Datasets:

ivnle
/

fineweb

Dataset card Data Studio Files Files and versions Community

Split (2)

train · 2.01M rows

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.

prompt stringlengths 18 524	text stringlengths 70 11.4k
Warren E. Weber - Retired Economist Published February 16, 2012 This paper examines two different clearing arrangements for bank liabilities. One was a profit-maximizing private entity, the Suffolk Banking System. It cleared notes for	Warren E. Weber - Retired Economist Published February 16, 2012 This paper examines two different clearing arrangements for bank liabilities. One was a profit-maximizing private entity, the Suffolk Banking System. It cleared notes for New England banks between 1827 and 1858. The other was a nonprofit collective, the clearinghouses organized in many cities beginning in 1853. The paper examines how well these arrangements prevented bank failures and acted as lenders of last resort. It finds the Suffolk system had fewer failures but acted less like a lender of last resort. It argues that these differences can be explained by the different incentives facing the Suffolk Bank and the members of clearinghouses. Download Paper (PDF)
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations - General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR	Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations - General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. “Today, poverty prevails as the gravest human rights challenge in the world. Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligation, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime… Poverty eradication is an achievable goal.” — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour
The Distance and Borders on the Influence of Wage Differential in China Due to there is no record of migration in China, we estimate migration by Johnson¡¦s (2003) way. Estimates of migration among the provinces of China area were made	The Distance and Borders on the Influence of Wage Differential in China Due to there is no record of migration in China, we estimate migration by Johnson¡¦s (2003) way. Estimates of migration among the provinces of China area were made by comparison of the provincial population from the 1994 to the 2003 censuses. The estimates were made by comparing every year between 1995 and 2004 population of each province with what it would have been if population had increased solely due to national growth-the excess of births over deaths. Unfortunately, the estimate of the increase in provincial populations due to migration was much greater than the estimate of the loss of population by migration. Possible reasons for the difference in the estimates due primarily to the underestimation of immigrants. Because this difference amounts to less than 3% of the 1995-2004 population of China, the data is still useful to us. Because wage is a kind of price, we adopt the method by Engel and Rogers (1996), and use the law of one price to examine the wage differential in China area. We find that high migration gap, long distance and the presence of coast all lead to an increase in wage differential in China area. We also find that distance and border reduce differential among provinces. Note that the distance has a positive effect on wage differential, and the square of distance has a negative effect. This means the distance relationship were concave. Finally, we examine the tendency in the standard deviation of wage differential and migration gap among the provinces of China during the period 1994-2003. The standard deviation of wage differential widened, and the standard of migration gap did not display strong increasing or decreasing. Although the growth rate of wage differential was positive, it reduced in recent years. The average growth rate of migration gap was close to zero, there is not significant tendency. Advisor:So-de Shyu; Ming-Jang Weng; Yung-hsiang Ying School:National Sun Yat-Sen University School Location:China - Taiwan Source Type:Master's Thesis Keywords:china area migration law of one price panel data wage differential Date of Publication:06/26/2006
The essence of the New Typography is clarity. This puts it into deliberate opposition to the old typography whose aim was “beauty” and whose clarity did not attain the high level we require today. This utmost clarity is necessary today because of the manifold	The essence of the New Typography is clarity. This puts it into deliberate opposition to the old typography whose aim was “beauty” and whose clarity did not attain the high level we require today. This utmost clarity is necessary today because of the manifold claims for our attention made by the extraordinary amount of print, which demands the greatest economy of expression. —Jan Tschichold: The New Typography (1928) Typography 101: Fonts Matter The description of Typography 101 in the cou
What We've Learned About Dual Enrollment Katherine Hughes, a researcher at TC’s Community College Research Center reports on CCRC studies of high school students taking classes on college campuses This article originally appeared on betterhighschools.org, the blog of	What We've Learned About Dual Enrollment Katherine Hughes, a researcher at TC’s Community College Research Center reports on CCRC studies of high school students taking classes on college campuses This article originally appeared on betterhighschools.org, the blog of the National High Schools Center at the American Institutes for Research. Taking college courses while still in high school can lead to a range of positive college outcomes for students, according to two new studies released late last year by the National Center for Postsecondary Research (NCPR), led by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College. The two studies add to a growing body of research suggesting the value of dual enrollment, which has risen in popularity over the past decade as policymakers and educators have sought ways to smooth the transition from high school to college for many students. The CCRC studies found that the benefits of dual enrollment were not universal, however. One study found that dual enrollment students were 12 percent more likely to go to college and 7 percent more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than non-dual enrollment students, but these strong effects were seen only for those students who took dual enrollment classes on college campuses. Students who took dual enrollment classes exclusively on their high school campus showed no statistically significant gains. To investigate just how beneficial the courses are, the second study compared students whose grade point average was just above and just below the cut-off to qualify for dual enrollment and found no better outcomes in general for the dual enrollment students. However, further analysis indicated that the students who took a rigorous college algebra class were 16 percent more likely to go to college and 23 percent more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than similar students who did not take that particular class. These findings could call into question dual enrollment programs in which college courses are delivered on the high school campus. They also suggest that dual enrollment programs should focus on basic academic preparation instead of letting students choose from a range of courses. However, through CCRC’s extensive work in the field, the center’s researchers have learned that dual enrollment programs often face challenges that confound these seemingly straightforward approaches to program design. For example, one California program we studied served students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds with little knowledge or experience of college. It was difficult to both recruit and retain these students and the program structure developed around efforts to engage them. Because many of the students lacked transportation, the program located the dual enrollment courses on the high school campus; many students said they could not participate if the courses were held at the college. Program staff also discovered that the key to retaining students in the program was offering courses in topics relevant to their lives, such as “Academic and Life Success” and “The Multicultural Journey.” The students found these classes challenging but meaningful, and once they were offered, retention increased. The hope is that even a high-school based college experience can create the foundation and momentum for students to eventually take the next step onto a college campus. Thus, while the new studies are important in helping clarify the program components that are associated with the strongest student outcomes, individual programs must always take into account the most effective ways to reach their students. Rather than adhering to a rigid blueprint for structure and delivery, program administrators should develop systems to measure student outcomes and use the resulting data to continually adjust and improve their dual enrollment programs. Hughes is the Assistant Director for Work and Education Reform Research at the Community College Research Center (CCRC) (http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu), Teachers College, and a senior staff member of the National Center for Postsecondary Research.
Date of this Version Collisions between large vertebrates and vehicles along roadways are an increasing concern, not only because of ecological consequences, but also because of associated economic and social costs. We used a large-scale, long-term data set comprising	Date of this Version Collisions between large vertebrates and vehicles along roadways are an increasing concern, not only because of ecological consequences, but also because of associated economic and social costs. We used a large-scale, long-term data set comprising several databases from Utah to summarize and analyze these costs. The overall cost for 13,020 collisions from 1996 to 2001 in Utah was approximately $45,175,454, resulting in an estimated average per year cost of about $7,529,242 and a mean collision cost of $3,470. These figures include human fatality costs of $24 million (53% of total costs); vehicle damage costs of $18 million (39%); loss of deer, valued at $2.7 million (6%); and human injury costs of $1 million (2%). Cost-benefit analyses have shown that mitigation efforts, which are prioritized based on road-kill data, can produce positive net economic gains and also increase driver safety.
Improvised lamp made of a dynamo and bike lamp The three main parts that make this improvised lamp are a bike lamp, a dynamo and two handles one of which is movable and the other fixed. The fixed handle is used for guiding	Improvised lamp made of a dynamo and bike lamp The three main parts that make this improvised lamp are a bike lamp, a dynamo and two handles one of which is movable and the other fixed. The fixed handle is used for guiding the lamp, while the movable handle on the right is used as a crank. Fast speed movements of the crank make dynamo act as a power supply for the bike lamp, which enables the creation of light beams. Although it seems primitive, this invention was of extreme help for the people during the years of war. This simple, improvised lamp is another in a series of proof of human ingenuity and perspicacity, even in extremely difficult circumstances.
Poisoned candy myths \|This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008)\| The poisoned candy myths are urban legends that malevolent individuals could hide poison or drugs, or sharp objects such as razor blades, needles,	Poisoned candy myths \|This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008)\| The poisoned candy myths are urban legends that malevolent individuals could hide poison or drugs, or sharp objects such as razor blades, needles, or broken glass in candy and distribute the candy in order to harm random children, especially during Halloween trick-or-treating. Development of the candy tampering myth Several events fostered the candy tampering myth. The first event took place in 1964, where an annoyed Long Island, New York housewife started giving out packages of inedible objects to children whom she believed were too old to be trick-or-treating. The packages contained items such as steel wool, dog biscuits, and ant buttons (which were clearly labeled with the word "poison"). Though nobody was injured, she was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to endangering children. The same year saw reports of lye-filled bubble gum being handed out in Detroit and rat poison being given in Philadelphia. The second milestone in the spread of the candy tampering myths was an article published in the New York Times in 1970. This article claimed that "Those Halloween goodies that children collect this weekend on their rounds of ‘trick or treating’ may bring them more horror than happiness", and provided specific examples of potential tamperings. In 2008, candy was found with metal shavings and metal blades embedded in it. The candy was Pokémon Valentine's Day lollipops purchased from a Dollar General store in Polk County, Florida. The candy was determined to have been manufactured in China and not tampered with within the United States. The lollipops were pulled from the shelves after a mother reported a blade in her child's lollipop and after several more lollipops with metal shavings in them were confiscated from a local elementary school. Debunking the myths Over the years various experts have tried to debunk the various candy tampering stories. Among this group is Joel Best, a University of Delaware sociologist who specializes in candy tampering legends. In his studies, and the book "Halloween Sadism: the evidence", he researched newspapers from 1958 on in search of candy tampering. Of these stories, fewer than 90 instances might have qualified as actual candy tampering. Best has found five child deaths that were initially thought by local authorities to be caused by homicidal strangers, but none of those were sustained by investigation. False claims of stranger poisoning In 1970, a 5-year-old boy from the Detroit area found and ate heroin his uncle had stashed. The boy died following a four-day coma. The family attempted to protect the uncle by claiming the drug had been sprinkled in the child's Halloween candy. In a 1974 case, Timothy O'Bryan, an 8-year-old boy from Deer Park, Texas, died after eating a cyanide-laced package of Pixy Stix. A subsequent police investigation eventually determined that the poisoned candy had been planted in his trick-or-treat pile by the boy's father, Ronald Clark O'Bryan, who also gave out poisoned candy to other children in an attempt to cover up the murder. The murderer, who had wanted to claim life insurance money, was executed in 1984. Media and the myth Despite the falsity of these claims the news media promoted the story continuously throughout the 1980s, with local news stations featuring frequent coverage. During this time cases of poisoning were repeatedly reported based on unsubstantiated claims or before a full investigation could be completed and often never followed up on. This one sided coverage contributed to the overall panic and caused rival media outlets to issue reports of candy tampering as well. By 1985, the media had driven the hysteria about candy poisonings to such a point that an ABC News/Washington Post poll that found 60% of parents feared that their children would be injured or killed because of Halloween candy sabotage. - "In recent years, there have been reports of people with twisted minds putting razor blades and poison in taffy apples and Halloween candy. It is no longer safe to let your child eat treats that come from strangers." –Ann Landers - "Somebody's child will become violently ill or die after eating poisoned candy or an apple containing a razor blade." –Dear Abby Unlike poison, there have been many incidents of sharp objects, including razor blades, being found in candy and other food products. In some cases, the blades were placed in the candy intentionally, but other cases were determined to be accidental. - "Deadly 'Tricks' Given Children in 3 States". The Milwaukee Journal. United Press International. November 2, 1964. p. A18. - Klemesrud, Judy (October 28, 1970). "Those Treats May Be Tricks". The New York Times. p. 56. - "Metal-Filled Lollipops Seized By Deputies At Elementary School - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando". Local6.com. February 14, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2009. - "Cold medication discovered
Comprise means to consist of or to be composed of. Compose means to make up the constituent parts of. Parts compose the whole, and the whole comprises the parts. For example, we could say that the United States comprises 50 states	Comprise means to consist of or to be composed of. Compose means to make up the constituent parts of. Parts compose the whole, and the whole comprises the parts. For example, we could say that the United States comprises 50 states and that the 50 states compose the United States.
NIH Research Matters April 20, 2009 Overlooked “Brown Fat” Tied to Obesity Scientists have thought that adults lack a type of fat called brown fat. New research shows that not only do adults have it	NIH Research Matters April 20, 2009 Overlooked “Brown Fat” Tied to Obesity Scientists have thought that adults lack a type of fat called brown fat. New research shows that not only do adults have it, but it may play an important role in weight control. There are a least 2 different types of fat. Our bodies store energy primarily as white fat. When you consume too many calories, your body turns the excess into white fat. To lose weight, you generally have to use more energy than you take in, which makes your body tap into its stores and break down the white fat for energy. Brown fat helps to maintain body temperature by burning up chemical energy to create heat. It's found in small mammals like rodents throughout their lives. Human infants have it when they're born, but we lose brown fat as we age. By adulthood, researchers thought, our brown fat was essentially nonexistent. However, it's been difficult to actually measure brown fat. A team of scientists at several institutions in Boston set out to measure brown fat directly. They detected uptake of a labeled sugar molecule in whole-body scans that used an imaging system called positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT). Cells that take up the sugar are metabolically active. In fat tissue, that indicates the presence of brown fat. The team, led by Dr. C. Ronald Kahn at the Joslin Diabetes Center, was partly supported by NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).The researchers analyzed almost 2,000 patients for the presence of regions of brown fat that were at least 4 mm in diameter. In the April 9, 2009, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, they reported that they detected brown fat in 76 of 1,013 women (7.5%) and 30 of 959 men (3.1%). Women also had more brown fat tissue and higher levels of sugar uptake. The most common area in which brown fat was detected was a region of the neck. Notably, the less brown fat tissue the researchers detected, the higher the body mass index (a ratio of weight to height) tended to be, especially in older people. That suggests a potential role of brown fat in adult human metabolism. Two companion papers published in the same journal issue complemented these findings. In one, a research team in the Netherlands reported detecting brown fat tissue activity in 23 of 24 men during cold exposure, but not at room temperature. The activity was significantly lower in the overweight and obese men than in the lean subjects. These results imply a role for brown fat in keeping the body warm. In the other study, a team from Sweden found that labeled sugar uptake increased by a factor of 15 in the cold. Suspecting the presence of brown fat, the researchers took tissue biopsies and demonstrated the presence of active brown fat. "Taken together, these studies show that a significant percentage of adults have active brown fat, and that it likely plays a role in regulating body temperature," says NIDDK researcher Dr. Francesco S. Celi, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal. "Stimulating this tissue to burn more energy may be a promising novel strategy for treating or preventing obesity." —Harrison Wein, Ph.D. - Weight-control Information Network: - Aim for a Healthy Weight: NIH Research Matters Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B64A, MSC 2094 Bethesda, MD 20892-2094 About NIH Research Matters Editor: Harrison Wein, Ph.D. Assistant Editors: Vicki Contie, Carol Torgan, Ph.D. NIH Research Matters is a weekly update of NIH research highlights from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.
The massive earthquake that rocked Chile in 2010 could have triggered a swarm of smaller quakes thousands of miles away in California, researchers suggest. The magnitude 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile last year struck just offshore of areas holding 80	The massive earthquake that rocked Chile in 2010 could have triggered a swarm of smaller quakes thousands of miles away in California, researchers suggest. The magnitude 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile last year struck just offshore of areas holding 80 percent of the country's population. The quake killed at least 521 people, injured about 12,000 more and damaged or destroyed at least 370,000 houses. Now it turns out Chile might not have been the only place this quake affected. "We now know that a very large earthquake like the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and the 2010 Chile quake can trigger seismic activity potentially at anywhere within the Earth, because the seismic waves from such major earthquakes are large enough to circle the entire globe," researcher Zhigang Peng, a seismologist at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, told OurAmazingPlanet. Peng and his colleagues suggest the Chilean quake triggered four earthquakes with magnitudes of 2 or higher that shook California, with the largest of the group being a magnitude 3.5 quake that rattled the Coso Volcanic Field about 5,730 miles (9,220 kilometers) away, where several geothermal power plants are located. Although this area is one of the most seismically active regions in California and often plagued by small quakes, when the researchers estimated the chance of an earthquake swarm occurring there immediately following the Chilean earthquake, their calculations suggest there was a more than 99 percent chance the two seismic events were probably connected. The seismologists also detected a cluster of deep tremors along the Parkfield-Cholame section of the San Andreas Fault that also appeared to be influenced by the Chilean quake about 5,820 miles (9,360 km) away. That section of the San Andreas was the site of possibly the largest quake on that fault in the last few centuries, the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, a magnitude 7.9 temblor. So how might one quake help set off these others? The researchers suggest the Chilean quake could have sent off so-called "love waves" horizontal surface movement that would have traveled from their epicenter all the way to California, pushing already stressed faults over the edge. "Earthquakes talk to each other," Peng said. "Many scientists have found that when a large earthquake occurs, it will trigger numerous earthquakes, mostly around the previous one, which are known as aftershocks. Some of them could be potentially dangerous." But whether or not large earthquakes can trigger other large earthquakes from far away is still an unanswered question. "So far we have found much evidence that large earthquakes could trigger small earthquakes at long-range distances," Peng said. "We have yet to see a damaging earthquake triggered at very large distances." Seeds of earthquakes One might also ask if the small tremors these distant quakes set off might relieve pressure on a fault, thus preventing or delaying larger quakes in the future. However, "since most of triggered earthquakes are small, then the built-up pressure in other faults are not relieved at all," Peng said. "However, it is possible that those triggered earthquakes could continue for a while, and may even lead to large earthquakes at later times." These findings might help scientists better understand how the seeds of earthquakes are planted, and how quakes interact with each other across long distances. "We can now calculate the stress perturbations from distant earthquakes such information is crucial to understand how earthquakes are triggered," Peng said. "We are still far from applying it to accurately predicting earthquakes. However, our study, together with others, could be used to improve our understanding of earthquake physics." "We can now calculate the stress perturbations from distant earthquakes," said researcher David Hill at the U.S. Geological Survey at Menlo Park, Calif. "Such information is crucial to understand how earthquakes are triggered. We are still far from applying it to accurately predicting earthquakes. However, our study, together with others, could be used to improve
Stonemasonry is the craft of making things out of stone. People who do this are called stonemasons. Their crafts have existed since the start of civilization. They have made important buildings and structures out of stone. This stone comes	Stonemasonry is the craft of making things out of stone. People who do this are called stonemasons. Their crafts have existed since the start of civilization. They have made important buildings and structures out of stone. This stone comes from the earth. Stone has been used to build many long-lasting things. These could be monuments, artifacts, cathedrals and cities. These can often be seen in many cultures. Some monuments made out of stone include, the Egyptian pyramids and the Greek Parthenon. Stonehenge is also a famous stone building.
TEN-month-old Ruby can speak just three words but scientists believe babies of her age can show sympathy. The ability to display sympathy was previously thought to start at 18 months but research has found it begins as early as 10 months. Even	TEN-month-old Ruby can speak just three words but scientists believe babies of her age can show sympathy. The ability to display sympathy was previously thought to start at 18 months but research has found it begins as early as 10 months. Even non-verbal infants show sympathy for victims of aggression, according to research published in PLOS ONE journal. Tuning into the emotional states of others "may function as a foundation for full-fledged sympathetic behaviour later on", the scientists said. Mother-of-two Leanne Roberts believes babies "go out in sympathy" when they see other babies upset: "At mothers' group if one of them cries, it can set a couple of them off." She said Ruby already demonstrates tenderness and an ability to comfort.
From T-shirts to Twig Baskets, 65 Cool Projects for Crafty Kids to Make with Natural Materials You Can Find Anywhere Nature’s Art Box is a 224-page treasure trove of fun projects children will love to make, using	From T-shirts to Twig Baskets, 65 Cool Projects for Crafty Kids to Make with Natural Materials You Can Find Anywhere Nature’s Art Box is a 224-page treasure trove of fun projects children will love to make, using materials from their own backyards! The author explains how to use shells, moss, seedpods, and cones to decorate objects; how to embellish picture frames, birdhouses, and keepsake boxes with forest treasures; how to make inks and from plants and flowers; how to build fairy-sized furniture; and how to dig clay, weave vines, and make natural dyes to decorate T-shirts. This book starts with the premise that nature is full of art materials. Whether it’s a city park, a suburban backyard, a farm field, or a sandy beach, it’s all at your fingertips. With just a few inexpensive store-bought items, such as string, glue and wire, you are on your way to creating beautiful, natural works of art. The introduction and appendix contain helpful information on gathering materials and other crafts supplies you’ll need. Projects vary in complexity from very simple to those that require adult supervision. Here’s a sampling of projects: - Dried-Flower Fairy - Leaf Rubbing Gift Wrap - Okra Pod Canoe and People - Sand Painting - Shell Buttons - Homemade Natural Paint - Bark and Moss House - Angel Ornament - Fern Print Along the way, the author is careful to teach respect for what the earth offers, helping children learn to be good stewards of the earth’s resources as well as artists. This book is a great resource for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers. Recommended for ages 9 and up 8.5" x 11"
SEPTEMBER 17* - Constitution Day & National POW/MIA Recognition Day Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal observance that recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S	SEPTEMBER 17* - Constitution Day & National POW/MIA Recognition Day Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal observance that recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as "Citizenship Day". In addition to renaming the holiday "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," the act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day. In May 2005, the United States Department of Education announced the enactment of this law and that it would apply to any school receiving federal funds of any kind. This holiday is not observed by granting time off work for federal employees. When Constitution Day falls on a weekend or on another holiday, schools and other institutions observe the holiday on an adjacent weekday. This was the case in 2005, when Constitution Day was generally observed on Friday, September 16 and 2006 when the holiday was observed on Monday, September 18. Universities and colleges nationwide have created "U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Weeks" in order to meet the requirements of the law. For example, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has created a celebration week that includes "Constitution Trivia Contests", distribution of free copies of the U.S. Constitution, a campus & community fair (in which volunteer and community groups can share information with students), a web page with facts and links related to the Constitution and history of the United States. MS
World cereal production set to reach historic high in 2013 Serious food insecurity affects Syria, Central Africa, parts of West Africa 11 July 2013, Rome - World total cereal production is forecast to increase by about 7 percent	World cereal production set to reach historic high in 2013 Serious food insecurity affects Syria, Central Africa, parts of West Africa 11 July 2013, Rome - World total cereal production is forecast to increase by about 7 percent in 2013 compared to last year, helping to replenish global inventories and raise expectations for more stable markets in 2013/14, according to the latest issue of FAO's quarterly Crop Prospects and Food Situation report. The increase would bring world cereal production to 2 479 million tonnes, a new record level. FAO now puts world wheat output in 2013 at 704 million tonnes, an increase of 6.8 percent, which more than recoups the previous year's reduction and represents the highest level in history. World production of coarse grains in 2013 is now forecast by FAO at about 1 275 million tonnes, up sharply (9.7 percent) from 2012. World rice production in 2013 is forecast to expand by 1.9 percent to 500 million tonnes (milled equivalent) although prospects are still very provisional. Import forecasts, cereal prices Cereal imports of Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries for 2013/14 are estimated to rise by some 5 percent, compared to 2012/13, to meet growing demand. Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria, in particular, are forecast to import larger volumes. International prices of wheat declined slightly in June with the onset of the 2013 harvests in the Northern Hemisphere. By contrast, maize prices increased, supported by continued tight supplies. Export prices of rice were generally stable. Food insecurity situations The report focuses on developments affecting the food security situation of developing countries. In its review of food insecurity hotspots, the report highlights the following countries, among others: In Syria, 2013 wheat production dropped significantly below average due to the escalating civil conflict leading to disruptions in farming activities. Livestock sector has been severely affected. About 4 million people are estimated to be facing severe food insecurity. In Egypt, civil unrest and dwindling foreign exchange reserves raise serious food security concerns. In Central Africa, serious food insecurity conditions prevail due to escalating conflict affecting about 8.4 million people in Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In West Africa, the overall food situation is favourable in most parts of the Sahel following an above-average 2012 cereal harvest. However, a large number of people are still affected by conflict and the lingering effects of the 2011/12 food crisis. In East Africa, although household food security has improved in most countries, serious concerns remain in conflict areas in Somalia, the Sudan, and South Sudan, with 1 million, 4.3 million and 1.2 million food insecure people, respectively. In Madagascar, damage caused by locusts and a cyclone is expected to reduce crop production in 2013, causing increased hunger, especially in the southern and western regions of the country. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, despite improved cereal harvest of the 2012 main season and the near normal outcome of the ongoing harvest of the 2013 early season, chronic food insecurity exists. An estimated 2.8 million vulnerable people require food assistance until the next harvest in October.
The number of people with the Norovirus winter vomiting bug has gone down for a second week, latest figures show.But experts say the 32% drop seen in the rate of confirmed new cases over the last week alone in England and Wales does	The number of people with the Norovirus winter vomiting bug has gone down for a second week, latest figures show.But experts say the 32% drop seen in the rate of confirmed new cases over the last week alone in England and Wales does not mean the problem has gone away. Infection rates always fluctuate and cases could easily rise again, says the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This season, a new strain called Sydney 2012, is responsible for most cases. This strain of the virus was first seen in Australia- where the norovirus season is lasting longer than usual as outbreaks continue into their summer. Experts are watching international patterns closely but cannot be sure what will happen next in the UK. The number of new cases are up 56% on the number reported this time last year, and the total lab-confirmed toll now stands at 4,407. For each confirmed new case experts estimate a further 288 cases are likely to go unreported. Norovirus symptoms and information: - Symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhoea - You may also have a fever, headache and stomach cramps - Over-the-counter medicines can be useful in treating headaches and other aches and pains - Do not visit your GP surgery or A&E unit if you have it - If symptoms persist for more than three or four days, or if you have a serious illness, seek medical attention through contact with your GP - Wash hands thoroughly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating - Clean hard surfaces with detergent followed by disinfection with a bleach solution, paying particular attention to the toilet and surrounding area. During the two weeks up to 13 January 2013 there were 39 hospital outbreaks reported, compared to 33 in the previous fortnight, bringing the total of outbreaks for the season to 728. The highly contagious virus can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, contact with a person who has the infection or through contaminated food and water. Experts advise anyone who thinks they may have the virus to stay away from hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes to avoid spreading it to people who may be vulnerable. The illness usually resolves itself within a few days with no long term effects.
Hydraulic systems can use either of two methods of load control: the energy-loss method, in which flow to the actuator is set by valving, or the volumecontrol method, in which a variabledisplacement pump regulates flow. Most industrial	Hydraulic systems can use either of two methods of load control: the energy-loss method, in which flow to the actuator is set by valving, or the volumecontrol method, in which a variabledisplacement pump regulates flow. Most industrial hydraulic systems are designed using the energy-loss method. However, energy lost as heat can exceed that of the mechanical power produced by the system. For example, even well-designed electrohydraulic servovalve or proportional valve systems may convert 60 to 80% of input horsepower to heat. Some hydraulic system heat is desirable to bring fluid up to operating temperature. Cold hydraulic oil has a higher viscosity than warm oil. So maintaining an operating temperature of 100° F would cause sluggish operation and excessive pressure drop in a system designed to operate at 140° F. When a system begins operation on a cold winter morning, for example, the oil should be allowed to warm until it reaches a temperature where heat is generated at the same rate as system heat radiating into the atmosphere or other cooling medium. If heat generation exceeds the rate at which heat can be dissipated, the excess heat can initiate oil decomposition, form varnish on system component surfaces, and begin to deteriorate system seals. Excess heat sooner or later spells trouble for any hydraulic system. Too much heat breaks down oil, damages seals and bearings, and increases wear on pumps and other components. The solution to these problems is the inclusion of a properly sized heat exchanger as a component of the system. Heat is a form of energy that migrates from one region to another when a temperature difference (gradient) exists between the regions. Heat naturally flows from the hotter region to the cooler one. The rate of heat transfer is important in determining how much can be removed from a system within a given time frame. As long as it has a higher heat transfer rate, a physically smaller heat exchanger can remove heat from a system faster than one that is much larger. The defining equation for any heat exchanger is: q = U X A X ΔT where: q is the heat transfer rate, BTU/hr, U is the overall heat transfer coeficient, BTU/hr-ft2-° F, A is the heat transfer surface area, ft2, and Δ is the fluid temperature difference, °F. These three factors take varying forms, depending on the particular design of heat exchanger and the application involved. Inspecting the equation reveals that increasing any factor on the right increases heat transfer rate in direct proportion. Doubling the surface area in contact with the heated fluid doubles the heat transfer rate. Increasing temperature difference between the hydraulic oil and the coolant by 50% increases the heat transfer rate by 50%. Heat dissipates from a fluid system through natural and forced convection. Natural convection occurs as heat moves from system components into the surrounding atmosphere because of the temperature gradient. In smaller hydraulic systems, temperatures generally are lower than in larger systems, and heat transfer from the oil to tubing and other component surfaces often provides sufficient cooling. However, if natural convection cannot remove enough generated heat, a heat exchanger must be installed to control system temperature. The heat exchanger uses forced convection to remove heat. Another mode of heat transmission, radiation, may often occur, but its effect is small and usually can be ignored. Heat exchangers are available in 1-, 2-, and 4-pass configurations, Figure 1. These multiple passes result from dividers in the bonnets that mate with segmenting bars on the tube sheets to initially force the cooling medium (water) through only a fraction of the tubes. This causes the water to flow one, two, or four times the length of the heat exchanger before it leaves the outlet. Fluid can flow in laminar, transitional, and turbulent modes. When flow is laminar and at low velocities in a tube, there is little or no fluid movement immediately next to the tube wall. This layer of stagnant fluid hinders heat transfer and acts as insulation. Faster, turbulent flow has no smooth velocity gradient. The jumbled, tumbled flow pattern can disrupt much of the stationary fluid film. Built-in obstructions to flow, called turbulators, disrupt laminar flow, thereby improving heat transfer. Although these obstructions to flow increase pressure drop through the heat exchanger, the improvement in heat transfer more than compensates for the higher pressure drop. Shell-and-tube heat exchangers, Figure 2, have an outer flanged shell with end bonnets appropriately sealed to the shell ends. A precise pattern of tubing within the shell runs the length of the shell and terminates in end plates. Tube ends are fastened to the end plates, which seal each end of the shell. Cool water flows inside the tubes, and hot hydraulic oil flows around the tubes within the shell. The tubes that make up the tube bundle, or core, are arranged in geometric tube bundle patterns (square or triangular centerline spacing when viewed from the tube ends) to help promote turbulent flow. The tubes run through several baffle plates that provide structural rigidity and create a maze through which the hot fluid must flow. This flow pattern enhances heat transfer by forcing the hot fluid to flow perpendicular to the tubes and promoting laminar flow. Many tube bundles for hydraulic
When talking about geometric transformations, we have to be very careful about the object being transformed. We have two alternatives, either the geometric objects are transformed or the coordinate system is transformed. These two are very closely related; but, the formulae that	When talking about geometric transformations, we have to be very careful about the object being transformed. We have two alternatives, either the geometric objects are transformed or the coordinate system is transformed. These two are very closely related; but, the formulae that carry out the job are different. We only cover transforming geometric objects here. We shall start with the traditional Euclidean transformations that do not change lengths and angle measures, followed by affine transformation. Finally, we shall talk about projective transformations. The Euclidean transformations are the most commonly used transformations. An Euclidean transformation is either a translation, a rotation, or a reflection. We shall discuss translations and rotations only. Therefore, if a line has an equation Ax + By + C = 0, after plugging the formulae for x and y, the line has a new equation Ax' + By' + (-Ah - Bk + C) = 0. If a point (x, y) is rotated an angle a about the coordinate origin t
Individual differences \| Methods \| Statistics \| Clinical \| Educational \| Industrial \| Professional items \| World psychology \| Mental health is a concept that refers to a human individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "	Individual differences \| Methods \| Statistics \| Clinical \| Educational \| Industrial \| Professional items \| World psychology \| Mental health is a concept that refers to a human individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no one "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined. In general, most experts agree that "mental health" and "mental illness" are not opposites. In other words, the absence of a recognized mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of mental health. One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying relationships, and lead an independent life; and being able to "bounce back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental health. Some experts consider mental health as a continuum. Thus, an individual's mental health may have many different possible values. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, such that a person can reach enhanced levels of mental health, even if they do not have any diagnosable mental illness. This definition of mental health highlights emotional well being, the capacity to live a full and creative life and the flexibility to deal with life's inevitable challenges. Many therapeutic systems and self-help books offer methods and philosophies espousing presumably effective strategies and techniques for further improving the mental wellness of otherwise healthy people. World Health Organization definition of mental healthEdit "Mental health has been defined variously by scholars from different cultures. Concepts of mental health include subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From a cross-cultural perspective, it is nearly impossible to define mental health comprehensively. It is, however, generally agreed that mental health is broader than a lack of mental disorders." Mental hygiene conceptEdit Dr. William Glasser, a psychiatrist engaged in therapeutics and counseling, describes 'Mental Hygiene' in his book Mental Health or Mental Illness (1961), following the dictionary definition of hygiene as the establishment and maintenance of health, i.e. mental health. Currently, many mental health professionals focus less upon enhancing mental health than on treating psychological symptoms with psychoactive medications. Mental health, as a concept, is quite distinct from mental illness, and enhancement of mental health plays no part in what most mental health professionals actually do. Instead, the Western medical model relies primarily upon the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) or ICD-10 to diagnose and treat the symptoms associated with what they call mental illnesses and disorders. Physicians, including psychiatrists, and other health and mental health professionals and researchers, generally agree that an illness is likely present when a defined pathology can be found in brain tissue. Illness that directly arise in connection with such pathology are often neurological in nature; Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are two examples. When no known identifiable organic or physical pathology is present, as is often the case in patients diagnosed with depression, mania, neurosis, and other mental illnesses, the question arises as to whether it is correct to attribute the very real symptoms to scientifically defined causes, i.e. a specific pathology. To a degree, certain indicators, such as reduced thyroid function, support medical hypotheses such as the chemical imbalance theory. The DSM-IV defines and attributes mental illnesses to 'chemical imbalances', for which neuropsychiatric drugs are now widely (and in the view of some board certified psychiatrists, wrongly) prescribed. (See Glasser: WARNING--Psychiatry Can Be Hazardous To Your Mental Health (Harper-Collins, 2004) and Treating Mental Health as a Public Health Problem -- A New Leadership Role for the Helping Professions and Robert Whitaker: Mad In America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill (Perseus Publishing, 2002)) Opposition to biological psychiatryEdit Opposing viewpoints to biological psychiatry theories include those of anti-psychiatry advocates, who contend psychiatric patients do not necessarily have a mental illness, but in fact are individuals who do not ascribe to the conventional belief system, or consensus reality, shared by most other people in their culture. Dr. Glasser defines mental health as an entity completely separate from mental illness, explaining that as long as the Western medical model prevails, the mental health profession will be unable to affordably deliver the services many people need. Dr. Glasser asserts that the Public Health model is much better suited to delivering mental health than the prevailing medical model. According to some critics of the reigning medical model, such as Glasser, the Public Health model has been successfully delivering physical health to millions of people for hundreds of years. He explains how this model could be expanded into a low cost Public Mental Health Delivery model, one that could be put into practice easily by al
More than 1400 young people testing positive for chlamydia - From: News Limited Network - October 23, 2013 A STAGGERING number of young children are suffering from chlamydia, with	More than 1400 young people testing positive for chlamydia - From: News Limited Network - October 23, 2013 A STAGGERING number of young children are suffering from chlamydia, with more than 1400 girls and boys aged 12-15 testing positive for the sexually transmitted disease. And in a shocking reflection of the true extent of under-age sexual activity, researchers reported 10,300 children in this age group presented for testing over the past three years. The latest statistics on sexually transmitted diseases released at the Australiasian Sexual Health Conference in Darwin show a record number of 82,000 Australians had a positive chlamydia test last year. This is the largest number of cases ever recorded and makes the sexually transmitted disease the most notified infection or disease of any kind in Australia. University NSW expert Associate Professor David Wilson described the infection rate as "staggering". And he says it is just the tip of the iceberg with up to 500,000 Australians estimated to have the disease and not know it. Chlamydia can be symptomless but can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, is related to infertility and preterm births and its spread shows fewer people are having safe sex. It can be prevented by using condoms and can be treated using antibiotics. Epidemiologist Carol El-Hayek from the Burnet Institute says the high rate of chlamydia in children and young teens bears out evidence that the age of first sexual activity has been decreasing. In the 1950s the average age of first sexual activity was 18 but recent surveys have found almost one in three young people say they first had sex before they turned 16. Sexual health experts worry this younger age group has not had a chance to hear the safe sex message. Chlamydia is probably being picked up when doctors order routine tests if a girl comes seeking help after unprotected sex, Ms El-Hayek said. Other data presented at the conference shows 200,000 Australians are living with hepatitis B, up 9,000 in the last month with 400 people dying from the infection each year. More than 230,000 Australians have hepatitis C, up 5,300 in the last 12 months. There were 13,649 new cases of Gonnorhea diagnosed last year, mainly in gay men and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The number of syphilis cases increased by 1,534 last year. The good news is that introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine is behind a dramatic reduction in genital warts. Before the vaccine was given to school girls in 2007, 12 per cent of girls aged under 21 had genital warts; that has declined to just 1 per cent under the vaccination program. The number of girls aged 21-30 with genital warts has plunged from 12- 4 per cent. Queensland University of Technology's Professor Alan McKee says experts may need to change the way young men learn about sexually transmi
Why Ship Eggs and Not Fish?... Iron River National Fish Hatchery Explains! BY CAREY EDWARDS, IRON RIVER NFH displacement and packaged for shipping. Credit: USFWS The Iron River National Fish Hatch	Why Ship Eggs and Not Fish?... Iron River National Fish Hatchery Explains! BY CAREY EDWARDS, IRON RIVER NFH displacement and packaged for shipping. Credit: USFWS The Iron River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) in Iron River, Wisconsin maintains approximately 4,000 adult lake trout and coaster brook trout. These fish are spawned each fall and eggs are collected for restoration purposes in the Upper Great Lakes. Eyed eggs are shipped to other entities, including federal, state and tribal agencies, in and out of the region. Why do hatcheries ship eggs? Not every hatchery is a brood facility, meaning that not every facility holds adults and completes the egg-taking process. These non-brood facilities need a source of fish or fish eggs to fulfill their mission and fish production goals. That is where the brood facility “takes their order” and plans for the amount of eggs and which strain will be given to the other facilities. At Iron River NFH, we rear certain strains for Great Lakes restoration. However, the strain that fish managers want for the south end of Lake Michigan is not always the particular strain of brood that Iron River NFH rears. Therefore, we also “receive” eggs from other facilities, to meet our production goals. This year 190,000 lake trout eggs were shipped to Allegheny NFH in Warren, Pennsylvania, while also providing 360,000 eggs for production needs at Iron River NFH. Almost 800,000 brook trout eggs in total were shipped to the U.S. Geological Survey, Genoa NFH, Redcliff Tribal Hatchery, Grand Portage Indian Community and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, not including 60,000 eggs to meet goals at Iron River NFH. Instead of destroying surplus eggs, Iron River NFH was able to utilize 365,000 brook trout eggs by sending them to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians located in North Carolina. other entities in and out of the region. Credit: USFWS This past year Iron River NFH also received 1.85 million lake trout eggs from Sullivan Creek NFH in Brimley, Michigan and Saratoga NFH in
- Fairy and folk tales - Introduction of letters and foundations of word formation and reading - Form drawing - Arithmetic (four processes) - Science through nature stories - Recorder playing - Foreign languages - Physical education through games First	- Fairy and folk tales - Introduction of letters and foundations of word formation and reading - Form drawing - Arithmetic (four processes) - Science through nature stories - Recorder playing - Foreign languages - Physical education through games First graders learn through the imagination Young children are master imitators. That's why Waldorf early childhood educators model the behaviors they want their charges to emulate. But with the coming of the elementary school years, imagining becomes the means by which the child learns. The Waldorf elementary school teacher presents every lesson as a story that appeals to the students' imaginations. For example, arithmetic operations may be dramatized by the adventures of Polly Plus, Missy Minus, Danny Divide and Tommy Times. Writing comes in a similar way. A story (which is enacted by the teacher, never read) helps develop a strong ability to create their own pictures. For instance, the teacher may tell the tale of a sinuous snake that slithers through the grass or suns itself on a stone, giving the children a picture of the sound "S." The children come to know writing just as humankind developed it over the millennia, with ideograms or pictaforms that evolve into letters. What else you'll see—and what you won't see Teachers use many means other than stories to impart knowledge. Arithmetic lessons, for instance, may employ marching and hand clapping as the children count and keep time. What fun to discover the times tables as the children emphasize every third or fourth beat! Note the absence of textbooks in this description of the Waldorf classroom. While textbooks may make their way into the middle school, they can't come close to approaching the teacher's lively animation and heart connection to the student. The rhythm of the day The teacher starts the day by shaking hands with the child and looking him or her in the eyes. The eye is the traditional window into the soul, and the teacher strives to recognize each individual student as a soul making its way in the physical world. We begin Main Lesson, lasting two hours, with morning circle: exploring languages and the world of numbers, followed by a period of movement, song and verse. Main lessons are taught in blocks that last three to four weeks. First year subjects include form drawing (the basis for writing), arithmetic, writing and reading. The children retell the story previous day's story then each student works in their main lesson book using words, pictures and diagrams that reflect the lesson of the day. These books are a treasure containing all their work. Many of the illustrations on this Web site are from students' main lesson books. Mornings are also the time for reviewing previous lessons and learning art, foreign languages, handwork, movement and eurythmy, a movement program unique to Waldorf schools. Specialized subject teachers usually present these lessons, although the class teacher may accompany them. After a rest period, afternoons are more active and they may include some classes but primarily a time of imaginative play. Studies have shown that social, outdoor activity helps the young child learn to work and play in a group and focus in a classroom setting. Finally, a description of grade one isn't complete without a word on the class playground. The first grade has its own play area deep in the trees behind the upper play field. There, whether they're playing games or making proto-scientific discoveries of the layered qualities of mica, they're safe in an imaginative world suitable to their developmental stage.
Video:What Is the ASVAB?with Jessica Gallardo The ASVAB test is taken by those looking to join the American military. This video from About.com will explain what the ASVAB is.See Transcript Transcript	Video:What Is the ASVAB?with Jessica Gallardo The ASVAB test is taken by those looking to join the American military. This video from About.com will explain what the ASVAB is.See Transcript Transcript:What Is the ASVAB? Hello, this is Jessica with About.com, here to talk to you about the ASVAB Test. Definition of ASVAB Test The Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the most widely used multiple-aptitude tests in the world. It is given at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations, also known as MEPS. The test measures strength and weaknesses as well as potential for future success, providing information for civilian and military occupations. It also helps to determine which branch of the military is best suitable for each applicant based upon their aptitude and knowledge. The ASVAB is a timed multiple-choice test that takes about three hours to complete. Practice tests and books as well as online help are available, and studying is recommended before taking the test. No cell phones, calculators or electronic devices other than the computer used to test on are allowed and tests will be monitored. Sections of the ASVAB Test The ASVAB is not an IQ test, nor is it a pass or fail exam. ASVAB Branch Requirements for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard vary and details are readily available should you wish to delve deeper into a specific area. The ASVAB contains eight or nine separately timed sub-tests, depending on which version you take. Subjects include General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Auto & Shop, Mathematics Knowledge, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Inf
By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Iowa farmers produce soybeans profitably in fields infested with the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) by growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties that yield well	By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Iowa farmers produce soybeans profitably in fields infested with the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) by growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties that yield well and prevent large increases in SCN egg population densities. There are hundreds of SCN-resistant soybean varieties for Iowa. Almost all of the varieties contain SCN resistance genes from a single breeding line, called PI 88788. Because of widespread, repeated use of varieties with the same PI 88788 source of resistance, many SCN populations have developed increased reproduction on that type of resistance. It is no longer uncommon to see SCN females on roots of SCN-resistant soybean varieties in the Midwest (Figure 1). Figure 1. SCN females on roots of an SCN-resistant soybean variety with PI 88788 SCN resistance. How does increased SCN reproduction on soybean varieties with the PI 88788 source of resistance affect soybean yields and the buildup of SCN egg population densities (numbers) in the soil? Results of Iowa State University field experiments reveal the answers. Experimental results show PI 88788 resistance is still working Each year, SCN-resistant soybean varieties are studied intensively in nine experiments throughout Iowa as part of the Iowa State University SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trial Program. The research is funded by the soybean checkoff through the Iowa Soybean Association. Since 2007, more than half of the fields in Iowa where variety trial experiments were conducted had SCN populations with elevated (greater than 10 percent) nematode reproduction on the PI 88788 source of resistance. The 10-percent level of SCN reproduction is a critical level above which plants are not considered resistant. Some of the SCN populations in the experimental fields had 35 to 50 percent reproduction on PI 88788. But despite the increased SCN reproduction, soybean varieties with the PI 88788 source of SCN resistance in the experiments usually yielded the highest. Also, SCN population densities did not increase dramatically on the resistant varieties in the experiments. These results were fairly consistent throughout the past five years (results available online at www.isuscntrials.info). Overall, the results indicate that SCN-resistant soybean varieties with the PI 88788 source of resistance are not “failing”. The resistant varieties are still producing profitable soybean yields and preventing large increases in SCN population densities. Because SCN is considerably more damaging in hot, dry years than in growing seasons with more moderate weather, soybean var
Surgery (Esophagus & Small Intestine) Operative treatment of esophageal cancer carries up to a 40% mortality rate and 10% five-year survival. Surgery is most effective for esophageal cancers in the dist	Surgery (Esophagus & Small Intestine) Operative treatment of esophageal cancer carries up to a 40% mortality rate and 10% five-year survival. Surgery is most effective for esophageal cancers in the distal half. Maintaining nutrition is extremely important; however, esophageal feeding tubes, colonic interpositioning, and feeding gastrostomies are each accompanied by high morbidity. Laser surgery can help to maintain an open passageway for nutrition. For carcinoid tumors less than 1 cm in diameter, local resection is the treatment of choice. If the tumor is larger than 1 cm, the resection should include regional lymph nodes from the mesentery. X = complete * = partial o = optio
Huanggutun Incident (Chinese: 皇姑屯事件; Japanese: Zhang Zuolin Assassination Incident (張作霖爆殺事件 Chosakurin bakusatsu jiken )) was an assassination plotted by the	Huanggutun Incident (Chinese: 皇姑屯事件; Japanese: Zhang Zuolin Assassination Incident (張作霖爆殺事件 Chosakurin bakusatsu jiken )) was an assassination plotted by the Japanese Kwantung Army that targeted Fengtian warlord Zhang Zuolin. It took place on June 4, 1928 at Huanggutun rail station near Shenyang in which Zhang's train was destroyed by an explosion. This incident was concealed in Japan at the time and was referred only as "満州某重大事件" (Manshuboujudaijiken A Certain Important Incident in Manchuria). Following the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, China dissolved in spontaneous devolution, with local officials and military leaders assuming power independent of control by the weak central government. In north China, the once powerful Beiyang Army split up into various factions after the death of Yuan Shikai in 1916. Zhang Zuolin, being the leader of the Fengtian clique, was one of the most powerful warlords as he managed to seize control of the three northeastern provinces of Manchuria. At the time of the First United Front in 1924, the foreign support in China was generally divided as below: The Fengtian clique's support from abroad was the Empire of Japan, which had vested economical and political interests in the region since the end of the Russo-Japanese War, and was interested in exploiting their region’s largely untapped natural resources. The Japanese Kwantung Army, based in the Kwantung Leased Territory also had responsibility for safeguarding the South Manchurian Railway, and thus had troops stationed in Manchuria, which provided material and logistic support for the Fengtian clique. The cooperation initially worked to the mutual benefit of both parties. Zhang provided security for the railroad and Japanese economic interests, suppressing Manchuria’s endemic banditry problem and allowing extensive Japanese investments. The Imperial Japanese Army assisted Zhang in the two Zhili-Fengtian Wars, including the suppression of the anti-Fengtian uprising by Guo Songling (a senior Fengtian clique general). However, Zhang just needed Japan's aid for consolidating and expanding his territory whereas Japan envisioned a future joint occupation of Manchuria with Zhang. After Zhang achieved his targets, he tried to improve relations with the United States and the United Kingdom, allowing both countries open access to the trade, investment and economic opportuni
MOWING EXPERIMENT EXOTECH DATA (FIFE)Entry ID: FIFE_MOW_EXO Abstract: Light radiation striking a vegetative canopy interacts with individual phyto-elements (i.e., leaves, stems, branches) and	MOWING EXPERIMENT EXOTECH DATA (FIFE)Entry ID: FIFE_MOW_EXO Abstract: Light radiation striking a vegetative canopy interacts with individual phyto-elements (i.e., leaves, stems, branches) and the underlying substrate. The interaction depends on light quality, radiative form (direct or diffuse), illumination incidence angle, vegetative component optical properties and canopy architecture. Radiation is reflected, transmitted or absorbed. Mowing, grazing, and... fertilization can affect the canopy architecture or optical properties of vegetation, thus changing the canopy reflectance. This study examined the response of spectral reflectance characteristics (using an Exotech radiometer) to canopies that were manipulated using simulated grazing and fertilization of plots. The spectral reflectance data set supports the original hypothesis of a curvilinear relationship between productivity and grazing intensity. Reflectances for the four MSS bands and the standard error for each are reported. These data were collected at two locations within the northwest quadrant of the FIFE study area during the growing season of 1987. Reflected radiation measurements were converted to radiances and reflectance factor. The reflectance factor is the ratio of the target reflected radiant flux to an ideal radiant flux reflected by an ideal Lambertian standard surface irradiated in exactly the same way as the target. (Click for Interactive Map) Data Set Citation Dataset Originator/Creator: SEASTED, T.R.TURNER, C.L. Dataset Title: MOWING EXPERIMENT EXOTECH DATA (FIFE) Dataset Release Date: 1994 Dataset Release Place: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. Dataset Publisher: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center Data Presentation For
In all honesty, I’m not going to blog all the gory details of all the definitions of things that go into the definition of a stack. This leaves me with a problem I haven’t quite figured out how to solve: What do I	In all honesty, I’m not going to blog all the gory details of all the definitions of things that go into the definition of a stack. This leaves me with a problem I haven’t quite figured out how to solve: What do I show? The task seems so massive right now, but there must be a non-offensive way to sort of give the idea of a stack by being more precise than the general vague way people try to explain it, but without doing more than say 5 more posts on it (I also would like to avoid cheating, i.e. go through descent rather than just saying “a stack is a sheaf on a site”). So today we’ll jump back a little and try to figure out why one would care about stacks. Recall the Yoneda Lemma. Colloquially this says that if we have a (small) category, then the functor of points, which is by (note for us it’s contravariant) completely determines the object. So what is happening is that we are “testing” what the object looks like, and if we test it against everything, then we completely know what the object looks like. If we’re thinking about differential geometry, then by functor of points, we really mean “points”. Let be a smooth manifold in the category of smooth manifolds. Then we’ll test what the point-valued points look like. Well, apply the functor of points to a point,. Each map is completely determined by which point of the point goes to. It sounds silly, but this is just saying “the points of are the point-valued points”, which we already knew. Let’s think about this from a very classical algebraic geometry standpoint. Let’s work in the category of affine schemes. We call the -valued points of. This because if we have something like, then by -valued points we really mean what are the solutions to when can take values in. So if we think of it is the complex curve, or are the integer solutions (only trivial ones by Fermat’s Last Theorem). So scheme theoretically this tool is really cool. It groups all of this information into one package. In reality, we actually usually think of Yoneda in terms of the embedding it gives us. By identifying with the object (i.e. the functor represents in the usual sense of a representable functor) we get an embedding by the obvious thing. So our category is actually sitting inside the category of functors from to. To quickly recap in the language of schemes, given a scheme, we get a functor. But the other way around is not always true, i.e. not every functor is represented by a scheme. Here is where the notion of a stack (or algebraic space) might be nice. Sometimes it is really easy to write down what the functor of points should be for something. Now the question becomes, is this a scheme? Or maybe a better question should be does it matter if it is or is not a scheme? Exactly how loose do we allow the definition to get before we shouldn’t consider it as some sort of “geometric space”? Just a last quick example to show this really does happen. Suppose you want to figure out what the space of curves of genus looks like. Call this space. Then you can almost immediately write down that the functor of points for this space needs to be something like where is proper, smooth, and the fibers are curves of genus and we mod out by appropriate isomorphisms (maybe if we think about moduli later we’ll be more careful with that definition). This turns out to NOT correspond to a scheme. But it is still quite nice, and is in fact a stack. Moral of the story: If we think of schemes as a certain class of functors, it is very natural to come to
Skoll World Forum, Contributor Accelerating entrepreneurial approaches and innovative solutions. Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series by the Financial Times’ This Is Africa publication on realizing Africa’s agricultural potential, in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation.	Skoll World Forum, Contributor Accelerating entrepreneurial approaches and innovative solutions. Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series by the Financial Times’ This Is Africa publication on realizing Africa’s agricultural potential, in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation. The Skoll World Forum is a proud media partner for the initiative, and you can find the whole series here. Adrienne Klasa is a journalist currently based in London, with a particular interest in the intersection between politics, business and international currents in sub-Saharan Africa. Adam Robert Green is a senior reporter at This is Africa, focusing on trade and investment, development policy, energy and social service delivery. As the continent awaits its agricultural revolution, This is Africa looks at the cutting edge ideas which could make the difference While the majority of the African population is heavily reliant on agriculture, the continent has lagged behind other developing regions in progressing this essential sector. Research and development specific to the continent’s varied ecosystems and crops has been chronically neglected, as has infrastructure and education to support farmers. As Harvard professor and Kenyan national Calestous Juma has argued: “Neglect of agriculture has been a defining feature of Africa’s economic policy over the last four decades.” But that may be changing. Public and private sector alike are now taking a renewed interest in agriculture, and this focus is not without basis: according to the African Development Bank, when agriculture stimulates growth it is twice as effective at reducing poverty than any other sector. Scientists are making advances in seed and fertiliser technologies, but creative solutions are also needed to improve market access and coordination, as well as to mitigate the impact of climate change. But which solutions have the potential to instigate real change? Here, This is Africa profiles some of the potentially catalytic innovations. As part of the drive to improve productivity, cutting edge scientific research methods are being leveraged to improve crop performance. In one example, food manufacturing giant Mars is assisting in the quest to boost the continent’s cocoa yields through genetics. Using its production base in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, Mars publicly released the cacao tree genome that the company’s agricultural research department mapped in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture and IBM in 2010, so that scientists everywhere can have access to it for their research. “The fact that we had this fundamental tool to help us in the breeding of water- and nutrient-efficient trees is a huge breakthrough for any commodity,” says Howard-Yana Shapiro, chief agricultural officer for Mars. “Our goal in the next generation is a yield of 1,500-2,000 kg per hectare, although the end target is much higher.” Mr Shapiro acknowledges the importance of improving farmers’ cocoa output simply because it makes good business sense to secure Mars’ supply chain well into the future – and to meet growing demands from emerging markets. “We had seen that cocoa production had stagnated at 450 kilos per hectare. You live in poverty if that is your production. If there was a similar scenario in corn, or wheat, or rice, nobody would grow it,” he says. “We need another whole Côte D’Ivoire [in terms of cocoa production volume] in 2020, because you have this sleeping giant called China waking up, you have India starting to develop a taste for chocolate.” Whereas most cocoa in Africa is produced for export as a cash crop, rice is a staple in many countries. But due to low productivity and growing demand, consumption far outpaces domestic production. Imported rice accounts for roughly 40 percent of local consumption, eating up billions in scarce foreign exchange. But here too, the outlook is improving. Paddy rice production growth in sub-Saharan Africa has shot up from 3.2 percent per year before the 2000–2007 rice crisis to 8.4 percent per year since, according to research by the Africa Rice Center. While 71 percent of this improvement can be explained by yield increase, 29 percent is accounted for by the expansion of the areas under cultivation – a complete reversal of pre-crisis figures, according to Marco Wopereis, deputy director general at AfricaRice. “This is evidence of increased use of technological innovation, such as improved varieties and better crop management in general,” he says. One management technique that has yielded notable results is the rice nucleus model pioneered by Olam Nigeria. As part of Nigeria’s bid to increase its domestic production of the staple up from 65 percent of consumption, the nucleus model combines the scale and quality assurance of a central commercial farm with an outgrower programme that engages small farmers. The nucleus farm currently has 20,000 farmers in its outgrower programme, and is on track to become the largest r
People with mental illnesses are 30 percent more likely to die from cancer, though cancer doesn’t affect them at a higher rate than those in the general population, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychology. Overall, psychiatric patients are significantly	People with mental illnesses are 30 percent more likely to die from cancer, though cancer doesn’t affect them at a higher rate than those in the general population, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychology. Overall, psychiatric patients are significantly more likely to have metastasis—when cancer spreads to other organs—by the time they are diagnosed, as compared to their peers without mental disorders. The study was conducted in Australia, and even though Australians are covered by universal health care, patients with a mental illness are less likely to receive surgery—even for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer, for which surgery is often the first line of treatment—and they tend to receive fewer chemotherapy sessions. Rates of Cancer Among the Mentally Ill Researchers at the Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research in Australia examined the medical and death records of patients in Western Australia. They identified 135,442 new cases of cancer, of which 6,586 affected people with mental illnesses. Researchers found that although cancer affected psychiatric patients at a slightly lower rate than the general population, these patients had a 30 percent greater chance of dying from it. This was due in part to the fact that the cancer had spread to other parts of the body by the time they were diagnosed. Psychiatric patients are specifically more likely to die from terminal forms of colorectal, skin, prostate, and breast cancer. What's Causing this Discrepancy? Researchers couldn’t say with certainty why the mentally ill are dying from cancer more often than those without a history of mental disorders, but they identified these possible contributing factors: - Cancer goes unrecognized, especially in those with severe mental illnesses. However, scientists in Denmark (where autopsies are common) found few cases of undiagnosed cancer in schizophrenic patients. - People with mental illnesses receive poorer care or unequal access to appropriate care. - Diagnosis or screening is delayed, allowing the cancer to progress before treatment. The study authors also said that psychiatric patients are more likely to live in rural and/or poor areas, which may restrict their access to healthcare. Because the survivability of cancer is dependent on early detection and proper treatment, unequal access for psychiatric patients could cost them their lives.
Tallgrass prairie once covered 30 million acres in Iowa. That’s approximately 80 percent of the state. Grasses, like big bluestem and Indian grass reached heights of 10 feet, and over 200 species of wild	Tallgrass prairie once covered 30 million acres in Iowa. That’s approximately 80 percent of the state. Grasses, like big bluestem and Indian grass reached heights of 10 feet, and over 200 species of wildflowers dazzled the eye. This ecosystem was home to hundreds of species of wildlife, including buffalo, elk, black bear, and wolves. Settlers quickly realized the soils produced by the tallgrass prairie were extremely fertile and were excellent for growing crops. In less than 100 years, the prairies of Iowa all but disappeared to give us the agriculture state of today. Because of this, only 1/10 of 1% of the native prairie survives in small plots scattered throughout the state. Visit Sandhill Prairie located at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt for a good representation of what used to cover most of the state of Iowa. - www.tallgrass.org This site describes the national wildlife refuge located near Prairie City, Iowa. It describes ways you can get involved, has additional links, and kids stuff.
- Indexed triangles means that the vertices in a mesh are referred to by index numbers. This is the scheme OBJ8 uses. The advantage of indexing is that if a single vertex is used by many triangles (that share a corner) you only have	- Indexed triangles means that the vertices in a mesh are referred to by index numbers. This is the scheme OBJ8 uses. The advantage of indexing is that if a single vertex is used by many triangles (that share a corner) you only have to include the vertex data once, and then use that data many times by index. (The savings from indexing depend on how often vertices are shared.) - Triangle strips are strips of triangles sharing common edges. Because triangles in strips share so many common vertices, they can be stored in a compact form, for a savings of almost 3x. Back in the old days, triangle strips were critical for performance (hence the presence of strips in the OBJ2 and OBJ7 formats). However with modern hardware, indexing is more efficient - the slight increase in data size (due to the index) isn't as expensive as the cost of specifying "we're done with one strip, start the next one". (Consider that if we use indexed triangles, we can submit all triangles in one batch - with strips, we need one batch per strip.) Thus OBJ8 uses indexing and doesn't provide any strip primitives. There is one other concept to be aware of: cache utilization. Graphics cards remember the last few vertices they processed, so if a mesh repeats a vertex shortly after using it, the graphics card can save work. Triangle strips naturally use a cache somewhat well because vertices occur in close succession. Strips and DSF DSF allows for triangle strips (and triangle fans) as a space-saving measure. Even with indexing, the indices can be compressed if strips and fans are used, and with DSF, file size was a v
Only 1 in 5 Americans Getting Recommended Amounts of Exercise (ATLANTA) -- Not enough of us are getting the right amount of exercise, according to a weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC's Mor	Only 1 in 5 Americans Getting Recommended Amounts of Exercise (ATLANTA) -- Not enough of us are getting the right amount of exercise, according to a weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says only about 20 percent, or one in five, U.S. adults are meeting the federal government's recommendations for physical activity, which includes aerobic and muscle strengthening components. Government health officials recommend adults get at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging or a combination of both. The recommendations also call for muscle strengthening activities such as push-ups, sit-ups or lifting weights. The data, based on self-reported information from an annual phone survey by state health department, shows that 50 percent of U.S. adults are getting the recommended amounts of aerobic activity, and 30 percent are engaging in strength training. “Although only 20 percent of adults are meeting the overall physical activity recommendations, it is encouraging that half the adults in the United States are meeting the aerobic guidelines and a third are meeting the muscle-strengthening recommendations,” said Carmen D. Harris, M
Studying for long hours every day can take a toll on you in more ways than one. Depending on how you are sitting you could experience back aches, neck aches or wrist aches from the keyboard, but one of the ways	Studying for long hours every day can take a toll on you in more ways than one. Depending on how you are sitting you could experience back aches, neck aches or wrist aches from the keyboard, but one of the ways to get tired really fast while studying is to stare at your computer screen or text book without taking a break. When you work on your computer you automatically blink less due to concentration; the same when reading. This can lead to dry, scratchy, itchy or watery eyes, fatigue, headache and even blurry vision. You could experience what is called CVS or Computer Vision Syndrome. So how can you make your study time less stressful? Follow what is referred to as the “20/20/20 Rule”. By following this simple rule you can help alleviate tiredness and eye strain. Every 20 minutes, stop and look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break, forces you to blink and readjusts your vision. If you are a contact lenses wearer this is even more important. If you have glasses, you may want to consider wearing those while studying versus wearing your contacts as contacts may dry your eyes out even more if you are focusing and not blinking. Did you know a person blinks on average of 12 times per minute? If you are staring at the computer it can be reduced to five times per minute. When you don’t blink your cornea dries and then when your eyes do blink they may burn and sting and create tears as it is trying to hydrate your cornea again. After a while, your vision starts to blur, you get tired and decide to turn off the computer or put away the books and study another day. Then the process starts all over again the next time you start to study. It’s a vicious cycle. So how do you make yourself remember to stop every 20 minutes and look away? You could set an alarm on your phone or there are programs you can download that interrupt your computer work and remind you to stop and take a break. You can download programs such as Evo, Wor
A new research reveals that short sessions of exercise can help in keeping stress at low levels on cell aging, which is a very helpful method in keeping stress at bay. As per findings published online in the May 26 issue of PLoS ONE	A new research reveals that short sessions of exercise can help in keeping stress at low levels on cell aging, which is a very helpful method in keeping stress at bay. As per findings published online in the May 26 issue of PLoS ONE, vigorous physical exercise amounting to as minute as 14 minutes every day, three day for each week, would be sufficient to bring in that protective effect. The plain advantage is reflected from exercise's effect on the span of tiny pieces of DNA that is known as telomeres. These telomeres function, effectively, such as molecular shoelace tips that grasp the whole thing collectively, so as to keep genes and chromosomes stable. Researchers consider that telomeres are inclined to cut down over time in response to pressure, leading to an increasing risk for heart disease, diabetes and ev
Teas, both green and black, have potent anti-cancer effects against a wide range of tumours, says a new study led by the US Department of Agriculture that adds to an ever growing body of science behind the compounds. "These findings extend	Teas, both green and black, have potent anti-cancer effects against a wide range of tumours, says a new study led by the US Department of Agriculture that adds to an ever growing body of science behind the compounds. "These findings extend related observations on the anticarcinogenic potential of tea ingredients and suggest that consumers may benefit more by drinking both green and black teas," wrote lead author Mendel Friedman from the USDA. The health benefits of tea ranging from a lower risk of certain cancers to weight loss, and protection against Alzheimer's, have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent. Oolong tea is semi-fermented tea and is somewhere between green and black tea. The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin. Friedman and his co-workers from Keimyung, Uiduk, and Yeungnam Universities in South Korea investigated the ability to induce cell death in human cancer and normal cells nine green tea catechins, three black tea theaflavins, and theanine extracted using either an as aqueous and or an ethanol(80 per cent)/water method. "Because tumour promotion may be the only reversible event during cancer development, its suppression is regarded as an effective way to inhibit carcinogenesis," said Friedman. The researchers repo
Event Bubbling and Event Propagation: Demo Question: What is event bubbling? The concept of event bubbling was introduced to deal with situations where a single event, such as a mouse click, may be handled by two or	Event Bubbling and Event Propagation: Demo Question: What is event bubbling? The concept of event bubbling was introduced to deal with situations where a single event, such as a mouse click, may be handled by two or more event handlers defined at different levels of the Document Object Model (DOM) hierarchy. If this is the case, the event bubbling process starts by executing the event handler defined for individual elements at the lowest level (e.g. individual hyperlinks, buttons, table cells etc.). From there, the event bubbles up to the containing elements (e.g. a table or a form with its own event handler), then up to even higher-level elements (e.g. the BODY element of the page). Finally, the event ends up being handled at the highest level in the DOM hierarchy, document element itself (provided that your document has its own event handler). The term event propagation is often used as a synonym of event bubbling. However, strictly speaking, event propagation is a wider term: it includes not only event bubbling but also event capturing. Event capturing is the opposite of bubbling (events are handled at higher levels first, then sink down to individual elements at lower levels). Event capturing is supported in fewer browsers and rarely used; notably, Internet Explorer prior to version 9.0 does not support event capturing. Demo: click any cell in the table and watch the click event bubbling! In this demo, \| onclick event handlers change the background color of their respective elements. The event handlers are defined at four levels: (1) the document body <BODY onclick="handleBODY()"...> (2) the table element: <TABLE id=tb1 onclick="handleTABLE(event,this.id)"...> (3) table row elements: <TR id=tr1 onclick="handleTR(event,this.id)"> (4) individual table cells: <TD id=td11 onclick="handleTD(event,this.id)"> When you click inside table cells, event handlers at the lowest level (4) are triggered first, followed by event handlers at higher levels (3), (2), (1), in this order. Each event handler displays an alert message box telling you the level at which the click event is currently handled. The execution is paused until you dismiss the alert box. If you try to reset the demo by clicking the Reset button, the button's event handler function resetTable() works as expected (the background colors are reverted to white for the table and the entire page body). However, due to event bubbling, a higher-level event handler function is triggered too - which colorizes the entire page once again! To avoid unintended consequences like this, you can cancel event bubbling.
Standards are typically a set of language or protocol rules providing a starting point for independent parties to communicate. JISC's information environment technical architecture describes a set of standards and protocols that are approved by the appropriate standards bodies and support the development and delivery	Standards are typically a set of language or protocol rules providing a starting point for independent parties to communicate. JISC's information environment technical architecture describes a set of standards and protocols that are approved by the appropriate standards bodies and support the development and delivery of an integrated set of networked services. This enables the end-user to discover, access, use and publish digital and physical resources as part of their learning and research activities. JISC also maintains a directory of technology standards in use across HE and FE, in the form of the JISC Standards Catalogue managed by UKOLN. Key standards activities The JISC e-learning programme enables the development and effective use of digital technologies to support learning and teaching in universities and colleges, so that staff benefit from e-learning... Managing Research Data (JISCMRD) The scientific process is enhanced by managing and sharing research data. Good research data management practice allows reliable verification of results and permits new and innovative research built... Information Environment Programme 2009-11 The aim of this programme is to improve the capacity of the sector to manage, discover and use information resources. There is now a critical mass of digital information resources that can be used to... Repositories and Preservation Programme The programme is a £14m investment in Higher Education repository and digital content infrastructure. It will fund initiatives to develop the Information Environment supporting digital repositories... Users & Innovation: Personalising Technologies Based on the needs of real end-users, the programme will identify areas where innovative user technologies and practices can increase efficiency. British newspapers 1620-1900 1.1 million pages are being digitised from 18th and 19th century news, building on previous projects to enable access to a virtual library containing some 4 million digitised pages of important... 19th century pamphlets online This project will provide online access to the most significant collections of 19th century pamphlets held in UK research libraries. Digitising around 30,000 paper copy pamphlets, which focus on the... British Cartoon Archive digitisation project This project will digitise the Carl Giles Archive, the single most important archive of British newspaper cartoons, and a key resource for British political and social history that has never before... The East London theatre archive By creating around 15,000 digital objects, taken from East London theatres, the project will preserve unique endangered collections and make them accessible to an academic audience. Pre-Raphaelite resource site This project will create a unique research source for the study of the Pre-Raphaelites and British 19th-century art. It will be available open access to all users via the Birmingham Museums and Art...
French Master Chefs in the 1930s 12 August 2013 - 30 June 2014 Room 31: case display by Florence Enid Stoddard In the late 1930s, Florence En	French Master Chefs in the 1930s 12 August 2013 - 30 June 2014 Room 31: case display by Florence Enid Stoddard In the late 1930s, Florence Enid Stoddard (1882-1962), an artist based for more than a decade in the United States where she made a living as a travelling portraitist and miniature painter, returned briefly to Britain and gained access to some of London’s great kitchens where she persuaded their busy maitre-chefs to sit for her. Armed with a list of French phrases with which to pose her sitters, she produced lively pencil studies of five of the leading chefs of the time, and a sixth of the long-serving head waiter at Simpsons in the Strand. It is unclear whether this set was commissioned for publication or a personal undertaking that Stoddard intended to exhibit in order to promote her work as a jobbing portraitist when she returned to America. In 2012 this group of drawings, together with accompanying archival material, was generously donated to the Gallery by the artist’s great-niece Christine Hayes and this display provides a first opportunity to showcase this intriguing acquisition and to introduce three of its chefs, Eugène Herbodeau at the Carlton, François Latry at the Savoy and Paul Henri Poupart at Buckingham Palace. These men, and their compatriots Arsène Avignon at the Ritz and Marcel Percevault at Claridges (not displayed), were successors to the great culinary expert Georges Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935). Where he led the way in gastronomie, they followed, promoting and celebrating French haute cuisine during the 1920s, through the years of depression, and into the period leading up to the Second World War. They presided over some of London’s busiest