives, synthetic leather, toys, cosmetics and many other consumer products. There has been considerable concern about phthalates in relation to reproduction and human development; some recent studies have identified associations between phthalates in indoor dust and allergic respiratory symptoms. There is a need for large-scale epidemiological studies in different populations and housing conditions to investigate the respiratory effects of exposure to phthalates in homes.
Radon
In the early 1920s, in eastern Europe, miners working in mines with high levels of radon were found to have an elevated risk of lung cancer, suggesting a causal relationship. Subsequent studies on miners, including never-smokers, showed a strong association of radon exposure with lung cancer risk. The natural occurrence of radon in indoor environments, including homes, is therefore a public health concern. Numerous studies have shown that radon represents a risk at any level of exposure, irrespective of smoking. After cigarette smoking, radon is the second main cause of lung cancer in the general population with no occupational exposure, and it is a well-established cause of lung cancer in never-smokers. Indoor radon significantly increases the relative risk of lung cancer – probably in a linear dose–response relationship with no threshold – by 8–16% for every 100 Bq·m-3 increment in its concentration. In the USA, 2100–2900 cases of lung cancer in never-smokers each year are attributable to radon exposure, while in the UK, about 1100 deaths each year from lung cancer are related to radon. A pooled analysis of studies in North America showed that the risk of lung cancer increased by 10% for each concentration increment of 100 Bq·m-3 of residential radon; a similar result was found in a meta-analysis in Europe (a risk increase of 10.6% per 100 Bq·m-3).
Allergens
The exposure–response relationship between indoor allergens and respiratory/allergic conditions is complex, depending on several factors, such as genetic susceptibility or gene–environment interaction. The reported results are conflicting, with several studies reporting respiratory effects of indoor allergen exposure, including allergic sensitisation and the development of asthma.
Endotoxins are derived from the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and are ubiquitous in the environment. High exposure to endotoxins is significantly associated with the risk of COPD and COPD-like symptoms, as well as with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and wheezing. However, other studies have found that early or high exposure to cat allergens or dampness-related allergens have a protective effect against asthma/wheeze/atopy. This protective effect has been discussed extensively, and further studies are needed to better understand possible interactions with the immune system.
A pooled analysis using a large database of European birth cohort studies (22 000 children) indicates that pet ownership in early life does not appear to either increase or reduce the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis symptoms in children aged 6–10 years. However, a recent study found that asthmatic children sensitised and exposed to low levels of common household allergens, including mould, dust, cat and dog allergens, have an increased risk of illness.
Dampness/mould
Dampness is present in 10–50% of houses. Moulds are a source of allergens, mVOCs and mycotoxins. Meta-analyses show associations of dampness/mould with increases of approximately 30–50% in respiratory and asthma-related health outcomes, including current asthma, ever-diagnosed asthma, upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheezing and the development of asthma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dampness-related factors are also associated with dyspnoea, respiratory infections, bronchitis and allergic rhinitis. Positive associations, although not always statistically significant, have been found in children/infants or young adults between fungal concentration (expressed by culture colony counts) and risk of allergic sensitisation and asthma. Significant associations have also been found between exposure to moulds and respiratory symptoms or doctor-diagnosed asthma, regardless of atopy.
Some studies have found increased risks of wheezing and allergic sensitisation in relation to high exposure to ergosterol (a mould marker), whereas others found no such association. Other epidemiological studies have evaluated mould exposure based on β-glucans (components of the bacterial cell wall) or mycotoxins (fungal products). Exposure to β-glucans did not affect respiratory/allergic disorders, whereas there is insufficient evidence to implicate mycotoxins in mould-related respiratory effects. Recently, a new method has been developed to measure fungal DNA as a mould marker in dust/air. The main advantage of using DNA is the possibility of also identifying dead or dormant organisms. Significant positive associations have been reported between the quantity of DNA of certain fungi and wheezing, nocturnal dry cough, persistent cough, daytime breathlessness or a diagnosis of asthma.
Combined effects
Many studies have focused on the respiratory risks of exposure to a single pollutant. However, combined exposure to two or more agents is common. Indeed, indoor environments always contain complex mixtures of substances from different sources, which may jointly contribute to the toxic effects. There is evidence, mostly from in vitro or animal studies, of an interaction between air pollutants and allergens in the development of respiratory allergic diseases. In one human study addressing such interactions, a significant association between respiratory symptoms – consistent with asthma exacerbation – and PM was noted only in asthmatic children who owned a dog. Another study found that in mild asthmatics, exposure to a typical home concentration of NO2 enhanced the decrease in airflow associated with inhaled allergen. In a recent study of children at high risk of asthma, co-exposure to dog allergen and NO2, or to dog allergen and environmental tobacco smoke, appeared to increase the risk of asthma.
In a large Indian study (about 100 000 women and 57 000 men, aged 20–49 years), living in a household using biomass for cooking and solid fuels showed a significantly higher risk of asthma in women, whereas tobacco smoking was associated with higher asthma prevalence in both sexes. The combined effects of biomass and solid-fuel use and tobacco smoke on the risk of asthma were higher in women. The combination of VOCs and allergens may also be of importance. | https://www.erswhitebook.org/chapters/indoor-environment/specific-pollutants/ |
SCOPE:
The organisation, website was redeveloped on the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) platform in 2020 and now in a support and maintenance mode with the appointed service provider. A need has been identified to supplement the AEM Team with an AEM front-end developer that will be responsible for the UI / UX implementation of the designs in AEM to meet our customer’s needs from start to finish.
OBJECTIVE:
The main purpose of this scope of work is to secure the services of an experienced AEM specialist (front-end developer) with the following attributes (not all exhaustive):
? Experience with AEM and associated content and UI technologies (Sling, HTL).
? Build trusted advisor relationships with our clients & partners.
? Provide leadership across all stages of customer engagements, including estimations, project initiation, discovery workshops, capturing requirements, build, QA and operations.
? Help to establish overarching digital transformation program goals and objectives for a customer.
? Lead discovery workshops with the ability to understand and articulate customer needs based on limited customer feedback. Capture & refine requirements and translate them into technical details relevant to UI development in the context of AEM.
? Leverage hands-on technical and product skills, to design the solution architecture in partnership with one or more solution experts.
? Define and articulate technical strategy, project plans and timelines.
? Architect and design AEM component pieces that will be used to construct digital platforms for both web and mobile for global enterprises.
? Provide technical leadership for the development team, representing them in customer-facing dealings, taking ownership in sprint delivery and resolving functional and technical issues relating to the UI.
? Perform code reviews and ensure that the team adheres to common coding standards. Lead quality initiatives and make sure that these are enforced in the development team.
? Understand, implement and contribute to AEM best practices within the Adobe technical community.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Skills
o OOP
oDesign patterns
o Functional programming
o Project architecture o Responsive UI development
o Web and mobile development experience
? Task runner
o Gulp, Webpack or relevant
? AEM
o basic understanding: structure, components, Touch UI + authoring, etc.
o sling/HTL templating a plus
? HTML
o HTML5
o template engine: Handlebars, Mustache or others o accessibility
? CSS
o pre-processors: SASS, LESS or relevant o browser support
? JS
o Vanilla
o es 5/6 o Framework is a bonus: React, Angular or others.
SCOPE:
? Collaborate with the internal customers across business to shape and implement digital content initiatives.
? Identify opportunities to improve content development processes and tools, and drive improvements.
? Reviews business and technical requirements to ensure compatibility, identify gaps & inconsistencies and eliminate conflicting requirements.
? Collaborate with back-end developers on coding and troubleshooting, ensuring that development standards are adhered to.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Collaborate with design and web development team members in designing, scoping and implementing new features on internal and external facing digital platforms.
? Contribute to the process of UX/UI design, to ensure that content is appropriately structured to meet the goals for the site and supported platforms.
? Analyse and implement best practice information architecture, interactive design principles, web usability and online marketing requirements.
? Leverage digital capabilities, standards and best practices to drive customer engagement for the bank’s brand.
? Identify business process and capability improvement opportunities aligned to the needs of the bank.
? Data Migration – Migration into AEM from other CMS’s (structured/unstructured data).
? Generate thought leadership using trends, insights, products and industry issues.
? Learn and expand on current SEO best practices to continually audit the website and evaluate the existing pages, new content offerings and creative.
? Assist in the creation of business requirements, user flow diagrams, functional specifications, and user testing plans as needed.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:
Ability to estimate and execute tasks throughout the lifecycle including architecture, discovery, design, development and operations.
? Ability to articulate business & architectural solutions and design options/considerations to both technical and non-technical audiences
? Must be able to manage, lead, and influence multiple stakeholders at various levels in challenging situations, manage ambiguity and establish credibility and trust quickly.
? Experienced UI developer with design system experience and its implementation.
? Strong knowledge on development paradigms such as OOP, design patterns, functional programming.
? Translate strategy into actionable items and to link activities to business results;
? Developing detailed requirements/specs
? Website Management
? User interface and User experience Design
? Developing new websites and apps
? Creating wireframes, prototypes, storyboards, user flows, etc.
? Managing integrations with back-end developers
? Prototyping and Demos
EDUCATION:
Degree in the field of Information Technology, Web Design, Digital Media, Multimedia Communications or related discipline.
? 10+ years’ digital content management experience with Adobe AEM/CQ5 including web page design, content organization , content editing , web architecture and web analytics.
? 5+ years of UX/UI development experience – taking ownership, driving understanding, and delivering solutions that exceed expectations with strong storytelling skills.
? 7+ years of software development experience with 5+ years of experience in design and implementation of modules on Adobe CQ 5.3 and AEM [Phone Number Removed]; and along with 5 years of experience in Java developer.
? Experience in technical management and execution of large digital applications across multiple frameworks and platforms.
? Experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) and Adobe Analytics is strongly preferred. You will be seen as an AEM expert, staying on top of the capabilities of all aspects of the product.
? AEM, Java/J2EE, Sling, Application design and development experience.
? Experienced and deep knowledge on custom AEM Reusable components, Widgets, Templates, Widgets on top of JCR and Apache Sling (9 Implicit Objects), Apache Jackrabbit CRX and AEM.
? Thorough exposure of the end-to-end content lifecycle, web content management, content publishing / deployment and delivery processes as well as experience in implementing 2+ full cycle AEM projects.
? Experience with the full software development lifecycle and software
Desired Skills:
- Stakeholder Management
- communication skills.
Desired Work Experience:
- 5 to 10 years
Desired Qualification Level:
- Diploma
About The Employer: | https://it-online.co.za/2021/07/26/aem-front-end-developer-specialist-at-in4group/ |
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