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Join Charles Pinckney National Historic Site in celebration of Constitution Week by attending one of the free special events scheduled September 17-23, 2013 at 1254 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant. The park preserves the last 28 acres of Snee Farm, a plantation that was once owned by Charles Pinckney, a principal framer and signer of the U.S. Constitution. In honor of Constitution Day/Citizenship Day, on Tuesday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. the sixteenth annual naturalization ceremony will be held when up to 125 candidates will be sworn in as America’s newest citizens. The National Park Service and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have partnered to enhance citizenship ceremonies by holding them in national parks throughout the country. Since 1997 these ceremonies have been held annually on the grounds of historic Snee Farm. “This is a most appropriate site to welcome new citizens into this country and to reflect on the meaning and responsibilities of citizenship,” said Superintendent Tim Stone. “It is because of Charles Pinckney’s role in framing the U.S. Constitution and the initiative of local citizens that this treasured place is a part of the National Park Service.” The public and school groups are invited to the program, and are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets as seating will be limited. On Saturday & Sunday, September 21 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. the public is invited to a screening of the 2010 documentary on Founding Father Charles Pinckney. Produced by SCETV, Forgotten Founder: the Story of Charles Pinckney uses original art work, period illustrations, historical documents, dramatic reenactments, and studio interviews to tell the story of a true public servant. The program was funded in part by the Friends of Historic Snee Farm and the Humanities Council SC. Throughout the week visitors may take part in the “I Signed the Constitution” program, signing a scroll in remembrance of what occurred 226 years ago in Philadelphia when Charles Pinckney and 38 other delegates signed the world-changing document on September 17, 1787.

May-June, 2010: As oil continues to leak following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, more pictures are emerging of the clean up efforts in the Gulf Coast. Here, a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is recovered for clean up. A public beach in Gulf Shores, AL. An oil-stained egret in Grand Isle, LA. Jeff Phillips, Environmental Contaminants Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, rescues a Brown Pelican from the Barataria Bay in Grand Isle, LA. A Coast Guard crew member looks out at Perdido Pass from the back of a AC-141A plane in Orange Beach, Alabama. Members of a Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team (SCAT) follow a trail of oil debris on the shoreline of Raccoon Island, LA. A brown pelican flies passed workers replacing oil soaked boom around Cat Island in Barataria Bay near Grand Isle, LA. A Kemp’s Ridley turtle swims out from under an oil patch. A pelican gets cleaned off by a member of the Louisiana State Wildlife Response Team. Two brown pelicans swim in gulf waters near St. Petersburg, FL, after being released at the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge. Brown pelicans await cleaning in a wildlife rehabilitation center in Buras, LA. Orange Beach, AL. Dolphins surface for air near a shrimp boat skimming for oil in Grand Isle, LA. Sea turtle experts clean a small Kemp’s Ridley turtle with a toothbrush. The controlled burn of oil from the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill Members of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepare to net an oiled pelican in Barataria Bay, LA. A helicopter flies over shrimp boats skimming for oil in in Grand Isle, LA. Oil washed up on the beaches of Ft. Morgan, AL. Dr. Sharon Taylor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases a northern gannet at the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge near St. Petersburg, FL. A team of sea turtle experts work to recover oiled and endangered turtles in the Gulf. Marine science technicians examine a previously identified oil impact zone during a shoreline assessment on Grand Terre Island 2, in Grand Isle, LA. A Containment boom and sorbent boom block a patch of oil from reaching an island populated by brown and white pelicans in Barataria Bay, LA. Oil damage on the beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The oil slick, one mile south of Perdido Key, FL.
These days, every product manager (PM) is anxious on how to ride the machine learning bandwagon. And rightly so, machine learning (ML) has caught up with the imagination of everyone and unequivocally, seems like a good bet to ride the wave of next generation product capabilities. I’ve had many a conversations with PMs who ask if using ML for this would be good? Given that most PMs are not machine learning experts, their inquisitiveness is understandable. I also know PMs who went ahead and enrolled for an introductory course in machine learning, only to later realize the course talked more about ML mathematical basics rather than practical decision-making on ML related use cases in products. To help them, I’ve built a framework for PMs to guide them on the decision making on whether to integrate ML element into their product and if yes, how to decide on its implementation across the product life cycle. And truly, none of this requires any in-depth knowledge of machine learning mathematical fundamentals. Read on. To start with, machine learning shouldn’t go into your product for the sake of it. No matter what the advocates tell you, merely having ML elements in your product will not necessarily make it better. ML must suffice necessary use cases. What could those be? I’m mentioning five scenarios, meeting any of which, PMs must consider using ML elements. Use Cases for practical machine learning integration in the product - Helping users find what they are searching for in the product (improving search) - Giving users, by recommending or clustering, what they might be interested in (recommendations) - Classifying products and user inputs for better segmentation and ease of user experience (segmentation) - Giving user predictive output, if that is a feature of the product (user expectation) - Anomaly detection (payments, bots, etc.) Once a use case has been identified and zeroed upon, then the work on actual ML implementation should begun. The market these days is flooded with open-source ML libraries, service providers with out-of-the-box ML products and abundance of available talent who can work on customized ML solution for your product. Whatever route you choose, there are important questions I’ve defined that should be answered before, during and after ML element integration into the product. Here they go! Infographic – Key questions to ask while integration Machine Leaning elements in the product 1. Is the ML algorithm solving the problem to be solved? Appropriate – This is the most basic question. It is important to filter, amidst the excitement of enabling the product with built-in ML features, if the ML solution addressing the exact defined problem in the product? For e.g., if your product design is a hindrance to discoverability, will a recommendation engine solve the issue completely? Maybe not. 2. How critical is the ML integration with the core user workflow of the product? Vital – Is the ML element really necessary for the core user workflow? Not every product might require a ML element in its core functionality. Adding ML might not necessarily add to product usability. 3. Is the product being held up for ML integration? Critical – Is holding up the product for ML integration really necessary? For e.g., ML element might be needed to make the product experience really personalized for the user. But one must also ask if the product has enough armor, as of today, to make it really personalized for different users? Maybe that would be a good feature to have once the product has a lot to choose from – in the future. 4. Is data needed being accurately captured for the ML to work? Fueled – All ML algorithms are powered by data that trains the model. It is imperative that analytics is already capturing enough data that can be fed into the ML model for training. If not, pre-existing ML models will never improve. 5. Do you have baseline and well-defined metrics to compare pre- and post- ML integration? Measurable – Absolutely essential to define what was the product baseline metrics for the intended use case pre-ML and what are the expected metric levels from ML integration. During ML Integration 1. ML workflow must frictionlessly integrate with the product workflow Unobtrusive – Adding ML element should not alter the product workflow or delay its action in a way that it becomes difficult for the user to operate with. If that happens, while ML metric might still look good, the overall product engagement will suffer. 2. Product decisioning, bound by common sense and design logic, must over-ride ML decisioning if needed Flexible – It is extremely important that the decision to over-ride ML logic must reside with the product manager and implemented, if necessary. ML models are after all, models only and can not always be relied upon over common sense. Post ML Integration 1. Practical ML use case, as revealed by market exposure, might be different from that envisioned by the product designing team Acknowledge – Often, the users of the product might use the ML element for a different use case than what was intended by the designers of the product. A recommendation engine meant to increase the purchase quantum (units) for the user might result in her choosing just one, though from a wider variety of choices, courtesy the reco engine. It is still a use case – helpful for the user, but not necessarily translating into more buying. PMs must be able to acknowledge such feedback as the process helps in further improving the product. 2. ML products will make error in judgement. The trade-off vis-a-vis business objectives must be notified and observed Evaluation – Sometimes, as mentioned in the last question, ML element does not necessarily augment business objectives. In such scenarios, it is important to evaluate the existing product and ML element functionalities, aiming for a better outcome for the product. 3. Learn to admit failure gracefully in the early product phase itself Admission – And if it is revealed that the ML element isn’t really serving the intended purpose, rather rendering the product a little difficult to use, removing it should not be considered a regressive move simply because the element is called ML (something that is toast of the town right now)!
This website, partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, offers fun facts, games, videos, contests and activities to familiarize kids with Canada. This free game allows you to sail along to discover Canada's geographical gems and dig for buried treasures. Discover information about First Nations with links to further information on the Metis, Inuit and Dene. Explore Canada through its wildlife and geography! Play games, piece together a map of Canada, look through the online atlas, watch slideshows and much more. Learn about the culture and heritage of the groups that settled Canada: Acadians, Africans, Beothuk, Chinese, Doukhobors, Dutch, French, Haida, Inuit, Irish, Japanese, Métis, Mi'kmaq and more. Learn the provinces of Canada by playing fun, free games!
Stem cell therapies hold great promise for future medical treatment, but in order to realise their potential there must be sufficient investment, private or public, in the technology. A key aspect of obtaining investment in any biotechnology field is the availability of patent protection; conversely, the filing patterns of those companies and other entities which are filing patent applications can give valuable information on the state of the industry. One significant aspect of stem cell technologies is the ethical controversy surrounding their use. In particular, the use and derivation of human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) provokes considerable ethical debate over the technology. This ethical debate has spilled over into the legal arena, as some jurisdictions have limited the scope of available patent protection for hES-related inventions. Furthermore, although the ethical issues are directed toward the use and derivation of hES cells, commercially there may be some impact on investment and take up of other stem cell technologies, such as that using adult stem cells. The current legal position on patentability of hES-related inventions differs around the world. The two main jurisdictions are the United States and Europe. The position in the United States is relatively simple: the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a current policy against granting patents to inventions which would cover human embryos or human/non-human chimeric embryos. The patenting of humans per se is also not permitted. Beyond this, however, “anything under the sun that is made by man” may be patented, subject of course to the other legal requirements of the US patent system, such as novelty, non-obviousness and utility. For example, US Patent 6,200,806, issued to Thomson, includes the following claim: “A purified preparation of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells which (i) will proliferate in an in vitro culture for over one year, (ii) maintains a karyotype in which the chromosomes are euploid and not altered through prolonged culture, (iii) maintains the potential to differentiate to derivatives of endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm tissues throughout the culture, and (iv) is inhibited from differentiation when cultured on a fibroblast feeder layer.” Note that this claim specifically encompasses any human ES cells having the appropriate characteristics. The same patent also includes claims to methods of obtaining such cells, based on deriving the cells from a human blastocyst. Similarly, US patents have been granted to Thomson for primate ES cells, and to human ES cells which are not limited to pluripotent cells. Other inventors have obtained patents to various multipotent stem cell lines; to methods of deriving, maintaining, or differentiating stem cells; or to therapeutic methods involving such stem cells. That this last question may be significant is shown by the recent grant of a European patent (EP1040185, to Brüstle) covering an ES cell composition; the claims as granted include a proviso that the ES cells are not obtained by a method which involves the destruction of human embryos. Since the examiner on this case apparently felt no need to delay issuance pending the Enlarged Board decision, this suggests that it is at least possible that hES cell patents will eventually be held patentable in Europe in some form. Clarity in the legal position is not helped by the interaction between the EPO and the national patent offices. The various EU countries were required to implement the Biotech Directive in their national law, but there is a wide divergence in how this has been done. For example, although UK law includes the same wording as the law governing the EPO, the UK patent office at the moment interprets the law differently, considering that pluripotent hES cells are patentable under the Directive; there is no legal requirement for the UK Patent Office to fall into line with the EPO, so there may well be a lack of clarity for some time to come. Another example comes from Italy, where the Biotech Directive has been implemented, but with the relevant national law saying not only that uses of human embryos are unpatentable, but also that uses of hES cells or processes for obtaining such cells are considered unpatentable. It is clear that there is great uncertainty across Europe as to what is patentable, and this uncertainty can be expected to have an effect on industry investment. What is needed is clarity in the law, regardless of whether the final ruling is for or against patenting of hES cells. These uncertainties can be expected to impact on future patent filing strategies; however, the current filing data is a good indicator of growth and innovation in the industry. In order to investigate this, we conducted a search for stem cell related patents and published applications from the period 2000 to 2005. Around 300-400 granted patents were issued in each of these years, with the number steadily increasing each year. The search covered patents worldwide, although the results made it immediately apparent that the USPTO grants by far the greatest number of patents in this area each year: generally around 85% of stem cell patents are granted by the USPTO, with the remaining patents being split between the EPO, Australia and the rest of the world. The dominance of US patents in this field may reflect a number of factors; primarily the US is the largest potential market for the technology, so companies are likely to file US patents in preference to less important markets. The grant figures may also reflect in part the relative speed with which US patents are examined and granted, particularly when compared with the EPO. This view is supported by the number of patent applications published each year; the total for this is consistently around three times the number of granted patents for each year, although the US represents only around a third of this number. Thus, significant numbers of patent applications are being published outside the US which have not yet matured into granted patents; partly because the scope of available protection is narrower outside the US, and partly due to longer prosecution times. This delay in prosecution can be advantageous to the industry, as it allows more time to develop the product before the final scope of the patent is fixed. In addition to the numbers of granted patents, it is instructive to look at the number and distribution of priority filings. Typically an applicant will file a first application in one country (often, but not always, their home country), and only later will file elsewhere based on the initial filing. Thus the priority data can give an indication of the location of key research or of key companies in the field; caution must be taken, however, as many non-US applicants will first file in the US for commercial reasons. Figure 1 gives the filing data; again the US has by far the greatest number In Europe, the legal position is very different. European patents are granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), while applicants also have the option to pursue national patents directly through national patent offices. There is a specific prohibition on the EPO granting patents for inventions “the exploitation or publication of which are contrary to order public or morality”; it is therefore a normal part of EPO patent prosecution for the office to consider ethical and moral issues. Some guidance on these issues was given by the so-called Biotech Directive (Directive 98/44/EC), a piece of EU legislation which among other things set out the availability of patent protection in various biotechnology fields. The Directive states that the following, among others, will be considered unpatentable: “(a) processes for cloning human beings; (b) processes for modifying the germ line genetic identity of human beings; (c) uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purposes. ” Further, “the human body, at the various stages of its formation and development ...cannot constitute [a] patentable [invention]”. There is however a current debate as to how widely these exclusions should be interpreted. The debate is centred about the European equivalent of the Thomson patent mentioned above; after a lengthy examination process, the patent application was rejected in Europe on the grounds that the invention required the destruction of human embryos, and as such the exploitation of the invention would be contrary to morality. The applicant appealed, and the Appeal Board referred the decision upwards to the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the EPO, the body which rules on interpretation of the law. The case is currently pending, and a decision could take some time, leaving applicants in a state of uncertainty over whether a particular invention is patentable; it cannot help the industry that applicants will have no choice but to file an application in Europe without knowing whether the invention is patentable. The Enlarged Board has been asked to consider various questions, including whether the exclusion from patentability of uses of human embryos “forbid[ s] the patenting of claims directed to products which …could be prepared exclusively by a method which necessarily involved the destruction of the human embryos from which the said products are derived, if the said method is not part of the claims?” The questions also consider the further point as to whether it is of relevance that after the application was filed, alternative methods for generating the cell lines which do not involve destruction of human embryos became available. of priority filings, although Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Japan and Australia all have high levels of activity. Filings in Europe are split between national patent offices (primarily UK and Germany) and the EPO itself; interestingly Europe as a whole shows activity generally comparable to that of China. Canada shows far lower activity than would be expected from its significance in stem cell research; it is probable that Canadian companies will first file in the US rather than Canada. Figure 2 shows those companies and other entities who have filed the greatest number of stem cell patent families (rather than individual patents) over the 2000-05 period. Given the restricted timescale, it is noticeable that some significant patent filers do not appear on this list – for example, WARF which holds the rights to the Thomson patents. Given industry concerns about investing in stem cell technology, it is not surprising that universities and public bodies dominate the list, although a number of specialist stem cell companies are present. This data confirms the findings of the UK Stem Cell Initiative Report (Report and Recommendations of the UK Stem Cell Initiative, November 2005), which highlighted several patents considered to be ‘influential’; of 16 patents, seven were held by research institutes, universities, or other non-profit entities. Future patent filings are likely to be more heavily dominated by public bodies in view of the current rush to establish publicly- funded stem cell institutes or other bodies around the world. At least until investors feel more confident that stem cell technology will provide the returns they seek, we can expect public funding to play a significant role; this has led to concerns in the US, where a Congressional delegation studying stem cell science in the UK warned that the lack of federal funds for such research in the US means that the US is falling behind in the field. Having said that, however, many private companies are making great progress in commercialising stem cell technology, with encouraging results which can only encourage private investors. For example, Athersys is currently investigating use of its MultiStem™ technology (a non-ES cell technology) primarily for cardiovascular conditions, and “intends to file an IND (Investigational New Drug application) in the cardiovascular area in 2007”. The company is also partnering with a number of big pharma companies to exploit the technology. Stem Cell Therapeutics of Canada is currently planning Phase II clinical trials of its test compound NTx(TM)-265, intended to promote growth of neuronal stem cells in patients for treatment of neurodegenerative conditions; the company has also recently been granted a number of US patents. Other companies to watch can be seen in Figure 3, which shows the fastest growing patent portfolios in the stem cell area. The graph shows those companies which are filing more applications than the overall industry average (as determined from our data set). Several of the emerging players also appear on the list of top patent applicants, while others, although growing rapidly have not yet built a large enough patent estate to appear on the list. The companies shown in this Figure represent a wide range of technologies and companies. ES Cell International is a Singapore company focused on human embryonic stem cell technology, with patent filings directed to cell lines themselves, and growth, maintenance and differentiation of hES cells. Japan Science and Technology Agency is a governmental body; while Monash University is an Australian research institute. Lexicon Genetics is a US company which holds the rights to technology relating to transgenic mouse knockout ES cell lines. Among other partnerships, Lexicon, has received a $35 million contract from the Texas Enterprise Fund to develop a knockout mouse ES cell library for the Texas Institute of Genomic Medicine. Stem Cell Therapeutics has already been mentioned, while Advanced Cell Technology, whose technology is intended to produce pluripotent cell lines compatible with patients, has recently relocated its headquarters from Massachusetts to California; an early indication that California’s stance on stem cell research is achieving results. In conclusion, the stem cell area is very active, with a prominent role being played by government and public bodies. This role is likely to increase in the near future as national and state governments rush to set up various stem cell institutes and other research centres of excellence; however, there is concern that the US in particular may lose its lead in the technology due to the federal restrictions on funding. These concerns must equally apply to other countries with a policy against human embryo research. Private investment appears nervous of the returns to be made from the technology; however, encouraging results coming from private companies at present, particularly in non-ES cell related technologies, should help to calm investors’ nerves and promote the use of stem cell technology. Consideration of individual companies and specific patents shows that, at least for now, non-ES technology is likely to provide best returns for direct patient treatment, while ES technologies are more likely to be limited to roles in animal cloning and generation of transgenic lines, at least for the short term.
Millions of people the world over have fled their homes. Often, their only information source is the internet. Apps help lead them to safe areas. And refugees can keep in touch with their families online. Migrants get information about routes and border checks, among other things, from the internet. They can also keep in touch with their families back home. A Syrian refugee couple in Berlin talks about what apps and websites they turned to for help on their perilous journey. And to help newcomers adjust to life in Germany, there are Facebook groups like 'Syrisches Haus in Deutschland' as well as the DW project First Steps for Refugees.
I was asked to speak to the children (age group 14-17) about spiritual discipline and why it is important a few years back. A young girl stood up and asked me a question that triggered a lot of thoughts. She asked, “Am I not too young to think of spiritual growth and development? When I have duties to educate myself, how can I focus on spiritual growth and development?” She made an excellent beginning with that question as otherwise the whole talk would have become a classroom type session with me talking and the children listening throughout the session. It became totally interactive after that question. I answered her question with another question, “What does spiritual discipline mean?” Many children thought it is praying every day, chanting Slokas, reading moral stories, etc. I explained to them that God does not expect them to worship but definitely practice the teachings that are available in scriptures. Praying to the Lord is creating a will power in our subconscious mind to be determined to work towards what we pray for. Praying alone will not help unless we make a sincere effort to achieve what we pray for. Similarly chanting Slokas alone will not help unless we understand the meaning of what is being chanted. Reading moral stories is good but whatever we learn out of it should be practiced in real life. I have specifically explained to him that dividing our real life from spiritual life is incorrect. Spiritual life is no different than our regular life. For example: - Learning to be truthful in life is one of the spiritual disciplines. - Talking less and sweetly to others without hurting their feeling is a spiritual discipline. - Learning to share and care for other beings around us is another spiritual discipline. - Treating every fellow being with respect irrespective of their social status is another spiritual discipline. From a very young age, the children should engage in providing service to the people in need whether they are elders, children, poor or sick. Introspection of our day to day actions and learning our mistakes is also very important. Regretting our mistakes and apologising to fellow beings is part of the healing process. Disciplining our mind to delve on good thoughts and eliminating bad thoughts is another important spiritual discipline. I have explained to the children that irrespective of the end result, the processes that are followed in their actions are very important. Every action they do should be done skillfully to the best of their ability, with great commitment and devotion to such action i.e. love for that action, and selflessly as a service. At this point of time, another girl asked, “If I educated myself, will it not automatically be for my selfish benefit?” I asked them to think that their parents are sacrificing a lot to educate them well and they are reciprocating the love by meeting their expectation. When they grow up further, their education not only helps them to make a living but also to take care of their families. At some point of time, they need to think about people in need and help them achieve some of their goals. I explained every person’s spiritual discipline helps other fellow beings. Education must instill the fundamental human values; it must broaden the vision to include the welfare of the entire world. Education must equip everyone to live happily without making others unhappy, to evaluate everything correctly and without prejudice, and to keep one’s attention fixed ever on the most precious and the highest achievement of all, realisation. Self realisation is always assumed as a difficult task at a distance immeasurable. The spiritual disciplines help remove the husk (Karma) that covers the paddy (Consciousness) and understand the true nature of us. It slowly eliminates our belief that we are the body and mind. The spiritual stream must flow from the heart as the source and spring of all endeavours. At the conclusion, I have requested them to synchronise their thoughts, words and actions, analyse their actions regularly to avoid repeating the mistakes, do everything skilfully, lovingly and selflessly with no expectation of results and make sure that their mind is simple and disciplined. In every action, the intention is very important. Actually those who fill their life with truth, righteousness, love, peace and non-violence gets the blessings of the Lord whether they worship Him or not.
The already published research on homeopathy in the last ten years, in its majority, has followed wrong lines and therefore is causing and will continue to cause confusion and uncertainties within the medical profession. The problem was created from peer-reviewers who obviously were not eligible to peer review such a new subject. Yet, homeopathy is growing in the preferences of the patients. Therefore, research should be the first step in a series of decisions, for putting an order to the anarchistic way that this therapeutic modality is developing at the moment. If the medical community wants to see the real effect and also the limits of homeopathy should aim in having good research. If this crucial problem is not understood and solved, mainly by the prestigious medical journals, then homeopathy will continue to expand unbelievably but haphazardly while the medical profession will pretend that such a thing does not exist. Most of the papers published on homeopathic trials till today are confused and confusing. In homeopathy, there is no such thing as giving a remedy for a specific ailment or disease. The idea of double blind research is valid for conventional medicine but not for homeopathy which is based on the principle of giving a remedy for a totality of symptoms of an individual and not only for his single ailment, disease or pathology. If such papers continue to be published then the real homeopathic community, the practitioners who apply homeopathy in everyday practice will never accept this type of research. Therefore I believe, the following comments will help to clarify a lot of issues that are causing and will continue to cause confusing remarks concerning the efficacy of homeopathy. Out of six homeopathic meta-analysis1-6 published in medical journals four1-4 were somewhat positive and two5-6 negative, compared with placebo, but all of them wrongly conceived and inaccurately evaluated from the aspect of homeopathy. The latest fashion of meta-analysis applied to homeopathic trials is coming to a climax, but from a homeopathic point of view without guiding lines, and without the possibility of reaching ever a final and definite conclusion concerning the effectiveness of homeopathy. I would like to show why such meta-analyses will prove to be useless, unreliable and misleading, whether the outcome be positive or negative, if it continues to take in to account the kind of trials existing till this day. The main pillar of meta-analysis is that it should be based on reliable trials. Are the bulk of the trials reviewed in these meta-analyses reliable? The answer is a clear “no”1-10. My objection is that all these trials were not structured according to the well established principles of homeopathy. Homeopathy demands individualization of the cases in order to show its best therapeutic effect. But in almost all the trials reviewed in the 6 meta-analysis studies these critical parameters were obviously ignored. I will take as an example the Lancet paper Klaus Linde et al1. I will only comment on two trials within this meta-analysis, though all of the papers included will not withstand any serious scrutiny from the homeopathic point of view: 1. The Shipley, Jenkins et al trial11 that was the most negative for homeopathy: Rhus-tox D6 was tested in osteoarthritis and found to have no effect. Rhus-tox. as every homeopath knows is almost never indicated in osteoarthritis cases (is useful perhaps in some cases of fibrositis or in rheumatic complains). Other remedies like the Causticum, the Kali salts the Calcarea salts or the Natrum salts could have been tried for this pathology under a specific protocol, but never the Rhus-tox. This research was similar to testing antibiotics in. . . anxiety neurosis and finding that they do not work, we arrived at the conclusion that all conventional medicine is useless. I consider this paper the worst type of homeopathic trials, though many others in the same meta-analysis have similar problems. 2. On the Hariveau, et al trial12 that was the most positive for homeopathy: The remedy Cuprum were tested and found very effective in reducing cramps. Though Cuprum is effective in some cases for cramps, yet is not as effective as this trial tried to show. Mossinger’s similar trials13 that did not show such a dramatic effect confirm this point of mine. The bulk of the rest of the trials in this meta-analysis have very little to do with testing the effectiveness of homeopathy. They were conceived according to conventional way of thinking (a remedy for a specific disease) This is not homeopathy as I explained above. The only conclusion one could draw from these trials is that highly diluted substances can still have an effect upon the human organism. Therefore, the homeopathic community should not accept research that does not comply and does not respect the homeopathic principles. Which are these principles: - That homeopathy does not treat diseases, but only diseased individuals. Therefore every case may need a different remedy though suffering with the same pathology. This rule was violated by almost all trials in all the meta-analysis, even in those trials that were coined as classical. An exception was the trials that attempted to be closer to the idea of the homeopathic principles as well. P. Fisher et al14 Jacobs et al15 and Schwab16. These trials showed excellent results in spite of the fact they did not follow a process of complete individualization of the cases. - There is usually an initial aggravation after the first prescription, especially in chronic cases that should be considered as a positive sign. That factor has been totally ignored. Also that sufficient time should be given in the design of the trial, in order to overcome the aggravation period. In a recent study published in Cephalalgia17 the aggravation period was evaluated as a negative sign and the homeopathic group was pronounced worse than the placebo. Cephalalgia refused to publish my objections to the study.18 - In severe chronic conditions the homeopath may need to prescribe a second or a third remedy before any sign of improvement is apparent. Such prescription should take place only after evaluating the results by the previous remedy. This rule has also been ignored in all studies. - Research should take in to consideration the length of time and the severity of the case. The prognosis of a chronic condition (the possible time after which an amelioration sets in through homeopathic treatment) differs according to the length of time the disease is active and the severity of the case. In concluding these remarks allow me to suggest: a. All the above parameters for homeopathy should have been discussed with expert homeopaths before researchers undertake to design homeopathic trials, and Medical Journals should provide more knowledgeable peer-reviewers for clinical trials on homeopathy. b. There is a need for at least one standardized protocol for clinical trials that will respect both: the double blind parameters but also some of the homeopathic principles. Only then such trials could be acceptable by both the homeopathic and the conventional medicine. With some of my colleagues we are in the final stage of completing such a protocol. - Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, Melchart D, Eitel F, Hedges LV et al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997; 350: 834-43. - Cucherat M, Haugh MC, Gooch M, Boissel JP, for the HMRAG group. Evidence of Clinical efficacy of homeopathy. A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000; 56: 27. - Barnes J, Resch KL, Ernst E. Homeopathy for post operative ileus? A meta – analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol 1997 Dec; 25 (4): 628-33. - Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, ter Riet G. Clinical trials of Homeopathy. BMJ 1991 Feb 9; 302(6772):316-23. - Scheen A, Lefebvre P. Is homeopathy superior to placebo? Controversy apropo of a meta-analysis of controlled studies. Bull Mem Acad R Med Belg 1999; 154 (7-9); 295-304; discussion 304-7. - Linde K, Scholz M, Ramirez G, Clausius N, Melchart D, Jonas WB. Impact of study quality on outcome in placebo- controlled trials of homeopathy. J Clin Epidemiol 1999 July; 52(7):631-6 - Vandenbroucke JP, Homeopathic trials :going nowhere. Lancet 1997; 350:824. - Langman MJS. Homeopathy trials: reasons for good ones but are they warranted ? Lancet 1997 350:825 - Ernst E, Barnes J. Are homeopathic remedies effective for delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials. Perfusion 1998; 11: 4-8 - Dean M. Out of step with the Lancet homeopathy meta-analysis: more objections than objectivity? J Altern Complement Med 1998 Winter; 4(4): 389-98. - Shipley M, Berry H, Broster G, Jenkins M, Clover A, Williams I. Controlled trial of homeopathic treatment of osteoarthritis Lancet;1983, i: 97-98. - Hariveauv, et al recherche clinique a L’Institut Boiron Homeopathie 1987;5:55-58. - Mossinger P. Misslungene Wirksamkeitsnachweise. Allg homopath Ztg 1976; 221: 26-31 - Fisher P, Greenwood A, Huskisson EC et al. Effect of homoeopathic treatment on fibrositis (primary fibromyalgia). BMJ 1989; 299: 365-366 - Jacobs J, Jiminez LM, Gloyds SS et al Homoeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua. Br Hom Journal 1993; 82: 83–86 - Schwab G. Lsst sich eine Wirkung homopathischer Hochpotenzen nachweisen? Karlsruhe: Deutsche Homopathische Union; 1990. - Walach H, W. Haeusler T Lowes, D Mussbach, U Schamell, W Springer et al Classical Hom. Treatm. of Chronic Headaches Cephalalgia 1997;17: 119-26 - Vithoulkas G. Unpublished Critical Review of Class. Hom. Treatm. of Chronic Headaches in Cephalagia Oct 1997 sent to Cephalalgia and their respond.
Ever since the financial markets went into meltdown, commodities have been a hot topic. Commodities represent to many investors a safe haven. Here are physical assets that can’t’ just evaporate away, like a company stocks. But investing in commodities is by no means a straightforward affair. There are plenty of issues in this market too, which is why until now it has remained so specialist. The following is an assortment of tips from industry experts on investing in commodities. Beware Exchange Traded Funds Many people get into the commodities market because they want something tangible in their hands. They want “real” wealth; they say to themselves. But the problem is that most investors can’t actually hold physical commodities, precious metals aside. That means that they have to hold some sort of derivative, like an exchange traded fund. And, of course, exchange traded funds are risky. They can be leveraged up to the max, without any underlying asset supporting their price. Be Picky About Weight Commodities are traded by weight. But different scales have different test weight tolerances. If you’re buying something with a high value per unit weight, it’s important to make sure the scales are calibrated. Incorrectly calibrated scales can lead you to get less than you bargained for. Take Indirect Positions A lot of investors believe that they have to buy commodities themselves. That is, they have to buy the raw material. But there are alternative ways that you can invest your cash in commodities. For example, there’s been a lot of buzz about investing in silver mining companies recently. Why? Because the silver miners are going to have to expand mining production as world silver demand grows. This is going to make the miners more valuable as companies, all because of the price of the commodity. In other words, investing in a silver company is an indirect way of investing in silver itself. Not All Commodities Are An Inflation Hedge There are a lot of investors piling into commodities right now as an alternative to cash. Why? Because they expect inflation in the future to erode the value of their money holdings. Right now governments are sitting on mountains of debt. And this debt is going to have to be paid off somehow in the future. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be paid off through regular taxation; the numbers are too high. Instead, it looks like it’s going to be paid off by creating money. Some commodities track inflation very precisely over the long run, like gold. But there are some that don’t track it well at all, like zinc or lithium. If you’re looking for an inflation hedge, you need to choose the right commodity. Don’t Neglect Your Position Commodity prices are notoriously volatile. They tend to go up and down in a more extreme manner than company stocks and shares. And so it’s vital that investors monitor their commodity position regularly. It just won’t do to check it once or twice a month. Commodity investors need to be analysing their position every few hours. Sometimes only the slightest bit of bad news can dramatically affect commodity prices.
Cervical cancer is the malignant tumor as a result of abnormal development of the cervix which is the mouthpiece of uterus that is one of the female reproductive organs. This body is the the expansion part of the uterus into the vagina, and indeed, although it’S a part of the uterus, since the structure and characteristics are different, it is evaluated as a different body from the uterus. some cases which develop as the premise disease of the cancer before cervical cancer develops in women, -CIN- are examined together in this chapter due to the possibility of occurrence of cancer. The premise disease group of Cervical Cancer known by the acronym CIN, is a disease with easier treatment, higher chance of success and inexpensive comparing to the cancer itself. If this precancerous condition perpetuates its development and becomes a cancer without being identified in the patient, then the treatment of this cancer type is difficult in terms of its surgery, requirement of radiotherapy and complications with a relatively low success rate and it’s an expensive treatment that requires trained staff. For this reason, naturally the purpose of medicine is to detect, manage the treatment and follow up the possibility of this cancer in women before they become cancer yet during the onset of cancer. Being easily reached by vaginal examination without pain, cervix is a suitable organ for direct observation and sampling and obtaining simple swabs from this organ with regular intervals is a significant and sufficient method in terms of preventing cancer and the name of this method is Pap-Smear. Although Pap Smear check ups, which are the most important methods proposed and implemented for prevention of cervical cancer for many years, are still very important and remains a priority, groundbreaking new information and methods other than Pap-Smear are also available as a result of the medical advances we experience. What needs to be known In order to understand this information and developments is the fact that we have detected the cause of cervical cancer. Definite detection of this cause and identification of how it leads precancerous disease and to cancer through this way, is accepted as one of the most medical advances of the last 20 years and the pioneer scientist Prof. Dr. Zur Hausen made history by gaining Nobel medicine prize. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Which is one of the many viruses that cause disease in humans has subtypes more than 100 and up to 40 of them cause sexual disease in male and females. While some of the genital region types of these cause warts, approximately 15 types lead the cervical cells become abnormal and turn into cervical cancer. This transformation process takes 10 to 15 years. Genital HPV is usually spread by sexual intercourse and not only by sexual intercourse, it can be easily transmitted through skin contact from person to person, too. HPV is so common, that most adults are caught with HPV at some time in their lives. However, since HPV is usually short-lived and rarely cause evident symptoms, most people banishes her without being aware of having HPV. Unfortunately there is no treatment for high-risk HPV, but fortunately most of these infections vanish spontaneously with the abnormal cells they cause. However, infections which are not destroyed by regressing, carry the risk of developing cervical cancer. Risk factors are the any of the agents that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, risk factors may include specific individual smoking habits such as smoking which is a well known risk factor for many cancers. Here it is important to keep in mind that having a risk factor doesn’t mean that you’ll be caught by the disease. It just means that your probability of disease is higher comparing to someone who does not have the same risk factors when everything else is equal. HPV is the primary risk factor of cervical cancer and it doesn’t develop in women who are not caught to HPV. However any immunosuppressive condition may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women and since immune impairment enable the development of infection, it also enables it to transform cancer. Generally other risk factors need to be mentioned are any social, medical or environmental factors that facilitates the infection of HPV, polygamist life style or having a polygamist partner is also one of these factors. Cervical cancer takes years to develop. This process begins with the development of abnormal cervical cells; due to caught HPV infection, if HPV infection does not heal spontaneously, it passes a number of stages over time and finally they turn into cancer. This process takes about 10 to 15 years. Abnormal cervical cells do not cause any obvious symptoms, there is no pain, no bleeding, there are no symptoms indicating that something went wrong. Only regular cervical screening i can be helpful in detection of these in early stages when these abnormal cells can be removed easily and highly successfully. After cervical cancer develops, it may show the following symptoms: These symptoms can be seen in cervical carcinoma, but other conditions may cause then, too.
(Geneva) - The international community should hold Saudi Arabia to its promises of rights reform, Human Rights Watch said today. UN member states will review Saudi Arabia's record during the Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the first time that the kingdom will submit its entire human rights record to international review. In past years, Saudi Arabia has promised to include protection for domestic workers in its labor law, abolish the sponsorship system for migrant workers that often leads to abuses, establish specialized courts and write its first penal code. Other unfulfilled promises relate to protecting children by setting 18 as the age of adulthood, thereby abolishing the juvenile death penalty, and giving women better access to work, education, health and justice, and easing restrictions on their travel. "For years, Saudi Arabia has made promises to do a better job of protecting rights," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "The international community should ensure that its review of Saudi Arabia does not just produce more promises, leaving the Saudi people empty-handed." In the first official international scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's overall human rights record, UN member states, in a three-hour question-and-answer session, will review three reports highlighting that record: one submitted by the kingdom; one consisting of observations by UN bodies; and one with observations by nongovernmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch criticized the government's report, written by the Human Rights Commission, a ministry established in 2005, saying that it contained little factual information on human rights violations and made references to laws and decrees without indicating to what degree, if any, they were being observed. The Human Rights Commission stated that it had involved all nongovernmental stakeholders in compiling its report, but well-known human rights activists in the kingdom told Human Rights Watch that the commission had not consulted them. The official report describes the government's endeavors to promote civil society and its cooperation with international human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch. Yet it fails to make note of the ongoing serious violations of rights in the kingdom, including restrictions on speech, association, assembly and religion; an arbitrary criminal justice system, discrimination against women, whom the government treats as legal minors; and serious abuses against migrant workers in the country. The report also fails to highlight particular abuses against Saudi human rights activists, including the ongoing travel ban against Abd al-Rahman al-Lahim, a Saudi human rights lawyer. Professor Matrook al-Faleh, one of the country's best-known activists, remained in solitary confinement in the intelligence prison without charge for eight months before his release in January 2009. Al-Faleh was among activists who, in 2003 and again since 2006, repeatedly requested permission to establish a genuinely independent local human rights organization, but so far without success. A 2007 draft law that would for the first time establish a legal basis for establishing nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to operate in the kingdom has been awaiting the government's approval since 2007. The government has barred Human Rights Watch from visiting the kingdom since March 2008, despite promises to the contrary. "You can measure Saudi transparency in dealing with human rights questions by the government's treatment of local and international activists and rights organizations," Whitson said. "The Saudi reply to inquiries about rights violations or legal developments is typically total silence." Human Rights Watch published six detailed reports about Saudi Arabia in 2008, examining: the criminal justice system; juvenile justice; the juvenile death penalty; women's rights; migrant domestic workers; and the treatment of the Ismaili religious minority. All reports and recommendations built on discussions with and advice from Saudi policy makers. Human Rights Watch urges the international community to press the Saudi government to fulfill promises of rights reform.
An Award-Winning Series on Ecological Design Narrated by Academy award winner Chris Cooper, the “Bloom” Film Series is a long overdue, honest assessment of the root causes of eutrophication, nutrient runoff throughout our landscapes, and our societal need to reassess the value of our ecosystem services. This four part series offers ecological design solutions as a response to degraded landscapes, polluted waterways and increasingly volatile weather caused by a changing climate. Both “Bloom: The Plight of Lake Champlain” and “Bloom: The Agricultural Renaissance” were recipients of the New England Emmy Award for Best Environmental Program. "Bloom: The Plight of Lake Champlain" This first film in the four-part series is an Emmy award winning documentary exposing the declining health of the 6th largest lake in the United States, and the future of watershed communities of Vermont, New York, and Quebec. The worsening blue-green algae blooms of Lake Champlain are the most visible symptom of a lake in decline, and the end point of a failing dairy industry, ill-planned development, and aging wastewater treatment systems. Created by Emmy award winning producer Victor Guadagno and narrated by Academy Award winning actor Chris Cooper, Bloom first premiered on Mountain Lake PBS in December 2010, with follow-up episodes premiering in February 2012. It tells the story from the front lines of lake management, policy, and environmental advocacy -- fighting the status quo, awaking an apathetic public, and envisioning a new future for the ecological treasure and economic engine of the historic Champlain Valley. "Bloom: The Emergence of Ecological Design" Our wastewater infrastructure is aging and often inadequate for new population pressures. This combined with continued pressure to weaken clean water laws in the guise of economic progress is resulting in degraded water systems. This second episode in the Bloom series explores the history of wastewater treatment and introduces natural design strategies to help clean our water, reduce our reliance on energy intensive end-of-pipe solutions, and build resilient economies. "Bloom: The Agricultural Renaissance" Industrializing our food systems is hitting environmental, social, and economic limits. A system built on cheap fossil fuels and commodity subsidies has made food inexpensive in the United States, but has also degraded our environment, tainted our food supply, and compromised our food sovereignty. Vermont is forging a new path that is strengthening local economics, building a healthy food supply, and restoring our ecosystems. This third episode in the Bloom series introduces the farming and food renaissance that is reshaping the Green Mountain State, and may just renew our waters in the process. "Bloom: "A New Reverence For Water" The development of our cities, towns, and roads in between has gradually led to more impervious surfaces and less natural capacity to absorb and clean water. With storm events expected to be more frequent and intense in the coming decades, the design of our landscapes has taken on a new urgency to prevent flood damage and pollution run-off to our water bodies. This fourth and final episode in the Bloom series describes how we can design our houses, neighborhoods, businesses, and cities in ways that restore nature's capacity to regulate and clean stormwater.
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There are no known photos of James Too, but here I am talking with him about his life as a slave in Maryland, and later in Texas, when he was a young man. He tells me professional slavers captured him in west Africa, but isn't sure exactly where, because current African nations were more territories than countries when he was taken around the age of 12 or 13. He had gone into the jungle to collect wood, and, just like that, in a relative moment, would never again see his family. He was tied up, marched to the waters, chained in a ship's hold and transported to a land called Cuba, he thinks — or maybe to a strip of land outside Georgia — he's not sure. But despite his misfortune in being snatched from his homeland, he did survive the passage, seeing himself as one of the lucky ones. He was alive. The unlucky ones had been thrown into the seas if they died or were found to be sickly. Wherever he was in this faraway land, he and the other survivors who spoke the same language were separated one from the other so communication among themselves was impossible. For two weeks to a month, they were seasoned — fattened up, says Mr. Too — to be sold at market. At the Baltimore auction, he fetched $250 — a good price — but girls fetched more, especially if they were pregnant. "They wanted the girls to breed," Too says. And a good-looking woman could bring upwards of $700. James Too is a character brought to life by O.H. Laster, a West Virginia-born Columbia resident who has, in real life, lived, it seems, multiple lives. One of 14 children of a coal-mining family, Laster is a world traveler who served in the Peace Corps, taught psychology at two New York universities, traveled to 38 cities to rally support for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, worked for the National Institutes of Health and, in retirement, continues as a fitness trainer and Zumba instructor. This innovative man transforms before your eyes into a 150-year-old former slave bringing his memories to light. "I didn't have so many problems in Maryland," he says. "Maryland was a schizophrenic state that was half-free and half-slave. Here, they treated you decent." Too's owner, Mr. Donmerstast, was born in Scotland. His wife, who was from a non-slave holding family, taught Too to read and write, greatly increasing his value and allowing trust so he could work off the plantation. But when the Civil War began, the Donmerstasts sold James and their other slaves to new owners in Texas. Those owners already had a slave named James. Hence Laster's James became James Too. The Donmerstasts, as well as other slave owners, saw that the North welcomed able-bodied black men into the Union army, and they never believed the war would reach Texas, which had seceded from the Union in 1861 and which functioned as a supply state to the Confederacy. So James Too and the other slaves were hidden from Union troops as they were marched to the Mississippi River, then sent on by wagon to Texas. James Too found his life far more difficult in Texas.
Farmers In Water-Limited Areas Of The Cotton Belt Face Challenges Head-On. By Carroll Smith The West and the Southwest are areas of the Cotton Belt that typically experience water shortages. Instead of giving up on trying to irrigate their crops, cotton farmers have adopted systems to make the most of the water that they have. “California is the only state that has to rely fully on irrigation to meet crop water needs,” says Bob Hutmacher, University of California Extension cotton specialist. “We are growing cotton in a dry environment with essentially no chance of rainfall during most of our cotton-growing season. Arizona growers may get growing-season water from monsoon rains, but there is little chance of that for most California producers. “In the past, when we had more consistent, favorable water supplies, better quality water, and weren’t competing as much with permanent crops, furrow irrigation was a typical system used by cotton farmers. Today, we still have large acreages of level basin irrigation – a type of border system – on land well suited for it, such as the finer-textured lake bottom land in the San Joaquin Valley. For these specific soil types, soil characteristics allow this ground to be irrigated quite efficiently at low costs with the level basin system.” In the San Joaquin Valley where most of California’s cotton is grown, water availability has been a chronic problem for the past 10 years and is tremendously variable by water district. Water costs can run anywhere from $35 per acre-foot on the low end to high-end costs in excess of $400 per acre-foot. Moderate to high yields are needed to cover the cost of production. When high water prices are combined with water availability problems, many farmers in recent years have been forced to use deep groundwater wells for irrigation. Even then, portions of the wells have good quality water and others have moderate to poor quality water with salinity and boron issues. “Cotton has a lot of competition for good quality water from other more valuable agronomic crops, such as nuts, fruits, processing tomatoes, garlic, onions, alfalfa and corn for the dairy industry,” Hutmacher says. “In some ways, this is where cotton’s versatility shines. Because cotton tolerates water stress and salt more than some of these crops, farmers can irrigate the crop with less water and with water from secondary water supplies, such as groundwater wells.” Drip Irrigation Systems In the past few years, many farmers installed subsurface drip irrigation systems, particularly in heavy soils, for crops such as tomatoes, which pay well. That same system can be used when they go into a cotton rotation. Others have turned to temporary, lower cost surface drip systems. Filter stations are placed on portable skids and can be moved around with forklifts. Where water availability is an issue, this type of system allows farmers to be as judicious as possible with their water use. Sprinkler Irrigation Systems The solid set pipe sprinkler system is used in medium- and coarser-textured soils mostly in Kern County. Farmers typically choose this strategy where they have vegetable crops in rotation with cotton. Pipes are set out in the field and left for the season. In western Fresno County and Kings County where cotton is still grown, farmers often do pre-plant irrigations with hand move sprinklers that allow them to put on small amounts of water – 3, 4 or 5 inches – to carry plants through early, low-water-use periods while reducing potential for leaching losses. Sections of aluminum pipe are carried into fields, put together and moved around in sets to irrigate all of the acreage. In such fields, sprinklers may be switched to furrow irrigation for remaining irrigations. “Farmers who use this irrigation system are trying very hard to be efficient with water use because it involves a lot of hard work and expense,” Hutmacher says. “California is not unique in trying to be efficient with water use, but we are in a situation where the drought has been so persistent and there is almost zero probability that farmers will get rainfall during the growing season.” Soil Moisture Profile Dan Munk, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Fresno County, says monitoring soil moisture is a good tool to use where water availability is an issue. “Today we are looking more extensively at the soil moisture profile because cotton is a deep-rooted plant,” he says. “In soils that have high water-holding capacity, cotton extracts water from deep in the soil profile later in the season. This means that farmers don’t have to irrigate as much during this time since the plant can get water through its roots deep in the ground. Examining the soil moisture profile works best in clay soils and clay loam soils but can be harder to interpret in coarser-textured soils.” Subsurface Drip In Texas Subsurface drip irrigation has had a high rate of adoption in water-limited, cotton-growing areas of Texas. Typically, this technology uses less water with good results than other irrigation systems. Farmers are often eligible for NRCS EQIP cost-share money to help offset the high installation cost. A high concentration of experienced subsurface drip irrigation designers and dealers are available to assist farmers who want to use this strategy. “We typically don’t have enough water to deliver to the cotton plant when it needs it the most,” says Jim Bordovsky, research scientist and agricultural engineer, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock. “In the Southern High Plains, our highest rainfall months are May and June. Early in the growing season, we can over irrigate with a pivot assuming that all water is stored in the profile for current or later use. However, we’ve found that much of that water will be lost to evaporation. Also, by watering too much early in the growing season under pivot, we can create a cotton plant that is much larger physically than we can support through the entire growing season with the water that we have. “Because subsurface drip is underground, it is not subject to as much evaporation loss. Currently, we are studying how much and at what time to apply irrigation with a subsurface drip system to optimize crop response to our limited water available. We want to have enough water in the ground to germinate the cotton plant. If it has rained, we may not have to apply as much water. In other cases, we may have to run the drip system longer to wet up the ground in order to plant.” With any system, achieving uniform irrigation is important. Because subsurface drip is contained and pressurized, and precise control is possible, companies that specialize in this technology can design a system to achieve this goal. Factors taken into consideration include flow rate, emitter size and spacing, and elevation change. Subsurface drip irrigation is an efficient delivery tool, and some cotton farmers have achieved very high yields – more than 4 bales per acre in certain instances – using this technology. One issue to be aware of is manganese oxide deposits that originate in the well and precipitate into the water that flows through the drip system. “Ten years ago, we didn’t know what was clogging one of our systems,” Bordovsky says. “When we discovered it was manganese oxide deposits in the drip emitters, we chlorinated the well to clean up the bacteria and then injected hydrogen peroxide into the water – in addition to lowering the pH to 7 – to clear out the drip lines.” Manganese may not be present in all wells on a farm, and the level of manganese in well water can change over time. Before investing in a subsurface drip irrigation system, Bordovsky suggests the farmer check his water quality prior to installation. If high levels of manganese are present in well water, options to prevent clogging (and their related costs) should be carefully evaluated. Rodent Pressure On Drip Tape Cotton farmers using subsurface drip irrigation systems must also be cognizant of rodent pressure on drip tape. “Where we have acres and acres of cotton, rodents generally are not as much of a problem,” says Dana Porter, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Lubbock. “Rodent damage is more likely to appear when cotton is planted near good rodent habitat, such as a sorghum crop or CRP ground. These pests gnaw on the irrigation tape, puncturing or destroying the tape. Because the damage is underground, identifying the problem, locating the damage and repairing the tape can be especially problematic. “To help deter rodent damage, limit attractive habitat close to drip-irrigated cotton fields. Deeper placement of drip tape may help deter some rodents; however, deep tape placement may present a greater challenge in wetting up the seed bed for crop germination.” With good planning, a subsurface drip irrigation system can be beneficial to Texas cotton farmers. “Two critical factors associated with having a successful system are hiring an experienced company to design the system for a particular farm and clearly understanding what the maintenance of that system should be,” Bordovsky says. “By following these guidelines, the system should continue to work well for a long time.”
Do you hate long division? Most people do. In fact, the only reason we have computers and the Internet and YouTube and Twitter is because humans suck at long division. We suck so bad at it we had to invent the computer to do it for us. This is a brief history of computing. ----- COMPUTERS! ----- Like everything in history, the development of the computer is a patchwork going back thousands of years. The story is full of people - and societies - who didn't know what other people and societies had done, or were doing, or even what their contemporaries were working on. The story is full of weird dead ends and ideas that almost made it. And there's a "corporate asshole" character I'm developing who was born in the 1950's and made it into upper management in 1980's and still works there. We'll meet that person later... So... it wasn't until the 1940's that scholars bothered to look back in time and think about how to build the modern, binary computer. Let's look back in time now... First, there was long division. It gave us things like temples and cathedrals and skyscrapers that didn't fall down. It gave us a way to sail across oceans using the stars and a compass to navigate. It gave us trains and planes and automobiles. But long division was really friggin' hard, and even the smartest people in the world made mistakes. Eventually, the world got so darn complicated we needed people called "computers" to sit in a room and "compute" for us. The first "computers" were people. They were responsible for things like making sure buildings didn't fall down, making sense out of census data, figuring out who owed money to the bank, and, of course, plotting a course across oceans. When these "computers" messed up, stuff went wrong. So, tools were developed to help them. There was the abacus and the slide rule, and all sorts of math "tables." (Those tables had no legs, though!) But the modern computer was cobbled together from more than just that stuff! \|An abacus (left) and a slide rule (right)\| Then there was the punch card which, in the context of computing, was like an early DVD or hard drive. But it was first developed for looms (which sewed intricate patterns for fabrics), and the loom people never talked to the railroad people, who started "punching tickets" to keep customers from trying to take a longer train ride than they paid for. Don't worry, some smarty pants is eventually going to put all this together, but not yet! \|A punch card\| And, of course, there was Charles Babbage, who noticed the error rate among these "computers" (the people that did long division for banks and governments, in this case in Britain) and invented a machine that could actually do long division! But he was ahead of his time, and it was such a complicated endeavor, the project got dropped. It wasn't until the 2000's that computer historians finally built Babbage's machine and showed that it would have worked if the world had just been a little more patient with him. Babbage is important because those early computer scholars looked up what Babbage did when they invented the modern computer... Anyway, the railroad "punch card" inspired a guy who had a contract with the U.S. government. The government wanted him to build a machine that could somehow make sense out of census data. The census, of course, is sort of a head count of all the people who live in America. And it asks about things like race, who owns a house, and how many men and women there are. By the late 1800's, it was taking almost 10 years to get all that data sorted out. And by the time it was done, it was useless, because everything had changed and it was time to take a new census. So, we got the "tabulator." It could add and subtract (and multiply in certain ways). And it used "punch cards" to read the data from the census. A punch card was just a piece of stiff paper with little holes punched in it. The census punch cards might say, "Do you own a house? [YES] [NO]" and there would be a hole punched for YES or NO. Except the questions weren't actually printed on the card. All of that is a super-boring part of the story. You need to know that the machine could tell which hole was punched, and it could add all of the home owners together for a "grand total" (like Excel), as well as sort the card into a little bin that contained only cards with homeowners (that little bin is a database - like Access). You get the idea... the tabulator! The tabulator was a hit, and this guy went on to start IBM and sell tabulators to businesses, which businesses loved because now they could figure out how many Fords were coming off the assembly line that were either coupes or sedans or whatever. These massive companies were able to start getting their head around what the heck they were doing! It took a war for humanity to finally get it together. World War II to be exact. By now, there were airplanes, and during wars, they dropped bombs. Hold on while I explain why that required long division... If bombs had been dropped from helicopters, they could have hovered over their target and the bomb would have dropped straight to the ground. But since they used airplanes, they couldn't hover. Airplanes can't hover. So, when the bombs got dropped out of the plane, they didn't fall straight down. They fell to the ground, for sure, but they also moved in the same direction the plane was flying, sort of like when you throw something out of a moving car. So guess what they needed to figure all this out? Long division, of course! Even the smartest people in the world - the "computers" - would occasionally screw up on long division, and a bomb would get dropped in the wrong place. But more importantly, it took forever to do all of that long division. Just like taking the census before the tabulator was invented, it was taking so long to do the math that by the time they figured out where to drop a bomb, the enemy had moved somewhere else. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the tabulator needed to be able to do long division (actually, it took a massive government bureaucracy to figure that one out)! So, now it all gets put together. The abacus. The slide rule. The tables. The punch cards from looms and railroads. Babbage's early attempt at a modern computer. The tabulator. Some binary contraptions from the early 1900's... It was like an awakening! And, among other creations, out popped the binary punch-card computer! It was a lot like the punch-card tabulator, except it could do long division. And there's an interesting story about electrical circuits and binary numbers and how the tabulator worked that's important if you're curious about how they did it. I've tried to put it together for you in the blue box below, but if you're not interested, you can skip the part in the blue box. The point is the first computers did tasks like Excel and Access, and IBM ended up selling this new "computer" to businesses after the war. It's worth noting that there were other computing devices that came out of the war that were less like the tabulator and were being worked on by universities and governments. But IBM probably had a lot of tabulator customers who were waiting on the computer, helping foster its success. The computer! It was 1948. This new "computer" had a punch-card-making machine (with a keyboard, or at least a "push-button interface") that isn't shown in the photo below, and it's really boring and hard to understand what was going on. In addition to punch cards, "applications" used "plug boards," also called "control panels," which had to be wired by hand. You could remove and insert different boards. Each one of these "applications" could read various punch cards. It's important to keep in mind that this computer evolved from the punch-card tabulator. It had "bugs," too. Bugs literally landed on the "vacuum tubes" of an earlier prototype (vacuum tubes were part of the "circuitry"). That's the way the story goes, or so I've heard. (It looks kind of "streamlined" or "art deco" or something, doesn't it? Still slick, though!) The 50's also gave us the tape drive, which was a lot like a hard drive as we know it today. That tape drive and drum memory combination become important as computers develop. Keyboards and printers also appeared in the 50's, and there were early attempts at programming languages. The mouse and computer "sounds" were invented in the 1950's, but didn't really appear until later. Screens (monitors) appeared, but were probably specific to military applications such as radar, or used on experimental systems not for sale commercially. \|An early tape drive\| The 1960's gave us the first computer "networks," and the "Internet" was invented in 1969. A lot of the stuff from the 50's started to make more of an appearance, too (after the bugs were worked out). In fact, the very first computer network appears to have become operational in 1958. One of the concepts behind the network was the use of devices that could access the "mainframe" from remote locations. The "mainframe" looked a lot like the IBM 604 pictured above, except they were getting bigger instead of smaller. A 1960's mainframe Let's say you needed to work on some computer data, but you were nowhere near the "mainframe" - say you were in a "field office" - what could you do? A number of 1960's computer networks initially adapted teleprinters and teletype machines to put in remote locations and access the mainframe. Photos of those adapted mainframe teleprinter devices are rare, in black and white, and specific to one commercial computer network (American Airlines' SABRE network). However, the photo below is of a Telex teleprinter from the early 1960's, and looks very similar to a prototype photo of what would become the SABRE terminal, made by IBM. The network! \|SABRE teleprinter/terminal prototype\| \|Early SABRE teleprinter/terminal\| American Airlines' SABRE network was based on the military's SAGE network. Like SABRE, SAGE used adapted teleprinters and a mainframe, and was built by IBM. It became operational in 1958. SAGE was designed to connect radars, so it had a radar "screen." \|Early SAGE operator's console\| MIT's DEC PDP-1 - an experimental machine - was the fastest computer in the world in the late 1950's, and appears to feature something approaching a monitor. It also ran the world's first real-time computer video game, called SpaceWar, which preceded the better known game Pong. \|DEC PDP-1 operator's console\| In 1964, IBM came up with the "dumb terminal," which looked like an early PC, but couldn't do anything on its own. It was designed to be hooked to the "mainframe," and "existing telegraph and telephone cables" were used. \|A 1960's terminal\| That thing (the terminal pictured above) wasn't a computer! But you can see the inspiration... I mean, it looks like a friggin' computer! I think the one above is one of the types first developed by IBM in 1964. In any case, these things had to be hooked up to one of those giant "mainframes" to do anything. The Internet was based on the "network." Basically, the military saw all of this and thought (in their own dark sort of way), "What if someone bombed the mainframe?" So, their "network" was designed to survive a nuclear war. The Internet! The bugs with the vacuum tubes were worked out in the 1960's, too, thanks to the transistor (as used in manufactured models). The modern database started to take shape in the 1960's as well, which was helped along by the tape drive (which stored the data) and the "dumb terminal" (which let anyone, anywhere get at the database). The first corporate and government computer databases started in the 1960's... Back in the 60's, people didn't know how everything was going to turn out. Your company might buy that new computer with the tape drive, but they also made ones without tape drives. So, there were still punch cards everywhere. But I mean, the world as you know it today was now here, just on a much smaller and simpler scale. By the 1970's, punch cards were being gradually phased out, and "computer science" was getting big. Databases galore, modern programming languages, networks everywhere, microchips in devices... Oh, yeah, the microchip! Those old computers were HUGE and expensive! That was one of the reasons for the network and the "dumb terminal." But as the 1980's (which we love) dawned, somehow that dumb terminal got together with a processor and gave us "micro-computing" ("micro" meaning "small") That's what the PC (and the Apple) was called back then. The micro-computer! \|An early micro-computer\| It looks familiar, doesn't it? This one you could just plug in and do stuff. No "mainframe" was required. So, here it finally is! I think those are punch card readers on the right... (They're not, they're "disk drives," which are similar to DVD devices.) Early micro-computers could be connected to existing computer networks in the workplace, and "dial-up networks" or "bulletin board networks" were popular among home users prior to the entry of the Internet into home computing. CompuServe, which began providing networking services to businesses using a dial-up time sharing system in 1969, entered the U.S. home dial-up market in 1978. By the early 1980's, CompuServe featured a dial-up encyclopedia for home use, news, and shopping. Anyway, he's stuck with a database dating back to the 1960's (or 1970's, but you get the idea). It's the 1980's and "micro-computers" are the new thing. Lucky for him, there's this application (an app!) - let's call it "Terminal" - that makes it possible to pull up that old database on his new micro-computer. (The old database might still be on a tape drive in another city, but hopefully he upgraded during the 1970's...) Now, applications like Excel and Access can be used to do all sorts of new things with the old data (Excel and Access went by different names back then, but same idea). It was a pain, though, and he had to pay someone, and he wasn't even sure about this whole micro-computing thing. His company starts to think about things like using the billing database for direct marketing. Maybe... A decade goes by... (damn those things go by fast!) It's the 1990's! Yay! The 90's! By the 90's, micro-computers are in every cubicle (good thing he was indecisive, or he'd be out of a job), and the military has decided to allow the public to use its nuclear-bomb-proof Internet. So, the web browser comes out in the early 1990's, and someone at his company figures out how to pull up his old 1960's database on the web. "Apps" are developed. It's bliss. It's synergy. His 1960's database can be accessed in so many new ways, and this Internet thing, too... Please keep in mind that I'm not singling out any one person or company. This guy is just a character... Now quit looking at porn and sign those paychecks! \|Version 1.0 of the Mosaic web browser\| The corporate asshole's time on this post has come to an end... So, now the web has to work with all the stuff that's been rolled out. It's sometimes a bumpy road. But like the history of computers, it has a facinating story all its own. Maybe someday I'll do post on that (not anytime soon, though!). Artwork (may include photos, images, audio, and/or video): - A lot of this was worked out years ago with two high school teachers, and later, two college professors, three students, and a number of bosses and coworkers. I know they'll at least like the binary and light switches part...
We are constantly told to drink plenty of water for our own bodies, but very few talk about how much water kids should be drinking! More parents are limiting sugar sweetened beverages and even juices for the kids in the family and are replacing it with more water but how much is enough and more importantly, how much could be too much? Water is essential for the human body and makes up about 75% of our body weight. Water is vital for many bodily functions including keeping our temperature stable, bringing nutrients to our cells and eliminating waste by-products from our bodies helping to improve our well-being. This includes our kids. How Much Water Do Kids Really Need? Naturally the amount of water each child needs will depend on their size, age and even their gender. How physically active they are throughout the day will also influence their water requirements. When we think about how much water a body needs, young or old, it is important to remember that is not just from a glass of water. Food including fruits and vegetables contain water; beverages have water content and the water we drink all add to the total. Here is a handy chart from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) Tables. Recommended Daily Allowance and Adequate Intake Values: Total Water and Macronutrients. \|Age Range\|\|Gender\|\|Total Water (Liters per day) \|4-8 years\|\|Girls and Boys\|\|1.3\| Kids Total Daily Water Requirements This is just a guide. If your child is playing sports or outside in the heat, he or she may need more water to compensate for their losses. A good rule of thumb is to drink ½ – 2 cups of additional water for every 15-20 minutes playing sports or exercising in the heat. Encourage enough fruits and vegetables and dairy beverages to be sure adequate fluid levels are reached each day. Take the fluid in their foods into consideration when calculating their intake. Staying active, practicing good eating habits and drinking enough unsweetened beverages like water are great lifelong habits for the entire family!
David Schmidly of Texas Tech University in Lubbock can't wait for his next report card. Five years ago his school's 17 graduate programs earned a dismal composite score--92nd out of 104 comparable institutions--in a National Research Council (NRC) assessment of U.S. academic programs. But Schmidly, vice president for research and graduate studies, parlayed that low ranking into a successful bid for more state money for faculty and help in boosting the school's research budget by 50%. He expects that the NRC's next survey, in 2003-04, will validate his efforts, boosting the school's reputation and making it easier to attract more money and better students and faculty. Top-tier schools rely on rankings, too. Just last week, Yale University President Richard Levin cited the university's #30 ranking in engineering as proof of the need for a half-billion-dollar science and engineering construction binge (see p. 579). And holding the top ranking in physiology and pharmacology in the 1995 NRC study, he noted, "makes it imperative that we invest enough to stay at the forefront in those fields." But not everyone is so enamored of grades for graduate programs. Patricia Bell, chair of Oklahoma State University's sociology department--ranked dead last out of 95 participating programs in the NRC's last survey--scoffs that the reputational rankings, which are based entirely on scholars' opinions of their peers, are a "popularity contest" that "dismisses the value of teaching." Such conflicting opinions are part of the debate over how to rank graduate research programs, a debate that has sharpened in recent months as the NRC gears up for its third attempt since 1982 to plumb the world's best academic research system. Almost everyone agrees that assessing graduate research programs is a useful tool for administrators who manage the programs and provides an important window into the system for students, faculty, funding agencies, and legislators. But that's where the agreement ends. All previous U.S. assessments--there have been 10 major attempts since 1925, most of them heavily dependent on reputational rankings--have been controversial, as is an ongoing exercise in the United Kingdom (see related news report). And now, just as college football fans argue endlessly about the relative importance of such factors as won-lost record, coaches' ratings, and strength of schedule in choosing the #1 team, those who follow graduate education are weighing the merits of reputation vs. quantitative measures--such as numbers of published papers and amount of research funding--in assessing research and debating how to measure the caliber of teaching and the fate of graduates. The stakes are high. Top-ranked programs attract more funding as well as high-quality faculty and students, while "low rankings can shrink or even kill off a program," notes Vanderbilt University historian Hugh Graham, author of a well-regarded 1997 book on the history of U.S. research universities. And it extends far beyond the campus. "It's a spiraling effect," says a spokesperson for Arizona State University (ASU) about its well-regarded business school. "High-achieving alumni are valuable to their companies, who see ASU as a good place to invest their money. Corporate donations allow us to offer talented faculty the salaries that attract and retain them, which contributes to higher rankings." NRC officials hope to begin exploring these issues later this year with a series of pilot studies that will culminate in a full-blown survey in 2003-04. An added factor is a highly visible rating system that already exists: The news magazine U.S. News & World Report publishes best-selling annual issues that tout the country's best graduate and professional programs and the best undergraduate institutions via a reputational ranking. Most university officials say the magazine doesn't capture the opinions of real peers, and they accuse it of deliberately shaking up the ratings to retain reader interest--a charge that editors hotly deny. But universities are also quick to cite flattering results in press releases and recruitment ads. The magazine's popularity makes it imperative for academics to stay in the game, says John Vaughn of the Association of American Universities. The AAU hopes this spring to begin its own 5-year effort to collect graduate education data from its 59 members, which include most of the country's research powerhouses. "We shouldn't cede our capacity for thoughtful analysis to a commercial operation that must put business first," says Vaughn. And although most administrators prefer the more sober NRC effort, many worry about how it will turn out. "There should be a study," says graduate school dean Lawrence Martin of the State University of New York, Stony Brook, who is also head of a panel of land-grant colleges that has drafted a position paper urging coverage of more fields, greater use of objective research criteria, exploration of some measures of program outcome, and ranking institutions by cluster rather than individually. "The fundamental issue is whether they will do it right." Despite the clashing opinions about what it means to "do it right," educators agree that an assessment is no trivial matter. The last NRC survey covered 3634 programs in 41 fields at 274 institutions; this time, it will have to do all that and more, says Charlotte Kuh, head of the NRC's Office of Science Education Programs. She hopes to raise at least $5 million, four times the cost of the 1995 survey and 25 times the 1982 price tag, for the two-phase study. Not by reputation alone By tackling these thorny issues early, Kuh hopes to avoid the blizzard of criticism directed at the previous survey for flaws ranging from factual errors to a disregard for applied fields. First up is the charge that the NRC relied too heavily on research reputation, one of many categories of data but the sole source for the numerical rankings of programs. For the reputational rankings, NRC asked more than 16,000 scientists to assess the quality of the faculty and the relative change in program strength over the past 5 years for as many as 52 programs. Each rater was provided a list, supplied by the university, of faculty members in each program. Many academics believe that approach is badly flawed. Oklahoma State's Bell, for example, argues that relying on reputations penalizes what novelist Tom Wolfe has called "flyover universities" like hers that don't have national reputations but emphasize teaching. And it's not just those on the bottom who complain. "Most people think that it was a mistake," says Jules LaPides, outgoing president of the 400-member Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), about the NRC's decision to gather lots of kinds of data, but to rank programs simply by reputation. "It legitimizes a flawed concept, that there is a single 'best' graduate program for all students. But graduate education is not a golf tournament, with only one winner." Vanderbilt's Graham and others argue that reputational rankings have become obsolete, as fields expand too rapidly for anyone to remain familiar with all the players. He favors quantitative measures of research productivity that do not rely on the memories of beleaguered reviewers. Such measures as citation impact, levels of funding, and awards, when applied on a per capita basis, he argues, would provide a more accurate picture of the current research landscape. "There are a lot of rising institutions that are being ignored," he says. "The next NRC study should help to reveal this layer of excellence that is waiting to be tapped." Critics also note that larger departments have an unfair advantage in reputational rankings because of the bigger shadow cast by their graduates, as do those with a handful of standout performers. "The best way to improve yourself quickly is to hire a few faculty superstars," says David Webster, an education professor at Oklahoma State who has written about both NRC studies. But superstars don't necessarily enhance the educational experiences for grad students, he says. Yet few administrators are willing to jettison reputation. The reputational ratings "don't capture the whole picture, but they capture people's perceptions, and that's important," says Yale's Levin. And even Webster believes that "reputational rankings, for all their faults, provide a type of subtlety that you don't get in more objective measures." Paraphrasing Winston Churchill's views on democracy, he says that reputational rankings of academic quality "are the worst method for assessing the comparative quality of U.S. research universities--except for all the others." Don't forget the students Focusing on reputation, however, ignores the question of how to calibrate many of the other complex elements that make up a graduate education. "The previous [NRC] survey was misnamed," says the AAU's Vaughn, echoing the views of many. "It was an assessment of the quality of research faculty, not of graduate programs. And we don't really know how to measure the quality of graduate education." Kuh plays down the distinction. "I don't think you can separate the two," she insists, adding that she thinks previous surveys got it right in emphasizing research. Still, many administrators feel that the next NRC survey must do a better job in exploring the quality of education. That includes such factors as the time to degree, dropout rate, and starting salary of graduates, as well as such intangibles as the quality of mentoring, opportunities to attend meetings, and the extent of career advice offered students. "It's not easy to do, but without it the community support [for the next survey] will vanish," says Debra Stewart, vice chancellor and graduate dean at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, who served on the advisory panel for the 1995 study and who in July becomes CGS president. Joseph Cerny, vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate division at the University of California, Berkeley, and his Berkeley colleague, Maresi Nerad, took a first crack at the issue by surveying some 6000 graduates a decade after they received their Ph.D. The study, carried out in 1995 and still being analyzed ( Science, 3 September 1999, p. 1533), surveyed graduates on the quality of the training they received and whether they would do it again, among other questions. The results were quite different from when the NRC asked peers to rate the quality of both faculty and programs. "The [NRC] found an almost perfect correlation," says Cerny, who as a member of the advisory panel lobbied unsuccessfully for outcome data to be collected in the 1995 survey. "But when we asked graduates to rank such things as the quality of the teaching, the graduate curriculum, and the help they received in selecting and completing their dissertation, we got dramatic differences. Instead of a slope of 45 degrees, indicating a perfect fit, we got a 20% fit. The graph looked like it had come out of a shotgun." The data on whether students would repeat their training are also eye-opening. "Computer science ranked the highest, at 85%, and biochemistry was the lowest, at 69%," he says. And the performance of individual programs varied wildly, including two biochemistry programs that scored 100% and one that received only 15%. Kuh argues that such ratings from graduates have limited value because the information quickly becomes dated and doesn't take into account the variation among students. She adds that a stressful graduate experience could still lead to a successful career. Cerny argues, however, that even stale information on student outcomes would be extremely valuable to the university administrators who run the programs--and to the federal agencies that fund graduate training. "I'd certainly want to know if I was the dean at a school [where only 15% of students would redo their training]," he says. "Even if you consider 60% to be a passing grade, we found that only one-third of the programs scored at or above that level." Ultimately, say Kuh and others, the key to a successful assessment is giving customers something they need. Bell and Webster of Oklahoma State say that the NRC and U.S. News surveys have had little impact on their university's research policies not because they fared badly but because the yardstick--the research reputation of its faculty--was seen as tangential to the university's main mission of educating students. "It's like MIT's [the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's] reaction to the weekly Associated Press football polls," says Webster. "We're just not a big player in that sport." Kuh hopes that the next NRC survey is good enough to generate as much interest at Oklahoma State as it does at MIT or Yale, setting the standard for anybody interested in assessing graduate education. "The U.S. is at the top of the world in higher education," says Graham, "and it's too important a topic to produce reports that aren't used."
You still can’t get a traffic ticket based on remote camera surveillance in Wisconsin – but you can get one for transporting invasive species. Cameras are now in place at some lake landings in Wisconsin, recording thousands of hours of boats being taken in and out of the water. Bob Wakeman, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources, said the primary goal of the devices is to educate boaters on invasive species. “There is an audio that is played, when something passes in front of the camera,” he said. “So you get this voice that comes out of this box . . . that says “hey, FYI, clean your boats and trailers off before leaving the launch.”” For those who choose not to heed the message, the cameras also provide a record that can lead to a ticket. Eric Lindberg heads Minnesota-based Environmental Sentry Protection, which contracts with counties and lake associations to install the I-LIDS system at landings. “Some lake associations hire our company to review the videos for them,” he explained. The digital recordings can also be accessed on a website. Boaters can be fined for failing to remove vegetation from boats and trailers, which allows invasive plants and animals to hitch a ride from one lake to another, hastening the spread of invasive which can threaten the health of lakes and their native species. “There’s 200 invasive species in the Great Lakes right now, and it’s very easy for a boater to move from Lake Superior to inland lakes, and it’s critical for the boater to take responsibility,” said Lindberg. He noted that the zebra mussel, originally an invasive species in the Great Lakes, has now made its way to 60 inland lakes in Minnesota. “We have provided some funding for these in the past,” said DNR’s Wakeman. “We’re currently evaluating that policy. We just want to make sure we’re getting the biggest bang for our dollars, and that if these are going to be grant eligible, they’re going to be placed where they can be effective, and can be used for enforcement if necessary.” Some agencies that have installed the cameras have also used the information gathered to reward boaters for doing the right thing. “In the first trial operation that we had, in Burnett County, we identified boaters that were cleaning off their trailers and boats, and forwarded those registration numbers to the sheriff,” said Lindberg. The sheriff’s department sent gift certificates out the boaters. “It’s not always about slapping the hand, you have to also acknowledge people’s positive behaviors, if you’re going to get compliance.”
In 2015, one truth shines above all others, without teachers setting aspiration, inspiring pupils, and paving the way to success, then we will not succeed as school leaders. It is the teachers that will implement school policies, put the ethos in action and provide that extra factor that makes the difference between a good and an excellent year. Difficulties on the road to success are many and one of the key areas to manage is, It is far too easy to stray into the area of constantly changing, responding to each new initiative yet ultimately what creates a good year in education is the ability of the teacher to get the best from the pupils. They are the key to success and it is therefore important to balance the need that might be felt for change with the need to maintain a balance. In Wales, we have a new curriculum, training for the IT initiative known as HWB +, awaiting Inspection or in the process of responding to post inspection, assessment procedures for the new Literacy and Numeracy framework and the list could continue. How do we avoid overload? Ultimately I believe it comes down to managing a strategic plan and implementing new initiatives at a pace that is both manageable and achievable. We are not aiming for failure but success therefore embedding processes is crucial and as we all realise, this takes time. As I have mentioned in previous posts on my blog, I firmly believe that the best teachers are those that continue to learn. This does not necessarily imply that they continually change their style of teaching but that they are constantly learning about themselves, their pupils and responding to the initiatives that they believe will improve the lives of pupils in their care and also improve their teaching skills. A good teacher will take on board the needs of each individual and will plan accordingly. An excellent teacher has the ability to instinctively know how to get the best from a child. To be able to achieve either standard has a massive impact on the life of a child. To be in a Primary Classroom with a good or excellent teacher can inspire a pupil to heights that they might not realise were within their range. In High School, I firmly believe from personal experience that you often work hard in order to please the teacher that you admire or respect. If teachers are able to gain the respect of teenagers from varied Social backgrounds, then they are already on the road to success. The respect gained has often been earned by listening to pupils, gaining a positive rapport with them and providing them with knowledge in a way that they understand. Is this a definition of a good teacher? It is certainly an explanation as to the importance of the role of the individual. All children have an opinion about their teachers. They will be more than willing to offer their view of the good teachers within a School and also suggest why. In my opinion, all teachers that inspire pupils are class! They have the ability to make a difference. From ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’, To the world of ‘Sharkboy and Lavagirl’, It is the impact of the individual on the pupils that earns the respect and admiration of the of the children. I am a fan of digital learning and I believe that we all learn from each other and as a School leader I am continually trying to develop my skills but I am also fully aware that a good teacher is the key to success in 2015 as it always has been and always will be.
Written by Very Well author Malia Frey Starting a new workout routine is hard for everyone, but it can be especially hard if you are overweight or obese. The best exercises for overweight people and the best workouts for obese persons aren’t always available at your local gym. And putting together a program on your own can be both uncomfortable and confusing. But if you are heavy, exercise is important. Workouts will help you to lose weight, can help you to change the way you feel about yourself, boost your mood, improve your health, and make daily activities more comfortable. So how do you get started? Use this guide to choose a workout that you might enjoy. Then check your local community center, hospital, health club, or neighborhood center to find an exercise program to suit your needs. Effective Workouts for Overweight Exercisers Before you start any exercise program, make sure that you are healthy enough for physical activity. Visit your health care provider and ask key questions about limitations or modifications that may apply to you. Then, choose a workout that you enjoy enough to stick to. These five programs are particularly well suited for larger people who exercise. See what interests you and then use the tips to get started on a path to a leaner, fitter you. This seems like an obvious choice, but there is a reason that walking tops the list of the best exercise for almost everyone. Walking requires very little equipment, and it can be done almost everywhere. Walking is low impact, improves strength and mobility in the lower body, and can be easy, moderate, or vigorous depending on your specific plan. Get equipped for walking by investing in a good pair of shoes. Visit a locally owned shoe store where a walking or shoe expert will recommend several brands and let you take a few out for a test drive. Tips to start a walking program if you are overweight. If you are absolutely new to exercise, start by walking for just 10 or 15 minutes each day. Gradually add time so that you work towards one full 30-minute session. Don’t worry about speed or pace in the beginning. Make consistency your goal. As your fitness level increases, see if you can begin to increase the speed and intensity of your workout. Researchers have found that a moderate intensity can be achieved by reaching a 100 step per minute pace, or 3,000 steps in 30 minutes. You may choose to invest in an activity monitor, but an inexpensive pedometer will count steps for you too. 2) Aqua Jogging Water activities are particularly well suited for people who have painful joints or difficulty moving. But lap swimming is too intense for many people and water aerobics classes are not always available. A good alternative is aqua jogging. Aqua jogging is simply running in the water with the help of a buoyancy belt. You get all of the benefits of running or walking without the impact. You may be able to find a buoyancy belt at the pool where you swim, or you can buy one online. Then head to the deep end of the pool and begin jogging! Tips to start an aqua jogging program. Your feet shouldn’t touch the bottom of the pool when you aqua jog. This may seem counter-intuitive, but you move forward in your lap lane only by moving your legs against the water. It takes more effort than you might imagine, so start slowly and increase during your workout as you begin to feel fitter. 3) Group Exercise Classes One of the best ways to stick to an exercise program is to develop a social support system. Group exercise classes are a perfect place to find friends. But you’ll want to be sure you find a class that meets your needs. Before you invest any money, preview the class by watching it first. Remember that it takes an overweight exerciser more time to move through certain movements, so watch to see if the pace of the class is too fast. Also, watch how the instructor cues the choreography. A good teacher will give plenty of advance warning for movement or direction changes. Tips to start an exercise class. Greet the instructor on your first visit. Introduce yourself and explain that you are starting a new workout program. By connecting with her, you send a message that you are open to feedback and encouragement. The instructor should provide extra guidance and modifications to make sure you are comfortable during class. 4) Strength Training There are many good reasons to start a strength training program. But for an overweight exerciser, there are special benefits. Strength training can correct postural issues that may arise from carrying extra weight. Strength training can also increase the range of motion in all of your joints. Finally, when you build muscle, you boost your metabolism when your body is at rest. You can start lifting weights at home, but this is one instance where joining a gym or hiring a trainer may be especially helpful. You can use a single session with a personal trainer to learn simple exercises to get you started and show you technique cues that will help you to keep your form in good shape. Tips to start a strength training program. If you join a gym, you might find that some strength training machines are not made to accommodate a larger body. Even if you don’t hire a trainer, the gym staff should be able to show you how to adjust equipment or use alternate exercises to work each muscle group. Remember to start slowly and don’t do too much too soon. Consistency is the most important element of your new workout program, so the worst thing you can do is to overdo it on your first day so that you have to take a week off. 5) Tai Chi/ Mind-Body Exercise Mind-body exercise has become more accessible to the general public. Yoga, moving meditation, and Qigong classes are easier to find. But sometimes they are difficult for overweight exercisers. Many balance-oriented yoga postures, for example, are difficult for people who are obese because they have a different center of gravity. Tai Chi uses a series of flowing movements to increase the range of motion in the joints and incorporate some (usually standing) balance postures. Tai Chi also incorporates meditational elements that help to decrease stress and improve your sleep to lose weight. Tips for Starting Tai Chi. As with any group exercise class, you should preview the program before you invest money. Ask the instructor if previous experience is necessary and what accommodations can be made for a new exerciser. Also, ask about the location. Some Tai Chi classes take place in outdoor parks or nature preserves. You’ll want to be sure you are comfortable exercising in a public setting before you invest. Remember that the type of exercise you choose is less important than the fact that you are doing it. Don’t be afraid to try everything on the list! Keep a journal to track your progress and be sure to check in with your physician if you are having difficulty maintaining the activity or if other symptoms arise.
US Support for Death Penalty Falls to Forty-Year Low Most Americans still support state sanctioned murder, but progress shows through as troubling numbers continue to fall According to a new Gallup poll, support for the death penalty in the United States has fallen to its lowest rate in more than four decades. Though a majority of Americans continue to support a practice that is condemned by human rights advocates and banned in most other highly-developed nations, the 60% approval rating for state murder is the second lowest in nearly eighty years and shows the recent trend against capital punishment continues. As Gallup reports, the new results show the lowest level of support measured "since November 1972, when 57% were in favor." Gallup explains that though a majority of Americans have always supported it, approval of the death penalty peaked at 80% in 1994, but has gradually declined ever since. As this graph shows: According to Agence France-Presse: "Of the 50 US states, 32 implement the death penalty, while 18 plus the federal capital city of Washington have abolished it." Americans have typically favored the death penalty; in fact, support has exceeded opposition in all but one survey, conducted in May 1966, during an era marked by philosophical and legal challenges to the death penalty from the mid-1950s through the early 1970s. Americans' support for the death penalty waned during that time. The culmination of that era was the Supreme Court's 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision, which invalidated all state death penalty statutes on technical grounds but stopped short of declaring the practice itself unconstitutional. Four years later, the court ruled that several newly written death penalty laws were constitutional, and executions resumed in the U.S. shortly thereafter. From then until the mid-'90s, death penalty support climbed, reaching 80% in 1994, a year in which Americans consistently named crime as the most important problem facing the United States. The current era of lower support may be tied to death penalty moratoriums in several states beginning around 2000 after several death-row inmates were later proven innocent of the crimes of which they were convicted. More recently, since 2006, six states have repealed death penalty laws outright, including Maryland this year. And as Common Dreams reported on Tuesday, controversies in several states regarding the cocktail of drugs administered to kill convicted criminals have spurred deep concern over the wanton cruelty and inhumanity of the practice.
Pope Francis wished to pray before the tombs of Don Primo Mazzolari in Bozzolo and Don Lorenzo Milani in Barbiana, and he did so yesterday, June 20, 2017. Upon arrival, around 9 a.m., in the Bozzolo sports field, the Pope was welcomed by Bishop of Cremona, Antonio Napolioni, and Mayor Giuseppe Torchio. He then transferred by car to the parish of San Pietro, where he was received by the parish priest, Don Gianni Maccalli, and the parish vicar, Don Gabriele Barbieri. The Holy Father prayed at the tomb of Don Primo Mazzolari. Then, following the greeting from the bishop, he gave a commemorative address. At the end, in the sacristy, the Pope was shown some memorials to and works by Don Primo, by the President of the Mazzolari Foundation, Don Bruno Bignami, and the president of the Scientific Committee of the Mazzolari Foundation, Professor Giorgio Vecchio. Then, after greeting some of the faithful, Pope Francis transferred by car to the Bozzolo sports field where, at around 10:30 a.m., he departed for Barbiana, for his pilgrimage to the tomb of Don Lorenzo Milani. Upon his arrival, the Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, and the Mayor of Vicchio, Roberto Izzo welcomed the Pope. Then he went immediately to the cemetery for a private visit and to pray at the tomb of Father Milani. The Holy Father then went by car to the church and, on his arrival in the Square and inside the church he greeted some disciples and former students of the Florentine priest. After a moment of personal prayer in the church, Pope Francis visited the premises of the Rectory and of the school. Then, on the adjacent lawn and introduced by the greeting of Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, the Holy Father gave an address. The following, courtesy of the Vatican Press Office, is an English translation of the Holy Father’s address in remembrance of Don Lorenzo Milani: Dear brothers and sisters, I have come to Barbiana to pay homage to the memory of a priest who witnessed how in the gift of self to Christ one finds brothers in need and serves them there, so that their dignity as persons is defended and promoted, with the same gift of self that Jesus showed us to the cross. - I rejoice to meet with those who were at the time pupils of Father Lorenzo Milani, some in the popular school of Saint Donato at Calenzano, others here in the school of Barbiana. You are witnesses of how a priest lived his mission, in places where the Church called him, with full fidelity to the Gospel and, precisely because of this, in full fidelity to each one of you, whom the Lord had entrusted to him. And you are witnesses of his educational passion, of his attempt to reawaken the human <dimension> in persons to open them to the divine. Hence his complete dedication to the school, with an option that he would carry out here in Barbiana in an even more radical way. For Father Lorenzo, the school was not something different from his priest’s mission, but the concrete way in which to carry out that mission, giving it a solid foundation and capable of raising to Heaven. And when the Bishop’s decision led him from Calenzano to here, among the youngsters of Barbiana, he understood immediately that the Lord had permitted him that detachment to give him new children to help grow and to love. To give back the word to the poor, because without the word there is no dignity and therefore neither freedom nor justice: Father Milani taught this. And it is the word that is able to open the way to full citizenship in the society, through work, and to full membership in the Church, with a conscious faith. This is also true in its own way for our times, in which only by possessing the word is one able to discern among the many and often confusing messages that rain on us, and to give expression to the profound yearnings of one’s heart, as well as to the expectations of justice of so many brothers and sisters that expect justice. Also forming part of that humanization that we claim for every person on this earth, next to bread, house, work <and> family, is the possession of the word as instrument of freedom and fraternity. - Here also are are some youngsters and young people, who represent for us the many youngsters and young people who today are in need of someone to accompany them in the course of their growth. I know that you, as so many others in the world, live in situations of marginalization, and that someone is beside you to not leave you alone and to point out a possible way of rescue, a future that opens on more positive horizons. From here I would like to thank all the educators, all those who put themselves at the service of the growth of the new generations, in particular of those who find themselves in situations of hardship. Yours is a mission full of obstacles but also joys. But it is, above all, a mission. A mission of love, because one cannot teach without loving and without the awareness that what is given is only a right that is recognized, that of learning. And there are so many things to be taught, but the essential is the growth of a free conscience, capable of confronting the reality and being oriented in it by love, by the will to commit oneself with others, by taking charge of their toils and wounds, by fleeing from every egoism to serve the common good. We find written in a Letter to a Professor: “I have learned that others’ problem is the same as mine. It is for politics to sort them all together. To sort them on one’s own is avarice.” This is an appeal to responsibility. An appeal that concerns you, dear young people, but first of all us, adults, called to live freedom of conscience in an authentic way, as the seeking of the true, the beautiful and the good, ready to pay the price that it entails. — and this without compromises. - Finally, but not least, I turn to you priests whom I wanted beside me here at Barbiana. I see among you elderly priests, who have shared with Father Lorenzo Milani the seminary years or the ministry in nearby places; and also young priests, who represent the future of the Florentine and Italian clergy. Some of you, therefore, are witnesses of the human and priestly adventure of Father Lorenzo, other are heirs. I wish to remind you all that Father Lorenzo Milani’s priestly dimension is at the root of all that has been recalled up to now about him. The priestly dimension is at the root of all that he did. Everything was born from his being a priest. But, in turn, his being priest had an even more profound root: his faith. It was a totalizing faith, which became complete self-giving to the Lord and that found in the priestly ministry its full and completed form for the converted youth. Noted are the words of his spiritual guide, Father Raffaele Bensi, who attracted in those years the highest figures of Florentine Catholicism, so he was alive around the middle of the last century, under the paternal ministry of the Venerable Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa. Father Bensi said so: “Come to me to save your soul. From that August day until the autumn, he literally gorged himself with the Gospel and with Christ. That youngster left immediately for the absolute, without middle ways. He wanted to be saved and to saveat any cost. Transparent and hard as a diamond, he would soon be wounded and wound” (Nazzareno Fabbretti, “Interview with Monsignor Raffaele Bensi,” Domenica del Corriere, June 27, 1971). To be a priest as the way in which to live the Absolute. His mother Alice said: “My son was in search of the Absolute. He found it in religion and in the priestly vocation.” Without this thirst for the Absolute we can be good functionaries of the sacred, but we cannot be priests, true priests, capable of becoming servants of Christ in brothers. Dear priests, with God’s grace, let us seek to be men of faith, a forthright faith, not wishy washy, and men of charity, pastoral charity to all those that the Lord entrusts to us as brothers and children. Father Lorenzo teaches us also to love the Church, as he loved her, with the forthrightness and truth that can also create tensions, but never fractures, abandonments. Let us love the Church, dear fellow priests, and make her loved, showing her as solicitous Mother of all, especially the poorest and most frail, be it in their social life be it in their personal and religious life. The Church that Father Milani showed the world has this maternal and solicitous face, inclined to give all the possibility of encountering God and therefore of giving consistency to their own person in all its dignity. - Before concluding, I cannot be silent about the gesture I carried out today, which is intended to be an answer to that request made many times by Father Lorenzo to his Bishop, and what was recognized and understood in his fidelity to the Gospel and in the rectitude of his pastoral action. In a letter to the Bishop, he wrote: “If you do not honor me today with a solemn act, all my apostolate will appear as a private event . . .” From Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, of dear memory, and then the Archbishops of Florence have given this recognition to Father Lorenzo on different occasions. Today the Bishop of Rome does so. This does not cancel the bitterness that accompanied Father Milani’s life – it is not about cancelling or denying history but, rather of understanding the circumstances and humanity in play –, however, it says that the Church recognizes in that life an exemplary way of serving the Gospel, the poor and the Church herself. With my presence at Barbiana, with the prayer at the tomb of Father Lorenzo Milani I believe that I have an answer to all that his mother hoped for: I would like above all that the priest be known, that the truth be known, that honor be rendered to the Church also for what he was in the Church and that the Church render honor to him . . . that Church, which made him suffer so much but which gave him the priesthood, and the strength of that faith that remains, for me, the most profound mystery of my son . . . If it is not really understood the <kind of> priest that Father Lorenzo was, it will be difficult to understand all the rest about him. For instance, his profound balance between hardness and charity” (Nazareno Fabbretti, “Meeting with the Mother of the Parish Priest of Barbiana Three Years after His Death,” Il Resto del Carlino, Bologna, July 8, 1970. The priest “transparent and hard as a diamond” continues to transmit God’s light on the path of the Church. Take the torch and carry it forward! Thank you.
From scratches to discoloration, the surfaces of your wooden furniture are vulnerable to all kinds of damage. Luckily, many of the problems can be fixed. In this article, we'll tell you how. You'll learn how to repair everything from gouges to burns. You'll even find tips for repairing furniture veneer and hardware. We'll start by discussing surface stains and discoloration. Removing Stains and Discoloration Most finishes protect the surface of wooden furniture by forming a protective coating. To repair a damaged finish coating, work only to the depth that it's affected. On any surface, work carefully, and don't remove more of the finish than you have to. In this article, we'll discuss this and other simple techniques to help you remove stains, blushing, and other discoloration from the surfaces of wooden furniture. White spots: Shellac and lacquer finishes are not resistant to water and alcohol. Spills and condensation from glasses can leave permanent white spots or rings on these finishes. To remove these white spots, first try polishing the surface with liquid furniture polish; buff the surface firmly. If this doesn't work, lightly wipe the stained surface with denatured alcohol. Use as little alcohol as possible; too much will damage the finish. If neither polishing nor alcohol treatment removes the white spots, the damaged finish must be treated with abrasives. Gentle abrasives can be purchased from a home-supply store. To make your own gentle abrasive, mix cigarette ashes to a paste with a few drops of vegetable oil, light mineral oil, or linseed oil. Rub the ash-oil paste over the stained area, along the grain of the wood, and then wipe the surface clean with a soft cloth. If necessary, repeat the procedure. Stubborn spots may require several applications. Then wax and polish the entire surface. If rubbing with ashes is not effective, go over the stained area with a mixture of rottenstone and linseed oil. Mix the rottenstone and oil to a thin paste, and rub the paste gently over the stain, along the grain of the wood. Rottenstone is a fast-cutting abrasive, so rub very carefully. Check the surface frequently to make sure you aren't cutting too deep. As soon as the white spots disappear, stop rubbing and wipe the wood clean with a soft cloth. Then apply two coats of hard furniture wax and buff the wood to a shine. Blushing: Blushing, a white haze over a large surface or an entire piece of furniture, is a common problem with old shellac and lacquer finishes. The discoloration is caused by moisture, and it can sometimes be removed the same way white spots are removed. Buff the surface lightly and evenly with No. 0000 steel wool dipped in linseed oil. Work with the grain of the wood, rubbing evenly on the entire surface, until the white haze disappears. Then wipe the wood clean with a soft cloth, apply two coats of hard furniture wax, and buff the surface to a shine. Blushing can sometimes be removed by reamalgamation. If the surface is crazed or alligatored, reamalgamation should be used instead of steel-wool rubbing. If neither rubbing nor reamalgamation removes the haze, the piece of furniture must be refinished. Black spots: Black spots are caused by water that has penetrated the finish completely and entered the wood. They cannot be removed without damage to the finish. If the spots are on a clearly defined surface, you may be able to remove the finish from this surface only; otherwise, the entire piece of furniture will have to be stripped. When the finish has been removed, bleach the entire stained surface with a solution of oxalic acid. Then refinish as necessary. Ink stains: Ink stains that have penetrated the finish, like black water spots, cannot be removed without re-finishing. Less serious ink stains can sometimes be removed. Lightly buff the stained area with a cloth moistened with mineral spirits; then rinse the wood with clean water on a soft cloth. Dry the surface thoroughly, and then wax and polish it. If this does not remove the ink, lightly rub the stained area, along the grain of the wood, with No. 0000 steel wool moistened with mineral spirits. Then wipe the surface clean and wax and polish it. This treatment may damage the finish. If necessary, refinish the damaged spot as discussed below. If the area is badly damaged, the entire surface or piece of furniture will have to be refinished. Grease, tar, paint, crayon, and lipstick spots: These spots usually affect only the surface of the finish. To remove wet paint, use the appropriate solvent on a soft cloth -- mineral spirits for oil-base paint, water for latex paint. To remove dry paint or other materials, very carefully lift the surface residue with the edge of a putty knife. Do not scrape the wood, or you'll scratch the finish. When the surface material has been removed, buff the area very lightly along the grain of the wood with No. 0000 steel wool moistened with mineral spirits. Then wax and polish the entire surface. Wax and gum spots: Wax and gum usually come off easily, but they must be removed carefully to prevent damage to the finish. To make the wax or gum brittle, press it with a packet of ice wrapped in a towel or paper towel. Let the deposit harden; then lift it off with your thumbnail. The hardened wax or gum should pop off the surface with very little pressure. If necessary, repeat the ice application. Do not scrape the deposit off, or you'll scratch the finish. When the wax or gum is completely removed, buff the area very lightly along the grain of the wood with No. 0000 steel wool moistened with mineral spirits. Then wax and polish the entire surface. Any repair that involves removing the damaged finish completely -- deep scratches, gouges, burns, or any other damage -- also involves refinishing the repair area. Spot refinishing is not always easy, and it's not always successful, especially on stained surfaces. If the damage isn't too bad, it's worth trying. If you'll have to touch up several areas on one surface, you're probably better off refinishing the surface or the piece of furniture completely. To stain one area on a surface, use an oil-based stain that matches the surrounding stain. You may have to mix stains to get a good match. Test the stain on an inconspicuous unfinished part of the wood before working on the finished surface. Before applying the stain, prepare the damaged area for finishing. Sealing is not necessary. Apply the stain to the damaged area with an artists' brush or a clean cloth, covering the entire bare area. Let the stain set for 15 minutes and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. If the color is too light, apply another coat of stain, wait 15 minutes, and wipe again. Repeat this procedure until you're satisfied with the color; then let the stain dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly buff the stained surface with No. 0000 steel wool, and wipe it clean with a tack cloth. Apply a new coat of the same finish already on the surface -- varnish, penetrating resin, shellac, or lacquer -- over the newly stained area, feathering out the new finish into the surrounding old finish. Let the new finish dry for one to two days, and lightly buff the patched area with No. 0000 steel wool. Wax the entire surface with hard paste wax, and polish it to a shine.
The following is a review by the famous English novelist E. M. Forster of Secrets of the Self (A. R. Nicholson’s translation of Iqbal’s ‘Asrar-i-Khudi’). The review was first published in December 1920 in the literary magazine Athanaeum and later reprinted in The Sword and the Sceptre (1977) by Riffat Hasan (ed.). It suffers from serious chronological errors (for instance, the poem ‘A New Temple’ was written in 1904 and not in 1916 as asserted by Forster) and Iqbal’s own comment was: “The view of the writer in the Athenaeum [E. M. Forster] is largely affected by some mistakes of fact for which, however, the writer does not seem to be responsible. But I am sure if he had known some of the dates of the publication of my Urdu poems referred to in his review, he would have certainly taken a totally different view of the growth of my literary activity. Nor does he rightly understand my idea of the Perfect Man which he confounds with the German thinker's Superman. I wrote on the Sufi doctrine of the Perfect Man more than twenty years ago, long before I had read or heard anything of Nietzsche. This was then published in the Indian Antiquary, and later in 1908 formed part of my Persian Metaphysics.” (Letter to R. A. Nicholson, January 24, 1921). By E. M. Forster It is significant of Empire that we should wait so long for a translation from Iqbal, the writer who has been for the last ten years such a tremendous name among our fellow citizens, the Muslims of India. They respond to him as do Hindus to Tagore, and with greater propriety, for Tagore was little noticed outside Bengal until he went to Europe and gained the Nobel Prize, whereas Iqbal has won his vast kingdom without help from the West. , Lahore , Delhi , Aligarh , Lucknow , Bhopal regard him as a profound thinker and a sublime poet. Will Hyderabad confirm their verdict? This question cannot be answered until it has been asked, and it has not yet been asked. Mr. Nicholson’s welcome and excellent little book only touches a corner of the subject. When will he, or some other Oriental linguist, gives us the material for a critical judgment? Meanwhile the following remarks may be of some slight help. London cannot be spared form politics. Would that they could! but there is no hope in the present circumstances; one could as easily part Dante from India . As for the politics, they are triangular. There are two chief communities—Hindu and Muslim—and a ruling class of Englishmen. Owing to their common subjection and common Orientalism, the two communities sometimes draw together and oppose the English; owing to their different religions and to racial and social differences, they sometimes fly asunder. The English view these oscillations with cynicism, but they spring from instincts, deep if contradictory, that exist in every Indian heart. Shall the Indian look to the land he lives in, and try to make it a nation? Or shall he look to his own particular past—to Makkah if he be a Muslim, to the Vedas or Upanishads if Hindu and find in that his inspiration for the future? Heaven forbid that we should assist him in his choice; either goal seems barren if we may deduce form the history of Florence Europe. But the choice itself is living, not to be sneered at, and we can see him hesitating over it even before the English came, advancing towards national unity under Akbar, retiring into religious diversities under Aurangzeb. Poets unless they belong to the school of roses and nightingales (gul and bulbul) cannot abstain from this choice; but since they decide by emotion rather than arithmetic, their attitude is often unstable and vexes the politicians. Iqbal is a case in point. Born in the Punjab, where the feeling between Muslim and Hindu is especially high, he came out at first on the religious rather than the nationalist side. Like his predecessor Hali, he wrote for his community. One of his early poems, ‘A Complaint,’ is addressed to God, and sets forth the great deeds of Muslims, their sufferings, their miserable recompense (“God, we have done all this for you, and for our reward the infidels have houris while if lightning falls from Heaven, it is upon us”). The poem was regarded as daring and had an immense success. In due course, ‘A Reply to the Complaint’ appeared, in which God defends himself by not unfamiliar arguments, retorting that the Muslims are to blame for their own misfortunes, owing to their lethargy and formalism. Both poems breathe the spirit of , the great Aligarh , which was founded to regenerate not Anglo-Mohammedan College but Islam. ‘A Muslim Song’ begins ‘We are all Muslims, the whole world is our country: China, Arabia and Hindustan are ours,’ and then addresses such lost or ruined cities as Cordova and Baghdad. Iqbal had, however, Hindu friends, who were distressed at the path he was taking and remonstrated. He changed, the other side of his aspirations came to the front (“We are all Indians, our country is Hindustan, we are its bulbuls, it is our garden” very popular among students). This was followed, in 1916, by ‘A New Temple,’ in which the same idea is expressed with greater art. Weary of the narrowness of Muslim divines, the poet calls to the Brahmin priest to turn from his narrowness, and to join him in building a temple more lofty than any the world has yet seen, the India . The glory of the Courtyard from Makkah shall inhabit that temple; the image in its shrine shall be gold, shall be inscribed Hindustan, shall wear both the Brahmin thread and the Muslim rosary, and the Muezzin shall call worshippers to prayer upon a horn. A national anthem. Some of the poet’s admirers are pleased with ‘A New Temple,’ others displeased, and there is much discussion as to how he will evolve. If an outsider may venture an opinion, he will not evolve but revolve. He has felt, with great sensitiveness, the alternatives that Destiny is now offering to Temple of India , and one would expect him to continue hesitating between them, as in the past. India The above poems, like most of Iqbal’s work, are in Urdu, the language in which Anglo-Indians shout to their servants, and which they do not suspect of any other function. But he has also written in Persian, and this brings us to an interesting point. A cultivated Indian writer has more than one language lying ready to his pen, and he will select that which is appropriate to his subject-matter, and even to the state of his mind. If a Muslim is conciliating Hindus, he will certainly write in Urdu, which is becoming their common speech and which furthermore contains a Sanskrit element, within limits variable. The Hindu will, conversely, write in Hindi, which resembles Urdu, though not in script, in vocabulary. But if the poet feels religious rather than nationalist, if he sings not of a new India but of the glorious past of his community, then a more antique and concentrated medium may attract him; if a Muslim he may turn to Persian or even Arabic, if a Hindu to Sanskrit. Thus The Secrets of the Self, the Persian poem under review, though published between ‘Our Hindustan’ and ‘A New Temple,’ is totally opposed to them in spirit. It is addressed to Muslims only, is philosophic, separatist; on its literary side it depends upon classical ; and though there are non-Muslim elements in it they do not come from Persia Hindustan: no, from a very different quarter. For Iqbal completed his education in Europe; he had degrees from and Cambridge , and keeps in touch with Western philosophy. And like other of his contemporaries he has been influenced by Nietzsche; he tries to find, in that rather shaky ideal of the Superman, a guide through the intricacy of conduct. His couplets urge us to be hard and live dangerously; tigers, not sheep; we are to beware of those sheep who, fearing our claws, come forward with the doctrine of vegetarianism. In an amusing fable he sets forth the consequences: Munich The fodder blunted their teethAnd put out the awful flashings of their eye…Their souls died and their bodies became tombs.Bodily strength diminished while spiritual fear increased.The wakeful tiger was lulled to slumber by the sheep’s charm:He called his decline Moral Culture. We are to shun culture. And though Love is indeed good, it has nothing to do with Mercy, Love is appropriation. It is stealing as opposed to begging. It is the enrichment of the Self. If we seek love in this way, a new type will be born, a champion will come forth from this dust. Appear, O rider of Destiny! Appear, O light of the dark realm of Chances!… Mankind are the cornfield and thou the harvest, The leaves are scattered by Autumn’s fury: Oh, do thou pass over our gardens as the Spring! Receive form our downcast brows The homage of little children and of young men and old. When thou art there, we will lift up our heads, Content to suffer the burning fire of this world! As a guide to conduct, Nietzsche is at a discount in Europe. The drawback of being a Superman is that your neighbours observe your efforts, and try to be Supermen too, as now realizes. But this is no place to criticize Nietzschean doctrine. The significance of Iqbal is not that he holds it, but that he manages to connect it with the Quran. Two modifications, and only two, have to be made: he condemns the Nietzsche who is an aristocrat, and an atheist; his Superman is permitted to spring from any class of society, and is obliged to believe in God. No further difficulty occurs. There is a text in the Quran which says: “Lo, I will appoint a vicegerent upon earth,” and another text relating that the vicegerency was offered to Man after Heaven and the Angels refused it. Legalists quote these texts in support of the Caliphate; Iqbal in support of his Superman. It is our duty to imitate the divine attributes, and to pass through Obedience and Self-Control to His vicegerency. Germany God’s vicegerent is as the soul of the universe,His being is the shadow of the Greatest Name.He knows the mysteries of part and whole,He executes the command of Allah in the world. But likeness to God does not mean union with Him. On the contrary. The Hindus are wrong: so are the Sufis, so even is Iqbal’s own master, the great poet Jalaluddin Rumi. The nearer the Superman approaches god the fuller he grows his own individuality. The desire to merge, to renounce the Self, is a sign of decay, and the doctrine has been evolved by subject races as an anodyne. It may be remarked in passing that Iqbal by no means turns the Pantheistic position; he says that the Self ought not to seek union with God, but he is not clear as to whether it might succeed if it did try; the spectre of Hinduism still haunts him. But this again is a side issue. What is so interesting is the connection that he has effected between Nietzsche and the Quran. It is not an arbitrary or fantastic connection; make Nietzsche believe in God, and a bridge can be thrown. Most Indians, when they turn to the Philosophy of the West, do not know what will be useful to them. Iqbal sure has an eye. In another poem, The Mysteries of Selflessness, he treats of Islam as an ideal society, a Catholic Church, in which the Believer can lose himself and touch a life greater than his own. How is the Superman to fit in here? It will be interesting to see, and perhaps Mr. Nicholson will give us a translation. But The Mysteries of Selflessness is likewise in Persian, and what we really need is a translation of the Urdu poems, for it is on them that the poet’s reputation rests. That reputation is unchallenged, although purists at complain of his provincialisms and party leaders regret that he will not come properly to heel. One thinks of him as a sensitive and shifting personality, in whom is possibly the divine fire, as a nightingale vexed by political watchwords which he cannot ignore because of the realities that lie behind them. Neither India nor Islam is at present a garden, and the voice of Iqbal rings clearer when his conscience is lulled and his own true country—though it be a but a mirage—beckons across the arid sands where Muslim and Hindus and Englishman manoeuvre. Delhi My song is of another world than theirs;This bell calls other travellers to take the road. How many a poet after his deathOpened our eyes when his own be closed,And journeyed forth again form nothingnessWhen roses blossomed o’er the earth of his grace.
The Rivers and Heritage website was officially launched on 15 March 2012 at the World Water Forum in Marseille (France), during the session “Water Culture in local governance” organized by the AIMF in partnership with l'Académie de l'Eau and UNESCO in the framework of the France-UNESCO Convention. The site lies within the framework of the Rivers and Heritage, conducted within UNESCO with the support of the France-UNESCO Convention. This program aims to support the process of raising awareness of the cultural value of rivers. While the rivers around the world experience a new phase of development with significant and controversial impacts, there is a renewed interest in the river as a common good. For the territories concerned, the river is considered a resource to multiple cultural, economic, environmental and social values. Many actions taken by local authorities or civil society reflect these new aspirations. This program will also include the establishment of a network of stakeholders and resource persons. The aim of the network is to create a pole of skills and knowledge on the river in order to respond to requests for technical support or expertise and offer answers to specific questions regarding development or management of river sites, including World Heritage sites. The first initiative is the recently established network of houses of the river (St. Louis, Senegal, March 2011). The program will be built on the experience gained in various past and present projects. The site is primarily a tool of trade. It is intended to gather the multiple contributions on projects or achievements, interviews, in line with recent news, events, research or publications. These combined perspectives bring attention to this shared common concern for rivers and offers everyone the opportunity to benefit from the actions undertaken.
Book II: Never So Good Chapter 4: 1958 part 1 of 2 26 January 1958 They said we’d be learning lots of new things this term at school. But there’s nothing new for me. Except football. We’re playing football with the teachers in the field once a week, and in the playground in the morning break. I play with the middle year boys in the mornings. They’re more my age and size. Yes, you’re almost the youngest in your class, Peter. That’s why it’s always been a bit hard for you, being small and quite bright. Is that like the stick of Torquay Rock that Grandma brought back for us from her holiday? I’m still enjoying Children’s Favourites on the radio on Saturday mornings. But most of the songs are so childish. But that’s just what you’d expect, isn’t it? And I’m starting on Enid Blyton’s Famous Five stories. There are about twenty of them in the library. They should last me till my birthday! Great Balls Of Fire. * * * They launched the Explorer satellite into orbit a few weeks ago. How exciting! But this one didn’t have a dog on board. What’s it for, Jane? Lots of things. Mainly scientific research, but also I think the Americans wanted to do it because the Russians have already launched two Sputniks. You make it sound as if they’re playing football and the score’s now 2-1! Yes, that’s quite a good way of looking at it, Peter. Mummy listened to Workers’ Playtime on the radio most lunch times during my half-term holiday. Does Daddy work in a factory? Yes. He works for a company that makes machines that people use to make other machines. He helps to put everything together when it’s ready, and tests it to make sure it all works properly. Does he help to make space rockets and satellites? And he also mends things for people in the garden shed in the evenings and at weekends, to earn some extra money. So that’s why he’s hardly ever with us in the house! There’s been a terrible aeroplane crash in a place called Munich. Lots of Manchester United footballers were killed. Isn’t that awful? Yes, it is. I know just how everybody feels. And every soul. I don’t think I want to go on an aeroplane after all. That’s not a very sensible way of thinking, Peter. If everybody thought like that, nobody would ever do anything. But you certainly do need to make careful decisions about many of the things you might want to do. Why did they call those players “Busby’s Babes” when they were all grown-up men? Because they were all actually quite young for top-class footballers. So people called them “babes” to show they appreciated that. People do that sort of thing with language all the time. I know it’s hard to grasp, but the more you open your mind to it, the easier it will become. * * * A man called Khrushchev has been made the Premier of Russia. Is that like the President of America? Yes and no again, Peter. The Russians don’t have a King or Queen either: they lost theirs too. So he has got a similar job. But they have a different way of life there, I think. And everyone calls it Russia, but it’s actually a big group of states called the USSR. Just as America is a big group of smaller states called the USA. Why don’t they teach us useful knowledge like that at school, Jane? Because it’s an Infant School. Most of the children there aren’t ready to learn about that sort of thing yet. At The Hop. We sometimes play hopscotch in the playground. Is that what this song’s about? No. It’s an American word for a teenagers’ dance. I thought they spoke English in America! They do. With extra words. Magic Moments and Catch a Falling Star. Stars are very hot, aren’t they, Jane? Wouldn’t you burn your hands if you caught one? Yes, you would. But they’re also very big, so you couldn’t really catch one. It’s just people playing games with language again. They do that all the time in songs and poems. It’s great fun. I do it myself, in my head! But what does that song mean? Well, if you listen to it very carefully, several times, I think you’ll be able to work it out for yourself. Bony Moronie. Poor man. They ought to give him more to eat. Oh Peter, you do sometimes make me laugh! * * * I heard Music While You Work on the radio a few times in the Easter holidays. I wonder if Daddy listens to these programmes at his work? I suppose it depends on whether he’s got an electricity socket nearby. I think they can broadcast the music to the whole factory, so that everybody can enjoy it together. Oh! I never thought of that. No. Listening to it together. Woman’s Hour. Mummy listens to that on the Radio each afternoon. So I had to, as well, during the holidays. That’s like Daddy having to listen to the broadcasts at work, isn’t it! Hmmm. Well, it’s not very exciting. I wish I didn’t have to. You don’t have to, Peter. Just go somewhere else and read, if you want to. Use your free will. But actually, if you stayed and listened carefully, you might learn a lot more about the world. More than they’re teaching you at school. And that’s what you want, isn’t it? Yes it is, of course ... And you could also sometimes discuss what you’ve heard with Mummy. That’s all very good advice. Thank you Jane! What’s the CND? It’s a small group of people who want countries like England and America and Russia to stop making very dangerous war weapons. I think that’s a very good idea. So do I. But I also think a few people like that aren’t going to be able to do very much about it ... Good Golly Miss Molly. Is Molly a golliwog? No. It’s just a silly saying, like ‘Oh gosh!’ Okay. So why didn’t they just say ‘Oh gosh!’? Because it wouldn’t fit the rhythm of the song, would it? Oh no, of course not! Aha! I’ve been learning to ride Robert’s bike in the garden during the holidays. I fell off eight times before I finally managed to stay balanced and go forward for about ten seconds. I fell off a few more times, but then I got the hang of it! And now I can ride all the way up and down the garden path without stopping! But Mummy won’t let me go out on the road yet. Of course not, Peter. You need a lot more practice. And Robert’s bike is still a bit too big for you ... Mummy and Daddy don’t have as many of those awful old 78 records as they used to! That was very careless of you, Peter! It wasn’t my fault! Whose was it, then? School is still so dull. We’re not even playing football on the field any more. We have to do silly baby running races instead. It’s so nice to come home to Children’s Hour on the radio each evening. I like it because it has things for older children, not just those of my age, thank goodness! Educating Archie is fun too. But the BBC telly is boring. I do wish we could get ITV! Be patient, Peter. Everything comes to those who wait. I’m still waiting for it to be “so good”! I want to do things, not just wait! * * * Happy Birthday, Jane! Happy Birthday, Peter! How “old” are you now? About fourteen, I think ... All I Have To Do Is Dream. I didn’t get any big presents today. Again! But I don’t care, ’cos Mummy and Daddy told us we’re all moving to Estingham in the summer! Isn’t it wonderful news! Yes! Are you looking forward to it too? Of course I am! You know how frustrated I’ve become with Northgate Hill, in my own way. And how I loved the open landscape of the east coast last year. But I didn’t want to say too much to you about that, in case we had to go on living here for a very long time. Oh! Are you sure we will be moving? Yes, definitely. I heard Daddy tell Mummy last week that all the necessary things have been done ready for them to sell this house and move to the one in Estingham in August. That’s why they’re willing to tell you and Robert about it at last! I do hope it’s not like that tiny bungalow last year ... No. It is a bungalow, but that only means it doesn’t have stairs. It’s actually a lot bigger than even this house, Peter, and there’s a separate car garage that Daddy’s going to use for the extra repair jobs he does for people, and you and Robert will each have your own bedroom, and there’s a huge garden to play in, too! Hooray! Wait a minute — have you seen it already? Oh yes. Mummy and Daddy looked at several houses during last year’s holiday, when you and Robert were over at David and Andy’s. So I saw them all too. And I went back there with Daddy two months ago after they’d chosen the one they wanted, and he finished all the business to do with buying it. He didn’t know I was with him all the time, of course! And there’s something else I heard them say. It’s very important. Because the house prices are a lot lower in Suffolk, Daddy has been able to buy the big new one for less money than he’ll get when he sells this one! So they’ll have some spare cash in the bank at last, and they’re hoping to be able to buy you and Robert all sorts of nice things in the future. That’s why they’ve promised you’ll get a proper birthday present in a few months’ time. But don’t tell them I said any of that! I never tell them anything about you, Jane. Okay. Now, did you notice Robert’s reaction to the news? Oh! No, not really. We didn’t talk about it much. In fact he went off soon after they told us about it. I thought he was just sulking because it was my birthday and he didn’t even get a little present himself as usual. You need to become more sensitive to other people, Peter. He’s unhappy because he’ll be losing all his friends. And he has some bad memories of the seaside because of his bike accident. Oh yes, of course. All right, I’ll try to be especially nice to him now. But as far as I’m concerned, I don’t have any friends to lose. I have everything to gain! I know. So do I! Tulips From Amsterdam. I’ve finished all the Famous Five stories now. I hope they have some other Enid Blyton books in Estingham. I hope, for your sake, they have a library in Estingham! * * * There’s a whole lot of packing going on in our house! Ha-ha-ha! Yes, I’m so excited! I wish I could help! And I think you’ve been very kind to Robert this month. He seems to be looking forward to moving too, now. Lady Is a Tramp. I thought tramps were homeless men. That’s not what it means, Peter. But don’t worry about it! I keep thinking about the Famous Five books. I want a dog in Estingham! And some adventures! Well, let’s hope all our dreams will soon come true ...
Babies arrive in the world with an intestinal tract that is totally free of germs. It is fine to start life this way, but continuing in this pristine state is definitely not in one's best interest. Babies arrive in the world with an intestinal tract that is totally free of germs. It is fine to start life this way, but continuing in this pristine state is definitely not in one’s best interest. Immediately after birth, a newborn’s intestine and colon are introduced to bacteria and other microbes as a result of the rather sloppy circumstances of the birth process itself and the close contact with mother and other caregivers. These early moments begin a dynamic process of microbe colonization over the first few years of life that scientists increasingly recognize is vital for health in decades ahead. The population of intestinal microbes in the human body is called the microbiome, and its study has been dramatically advanced in recent years by powerful genetic technologies. Scarcely a week goes by without a major new advance in the field. We have discovered that the bond we have with our microbiome is perhaps the most important, intimate and long lasting of all relationships we will ever experience. Not exactly romance, but for optimal health we truly need our microbiome, and our microbiome simply cannot live without us. Research has shown that we harbor in our bodies at least 150 times more microbial genes than human genes. Most are bacterial in origin and contribute to our nutrition, metabolism and immunity in enormously important ways. The effects on our immune system are especially interesting. The intestine is the largest immune organ in the body, and its healthy development is critically dependent on complex interactions with the microbiome early in life. In part, we know this from germ-free mice that are maintained in research settings. Their immune systems simply do not function properly but can be restored by giving a dose of healthy microbiome. Taking this concept further, a recent study in the journal Cell examined how treating germ-free mice with specific components of the microbiome affects the immune system. The investigators found that an unhealthy microbiome causes an unhealthy immune system with characteristics that favor autoimmunity. While it is too early to say for certain that human autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease are caused by an unhealthy microbiome, evidence is starting to lean in this direction. This seems especially true for Crohn’s, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. What are the practical implications of microbiome research? To be sure, we need to keep this microscopic life partner healthy and happy.Breastfeeding helps babies get started with a healthy microbiome. Later in life, we should eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber. Finally, because we know that antibiotics dramatically disturb the microbiome, we should all strive to avoid antibiotics whenever possible, and especially in children. Might we be able to change our microbiome to treat disease? Given the complex ecology of the microbiome, taking a bacterial supplement such as a probiotic probably is overly simplistic.As the science progresses, we likely will discover more effective tactics to heal a damaged microbiome.
Written by Slawomir (“Swavak”) Gromadzki, MPH What you’re about to read here on Folic acid and its numerous health benefits may surprise you! Unfortunately, Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is usually only commonly known to help prevent birth defects. The truth is, however, it has multiple health benefits for both females and males regardless of age. In fact, Folic acid is one of the very few essential nutrients which supplementation is so insistently recommended by national health services all over the world. Folic acid, for instance is required in our body for the synthesis of glutathione (the “king” of all antioxidants) and serotonin, regarded as the most powerful good mood hormone. Folic acid deficiency can lead to hyperpigmentation of the skin, contributing to dark spots, also known as liver or age spots. Folic acid helps the body break down, create and use new proteins, DNA and blood cells. Especially formation of red blood cells (which carry oxygen around the body) is dependent on adequate levels of Folic acid. Its deficiency, therefore, is a frequent cause of anaemia and fatigue in both adults and children. Folic acid is particularly important for sustaining healthy nervous system and brain function including memory, mood, and focus. It helps maintain healthy heart function, blood pressure and normal blood glucose levels. Prevents birth defects Folic acid is very important during the preconception and pregnancy as it increases the chances of conceiving and is required for proper foetus development. Since Folic acid is an essential ingredient required for the synthesis of DNA its deficiency leads to birth defects. For this reason public health authorities recommend that, all women of childbearing age should consume 400 micrograms of Folic acid daily to prevent neural tube birth defects and other malformations in the developing babies. Improves mood, memory & focus Folic acid supplementation has a growing body of medical evidence to prove its ability to nourish the brain, and promote healthy nervous system function. A study of 579 elderly participants found that participants who were taking daily dose of 400 mcg of Folic acid cut their risk of memory loss in half. Folic acid can also positively influence our mood by being involved in the synthesis of serotonin. Promotes heart health Scientific research gave strong evidence that Folic acid (especially when paired with Vitamin B12) can effectively keep blood homocysteine levels under control. Without Folic acid, homocysteine levels are increased and cause blood to clot more easily, thus increasing risk of cardiovascular problems. A large study also showed that supplementation with Folic acid helps promote normal blood pressure. Boosts metabolism, helps maintain normal body weight & energy levels The most common complaint today is fatigue which is often caused by Folic acid deficiency. Fortunately, it can be easily reversed by supplementation of this vitamin. Folic acid helps us to feel better as it is involved in the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. It also helps us to control body weight and feel energised by converting carbohydrates into glucose, which is the preferred source of energy.
"Whereas at the outset geometry is reported to have concerned itself with the measurement of muddy land, she now handles celestial as well as terrestrial problems. She has extended her domain to the furthest bounds of space." -- (Hodder and Stoughton, The Story of Euclid, 1901) Fibonacci (Leonardo of Pisa, 1170-1250). Fibonacci is known for the sequence that bears his name: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144,... . This amazing sequence appears in a number of natural and human-made creations. It is less well known that Fibonacci studied under Islamic teachers as a result of being with his merchant father on many trips from Italy to what is now Algiers in North Africa. As he grew older, Fibonacci traveled throughout the Mediterranean area, frequently meeting with mathematicians and scholars. Upon returning to his homeland in 1200, he began to write manuscripts that incorporated and expanded the mathematics he had learned in the Islamic world, which was far superior to the cumbersome Roman numeral arithmetic in use at that time. What did Herkimer's girl friend, Edith, say when she learned he had been dating Kate? Answer: "He can't have his Kate and Edith too." BARB BELL...she was a talented weightlifter. Reading: Section 9.2 (pages 472-477 plus Summary, page 479). Exercises: 9.14 (page 471), 9.15, 9.17, 9.20 (page 477). Think about what you are writing. Don't get sloppy here. You are in Section 9.2. Read this section carefully. Lots of importantthoughts and formulas here. Note that the formulas deal with proportions, notcounts. If you have a sample of size N from a population withproportion p, then: x= Np and s x= sqrt[Np(1-p)], where x =0,1,2,3,....,N Now, if you are talking about proportions, you arebasically just dividing values of x by N, to achieve p(hat) values.The values p(hat) are 0/N, 1/N, 2/N, ...., (N-1)/N, N/N. Forproportions, we have p(hat)= m x/N = (Np)/N = p ands p(hat)= s x/N = (sqrt[Np(1-p)] )/N =sqrt[Np(1-p)/N2 ] = sqrt[p(1-p)/N].
Weed management is critical in protecting and enhancing our forehsore areas. Borough of Queenscliffe Council has taken a proactive partnership approach to tackling coastal weeds and is currently involved in a number of key projects. The Borough of Queenscliffe has embarked on a five-year program (2012-2017) for environment conservation of two specific coastal areas: - The Narrows in Queenscliff, from Camp Wyuna to Point Lonsdale Primary School - Along Ocean Road in Point Lonsdale, from Toc H to Fellows Road. This constitutes 40.90 hectares of coastal vegetation. The project will focus on controlling high-threat environmental weed species, managing access trails through these coastal areas and revegetation. These sites contain threatened Coastal Moonah Woodland vegetation communities, which are significantly depleted on the Bellarine Peninsula. They also support a number of plant species of state and regional conservation significance, including coast wirilda, thyme rice-flower, coast bitter bush, coast pomaderris and coast twin-leaf. Funding of $250,000 has been made available through a successful tender application to Corangamite Catchment Management Authority's CoastalTender program, funded by the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country program. In conjunction with Conservation Volunteers Australia Since January 2013 Council has been working in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia to remove woody weeds from the Point Lonsdale foreshore area opposite the cemetery, often referred to as 'Bunny Wood'. Teams of Conservation Volunteers have removed over 20 tonnes of weedy vegetation from this area already. A winning partnership Combating dune erosion and protecting the site above the Dog Beach area in the Narrows in an ongoing project for Council. An important component of this has been the weed removal efforts by the community, including Bellarine Catchment Network and a number of schools and community groups. This area is recognised as an important Coastal Moonah Woodland site and the combined efforts have recently been recognised with a coastal land management award. Restoring the Queenscliff fire site Another key project is the coastal foreshore alongside the railway track near Queenscliff Kindergarten that was subjected to fire last summer. Council is working to restore this site by removing the remaining woody weed and managing regrowth so that undesirable plant species do not take hold again. Bellarine Railway and Corrections Victoria are also involved in this project, removing waste from the area via the railway track, which is proving very efficient.
Carol asked me recently "Are there any flowers that deer won’t eat?" This is a question I am asked repeatedly. Are there any deer resistant plants? Well, it depends. A sufficiently hungry deer will find almost any plant palatable. The Sunset Western Garden Book states "deer in different areas may have different tastes." They report that deer seem to shun the following perennial plants: aster, big sagebrush, beebalm, black-eyed Susan, boxwood, broom, buckwheat (Eriogonum sps.), butterfly bush, coreopsis, crocus, currant, daffodil, daylily, foxglove, heavenly bamboo, iris, juniper, Jupiter’s beard, lavender, lilac, lupine, Oregon grape, penstemon, phlox, poppy, potentilla, pyracantha, quince, red-hot poker, Serbian bellflower, smokebush, snow-in-summer, spiraea, St. John’s wort, sweet woodruff, sumac, tulips, viburnum, vinca and yarrow. Sunset also lists ash, cedar, cypress, fir, hackberry, hawthorn, oak, pine, spruce and western redbud as deer-resistant trees. Other references list a few additional plants. However, if you have deer in your area and any of the above listed plants, I’m sure you have seen deer eat even supposedly deer resistant plants. While planting a landscape with plants less appetizing to deer is a great beginning to deer proofing your yard, fencing and exclusionary tactics are the best ways to ensure that deer stay away from plants. Not just any fence will do. An 8-foot fence, a double offset fence, slanted seven-wire fence or electric fence are recommended. Fencing has to be properly constructed. Or, individual plants can be protected with woven wire cages. Scare tactics, such as dogs, only provide temporary relief. As soon as the dog is gone, the deer return. A wide variety of repellants is available. Some repel by smell, others by taste. Some are applied directly to plants, while others are applied over an area. Area repellants are usually less effective than contact ones. Dormant application is sometimes recommended. Since regular applications are required, costs can be high and effectiveness is variable. Rainfall can reduce the benefits of a repellant. Repellants reduce damage, but rarely eliminate it. If a deer is hungry, bad taste or strong odor won’t keep it away from your plants.
The first Pentium microprocessor was introduced by Intel on March 22, 1993. Dubbed P5, its microarchitecture was the fifth generation for Intel, and the first superscalar IA-32 microarchitecture. As a direct extension of the 80486 architecture, it included dual integer pipelines, a faster floating-point unit, wider data bus, separate code and data caches and features for further reduced address calculation latency. In 1996, the Pentium with MMX Technology (often simply referred to as Pentium MMX) was introduced with the same basic microarchitecture complemented with an MMX instruction set, larger caches, and some other enhancements. The P5 Pentium competitors included the Motorola 68060 and the PowerPC 601 as well as the SPARC, MIPS, and Alpha microprocessor families, most of which also used a superscalar in-order dual instruction pipeline configuration at some time. Intel's Larrabee multicore architecture project uses a processor core derived from a P5 core (P54C), augmented by multithreading, 64-bit instructions, and a 16-wide vector processing unit. Intel's low-powered Bonnell microarchitecture employed in early Atom processor cores also uses an in-order dual pipeline similar to P5. John H. Crawford, chief architect of the original 386, co-managed the design of the P5, along with Donald Alpert, who managed the architectural team. Dror Avnon managed the design of the FPU. Vinod K. Dham was general manager of the P5 group. Major improvements over the 80486 microarchitecture The P5 microarchitecture brings several important advancements over the preceding i486 architecture. - Superscalar architecture — The Pentium has two datapaths (pipelines) that allow it to complete two instructions per clock cycle in many cases. The main pipe (U) can handle any instruction, while the other (V) can handle the most common simple instructions. Some RISC proponents had argued that the "complicated" x86 instruction set would probably never be implemented by a tightly pipelined microarchitecture, much less by a dual pipeline design. The 486 and the Pentium demonstrated that this was indeed possible and feasible. - 64-bit external databus doubles the amount of information possible to read or write on each memory access and therefore allows the Pentium to load its code cache faster than the 80486; it also allows faster access and storage of 64-bit and 80-bit x87 FPU data. - Separation of code and data caches lessens the fetch and operand read/write conflicts compared to the 486. To reduce access time and implementation cost, both of them are 2-way associative, instead of the single 4-way cache of the 486. A related enhancement in the Pentium is the ability to read a contiguous block from the code cache even when it is split between two cache lines (at least 17 bytes in worst case). - Much faster floating point unit. Some instructions showed an enormous improvement, most notably FMUL, with up to 15 times higher throughput than in the 80486 FPU. The Pentium is also able to execute a FXCH ST(x) instruction in parallel with an ordinary (arithmetical or load/store) FPU instruction. - Four-input address-adders enables the Pentium to further reduce the address calculation latency compared to the 80486. The Pentium can calculate full addressing modes with segment-base + base-register + scaled register + immediate offset in a single cycle; the 486 has a three-input address-adder only, and must therefore divide such calculations between two cycles. - The microcode can employ both pipelines to enable auto-repeating instructions such as rep movsw perform one iteration every clock cycle, while the 80486 needed three clocks per iteration (and the earliest x86-chips significantly more than the 486). Also, optimization of the access to the first microcode words during the decode stages helps in making several frequent instructions execute significantly more quickly, especially in their most common forms, and in typical cases. Some examples are (486→Pentium, in clock cycles): CALL (3→1), RET (5→2), shifts/rotates (2~3→1), etc. - A faster, fully hardware-based multiplier makes instructions such as MUL and IMUL several times as fast (and more predictable) than in the 80486; the execution time is reduced from 13~42 clock cycles down to 10~11 for 32-bit operands. - Virtualized interrupt to speed up virtual 8086 mode. - Other features: - Enhanced debug features with the introduction of the Processor-based debug port (See Pentium Processor Debugging in the Developers Manual, Vol 1). - Enhanced self test features like the L1 cache parity check (see Cache Structure in the Developers Manual, Vol 1). - New instructions: CPUID, CMPXCHG8B, RDTSC, RDMSR, WRMSR, RSM. - Test registers TR0-TR7 and MOV instructions for access to them were eliminated. - The later Pentium MMX also added the MMX instruction set, a basic integer SIMD instruction set extension marketed for use in multimedia applications. MMX could not be used simultaneously with the x87 FPU instructions because the registers were reused (to allow for fast context switches). More important enhancements were the doubling of the instruction and data cache sizes and a few microarchitectural changes for better performance. The Pentium was designed to execute over 100 million instructions per second (MIPS), and the 75 MHz model was able to reach 126.5 MIPS in certain benchmarks. The Pentium architecture typically offered just under twice the performance of a 486 processor per clock cycle in common benchmarks. The fastest 80486 parts (with slightly improved microarchitecture and 100 MHz operation) were almost as powerful as the first-generation Pentiums, and the AMD Am5x86 was roughly equal to the Pentium 75 regarding pure ALU performance. Bugs and problems The early versions of 60–100 MHz P5 Pentiums had a problem in the floating point unit that resulted in incorrect (but predictable) results from some division operations. This bug, discovered in 1994 by professor Thomas Nicely at Lynchburg College, Virginia, became known as the Pentium FDIV bug and caused embarrassment for Intel, which created an exchange program to replace the faulty processors. Soon afterwards, a bug was discovered which could allow a malicious program to crash a system without any special privileges (the "F00F bug"); fortunately, operating systems were able to implement workarounds to prevent crashes. The 60 and 66 MHz 0.8 µm versions of the P5 Pentium processors also had (for the time) high heat production due to their 5 V operation. The P54C used 3.3 V and had significantly lower power draw by about 51% (a quadratic relationship). P5 Pentiums used Socket 4, while P54C started out on Socket 5 before moving to Socket 7 in later revisions. All desktop Pentiums from P54CS onwards used Socket 7. Cores and steppings The Pentium was Intel's primary microprocessor for personal computers during the mid-1990s. The original design was reimplemented in newer processes and new features were added to maintain its competitiveness as well as to address specific markets such as portable computers. As a result, there were several variants of the P5 microarchitecture. The first Pentium microprocessor core was code-named "P5". Its product code was 80501 (80500 for the earliest steppings Q0399). There were two versions, specified to operate at 60 MHz and 66 MHz respectively. This first implementation of the Pentium used a traditional 5 Volt power supply (descended from the usual TTL logic compatibility requirements). It contained 3.1 million transistors and measured 16.7 mm by 17.6 mm for an area of 293.92 mm2. It was fabricated in a 0.8 µm BiCMOS process. The five-volt design resulted in relatively high energy consumption for its operating frequency, when compared to the later models. The P5 was followed by the P54C (80502), also known as Pentium-S; there were versions specified to operate at 75, 90, or 100 MHz using a 3.3 volt power supply. This was the first Pentium processor to operate at 3.3 volts, reducing energy consumption. It employed an internal clock multiplier to let the internal circuitry work at a higher frequency than the external address and data buses, as it is more complicated and cumbersome to increase the external frequency, due to physical constraints. It also allowed two-way multiprocessing and had an integrated local APIC as well as new power management features. It contained 3.3 million transistors and measured 163 mm2. It was fabricated in a BiCMOS process which has been described as both 0.5 µm and 0.6 µm due to differing definitions. The P54C was followed by the P54CQS which operated at 120 MHz. It was fabricated in a 0.35 µm BiCMOS process and was the first commercial microprocessor to be fabricated in a 0.35 µm process. Its transistor count is identical to the P54C and, despite the newer process, it had an identical die area as well. The chip was connected to the package using wire bonding, which only allows connections along the edges of the chip. A smaller chip would have required a redesign of the package, as there is a limit on the length of the wires and the edges of the chip would be further away from the pads on the package. The solution was to keep the chip the same size, retain the existing pad-ring, and only reduce the size of the Pentium's logic circuitry to enable it to achieve higher clock frequencies. The P54CQS was followed by the P54CS, which operated at 133, 150, 166 and 200 MHz. It contained 3.3 million transistors, measured 90 mm2 and was fabricated in a 0.35 µm BiCMOS process with four levels of interconnect. The P24T Pentium OverDrive for 486 systems were released in 1995, which were based on 3.3 V 0.6 µm versions using a 63 or 83 MHz clock. Since these used Socket 2/3, some modifications had to be made to compensate for the 32-bit data bus and slower on-board L2 cache of 486 motherboards. They were therefore equipped with a 32 KB L1 cache (double that of pre-P55C Pentium CPUs). The P55C (or 80503) was developed by Intel's Research & Development Center in Haifa, Israel. It was sold as Pentium with MMX Technology (usually just called Pentium MMX); although it was based on the P5 core, it featured a new set of 57 "MMX" instructions intended to improve performance on multimedia tasks, such as encoding and decoding digital media data. The Pentium MMX line was introduced on 22 October 1996. The new instructions worked on new data types: 64-bit packed vectors of either eight 8-bit integers, four 16-bit integers, two 32-bit integers, or one 64-bit integer. So, for example, the PADDUSB (Packed ADD Unsigned Saturated Byte) instruction adds two vectors, each containing eight 8-bit unsigned integers together, pairwise; each addition that would overflow saturates, yielding 255, the maximum unsigned value that can be represented in a byte. These rather specialized instructions generally require special coding by the programmer for them to be used. Other changes to the core include a 6-stage pipeline (vs. 5 on P5) with a return stack (first done on Cyrix 6x86) and better parallelism, an improved instruction decoder, 32 KB L1 cache with 4-way associativity (vs. 16 KB with 2-way on P5), 4 write buffers that could now be used by either pipeline (vs. one corresponding to each pipeline on P5) and an improved branch predictor taken from the Pentium Pro, with a 512 entry buffer (vs. 256 on P5). It contained 4.5 million transistors and had an area of 140 mm2. It was fabricated in a 0.28 µm CMOS process with the same metal pitches as the previous 0.35 µm BiCMOS process, so Intel described it as "0.35 µm" because of its similar transistor density. The process has four levels of interconnect. While the P55C is compatible with the common Socket 7 motherboard configuration, the voltage requirements for powering the chip differ from the standard Socket 7 specifications. Most motherboards manufactured for Socket 7 prior to the establishment of the P55C standard are not compliant with the dual intensity required for proper operation of this chip. Intel temporarily manufactured an upgrade kit called the OverDrive that was designed to correct this lack of planning on the motherboard makers part. Pentium MMX notebook CPUs used a "mobile module" that held the CPU. This module was a PCB with the CPU directly attached to it in a smaller form factor. The module snapped to the notebook motherboard and typically a heat spreader was installed and made contact with the module. However, with the 0.25 µm Tillamook Mobile Pentium MMX (named after a city in Oregon), the module also held the 430TX chipset along with the system's 512 KB SRAM cache memory. Models and variants \|Process size (µm)\|\|0.80\|\|0.60 or 0.35\|\|0.35\|\|0.35 (later 0.28)\|\|0.25\| \|Die area (mm2)\|\|293.92 (16.7 x 17.6 mm)\|\|148 @ 0,6 µm / 91 (later 83) @ 0,35 µm\|\|91 (later 83)\|\|141 @ 0,35 µm / 128 @ 0,28 µm\|\|94.47 (9.06272 x 10.42416 mm)\| \|Number of transistors (millions)\|\|3.10\|\|3.20\|\|3.30\|\|4.50\| \|Socket\|\|Socket 4\|\|Socket 5/7\|\|Socket 7\| \|Package\|\|CPGA\|\|CPGA/TCP\|\|CPGA/PPGA/TCP\|\|CPGA/PPGA/TCP\|\|TCP/TCP on MMC-1\| \|Clock speed (MHz)\|\|60\|\|66\|\|75\|\|90\|\|100\|\|120\|\|133\|\|150\|\|166\|\|200\|\|120\|\|133\|\|150\|\|166\|\|200\|\|233\|\|166\|\|200\|\|233\|\|266\|\|300\| \|Bus speed (MHz)\|\|60\|\|66\|\|50\|\|60\|\|50\|\|66\|\|60\|\|66\|\|60\|\|66\|\|60\|\|66\|\|60\|\|66\| \|Core Voltage\|\|5.0\|\|5.15\|\|3.3 2,9\|\|3.3 2.9\|\|3.3 3.1 2.9\|\|3.3 3.1 2.9\|\|3.3 3.1 2.9\|\|3.3 3.1 2.9\|\|3.3\|\|3.3\|\|2.2\|\|2.45\|\|2.45\|\|2.8 2.45\|\|2.8\|\|2.8\|\|1.9 1.8\|\|1.8\|\|1.8\|\|1.9 2.0\|\|2.0\| \|TDP (max. W)\|\|14.6 (15.3)\|\|16.0 (17.3)\|\|8.0 (9.5) 6.0* (7.3)\|\|9.0 (10.6) 7.3 (8.8)\|\|10.1 (11.7) 8.0 at 0.6μ (9.8 at 0.6μ) 5.9 at 0.35μ (7.6 at 0.35μ)\|\|12.8 (13.4) 7.1 (8.8)\|\|11.2 (12.2) 7.9 (9.8)\|\|11.6 (13.9) 10.0 (12.0)\|\|14.5 (15.3)\|\|15.5 (16.6)\|\|4.2\|\|7.8* (11.8)\|\|8.6 (12.7)\|\|13.1 (15.7) 9.0 (13.7)\|\|15.7 (18.9)\|\|17.0 (21.5)\|\|4.5 (7.4) 4.1 (5.4)\|\|5.0 (6.1)\|\|5.5 (7.0)\|\|7.6 (9.2) 7.6 (9.6)\|\|8.0\| \|* An asterisk indicates that these were only available as Mobile Pentium or Mobile Pentium MMX chips for laptops.\| \|Process size (µm)\|\|0.35\| \|Package\|\|CPGA with heatsink, fan and voltage regulator\| \|Clock speed (MHz)\|\|125\|\|150\|\|166\|\|150\|\|180\|\|200\| \|Bus speed (MHz)\|\|50\|\|60\|\|66\|\|50\|\|60\|\|66\| \|Upgrade for\|\|Pentium 75\|\|Pentium 90\|\|Pentium 100 and 133\|\|Pentium 75\|\|Pentium 90, 120 and 150\|\|Pentium 100, 133 and 166\| \|TDP (max. W)\|\|15.6\|\|15.6\|\|15.6\|\|18\| \|Process size (µm)\|\|0.35\|\|0.25\| \|Clock speed (MHz)\|\|200\|\|233\|\|166\|\|166\|\|166\|\|266\|\|266\| \|Bus speed (MHz)\|\|66\|\|66\|\|66\|\|66\|\|66\|\|66\|\|66\| \|TDP (max. W)\|\|15.7\|\|17\|\|4.5\|\|4.1\|\|4.1\|\|7.6\|\|7.6\| After the introduction of the Pentium, competitors such as Nexgen, AMD, Cyrix, and Texas Instruments announced Pentium-compatible processors in 1994. CIO magazine identified NexGen's Nx586 as the first Pentium-compatible CPU, while PC Magazine described the Cyrix 6x86 as the first. These were followed by the AMD K5, which was delayed due to design difficulties. AMD later bought NexGen in order to help design the AMD K6, and Cyrix was purchased by National Semiconductor. Later processors from AMD and Intel retain compatibility with the original Pentium. - p. 88, "Inside Intel", Business Week, #3268, June 1, 1992. - "The hot new star of microchips", Monica Horten, New Scientist, #1871, pp. 31 ff., May 1, 1993. Accessed on line June 9, 2009. - p. 89, "Inside Intel", Business Week, #3268, June 1, 1992. - p. 8, "Intel to offer a peek at its `586' chip", Tom Quinlan, InfoWorld, March 16, 1992. - p. 1, "Design woes force Intel to cancel 586 chip demo", Tom Quinlan and Cate Corcoran, InfoWorld 14, #24, June 15, 1992. - pp. 1, 103, "P5 chip delay won't alter rivals' plans", Tom Quinlan, InfoWorld 14, #30, July 27, 1992. - p. 54, "Intel Turns 35: Now What?", David L. Margulius, InfoWorld, July 21, 2003, ISSN 0199-6649. - p. 21, "Architecture of the Pentium microprocessor", D. Alpert and D. Avnon, IEEE Micro, 13, #3 (June 1993), pp. 11–21, doi:10.1109/40.216745. - p. 90, "Inside Intel", Business Week, #3268, June 1, 1992. - Case, Brian (29 March 1993). "Intel Reveals Pentium Implementation Details". Microprocessor Report. - Intel Pentium processor (510\60, 567\66). Nov 1994 - Gwennap, Linley (27 March 1995). "Pentium is First CPU to Reach 0.35 Micron". Microprocessor Report.
This PowerPoint presentation discusses the growth of corporations and businesses during the Industrial Revolution in the United States. It discusses the growth of the steel industry, banking, and oil industry during this time period. Gospel of Wealth John D. Rockefeller Sherman Antitrust Act
SAT Vocabulary Review Links: - Bubba Brain is a simple site packed with review games for students preparing for the SAT and AP exams. Bubba Brain also has some games for elementary and middle school subjects. The games all use the same format of giving a definition and asking students to find the word or term that it matches. Once a correct match is made, a new definition appears on the "back" of the answer to the previous definition. - Cobocards, like other flashcard services, allows you to create customized sets of flashcards. One of the key differences between Cobocards and other flashcard services is that Cobocards provides you with pdf copies of your flashcards that you can print to study offline. Of course, you can study also study your flashcards online. - Cramberry allows users to share flashcards with other users. After creating your flashcards you can contribute to a public gallery of flashcards. If you don't have time to make flashcards of your own, you can search for and study flashcards in the public gallery. To use the flashcards you will need to create a Cramberry account. Cramberry offers apps for iPhones and iPads. - Easel is an educational iPad App that provides a canvas for working on Algebra and SAT practice problems. Select a problem type from the menu and you're provided with a blank canvas to write and draw on in the same way that you would use scratch paper. If you get stuck, you can tap the "show me" button to get help. Easel has free and paid versions of an app for SAT prep and an app for Algebra. - EduFire is a tutoring service offering live video lessons. EduFire charges for the video lessons, but they do have a good selection of flashcards that students can access for free. There are many decks of flashcards designed for SAT and other standardized test preparation. Students can also access flashcards designed for developing and practicing foreign language comprehension. - Flashcards, either online or physical, still seem to be one of the preferred methods of studying vocabulary words. Flashcard Flash is a handy little search engine designed for one purpose, helping you find sets of flashcards. Flashcard Flash was built using Google Custom Search. Flashcard Flash searches twenty-two different flashcard services including Flashcard DB, Quizlet, and Study Stack all of which I've previously reviewed and found to be excellent services. - Power Vocab is a free iPhone App for learning and studying vocabulary commonly found on the GMAT and GRE. The app uses artificial intelligence based on the research of the MIT Web Semantics Lab and MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab. The artificial intelligence in the Power Vocab app is used to learn about your vocabulary skills and habits to then present you with the word lists and exercises you need to focus on. The app provides you with tools to track your progress as your test date approaches. - Vocab Ahead is a great service offering hundreds of videos designed to help students learn SAT and ACT vocabulary words. Each video features a narrator pronouncing the word, reading the definition, and then reading a sentence or two using the vocabulary word. An animated drawing accompanies each sentence to illustrate the meaning of each word and sentence. You can watch the Vocab Ahead videos individually or in a continuous stream. All of the Vocab Ahead videos can be viewed directly on their website or you can embed the Vocab Ahead widget into your own blog or website. Vocab Ahead also gives teachers the ability to create custom playlists of vocabulary videos. The playlists can be shared via email, a posted link on a blog, or by posting a vocabulary video widget on a blog or website. Vocab Sushi is designed to help students prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, and more. When you register for an account, Vocab Sushi will ask you which test you are preparing for. Based upon the test for which you're preparing, Vocab Sushi will give you a short (20 question) quiz to evaluate your current skills. Then based on your score, Vocab Sushi will generate a list of words for you to learn. - Words, Words, Words is a free vocabulary app for Android from Socratica. I have previously checked out some other apps from Socratica that I liked, and this one is no different. I like that the interface is very visually-pleasing and easy to navigate. Words, Words, Words can be used in a flashcard-like manner for familiarizing yourself with the words or in a quiz mode. Words, Words, Words offers audio to help users with pronunciation.
A Morton's neuroma usually develops between the third and fourth toes. Less commonly, it develops between the second and third toes. Other locations are rare. It also is rare for a Morton's neuroma to develop in both feet at the same time. The condition is much more common in women than men, probably as a result of wearing high-heeled, narrow-toed shoes. This style of shoe tends to shift the bones of the feet into an abnormal position, which increases the risk that a neuroma will form. Being overweight also increases the risk of a Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma seems to occur in response to irritation, pressure or injury to one of the nerves that lead to your toes. Factors that appear to contribute to Morton's neuroma include. High heels. Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill fitting can place extra pressure on your toes and the ball of your foot. Certain sports. Participating in high-impact athletic activities such as jogging or running may subject your feet to repetitive trauma. Sports that feature tight shoes, such as snow skiing or rock climbing, can put pressure on your toes. Foot deformities. People who have bunions, hammertoes, high arches or flatfeet are at higher risk of developing Morton's neuroma. The most common presenting complaints include pain and dysesthesias in the forefoot and corresponding toes adjacent to the neuroma. Pain is described as sharp and burning, and it may be associated with cramping. Numbness often is observed in the toes adjacent to the neuroma and seems to occur along with episodes of pain. Pain typically is intermittent, as episodes often occur for minutes to hours at a time and have long intervals (ie, weeks to months) between a single or small group of multiple attacks. Some patients describe the sensation as "walking on a marble." Massage of the affected area offers significant relief. Narrow tight high-heeled shoes aggravate the symptoms. Night pain is reported but is rare. Morton?s neuroma can be identified during a physical exam, after pressing on the bottom of the foot. This maneuver usually reproduces the patient?s pain. MRI and ultrasound are imaging studiesthat can demonstrate the presence of the neuroma. An x-ray may also be ordered to make sure no other issues exist in the foot. A local anesthetic injection along the neuroma may temporarily abolish the pain, and help confirm the diagnosis. Non Surgical Treatment Treatment for Morton?s neuroma will depend on how long you've had the condition and its severity. Simple non-surgical treatments are effective for some people. Others may need surgery. If Morton's neuroma is diagnosed early, treatment will aim to reduce the pressure on the affected nerve. This is usually the nerve between the third and fourth toe bones (metatarsals). Your GP or podiatrist (foot specialist) may recommend changing the type of shoes you usually wear, shoes with a wider toe area may help ease the pressure on the nerve in your foot. Using orthotic devices, such as a support for the arch of your foot to help relieve the pressure on the nerve. Anti-inflammatory painkillers or a course of steroid injections into the affected area of your foot may help ease the pain and inflammation. Alcohol and local anaesthetic is injected into your foot using ultrasound for guidance, studies have shown that this type of treatment is effective. Resting your foot and massaging your toes may also help to relieve the pain. You can make an ice pack by freezing a small bottle of water and rolling it over the affected area. About one person in four will not require any surgery for Morton's neuroma and their symptoms can be controlled with footwear modification and steroid/local anaesthetic injections. Of those who choose to have surgery, about three out of four will have good results with relief of their symptoms. Recurrent or persisting (chronic) symptoms can occur after surgery. Sometimes, decompression of the nerve may have been incomplete or the nerve may just remain 'irritable'. In those who have had cutting out (resection) of the nerve (neurectomy), a recurrent or 'stump' neuroma may develop in any nerve tissue that was left behind. This can sometimes be more painful than the original condition.
Since January 7th is "Old Rock Day", I thought I'd stretch the "rock" motif and introduce these wonderful Dinosaur Egg ideas. Children are so excited to break one of these open and find the baby dinosaur inside. SALT DOUGH EGG The first method is to enclose a small dinosaur toy in a handful of salt dough. SALT DOUGH (Ruth Asawa's recipe) 4 cups flour 1 cup Salt 1-2 cups Water You can gradually add a little sand or dirt to the dough to create a more natural or "dirty" appearance. Using 2 cups of wheat flour and 2 cups of white flour helps to create a more natural look too. Press the salt dough into a flat cake and wrap around the dinosaur toy. Press and mold the dough into an egg-looking shape. Let the dough sit for a few days (turn over every day to make sure all of it dries) until the egg gets hard. You can let your child decorate their egg with tempura or acrylic paints and let it dry. PAPER MACHE DINOSAUR EGG Small Dinosaur Toy Balloon (latex-not inflated) Newspaper- cut into 2 inch strips Flour, salt and water Paint (spray paint to coat the egg and tempura for details) Carefully slide a small dinosaur toy inside the mouth of an uninflated latex balloon. Blow up the balloon slightly to the desired size of your dinosaur egg. Prepare a paper mache mixture by putting a cup of flour, and a few Tb of salt into a bowl. Gradually add water until you get a thin paste. Dip the newspaper strips into the paste and slide the excess paste off between your fingers. Lay the pasty strip of newspaper onto the balloon. Continue the process until the balloon is coated in paper mache. Let your Dinosaur Egg dry overnight or until dry. Spray paint the Dinosaur egg a desired base color. Let your child embellish the egg with tempura or acrylic paints. They can add glitter and jewels if they want to bling their egg. Hide the eggs in a back yard sandbox or inside the house in a bin or dry oatmeal flakes and Go for a Dinosaur Dig! Watch the excitement as your child scrapes open their salt dough egg or rips into their paper mache egg to discover a special dinosaur baby toy! They'll LOVE IT!
Christopher Robin's bear in the stories by A. A. Milne; Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) is the first of the books, and Pooh, the ‘bear of very little brain’ with his liking for honey, is the central character of the nursery animals. Winnie was originally the name of a black bear which was the mascot of a Canadian regiment, and which was brought to London zoo (where it remained) while the regiment was fighting in France in the First World War; Pooh was borrowed from the name first given by Christopher Robin to a swan.
How does one become an actor and get rich? Find out what steps to take to pave your way to glory. I want to be an actress or an actor Friends are tired to hear "I want to be an actor" from you? You dream of actor's career since childhood, knowing that this is your calling, but try to be more practical? Then you should go after your dream. If someone is fated to become the following Nigerian actor, so why it is not you? I want to be an actor. Where do I start? - Study acting skills at university or academy of arts. It is quite standard course. You will get acquainted with professionals, and automatically get a chance to work at scene. Your teachers will constantly push you to bigger. They will practically undertake all motivational part. Some Nollywood actors haven't left secondary school. They have proved that it is possible to achieve success without official education. However, it isn't necessary to take it literally, because they may have arrived in the right time in the right place. And worked hard after that. - Visit summer camp, seminars on acting skills or summer actions in your city. Some of these events can be very informative. Therefore, you have a chance to find such volume of information, which usually take month, in 2 weeks. You can take part in various shows, doing different things, and perhaps, even to receive money for your work, if you get lucky enough and camera will love you. While you have no study, you shouldn't waste your time, and visiting of seminars and special camps is a good way to make it. If you have a job, which doesn't allow you similar pastime, take care of necessary literature for reading. Go to performances in various theaters and improvisational exhibitions, read the theory and open yourself for new ideas and schools. If you are interested in theatrical scene, summer courses are an excellent way to begin. Performances, musicals and even operas are staged within several weeks, and they offer very valuable life experience. Especially behind-the-scenes, where you can learn much about how things work and participate in preparation of the show. All you need is to get in the crew of scenic workers and do your best to follow their orders and watch to learn. - Go to the audience in theatrical community. This step will become the further after University Theater. If you receive a role in public theater, then you will be able to get acquainted with people who perfect their skill, as well as you. It's a great opportunity to study something. You will also have clearer idea of your competitiveness. Even if you don't want to play in theater, in musicals or simple plays, any experience in the drama sphere will be useful to your summary, will train you in something new and help to get new friends. - Employ the teacher of acting to improve your talents. Your teacher will devote the attention only to you, and you will be able to work on your weak points. Along with them, you will discover your talents, which are your strong side. Look for the teacher who has a wide experience of work in this industry. The con of this is teacher’s salary, which can be high enough and not everyone can afford it. - Define your strengths. Many producers want to know what skills you have. For example, various accents, special skills or imitation. Expand your talents to participate in big quantity of a casting. You will also fight your fear of rejection doing so. Learn how your talents can help you to choose the correct way. Actor's career can be quite various at first. Therefore, think whether you want to play at cinema or on stage. - Move to the big city. Perhaps, you should get a job (waiter, for example), but such job allows to have flexible hours for a casting and it is necessary for you. Take it seriously: the big city is an only way to achieve what you want. If your financial case doesn't allow you to do it, try to change a situation. If there is a desire, the way will be found. For example, rent an apartment with several other people. Thus, you will save money for living. - As soon as you appear in the desirable place, you begin to make new acquaintances. Even becoming the actor or the actress of masses is a good start. Open castings are carried out constantly. Information about it can be found in the Internet.
Isaiah is a challenging book, both for its literary form and for the message it delivers. This guide will help you make sense of Isaiah's many parts so that we can understand the scope of Isaiah's message and its importance in the overall story of God's work. And, for a people facing present-day crises-whether in our own lives or in the lives of our churches, nation or world--these studies will point us to the God who is still faithfully, compassionately speaking and redeeming the creation and people he loves. The 26-lesson format is ideally presented for group or individual studies and is adaptable to any study situation. It will evoke deep conversations about all facets of Isaiah. It will bring personal growth and life change through a new level of understanding and engaging God's word. The Understanding the Bible the Books of the Bible series moves groups away from a typical Bible study format into a new approach to experiencing the Bible together. Instead of following artificial chapter and verse divisions, these study guides lead groups through whole books following their natural outlines and flow. They pose engaging questions for discussion with personal implications all along the way, leading to a community Bible experience. How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Helping to create The Books of the Bible and these study guides has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. My father is a pastor and my mother is a literature professor, so it comes naturally to me to approach the Bible as a collection of whole writings. In my undergraduate studies in literature at Harvard I was introduced to the concept of the shaping principle of a work of literature, the overall purpose that determines its form, structure, and development. I realized that books of the Bible had their own "shaping principles." I pursued these ideas further in seminary at Gordon-Conwell and in my doctoral program at Boston College, where I studied and later published on the internally-indicated literary structures of several biblical books. In my work as a pastor in the years that followed, as I led Bible studies and adult classes and preached expository sermon series, I had the opportunity to teach through many more books, always with a view toward understanding their inherent designs and presenting them as whole literary works. This all came together when I got to work with Biblica and InterVarsity Press on these resources. I've been amazed and delighted by the response of so many people who've said they've had a whole new encounter with God through His word in this new form. Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I see myself as following in the footsteps of historic figures such as John Locke and Alexander Campbell who produced Bibles or portions without chapters and verses, and of more recent figures such as Richard Moulton and Ernest Sutherland Bates who did the same. I'm indebted to the biblical scholarship of figures such as Gordon Fee, Douglas Stuart, and Mark Strauss who collaborated on the "For All Its Worth" series. I'm grateful to Glenn Paauw of Biblica who led our project team that produced The Books of the Bible and the other leaders at Biblica who are now doing to much to promote the edition through Community Bible Experiences.
Famous alumni of West Point include Ulysses S. Grant, John J. Pershing, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Michael Collins and H. Norman Schwarzkopf. West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, is a four-year institution to which applicants must be nominated in order to be admitted.Continue Reading Ulysses S. Grant, a member of the West Point class of 1843, served as commanding general of the Union Armies during the Civil War. As the 18th president of the United States, he served two terms from 1869 to 1877. The president of the class of 1886, John J. Pershing went on to serve in World War I as the commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was Army chief of staff from 1921 to 1924. Dwight D. Eisenhower graduated from West Point in 1915. He was the supreme commander of the Allied Forces during World War II, the Army chief of staff from 1945 to 1948 and a five-star general. After a brief stint as the president of Columbia University, he became a two-term president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. Michael Collins, a member of the class of 1952 and an astronaut from 1964 to 1970, flew the command module during the first manned lunar landing in 1969. He later served as director of the National Air and Space Museum.
A good reputation creates trust and acceptance in the marketplace. It broadens the scope of action in collaboration with suppliers, business partners, regulators, or communities, as well as in dealings with customers and colleagues. Corporate reputation is considered to be a central intangible asset, a parameter of a company’s perceived competitiveness. In that regard, scientists and practitioners agree. Often enough, the reputation of a company only gets on the management board’s radar screen once it is at stake. Food scandals, interest rate manipulation and unfair competition, Euro crisis, mistrust, shaken consumer confidence: according to an international Deloitte study the threat to a company's reputation is the biggest strategic risk. Reputation – an indefinable phenomenon? Given the importance of a good reputation, it is surprising that there is still no generally accepted understanding regarding what reputation is, or how it is measured, and how it can be positively influenced in the interest of an organisation. What are the reasons for this discrepancy? A fundamental reason can be found in the traditional silo mentality, in science as well as in business practice. One controversially discussed issue is, for example the distinction between reputation and image. Some consider the two concepts to be identical, some do not. The majority holds the opinion that image, as opposed to reputation, is more fleeting and volatile; hence easier and quicker to be positively or negatively influenced. Reputation ‘belongs’ to the stakeholders In order to identify potential events that may affect corporate reputation, we need to consider first that the reputation of an organisation is dependent on its multiple stakeholder groups. Accordingly, reputation is the collective perception of a a company by its stakeholders. It is the result of the exchange of personal and conveyed experiences between the organisation, its stakeholders and third parties over time. In this context, stakeholders are defined as any groups who, with their actions, influence the current or future success of an organisation – directly or indirectly. These stakeholders have differentiated perceptions and divergent expectations with regard to a variety of aspects of a company, for example its innovative strength, its responsible behaviour, or its quality of products and services. Due to the multidimensionality of reputation such aspects are also referred to as reputation dimensions. Reputation is not an end in itself but helps to achieve goals A central challenge in managing reputation opportunities and risks is to approach stakeholders’ expectations in an appropriate way. Overlaying the corporate reputation with the corporate brand is a crucial step in doing so. Why? The corporate brand defines what an organisation wants to stand for, how it wants to be seen by its stakeholders, thus contributing in setting stakeholder expectations. The brand itself tends to be considered as a self image, whereas reputation is regarded as the sum of public, external images expressing actual perceptions and experiences. A favourable reputation helps moving the needle with regard to ‘higher’ targets (such as supportive stakeholder behaviour or the license to operate) with the help of so called reputation drivers. These drivers are distinct facets of individual reputation dimensions which cause a change in attitude or behaviour of business-critical stakeholders. An example of a reputation driver: the credible communication of product safety. On this basis, the purpose of reputation management can be determined: It aims at influencing the perceptions and expectations of stakeholders in a way that makes them realise common interests with the organisation, leading them to act in unison with the entrepreneurial goals – by doing or not doing certain things. So, how can the reputation of a business be managed? In practice, the following questions need to be answered: - Which stakeholders can influence the successful implementation of corporate strategy? - Which behaviour of this group is essential for reaching business goals? - What kind of perception of the organisation promotes such target behaviour? - What do actual behaviours and attitudes look like? How do stakeholders currently perceive the company? - What does the organisation have to convey in order to close gaps between actual and desired reputation? - Via which channels and platforms and by what means can this be delivered? Reputation is not only a matter of communication Often, there are issues that surface in stakeholder dialogues which cannot be tackled by Corporate Communication in the first instance. When stakeholders raise expectations that a company does not (yet) meet reputation management becomes the subject of operative or strategic management. If business practice and stakeholders’ interests collide, management has to decide what is in the best interest of the business in the long run: to fulfil stakeholders’ expectations, to seek a compromise, or to continue along the current course of action. This highlights: the reputation of a company cannot be managed by the Corporate Communication function alone. In order to manage the dialogue with all stakeholders, they have to seek collaboration with other communication disciplines and business functions: With Public Affairs and the Sustainability department for the dialogue with NGOs and politicians; with internal communication and HR for the dialogue with employees and graduates, et cetera. Some of these collaborations have already been initiated, as demonstrated by collaborative projects on the subject of sustainability communication and employer branding. Creating shared interest by breaking down the silos Back to the discrepancy in terminology – should this be resolved? Most definitely! At least within an organisation itself. Establishing a common language is the basis for identifying responsibilities as well as setting goals, standards and unison for measuring and managing reputation: Do our stakeholders’ expectations and experiences match? Where do we create a relative advantage for our stakeholders? What do we want to achieve within a specific time frame in order to remain economically successful and ensure socio-economical acceptance? To summarise, successful reputation management requires mainly one thing: patience. But it is worth it!
Posted on September 4, 2011 According to the best available estimates including that from the National Center for Elder Abuse, “between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection. “ In 2010, the Department of Homeland Security - in its Yearbook of Immigration Statistics – show that 116,208 parents of US citizens were granted lawful permanent resident visas, a big jump from 80,403 in 2000. Parents, minor children below 21 and spouses of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives under US immigration definition and are not subject to quota. In the same year, of the 58,173 visas issued to immediate relatives of US citizens (including parents) 33,746 are for immediate relatives, 58% of the total. The incidence of abuse of immigrant parents in the United States prompted the USCIS to include abused or battered parents of U.S. citizens as individuals who can file self-petitions as lawful permanent residents. As self-petitioners, abused and battered parents need not rely on the sponsoring US citizen son or daughter for processing and financial support. On August 30, 2011, the USCIS issued a policy memorandum - binding on all USCIS employees - explaining that the self-petition process now extends to battered or abused parents of US citizens. Green card holders are not eligible to sponsor parents. The "Policy Memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers regarding amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) that extend the ability to self-petition to battered or abused parents of U.S. citizens. Additionally, this memorandum will provide guidance regarding work authorization for approved VAWA self-petitioners." By way of background, the USCIS memorandum states that "Section 816 of VAWA 2005 added a new paragraph (vii) to section 204(a)(1)(A) of the Act. The new paragraph provides certain parents who were subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by their U.S. citizen sons or daughters the ability to file a self-petition. Additionally, section 814(b) of VAWA 2005 amends section 204(a)(1) of the Act by adding a new paragraph (K). The new paragraph provides for automatic eligibility for employment authorization upon the approval of a VAWA self-petition."
Flight, July 1920 The Olympia Aero Show 1920 Short Brothers. (STAND 44) Whitehall House, 29-30, Charing Cross, London, S.W.1. The Sporting type seaplane is designed as a general utility machine. The functions it will fill are numerous, and for convenience can be described under two headings :- Military and Commercial. In the former case, accommodation is provided for pilot and three passengers. The seating arrangements are: the two front seats tandem fashion and provided with dual control, the rear seats side-by-side. Thus it will be possible to carry out tuition work not only in flying, but in gunnery, wireless, photography and bombing. For these latter, pilot instructor and pupil can be accommodated, plenty of room being provided in the rear seats for wireless, guns or cameras. The view from the rear seat is excellent, and good arcs of fire are obtained. For the above work the machine is fitted with a 160 h.p. Beardmore engine, as a high performance is not required and economy in fuel is very necessary. For War work, or where a higher performance is desired than that normally attained with the Beardmore engine, the "Siddeley Puma" engine of 240 h.p. is installed. This engine fits the machine without any alteration, this being one of the features of the design. In designing the Short Sporting type, great attention has been paid to the commercial side as distinct from the Military point of view. For tuition, passenger work or the transport of small quantities of freight the machine is most suitable, and will fill the requirements of :- (1) The sporting man who wishes to purchase a machine in which he can learn to fly and take his friends for flights. (2) The experienced pilot who is desirous of running a passenger-carrying and tuition machine at a seaside resort as a commercial undertaking. (3) Companies owning factories, i.e. holdings on rivers and lakes who require a quick method of transport for their officials, and for light parcels and mails. The machine is designed on the standard lines of the Short seaplanes, and embodies all important details of construction which have been evolved during seven years of hard experience. Particular attention has been paid to making the machine safe in landing and getting off the water, and to achieve this object some reduction in the possible speed attained of a machine of this size and power has been made. A valuable feature in the design is that the machine is made to fold into small compass by means of the Short patent folding wing system which permits it being housed in a shed of very small dimensions. The actual size of the machine folded is 15 ft. wide by 33 ft. long by 12 ft. high. To beach the machine an axle is passed through prepared holes in the floats, wheels are attached each end, and the machine can then be handled by two or three men with great ease. To assist handling on the ground a detachable wheel is fixed to the tail post, thus allowing the machine to be swung round or manoeuvred in its shed with the greatest facility. The floats of the machine are built on the well-known Short principle combining great strength and rigidity with lightness. A feature of the design is the curved bottom of the floats. This ensures quick get-away, and minimizes the shock of landing, but is of particular importance when beaching the machine Owing to the curvature, the bottom of the float does not touch the ground, all the wear and tear being taken by runners which are attached to the sides of the floats. These act like skids and are shod with metal to give greater durability. The engine fitted for commercial work is the 160 h.p. six-cylinder Beardmore, it having been decided, after careful consideration, to fit an engine of known reliability and performance rather than install any of the newer, and as yet untried, engines of post-War design. The Short Machines As one out of the three seaplanes exhibited, the Short Sporting type machine should receive its share of attention, even if it does not possess the novel features which make the "Swallow" the most interesting machine at the Show. Messrs. Short Brothers have had unique experience in the design and construction of seaplanes, and the sporting type follows, generally, the lines of their well-known war types. The machine is designed to carry four persons, three passengers in addition to the pilot. Two seats are arranged in tandem under the top centre section, while a side-by-side cockpit accommodates two more passengers slightly aft of the trailing edge of the wings. These are provided with the usual Short folding arrangement. This firm, incidentally, was the first to employ folding wings. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the design is the design of the floats. The old type Short floats, it may be remembered, were flat bottomed and cut off square at the heel. The floats of the Short Sporting model are tapered towards the heel, the portion aft of the step having a Vee bottom. In front of the step the bottom is hollow, somewhat after the fashion of the hulls of the Italian Savoia flying boats. The result is said to be that the machine gets off very quickly and with little spray, while for handling ashore the hollow bottom is a great advantage, since the bottom itself does not come into contact with the ground. The sides of the floats are shod with metal to give greater wearing qualities. As in previous Short seaplanes rubber shock absorbers are fitted inside the floats.
- The female population outnumbers the male population by just over 7% - 52% of the working population is working in the textile industry (virtually the same ratio for both working males and females) - 18% of the working population is working in the lace industry (21% of working males, 9% of working females) - 53% of household heads are working in textiles, 24% of them in the lace industry - Hosiery knitting still employs 26% of the working population - Just over 10% of the working population is employed in agriculture and horticulture combined - Almost 19% of married women are employed, overwhelmingly in the textile industry Note : In the 1841 Census, the relationship of members of each household to its Head was not recorded. This means that the statistics relating to wives are based on an assessment of likely wives of heads of household. There is no indication in the census as to school attendance. This means that no figures are available for those 'at school', although many undoubtably were. Behind these overall facts - which themselves beg many questions - we might expect to be able to discover evidence relating to industry trends, the effect of immigration and emigration on the workforce and of social trends - including the employment of women and children. Later, we would hope to study more detailed social trends, such as birth and death rates, family size, etc. 12Includes tailors, dressmakers, bonnet makers, stay makers, shirt makers, etc 13Living on personal wealth, annuities, share and property income, etc 14Similar to that used by Charles Booth, in 1886 for his social survey, Life and Labour of the People of London - but with much less detail and with an emphasis relative to local occupations. 15P. M. Tillott - who devised a classification used in census analysis by extra-mural classes in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in the 1960s 16Alan Armstrong, Stability and Change in an English County Town - A Social Study of York 1801-51, Cambridge University Press
Protesters outside Terminal 5 of O’Hare International Airport demand that travelers detained inside due to President Trump’s order to ban people from seven predominantly Muslim countries are released on January 28, 2017. (Photo credit by Max Herman/NurPhoto) The recent executive order banning travel on seven Muslim-majority nations has triggered massive responses around the globe. Protests were conducted at JFK airport, along with other airports around the country. It warmed my heart to see people sending messages of love and support to the people caught up in the sudden chaos of this executive order. It also empowered me to see civic action – protected under the Bill of Rights and specifically the First Amendment – is still alive and well in America. These recent events triggered a painful personal memory of what it feels like to be suddenly shut out and blocked from entry. I wanted to share my personal story with you in hopes that it encourages you to stand up for what you believe in, and to always have hope, even in the face of fear and insurmountable odds. It happened 24 years ago when my then fiancé (now my husband Byron) was held up in immigration at the airport in the United Kingdom after a long flight from California. He was joining me during my expat work assignment in England for a global contact lens company. We were so excited to start our new adventure together in England. Our attorney had counseled us that we didn’t need a visa for him at this time. He could come to England as a visitor for up to six months. After we got married he could get a visa to cover him for my 2-3 year work assignment. That turned out not to be the case. When I went to pick him up at Heathrow airport I was informed that he was being detained by immigration officers. I sat there for hours with other families from around the world – some from African countries, others from different parts of Europe – all worried sick about the prospects of our loved ones being denied entrance in the country where we were living/working. How could this happen? What was going on? What did we do wrong? Was Byron really a risk to the UK? It was beyond confusing. I was interviewed by immigration officers separately from my detained loved one. After 4+ hours of uncertainty, they released him from under the mandate that he could stay in the UK for only seven days, after which time he had to return to America. They kept his passport, after stamping it with the horrifying “deported” mark. It was very intimidating. Not the way we wanted to start our new adventure in England, or our new life as a married couple. It took us another six months to work things out. The stress levels were high. There was one awful moment the day after we got married, when we were held up at the British Embassy office in Los Angeles, trying to get his visa so he could enter the UK legally as my husband. We waited for 3 hours until they cleared us so we could proceed on our honeymoon as planned. I was a nervous wreck. Byron, however, had learned through this process that patience and politeness were the key to success in this type of situation. It all worked out in the end and we enjoyed three fantastic years living and working in England. We contributed to the UK economy. We created lifelong friendships. We helped to build an international community. We learned more about the world. We became global citizens. It was one of the best experiences of our lives. When I read about people being detained at JFK airport, it made me sick in my heart knowing that with the swipe of a pen, President Trump could shut out people without regard to their circumstance or character. Are we not a nation of immigrants? What if a travel ban was in place when Donald Trump’s grandparents immigrated to the United States? You see, his grandfather Frederick Trump (1869-1918, born Friederich Drumpf) was born in the wine-producing region of Kallstadt in Germany. At the tender age of 16, Frederick Trump emigrated to the United States. Trump’s grandmother, Elizabeth Christ Trump (1880-1966), was also born in Kallstadt, in the Bavarian region of Germany. Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was also an immigrant, a Scotswoman coming to America by way of boat from Glasgow in 1929. (If you want to learn more Donald Trump’s family history and life, I recommend reading the biography Trump Revealed, by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher) “We are a nation founded by religious refugees.” – U.S. Senator, Mr. Chris Murphy, Connecticut The point is that even Donald Trump is a child of immigrants who came to this country in search of a better life. If not for the open doors and welcoming policy of America, Donald Trump may have never been born, and he certainly would not have had the opportunity to be president if not for the open immigration policy. Let us remember the poem,”The New Colossus” written by Emma Lazarus in 1883. An excerpt from her sonnet appears inscribed on a bronze plaque in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. That is who we are. We are a nation made up of people of all kinds. America was built by immigrants. When we ban immigrants, we ban the very essence of who we are as a nation. Raise your voice for what you believe in Whatever your views on the hot topics of immigration and national security, I encourage you to open your mind and really study the issues. Read deeply, don’t just react to sensational headlines or tweets. Check and double check facts. It is also critical that each of us embrace and practice a higher level of compassion with each other. Here are eleven things that people in my network have done to create more peace, love, understanding, and hope during this time of conflict and uncertainty: - Volunteer to be a cultural companion to a refugee in America through the IRIS integrated refugee and immigrant services. - Re-read the United States Constitution and re-familiarize yourself with what our founding fathers intended for us. - Get a new perspective by reading this article published by one of our military veterans whose life was saved by his Iraqi interpreter: “Allies in Combat, Now Unwanted” -NYT op-ed article by Zachary Iscol. - Understand that many American Muslims are loyal and patriotic to our country such as Khizr Khan and his son Humayn, a captain in the U.S. Army, who gave his life to stop a suicide bomber approaching his troops in Iraq in 2004. “Khizr Khan, Gold Star Father, on the new refugee ban” – The New Yorker, by Robin Wright, January 29, 2017. - Broaden your global viewpoint by reading the Op-Ed piece by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times. - Examine your own cultural and religious bias. Watch this TED talk by Elizabeth Lesser “Take ‘the Other’ to lunch.” She provides an action that we as individuals can easily do to counteract the “tendency to other-ize.” - Learn how the American Civil Liberties Union – the ACLU – marshaled its resources to legally challenge Trump and the anti-Muslim ban. According to the ACLU, Trump’s executive order violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause which prohibits the government from preferring or disfavoring any religion. - Write or call your Congressmen and share your views. They are public servants, elected by you, the people. It’s up to you to share what actions you want them to take. - Take 10 actions for the first 100 days, as part of Women’s March on Washington movement. Learn more at https://www.womensmarch.com/100 - Take a stand against racism. Sign up to host or participate in a community or workplace event as part of the YWCA’s signature program, Stand Against Racism. Use this platform to bring people together, have open and honest discussion, and to educate yourself. Events are happening around the country from April 27-30, 2017. - Get to know your neighbors and colleagues who are Muslims, and people of different faiths, cultures, and countries. Invite them out to lunch. Spend time with them. Hear their stories. Be curious and open minded about their life experience and world views. Find some common ground. Help each other. Above all, love each other.
Forest School/Outdoor Learning As part of our commitment to providing quality educational experiences, The Hermitage School is proud to offer a range of Outdoor Learning experiences, including the chance to participate in Forest School sessions. The use of our diverse outdoor spaces makes a major contribution to physical and environmental education as well as enhancing many other curriculum areas. It contributes to personal growth and social awareness and helps to develop skills for life and the wider world. Qualities such as a sense of responsibility and a purpose in life are nurtured, as well as a strong focus on learning how to manage risks and take on new challenges. There is also a great deal of intrinsic enjoyment and satisfaction to be experienced from participation in outdoor activities. Challenging outdoor experiences promote the development of the key skills of communication, problem solving and decision making which have value across a range of occupations. They encourage a positive "opting in" and "can do" attitude. Children’s horizons are broadened, new challenges come to be relished and perseverance and determination are reinforced. Skills such as emotional growth, self-esteem, confidence and independence are nurtured and the outdoor environment gives learners time and space to be by themselves, find peace and communicate with others. As part of our ongoing process of improvement we are continually developing the school grounds in order that they can be used for discrete Outdoor Learning and Forest School teaching. Since November a number of saplings, provided by the Woodland Trust, have been planted on the field and a felled Oak tree has been laid out to 'Re-wild' the area. The ultimate aim is for every child to be given the opportunity to attend half a term of Forest School teaching during their time at The Hermitage School. Mr Cook is our Forest School and Outdoor Learning Leader and he would love to hear from you if you feel you may be able to volunteer to help out in Forest School sessions.
Behavior analysis emphasizes the study of overt animal (human and nonhuman) behavior as a subject matter in its own right. This paper provides a metaphysical foundation for such an emphasis via an elucidation of a thesis that I generically call "realism about behavior," where by "realism" I mean an assertion of mind-independent existence. The elucidation takes the form of a conceptual framework that combines a property-exemplification account of events with modal realism in the context of three opposing philosophies of mind: (...) property dualism, reductive physicalism, and type behaviorism. Each philosophy leads to the thesis that at least one possible world exists in which counterparts of all actual behavioral events occur and no counterpart of any actual "mental" (either nonphysical, neuro-mental, or behavioro-mental) event occurs. The third thesis is false because it violates the assumption that nothing can exist independently of itself, which leads to a rejection of type behaviorism. The other two theses provide the sought-after foundation through a counterfactual characterization of behavior qua behavior as a scientific subject matter. Its study thus becomes the study of behavior as if the nonphysical and the neural did not exist, even if they may factually exist and play a causal role in behavior. Some implications are discussed. (shrink) Both the target article and the precommentary demonstrate that relatively simple biobehavioral processes have the cumulative effect of fostering behavioral outcomes characteristic of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As such, the articles illustrate a central theme of Darwinian thinking – basic processes acting over time can produce complex and diverse outcomes. In this commentary, we indicate that tracing the action of processes over time can be facilitated by quantitative methods such as artificial neural networks. In their account of learning and behavior, the authors define an interactor as emitted behavior that operates on the environment, which excludes Pavlovian learning. A unified neural-network account of the operant-Pavlovian dichotomy favors interpreting neurons as interactors and synaptic efficacies as replicators. The latter interpretation implies that single-synapse change is inherently Lamarckian. A new paradox of quantum mechanics has recently been proposed by an author claiming that any attempt to inject realism in physical theory is bound to lead to inconsistencies. In this paper we show that the mentioned paradox is not such a one and that at present there are no reasons to reject realism. We present three different derivations of the transition probabilities to the continuum. It is shown that calculations, performed as a direct application of the postulates of orthodox quantum mechanics (OQM), do not yield results consistent with experiments. Traditional treatments are summarized and criticized. The relation of the transitions to the continuum with the traditional quantum measurement problem is pointed out; we sum up and comment some contributions concerning this issue. It is shown that an approach based on the notion of (...) spontaneous projections yields expressions of the transition probabilities similar to those obtained in the traditional way and new predictions which could be submitted to experimental tests. (shrink) We assume, in the first place, that two kinds of processes occur in nature: the strictly continuous and causal ones, which are governed by the Schrödinger equation and those implying discontinuities, which are ruled by probability laws. In the second place, we adopt a postulate ensuring the statistical sense of conservation laws. These hypotheses allow us to state a rule telling, in principle, in which situations and to which vectors the system's state can collapse, and which are the corresponding probabilities. (...) The way our proposed approach works is illustrated with some examples and with the analysis of the measurement problem. We obtain the exponential decay law. A comparison with other attempts to solve the measurement problem is performed. (shrink) A new interpretation of quantum theory is proposed. It coincides in a number of points with the orthodox interpretation, the main difference being that the projection of the state vector can occur without the intervention of any observer. SILVA, Roberto Donizeti da. (Pós) Modernidade, Razão e Religião Cristã: o Pensamento de Zygmunt Bauman e José Maria Mardones. 2013. 98p. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências da Religião) - Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Religião, Belo Horizonte. Potencialidades y Límites de la Democracia DigitalAgradezco la oportunidad que me brinda la Universidad Bolivariana de comentar, a modo de bienvenida, este libro sobre democracia digital. La obra constituye una oportuna contribución al quehacer académico, que pone a disposición del público un material intelectual variado, bien escogido y no siempre accesible. José Ignacio Porras y Rubén Araya nos entregan un conjunto de bien seleccionados artículos que, por su variedad, deben resultar atracti..
Riverside, California – A new project will turn the University of California into a leader in electric vehicle recharging powered by the sun. The Center for Environmental Research and Technology at Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering has received a US$2 million grant to build solar arrays, advanced battery storage, vehicle charging stations, an electric trolley and a grid management system to provide clean energy efficiently for “green” vehicles. The two-year project is supported by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and involves a number of public and private partners. The funding will allow the university to install up to two megawatts of solar arrays and two megawatt hours of lithium battery storage systems at three locations on and near the campus. The solar energy will be used to charge vehicles directly at several sites on campus, and at additional sites throughout Riverside. In partnership with the City of Riverside and Riverside Public Utilities, engineers at the university will design methods to direct the solar energy to electric vehicle charging in a way that minimizes loads on the grid and demands for electricity generated from non-renewable resources. The system will support the growth in manufacturing and demand for plug-in electric vehicles. Additionally, the university plans to convert a trolley from diesel to electric power to shuttle students and area residents around the campus.
A convoy of self-driving trucks recently drove across Europe and arrived at the Port of Rotterdam. No technology willautomate away morejobs — or drive more economic efficiency — than the driverlesstruck. Shipping a full truckload from L.A. to New York costs around $4,500 today, with labor representing 75 percent of that cost. But those labor savings aren’t the only gains to be had from the adoption of driverlesstrucks. Where drivers are restricted by law from driving more than 11 hours per day without taking an 8-hour break, a driverless truck can drive nearly 24 hours per day. That means the technology would effectively double the output of the U.S. transportation network at 25 percent of the cost. And the savings become even more significant when you account for fuel efficiency gains. The optimal cruising speed from a fuel efficiency standpoint is around 45 miles per hour, whereas truckers who are paid by the mile drive much faster. Further fuel efficiencies will be had as the self-driving fleets adopt platooning technologies, like those from Peloton Technology, allowing trucks to draft behind one another in highway trains. Trucking represents a considerable portion of the cost of all the goods we buy, so consumers everywhere will experience this change as lower prices and higher standards of living. While the efficiency gains are too real to pass up, the technology will have tremendous adverse effects as well. In addition, once the technology is mature enough to be rolled out commercially, we will also enjoy considerable safety benefits. This year alone more people will be killed in traffic accidents involving trucks than in all domestic airline crashes in the last 45 years combined. At the same time, more truck drivers were killed on the job, 835, than workers in any other occupation in the U.S. Even putting aside the direct safety risks,truck driving is a grueling job that young people don’t really want to do. The average age of a commercial driver is 55 (and rising every year), with projected driver shortages that will create yet more incentive to adoptdriverless technology in the years to come. While the efficiency gains are real — too real to pass up — the technology will have tremendous adverse effects as well. There are currently more than 1.6 million Americans working as truck drivers, making it the most common job in 29 states. The loss of jobs representing 1 percent of the U.S. workforce will be a devastating blow to the economy. And the adverse consequences won’t end there. Gas stations, highway diners, rest stops, motels and other businesses catering to drivers will struggle to survive without them.
Most people love dining out, but do you always know what you’re ordering? Learn to avoid things like unsafe or unhealthy menu choices and steep price markups. “Most restaurants are on the up and up,” says Andrew Knowlton. “But just like when you buy a car or TV, you need to be an informed consumer.” Here are the 5 secrets you need to know before sitting down at a restaurant table: Secret #1: Not-So Specials Chefs do put legitimate items on the specials menu, such as new dishes they want to test out or highly seasonal ingredients like soft shell crabs. Other times, a restaurant orders too much product, so it becomes a “special.” And sometimes, chefs use specials to get rid of old, spoiling foods. - Be wary of the 3 S’s: spaghetti, soup and sauce. Chowders, stews or pasta dishes can mask not-so-fresh ingredients. - Watch out for expensive foods like steak buried in sauce; this can be a trick to minimize less-than-fresh flavor. Unusual combinations, like chicken thighs marinara on spaghetti, can also be a red flag. - Exercise caution when it comes to shellfish specials. “If you see mussels on the menu and it’s also a special, that’s a no, because they’re trying to push those mussels,” says Knowlton. Secret #2: Fishy Seafood Like vegetables, fish should be regarded as seasonal and eaten at the peak of freshness. Wild fish is best because it’s sustainable, which means it's better for the environment. - Choose small fish such as sardines, which are younger and less likely to have diseases than large, older fish like tuna; sardines are also incredibly heart healthy, rich in antioxidants and Omega-3s. - Don’t order fish in restaurants where you think it could be past its prime. When fish rot, a chemical breakdown releases histamines which, when ingested, can mimic an allergic reaction. Symptoms include rash, wheezing and rapid heartbeat. - When ordering shrimp, find out where it’s from. Domestic shrimp are best. Tiger shrimp, imported from Thailand and Vietnam, can be raised in dirty pools, eat their own feces and lack good flavor. Secret #3: Contaminated Kitchens State health boards set strict standards such as wearing gloves when preparing food. “But, chefs never wear gloves,” says Knowlton. “They’re taught in school to touch and feel foods.” Still chefs’ kitchens are probably cleaner than most home kitchens. And there are clues to determine if a restaurant kitchen is clean or not. - Check out the dining area. Do the waiters look nice or sloppy? Are the tables clean when you walk in or are they messy? - Inspect the bathroom. If it has a foul odor or the floor looks as if it hasn’t been swept all week, chances are the kitchen reflects those same standards. Secret #4: Menu Markups Menu markups, like calorie labels, can be a good thing. One study suggests people consume 230 less calories when nutritional info is listed on menus. But watch out for “menu engineering” such as dish placement. - The eyes are naturally drawn toward the upper right, near the center of the page, which is where pricey special boxes often appear on the menu. “They’re not going to put a burger there,” says Knowlton. “They’re going to hide it somewhere down on the bottom left.” - Putting prices at the end of a description, in the same font and without a dollar sign, detracts from the cost. - Don’t fall for fancy descriptions like, “fillet mignon encrusted with Madagascar pepper.” Words that hint at intricate flavors can be used to lure diners to pay bigger bucks. - The second cheapest wine on the list invariably has the biggest markup. “Nobody wants to be the cheapest person to order the cheapest bottle of wine,” says Knowlton. You want to order the second cheapest. Restaurants know that and will mark that one up.” Secret #5: Diet Destroyers Restaurants are in the business of making food taste good, which often means adding fat and salt. Even the healthiest fare can be loaded with butter, bacon, cream or other caloric add-ons. - Many restaurants, particularly chains, list nutritional information on their websites. Go online and investigate before you go out. - Typically, restaurant portions are huge, often 2/3 of the recommended daily caloric intake. Practice portion control by splitting an order with a friend or take half your order home. - Ask for healthy substitutions. Order baked or grilled meat or fish instead of fried; get dressings and sauces on the side; and swap fries for a side of veggies.
World’s Tallest Minaret : The Qutub Minar The Qutub Minar is one of the world famous Indian heritage site, which is situated at Mehrauli in Delhi. It is the tallest brick minaret in the world with a height of 72.5 meter. It is designed according to the Indo-Mughal architecture style. The Qutub Minar is listed in “UNESCO” World Heritage Site. Qutb Minar also written as Qutub Minar or Qutab MinarAbout Qutub Minar It is is the 2nd tallest minar (73 metres) in India First tallest minar is Fateh Burj (100 meters) which is situated in Mohali . The Qutb Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. The diameter of Qutub Minar is 14.32 m at the base and 2.75 m on the top. Qutub Minar is 73 m. in height. Qutub Minar has 379 stairs The Qutub Minar constructed for the purpose of mu’azzin (crier) to give calls for prayer. Many historians believe that it was named after Qutb-ud-din Aibak but according to some historians it was named in honour of the Sufi Saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki It is surrounded by several ancient and medieval structures and ruins, which is collectively known as the Qutb complex Construction Story of Qutub Minar The foundation of the tower was laid down by Qutubu’d – Din Aibak in 1192 AD. and It was carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. The next three stories were build by Shamsu’d-Din Iltutmish, the son – in – law of Qutubu’d – Din Aibak. Firoz Shah Tughlaq constructed the fifth and the last storey In 1368. The Qutub Minar stories are surrounded by protruding balconies, encircling the tower. Qutub Minar contains inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari, which describe its history. During Firoz Shah Tughlaq regim , the minar’s two top floors were damaged due to lightning but were repaired by Firoz Shah. Major. R. Smith repaired and restored the Qutub Minar in 1829.Qutub Minaris also daamaged by earthquake in 1505 and It was repaired by Sikandar Lodi. According to the Archeological Survey of India, the site at which Qutub Minar is located was once occupied by 27 Hindu and Jain temples. The construction of the monument was made from the sculptured stones of several Hindu temples. This is evident from the Devanagari engravings on the many stone surfaces of the monument. In the Same Qutb complex you find an Iron Pillar which highlights the ancient India’s achievements in metallurgy.The pillar is made of 98 per cent wrought iron and has stood 1,600 years without rusting or decomposing.
Fall time can also be a very special time for infants and toddlers as they discover just what makes the season so different from summer. They look outside and explore with a sense of wonder and curiosity and are eager to learn. The following are some ideas that can help you teach your infants/toddlers about this beautiful time of year. Read books with Fall-time themes Reading aloud to infants/ toddlers is a great way to capture their attention and teach them new things. There are many fall time board books to choose from. Here are a few good ones: • Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills • The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Safari’s • Welcome Fall by Jill Ackerman • Colors by Michael Blake • My Pumpkin by Lily Karr Infants and toddlers love to be outside where they can explore and learn about nature and the seasons. So…play, rake leaves, pick apples, and have fun! • Talk to your toddler about the seasonal changes and why they need to dress differently when they go outside. • Visit a pumpkin patch and let your child help choose a pumpkin. • Let your baby watch while you rake leaves or pick apples. • Place your baby in a pile of leaves and let the exploration begin while you supervise closely. • Let your toddler help rake leaves using a child-sized rake. • Let your toddler help place leaves in a bag. • Kick, jump and roll in a pile of leaves with your toddler. • Pick up apples that have fallen from trees and place them in a basket. • Place pumpkins and gourds in a basket for your children to explore. • Talk about the color, size, shape and texture of pumpkins, gourds and apples. • Paint pumpkins using non-toxic paint. If your babies are too young, let them watch you paint and then place the pumpkin where they can see it. • Carve a pumpkin and let your toddlers help scoop pumpkin seeds out of it. • Use ½ an apple and dip it in paint, and then stamp it on to a piece of paper or surface. Call it “apple art.” • Allow your toddlers to wash apples, pumpkins or gourds. • Let your child participate in the kitchen while you cook with pumpkins and apples. They will love helping, smelling and tasting!! Enjoy the season with your busy little ones!!
The Egyptian judiciary is facing enormous challenges and hardships while striving to perform its essential role, not only as a judicial institution, but also as a constitutional authority standing alongside the executive and legislative branches. Its difficulties can be seen in a range of problems with which it has been struggling both before and since the outbreak of the revolution in January 2011. The first set of problems pertains to the work of the judiciary as a professional institution, and it is most clearly visible in the process of recruiting new judges. The selection process is characterized by favoritism and nepotism rather than equal opportunity based on merit. It is important to note that such cronyism is not unique to judicial institutions, but is a pervasive aspect of the Egyptian political and administrative system as a whole. Another challenge is that of “slow justice” and inefficiency. In the Egyptian courts, there are currently nearly 20 million cases awaiting adjudication, while the number of judges is less than 9,000. The tremendous amount of legislation in Egypt is also a major obstacle for maintaining justice. Officially, there are about 120,000 laws in effect. This creates enormous difficulties for judges and citizens as they deal with a legal process that is complicated by overlapping jurisdictions as well as ambiguity resulting from poorly drafted legislation. Another set of problems relates to the independence of the judiciary. For decades, the Egyptian judiciary has been struggling to achieve full independence from the executive branch. Examples of executive interference are many, including the authority of the president to appoint the heads of judicial institutions without regard for the principle of seniority, which is a longstanding tradition in the judiciary, as well as the wide range of authorities granted to the presidentially-appointed minister of justice. The minister has the power to intervene in the affairs of the judiciary as well as control its budget. Moreover, one of the most extreme examples of the assault on the independence of the judiciary over the past decades is the creation, by executive decrees, of “exceptional” courts used for specific cases, in addition to the practice of trying civilians in military courts. This creation of a parallel justice system has undermined the judiciary by encroaching on its jurisdiction as well as compromising the right of citizens to a fair trial and due process. The question now is: Has anything changed? The answer is a resounding yes. Significant changes have taken place over the past two years that are decidedly negative. The judiciary is bearing the burden of the failure of politicians to address thorny political issues. Egypt has seen several political crises over the transitional period, and political parties have not yet been able to resolve their differences through negotiation and reconciliation. Instead, they have used the judicial process to attack one another inside courtrooms. The result of this partisan infighting has been to drag the judiciary into politics, thereby undermining its credibility and neutrality and fostering the perception that judges are aligned with one political force or another. This problem can be plainly seen in the April 2012 decision of the Administrative Court to dissolve the first Constituent Assembly and in the June 2012 order from the Supreme Constitutional Court to dissolve the People’s Assembly. Hence the ongoing pre-revolutionary problems, now enhanced and joined by post-revolutionary problems, are damaging the reputation of the Egyptian judiciary and making comprehensive institutional reform an even more urgent priority. Reform always starts with the supreme law of the land: the constitution. But the new constitution, which took effect in December 2012, has not reformed judicial power for the better. Many hoped that the new constitution would put forward a novel vision for comprehensive judicial reform. However, a reading of its text—particularly articles 168 through 178 as well as several others that pertain to judicial power—shows that no significant changes have been adopted regarding the judicial system that would improve its efficiency or strengthen its independence. On the contrary, the new constitution appears to be facilitating a blatant assault on the independence of the judiciary. Under Article 233, seven out of 18 of the Supreme Constitutional Court justices were dismissed. The “reason” given was to simply reduce the number of justices to 11. The way this change was carried out was to retire the most senior justices rather than dismiss the most junior ones. In turn, Article 176 gives the president the right to appoint justices of the Supreme Constitutional Court at his discretion. The effect of this absolute authority on a system that should exhibit a separation of powers is obvious. The power of appointing these justices should be shared with the parliament by granting the parliament the right to confirm the president’s nominees. Those defending the new constitution point out that the principle of judicial independence is explicitly and firmly mentioned in Article 168, which states, “The Judicial Authority shall be independent.” However, the essence of the issue lies not in the text of this article, but in the comprehensive judicial system, which is only able to carry out its functions effectively within a framework of checks and balances. It is worth noting that the democratic countries best known for strong judicial systems, the United Kingdom and the United States, make no explicit mention of judicial independence in their constitutions. Significant challenges are standing in the way of the Egyptian judiciary’s efforts to improve its efficiency as a professional institution and to achieve full independence as a constitutional authority. The solution can begin by focusing on the three pillars of any judicial system: the judges, the law, and the system itself. The judicial appointments process must be reformed according to the principles of equal opportunity and fairness. Egyptian laws must also be comprehensively updated and revised to avoid contradiction, overlap, and ambiguity. Finally, the Egyptian judiciary must be kept away from politics, particularly from interference from the executive. As of this writing in April 2013, the tension between the judiciary and the executive, President Mohamed Morsi, had manifested itself in two major ways. First was the position of the public prosecutor. Morsi controversially fired Abdel Meguid Mahmoud from the position in November 2012 after granting himself, via a now-rescinded decree, powers that placed his decisions beyond judicial review. He then appointed Talaat Abdullah to the post. In late March, a court reinstated Mahmoud, and Abdullah stated that he would appeal the order. The second tension was the Muslim Brotherhood’s attempt to “purge” the judiciary of approximately 3,000 judges who are over the age of sixty. The opposition saw this attempt as yet another instance in which the Brotherhood looked to monopolize the judiciary rather than reform it, though Morsi was quick to state that he “respected the rulings of the judiciary.” Easing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch should come in the form of enforcing the judgment delegitimizing Morsi’s appointment of the public prosecutor and the termination of the so-called purging of the judiciary. Such actions would serve as a first step toward affirming judiciary independence and establishing a rule of law by which all must abide.
05 Jun Rainy Weather Driving Safety Even with the reduced visibility and traction that comes with wet weather driving, many accidents are preventable. Below we provide some recommendations on how to lessen some of the risks brought about by rainy weather driving. Rainy Weather Driving Safety Think. When conditions are bad, drivers have to be focused on what’s going on around them. Turn on your headlights. It’s the law to have your headlights on when your windshield wipers are. They should be on when visibility is low. Beware of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water on the road than on the road. Your vehicle will float on the water, like a boat, causing your car to slide uncontrollably. It’s easy to hydroplane. All you need is to be going 35 mph and one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road. When you start to hydroplane, let off of the accelerator slowly. Do not use your breaks. Steer your vehicle straight until you have control. Turn off cruise control. Cruise control may cause you to lose control on wet surfaces. You may feel it’ll help you stay at one steady speed, but if you hydroplane your car will actually go faster while you’re in cruise control. Slow down. Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions. When it’s raining, that’s hardly the environment you’re driving in. Let up on the accelerator and allow yourself more time to reach your destination. Back off. Forget the old rule about keeping a certain number of car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. Focus on staying 3-4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you in dry conditions. Add more time if it’s raining, staying about 5 seconds behind. More car wrecks happen during wet weather conditions. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need an attorney. Don’t Delay, Call Clay!
Matching of an anaerobic animal waste digester with a dual-fuel generator unit This paper describes a scientific method for matching an anaerobic fermentation digester using animal dung with a diesel engine power-generating unit, in such a way as to specify the digester capacity to be suitable for various specific energy needs. An experimental model consisting of an Indian-type digester connected to a constant speed, single cylinder 3 kW diesel engine, was designed, constructed and tested in the laboratory to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the performance. The engine was operated with dual fuel (biogas and diesel). A performance map was derived to express the ability of the digester to satisfy the different loading conditions of the engine at different mass ratios of the two fuels. Dimensional analysis was carried out to compile the geometric and operating variables of the digester to establish a relation that can be used to demonstrate the effect of the daily loading on the rate of biogas generation using different digester capacities and different proportions of solids in the fermentation material. The study provides the means to match the geometric and dynamic parameters of a digester to specific power requirements within the applied range.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT ON CAMPUS Smart Energy Management Garden Grove Unified School District - Garden Grove, California Garden Grove Unified School District serves 45,000 students on 72 sites. It has a ~$12 million allocation of Prop 39 funds over five years, and hired EcoMotion to serve as its Prop 39 energy manager. Concurrently, the District is at the mid-point of a nearly half billion-dollar bond initiative which involves the retrofit of every one of its 69 school sites. The District’s attention has been necessarily on modernization and EcoMotion was hired to manage Prop 39 – from energy efficiency to renewables and storage — district-wide. EcoMotion has melded efficiency funds and initiatives with modernization, providing advanced efficiency through LED lighting and pool pump controls and other measures, and feathering in to the District’s construction schedule. Already we’ve enabled advanced levels of energy efficiency at six campuses, with that many again in the queue. Along the way, EcoMotion and its Climate Smart Schools partnership with Climate Resolve has been instrumental in leveraging the Prop 39 program effect. We’ve won a $2 million grant for drought-tolerant planting, and to create bioswales on three high school campuses. We applied for and won a grant for zero net energy. Now we’re developing a zero net energy project at Santiago High School supported with a grant from Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas. It incorporates heightened levels of energy efficiency, solar, and storage, as well as student engagement. It was the ZNE project that propelled GGUSD’s pursuit of solar and storage. EcoMotion analyzed every school site for its solar financial viability and recommended solar at 20 of the largest campuses, plus the District office and its maintenance facilities. Prop 39 Services Poway Unified School District - Poway, California EcoMotion serves the Poway Unified School District with Prop 39 services, and we have for years thanks to our project lead at Barnhart Reese Construction. Working closely to PUSD’s own lighting, retro-commissioning, and HVAC engineers, EcoMotion has been instrumental in bridging between aspiration, on the part of the District, and fulfilling the stricture of the CEC’s guidelines. Thus far, a half dozen school sites have been retrocommissioned and largely relit – creating dramatic savings. In once instance, the installation of a “pony chiller” will allow for efficient operations during shoulder seasons when the central chilling plant’s full capacity is not required. EcoMotion’s work for PUSD has extended beyond energy efficiency. We’ve evaluated solar proposals, in once case a 20-campus proposal situating panels on modular classrooms’ rooftops that was ultimately approved. EcoMotion also provided an independent review of a proposal to site energy storage systems on PUSD campuses. EcoMotion studied the proposal at hand, spoke with competing vendors, assessed the storage industry – specifically the interaction between solar and storage – and helped the District map a strategy for storage on 19 campuses backed with a performance guarantee. The systems will serve to reduce peak demand charges and are completely third-party financed, managed, and maintained. Battery Back-Up and Solar and Prop 39 Santa Rita Unified School District - Salinas, California EcoMotion is currently working for the Santa Rita Unified School District located in Salinas, California. Salinas, with a population of 150,000, is in the heart of agricultural Monterey County, known as “the Salad Bowl of the World.” Our work for the six-campus SRUSD involved two activities: First, we were asked to explore the use of battery storage systems for emergency back-up. The District has placed a high priority on six-hour storage to be able to keep students safely at school in the event of a power outage. The second task has been to examine the value of solar to the District. Our team analyzed bills for each campus and the District office (as well as adjacent Monterey County offices), conducted thorough site assessments, calculated emergency back-up requirements, and then evaluated energy and dollar savings opportunities for solar systems combined with rate switches. With Board approval, EcoMotion crafted and released a Request for Proposals for the District seeking emergency back-up (be it batteries or other forms of backup, including traditional generators) and an aggregate of 1 MW of solar. Bidders proposed one or both service options. Prop 39 Services Fallbrook Union Elementary School District - Fallbrook, California Known as the “Avocado Capital of the World,” Fallbrook is an unincorporated community of ~30,000 residents in rural Northern San Diego County. It’s due east of Camp Pendleton; two of the District’s schools are located on the Marine Corps base. FUESD has ten campuses, including a facilitated homeschool academy. Working on the Barnhart Reese Construction team, EcoMotion benchmarked each campus and then identified measures on one campus for its first, bundled, multi-year Energy Expenditure Plan for Live Oak Elementary School. Energy conservation measures (ECMs) identified include replacing 22 of the school’s existing inefficient heat pumps with higher efficiency units, the replacement of the heat exchanger flat plates to restore proper flow and heat transfer to the system. This will optimize the scheduled operation and control sequences of the cooling tower systems, balance the condenser water loops, balance the heat pump air intake, and commission existing system. Prop 39 Services Savanna School District - Anaheim, California EcoMotion is serving as the Prop 39 energy manager for Savanna School District, located in Anaheim, California. The six-campus district has recently modernized each of its campuses, one of which qualified for retroactive Prop 39 energy efficiency funding. EcoMotion’s work there involved an analysis of pre-modernization baseline conditions, retrofit details and the resulting energy savings, thus the retrofit’s costs and benefits. EcoMotion worked closely with the project architect and project manager. Lighting, HVAC, and other retrofit measures qualified for funding and thus were included in the Prop 39 funding request, a multi-year Energy Expenditure Plan. EcoMotion is serving as Prop 39 Energy Manager for Cypress School District. As with Savanna School District, Cypress features recently modernized campuses, one of which qualified for retroactive energy efficiency funding. Works there involved an analysis of pre-modernization baseline conditions, retrofit activity, its costs and benefits. EcoMotion worked closely with the project architect and project manager Lynne Pentecost of Schoolhaus Advisors. The Cypress School District strategy is to develop a multi-year Energy Expenditure Plan that includes both retroactive funding and new measures to save energy and dollars for the District. Prop 39 and Solar Santa Rosa Academy - Menifee, California Santa Rosa Academy is a charter school located in Menifee, California. The K-12 school features three academic tracks allowing for on-campus study, home schooling, and a middle-ground program. EcoMotion’s role on campus has been to determine the best use of the school’s Prop 39 allocation, made a bit more complex given the fact that the brand-new campus was built to California’s rigorous Title 24 building standards. After a thorough investigation of the campus, and working closely with its builder, EcoMotion and the school decided to focus on a two-pronged approach. First was an analysis of solar opportunities on campus. EcoMotion developed various scenarios including a 100% solar option. Ultimately, the school elected to pursue an 85 kW solar system to be installed in the roof of its brand new gym. EcoMotion coordinated this solicitation with the school’s architect and builder, crafting an RFP, managing job walk and bidders’ questions, and making a recommendation to the school on a select contractor. A second use of its allocation will be used to fund an energy management system (EMS) to control the school’s 64 rooftop HVAC units. The new system will allow for controls and monitoring. FINANCING FOR CAMPUSES Financing Solar for Non-Profits - EcoMotion’s Benefactor Investment Model Non—profit institutions, such as schools and universities have long suffered the challenge of going solar, without a “tax appetite.” In other words, being non-profit they can neither tap the investment tax credit (worth 30% of total system cost) nor the depreciation benefits that can be as high as another 35% of system costs. The use of power purchase agreements (PPAs) is appealing since the private-sector partner can monetize the tax benefits, but clearly financial institutions are reaping attractive returns instead of the site users. Thus the ultimate cost of solar, like a mortgage, can be double its nominal value. EcoMotion’s Benefactor Investment Model uses the assets of concerned, caring, and oft-wealthy alumni and other benefactors, coupled with a “friendly PPA” to take advantage of the best of both for-profit and non-profit worlds. EcoMotion’s Senior Business Advisor – Mark Hopkinson – developed the BIM for EcoMotion. In this model, benefactors take the tax benefits, get their money back in full, and in time donate the system to the non-profit. For more information, please give us a call! Energy Service Agreements Renew Energy - Boston, Massachusetts Energy Service Agreements, or ESAs, are a promising new model for financing energy efficiency. Like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar and wind, ESA providers are responsible for installing equipment on site, then maintaining and operating it for the life of the contract, and charging the customer for saved kilowatt hours… not equipment installed. As long as deals can be structured such that ESA payments are less than prior utility bills, the deal is viable. For Renew Energy, a leading provider of ESAs, EcoMotion reached out to a dozen schools and universities in New England, describing the model and its benefits to campuses and other institutions. The Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) is a special project of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and is based in Boston Massachusetts. SEI developed the “Billion Dollar Challenge.” Could SEI’s Executive Director, Mark Orlowski, and his colleagues get universities to create green revolving funds worth a billion dollars in aggregate? Harvard and the University of Vermont vied for the largest funds. SEI had written a fabulous guide to green revolving funds, showing 5 – 6 ways to seed the capital and as many ways to divide the benefits over time. In 2013, EcoMotion and the Sustainable Endowments Institute teamed up to coordinate the Leaders in Energy Efficiency Financing (LEEF) network, providing no-cost technical consulting to schools in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts. Thanks to grants from the Barr Foundation and the John Merck Fund, EcoMotion and SEI reached out to almost 200 schools and engaged senior leadership to explore and implement green revolving funds on 21 campuses and the cities of Boston and Cambridge. For example, Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts partnered with EcoMotion and SEI to explore the Green Revolving Fund model and within six months launched a half-million dollar pilot fund dedicated to energy efficiency and engagement. GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORIES AND SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING Sustainability at Saint Joseph’s College Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Action Plan, Eco-Reps - Standish, Maine Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Standish, Maine, that grants bachelor’s degrees in a traditional on-campus setting, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees via online education. Saint Joseph’s was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912 as an institution for women, originally located on convent grounds in Portland until 1956 when it moved to Standish, located on the shores of Sebago Lake, 18 miles from Portland. In 1970, Saint Joseph’s became coeducational and six years later began a distance education program for working adults. Saint Joseph’s offers its online programs to 2,400 students in 50 states and nine countries. At Saint Joseph’s, EcoMotion has been instrumental in revitalizing a sustainability initiative that includes a campus farm, an LED-lit gymnasium, greenhouse gas inventories, and more. In the first year, EcoMotion prepared a greenhouse gas inventory for the campus as well as its sustainability plan. Both of these deliverables were used to fulfill the milestone requirements of the Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). In addition, EcoMotion manages a vibrant “eco-rep” program through which students take the lead on spurring and carrying out green initiatives on campus. With an existing Bronze STARS rating, Saint Joseph’s College is looking to advance informed by a STARS gap analysis and submittal, which will be conducted in the Spring of 2016. Moving Up the Sustainability Curve Bryant University - Smithfield, Rhode Island EcoMotion was originally retained by Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island in 2012 to boost its sustainability profile. Given student and alumni interest in a green Bryant, the University hired EcoMotion to assess the campus and to recommend a strategy to advance the cause. EcoMotion began with a gap analysis. Just what would it take to get to STARS bronze? A plan was developed and fulfilled and EcoMotion was successful in helping Bryant get its first STARs rating in 2013. With Bronze in hand, EcoMotion then worked for Bryant to attain the Silver Level, and to track progress from its STARS baseline. This work involves advocacy, harvesting support across campus, facilitating meetings and initiatives across departments, and crafting a portfolio of steps to boost this business school’s reputation and standing in New England. In addition to STARS, EcoMotion developed and recently completed the third edition of the Bryant University Sustainability Plan, complete with a refined, quantified tracking tool to measure progress towards the Plan’s goals. Our team developed and has facilitated a strong Sustainability Ambassadors program, known on other campuses as eco-reps. These students have been coordinated to boost the school’s standing in RecycleMania and other events such as GameDay Recycling, spreading the word peer-to-peer. Recent works with “Green Office Cleanouts” have resulted in repurposing surplus supplies, shredding and recycling. Having assessed all locations for solar on campus – from rooftops to parking lots and ground-mount options — EcoMotion tracks Rhode Island incentives for distributed solar for Bryant. Sustainability Planning Thayer Academy - Braintree, Massachusetts Thayer Academy is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts. The academy was conceived in 1871 at the bequest of General Sylvanus Thayer, the father of the Military Academy at West Point, and then established in 1877. Thayer annually enrolls 470 students in the Upper School and 220 students in the Middle School. The 34-acre campus is made up of eight buildings; students are drawn from Boston’s Metro West and South Shore communities. Today, Thayer Academy, like many schools, is getting into sustainability in earnest, and its leaders recognized the need to coalesce various stakeholders to develop a sustainability committee and a basic charter for action. A sustainability coordinator was selected from the faculty pool. EcoMotion was hired to facilitate this process, and to help jumpstart a number of practical initiatives to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and to get the ball rolling on campus. A committee formed, its mission and game plan were defined. Beyond organizing and facilitating the Sustainability Committee, EcoMotion has taken on a number of unique assignments: Our team managed the repurposing of surplus furniture and office equipment. Large shipping containers full of desks, chairs, tables, etc. had been parked on school property for some time. EcoMotion’s job was to get the material removed, which we did by engaging a partnership with Goodwill. We then went on to tackle composting in the dining hall, now fully implemented. We’ve been involved with a garden initiative at three locations. EcoMotion has also drafted and refined a set of Green Building Guidelines to codify sustainability in all new construction. Rapid Campus Sustainability Assessments Milton Academy and Moses Brown School - Milton, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island EcoMotion offers Rapid Campus Sustainability Assessments for campuses that want to get a quick and inexpensive look at how they stack up in terms of sustainability. What STARS rating might they achieve? What needs to be done to shore up operations, or policy, curriculum, or student engagement? At Milton Academy and Moses Brown in 2015, EcoMotion identified and interviewed 15 – 20 key stakeholders on each campus using customized and industry relevant questions. Then we created a campus sustainability profile to gauge efforts to date, assess strengths, and recommend opportunities for next steps based on the unique characteristics of each campus. EcoMotion also provided this targeted service to Central New Mexico Community College. Sustainability Services St Mark’s School - Southborough, Massachusetts St. Mark’s School is a co-ed college preparatory school about 25 miles west of Boston. It has benefitted from EcoMotion’s energy on campus, our action-oriented facilitation. Our team began with the formation of the Sustainability Committee, identifying and enlisting stakeholder members, then crafting meeting agenda, drafting a charter and mission statement, and sharing meeting minutes. The committee work led directly to drafting the School’s first comprehensive Sustainability Plan. The Plan includes domains such as governance and engagement, water and energy, and academics and research, each informed by stakeholders across campus life. EcoMotion has also managed the St. Mark’s Eco-Rep program, known as Students for Sustainability. One of its most exciting initiatives was “Weigh the Waste,” raising awareness about food wasted on campus and specifically in the Dining Hall. Students made videos and all-school announcements to capture and communicate results to the rest of campus. Mapping Carbon Neutrality Millbrook School - Millbrook, New York In 2012, EcoMotion was retained to serve as carbon neutrality/solar advisor at Millbrook School, a prep school in Dutchess County, New York. Ultimately a three-phased approach was adopted. The first phase resulted in the completion of a 1.735 MW solar system that now powers the School’s entire annual electricity use. After winning a $1.25 million incentive from the State of New York, EcoMotion helped the school secure a fixed 7.5 cent per kilowatt-hour PPA price for the solar, with a zero percent escalator for 20 years, and Millbrook retains and can retire the RECs. The second phase targets the space-heating footprint, about 55% of the total campus footprint. This will be accomplished with more geothermal and more insulation, better doors and windows and heightened conservation practices. The third phase involves biofuels, potentially building a digester or cellulosic ethanol facility on campus and harvesting the energy in agricultural wastes from neighboring farms. Updating the Climate Action Plan Boston Architectural College - Boston, Massachusetts EcoMotion Campus Services Coordinator, Sierra Flanigan, has served as a Visiting Faculty Member at Boston Architectural College (BAC), instructing architecture students in the field of sustainability. BAC is installing a massive geothermal (“geo-exchange”) system – to a depth two times the height of the nearly Prudential Center – at its busy “Back Bay” location. In 2014, Sierra Flanigan worked closely with students and a teacher’s assistant to update the College’s Climate Action Plan. The Roots of Sustainability Fisher College - Boston, Massachusetts Fisher College, located in the Back Bay of Boston, helped define EcoMotion’s turn-key campus services. This working-class institution was ripe for a new emphasis on sustainability that transcended operations and the classrooms. There, faculty and students fully integrated sustainability, cutting costs and engaging students in applied learning. In its first year the program set up communications for students and faculty including a website, built a solid Eco-Reps program, branded the program with a new logo, re-invigorated the campus’ recycling program, and added reusable water bottles to daily life. Students and faculty provided input for an Eco-Rep handbook and engagement form and finalized Fisher’s Strategic Sustainability Plan. A favorite memory from this work was the open mike that students called “Greenstock” with all songs and the theme for the night being the environment. Campus Sustainability Assessment and STARS Submittal Central New Mexico Community College - Albuquerque, New Mexico In the spring term of 2009, CNM became the largest postsecondary institution in the State of New Mexico. Housed on nine campuses in the Albuquerque area, CNM surpassed the University of New Mexico for the first time. CNM’s enrollment was 24,621 for college-credit courses, also serving several thousand students with non-credit courses. CNM offers 47 associate degrees that span the arts and sciences and career and technical fields as well as 52 certificates in business, health, technologies, and technical fields. In 2013, EcoMotion was retained by CNM to facilitate the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) Report. EcoMotion conducted an initial STARS assessment through an onsite interview and engagement process and then served as a Sustainability Coordinator in gathering data and educating the community through a STARS workshop with over 30 stakeholders from across campus. One-on-one meetings and follow up added guidance and support throughout the five-month process. CNM earned a rating of 43.02, well above the Bronze-rating threshold of 35. To outline areas for improvement EcoMotion developed a thorough gap analysis to provide insight and recommendations for CNM to strengthen sustainability efforts through the STARS framework. CNM is now well positioned to advance to STARS Silver. “Eco-Reps” at Bryant, St. Mark’s, and Saint Joseph’s - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine EcoMotion’s “Eco-Rep” program is strong and vibrant, harnessing and directing the power of youth toward environmental responsibility and action. Self-selected, voluntary Eco-Reps have outlet for their activism, and comrades. At Bryant, the EcoMotion-led “Sustainability Ambassadors” have been active on campus for several years, with growing numbers of students interested and committed. At St Mark’s the “Students for Sustainability” take action on a number of fronts, including recycling at the school’s recent centennial. In Maine, at Saint Joseph’s College, EcoMotion-managed Eco-Reps are organizing events, raising awareness, and advocating environmental responsibility on campus. Green Energy Entrepreneurs Series College of the Desert and the Inland Empire College District - Chino Hills, San Bernardino, and Riverside In 2015, EcoMotion was hired by two community college districts to carry our their shared vision of promoting careers in the green space. To so so, we would feature advanced technologies, and some advanced thinkers! Four workshops were held on emerging energy technologies… from solar to storage. One of the highlights of the series was a session that included the perspectives Joe Desmond, now with Brightsource and former chair of the California Energy Commission. The Climate Action Crew - Coachella Valley, California EcoMotion had the privilege to develop greenhouse gas inventories, energy action plans, and climate action plans for six desert cities and a tribe in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. A colorful and highly successful component of the initiative was the creation and deployment of Green for Life project interns, known as “the Climate Action Crew.” Managed by EcoMotion, the crew was made up of 18 interns, many from College of the Desert in Palm Desert. With training and organization that we provided, the Crew played an important outreach role in its members’ own and neighboring communities. They were the “human shield” at council meetings. In addition to supporting EcoMotion data collection, crew members developed an Energy Action Pledge to capture the interest and commitment of the individuals they met. And they had a large display for some events, EcoMotion’s Emissions Time Bomb. The Solar Squad Solar Santa Monica - City of Santa Monica One of EcoMotion’s fondest memories is the work we did with high school and college-age, solar enthusiasts in Santa Monica. EcoMotion’s Tiffany Tay fielded a 12-student “Solar Squad” in Santa Monica that went door-to-door promoting solar in the summer of 2009, especially for those homes with the most advantageous roofs. A list of “good solar roofs” was developed by our team, for potential further use, such as a letter from the Mayor asking, “Do you know that your roof has been rated high for its solar potential?” The Squad visited over 5,000 homes, had over 1,500 solar conversations, and mapped the best roofs in town. Sustainability at Wheaton College - Norton, Massachusetts EcoMotion’s campus service was born at Wheaton College. In addition to a fostering sustainability on campus through inter-dormitory contests and student government, there, Sierra Flanigan, Ally Andrews, Chad Mirmelli, and others conceived and developed the Murphy Apple Orchard initiative as a potent symbol of both education (Newton) and sustainability as an edible landscape. Now six years old, the Orchard has become a vibrant living-learning laboratory and sustainability is built into the campus fabric. EcoMotion continues to foster the Orchard and its legacy while urging the College to greater and greater sustainability gains. Student Education in Schools - California, Illinois, and Sweden Some years ago and as Director of The Energy Coalition, EcoMotion President Ted Flanigan redesigned and was responsible for the implementation of the PEAK Student Energy Actions program. It was, and still is, a comprehensive, standards-based smart energy management curriculum for elementary and middle school students. During his management of the program, the PEAK program concept was revamped and the program was provided to 50,000 students in five years with participating schools throughout California, and pilot initiatives in Illinois and Sweden. PEAK teaches the concepts of smart energy management, and how to take action. “California’s Electricity Traffic Jam” San Diego Gas and Electric and Countywide Education - San Diego, California The EcoMotion team led a SDG&E spring initiative to educate elementary school students about peak power periods in 2001. The project involved developing an activity book for third grade students on demand reductions – called “California’s Electricity Traffic Jam” – and then successfully delivering it to 135,000 third grade students within four months of concept. A classic “direct response” piece, the book drew hundreds of responses from students and their families.
“Why does China only set up 1 percent of international standards while issuing the most industrial permits in the world?” That was the question raised by Premier Li Keqiang at a symposium on Aug 25 in Beijing. Premier Li encouraged the attendees to feel free to give opinions on building a manufacturing powerhouse and transforming the economy at the symposium. 50 leaders of manufacturing enterprises and 35 senior government officials were invited. Haier Group Board Chairman Zhang Ruimin introduced the “internal startups” in the company, saying that they have contributed a lot to the group’s fast growth. “Now many big companies are encouraging internal startups, making employees the boss of small businesses. So the company can be closer to the market and meet the diversified demand,” the Premier said. “It is a good example of institutional innovation,” he said. “Only by promoting technological innovation and institutional innovation at the same time can China upgrade manufacturing to the middle and high level.” Training skilled workers is a common concern of business leaders. Premier Li asked officials at the symposium to do more research in reforming vocational education to train more “craftsmen”. He also urged enterprises to create incentives to attract skilled workers. For example, he mentioned a previous visit abroad when “The leader of a big company told me that some senior workers with special skills got the same salary as the general manager.” “Do the enterprises in China have such courage?” the Premier asked. Some manufacturing leaders said they hoped that the government can continue to cut taxes and administrative fees. The Premier said that the government will firmly implement the policies of cutting taxes and fees, and research financial and monetary policies to promote manufacturing upgrade and encourage financial institutions to develop inclusive finance for enterprises, especially small and medium-ones. He also urged continuing to cut unreasonable permits, enhance market supervision and crack down on fake and inferior products, and improve intellect property rights protection. To all the problems raised by the manufacturing leaders at the symposium, Premier Li asked the officials to do effective research and take measures. “China’s manufacturing is still on the middle and low-end of the international industrial chain. It is urgent to upgrade the manufacturing,” he said.
A recent study links frataxin protein levels to disease features in patients with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). The article, titled “Frataxin levels in peripheral tissue in Friedreich ataxia,” was published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology journal. FA is a neurological disorder that progressively damages the nervous system, resulting from a mutation in a gene called frataxin (FXN). In 98% of affected individuals, the mutation expands the sequence of nucleotides’ building blocks (guanine–adenine–adenine, or GAA) repeats in FXN. Researchers explored the relationship between frataxin protein levels and disease features. A total of 521 FA patients with no significant differences in mean age or sex, of which 306 were carriers and 120 served as controls, were considered for this study. Blood and buccal cell samples were extracted from the subjects at clinical visits. Additionally, the team injected the mutant frataxin gene into human kidney cells to create mutations within the cells. The results suggested no evidence of increased levels of frataxin protein over time, although a small increase was detected over decades by means of linear regression analysis. In both affected and unaffected tissues, number of GAA repeats were linked to levels of expressed frataxin protein that, in turn, were associated with age. Patients with lower numbers of GAA repeats had reduced levels of frataxin when compared to patients with higher GAA repeats. Importantly, levels of frataxin protein were linked to mutation types, with some reducing frataxin levels and others maintaining regular levels of the protein, either in vitro, in vivo or both. These findings highlight the link between frataxin protein levels and disease characteristics in FA patients. However, multiple mechanisms may contribute to the elevated levels of frataxin in the blood of some patients. “Thus, the present work demonstrates the complexity of peripheral frataxin levels in FA, and the need for consideration of multiple factors in interpretation of the results of clinical intervention studies,” the authors conclude.
I’m sure that each of Mario's ten points do occur at some point during the course of a drowning, but with respect to a kayaker watching over a swimmer during a swim event, the first 5 points are meaningless. All swimmers swim with their mouth at water level; you can’t see a swimmers eyes during a swim to tell if they are glassy or not; tilted heads are common; and with respect to hair, well, swimmers wear swim caps. Now, if the first 5 refer to a swimmer who is posting, that’s a different story. Posting, or swimming vertically, is one of the final stages a drowning victim goes through before going under for the final time. But I am getting ahead of myself... Signs 6-10 are important and everyone should be aware of them. But kayakers should not expect them to occur in any order. There is a temptation to look at the order of the listing as implying worsening degrees. The events can occur in any order. Once you see any of these symptoms, things will begin going south very quickly, so act immediately. If you see a swimmer struggling to move forward, but making slow progress, watch him critically and do not leave his side. If you hear a swimmer choking, gurgling, or coughing frequently, seriously consider having him pulled immediately. He can't keep his mouth above water and his breathing is poorly timed. He is beginning the drowning process. If he is verbally unresponsive to your questions or inattentive to your presence, or if he is stopping frequently and going into a vertical position (posting) go to him. If he doesn't grasp your deck lines on his own, consider grasping hold of him or entering the water with him if you have life saving experience. Do so only after your rescue call for help is acknowledged. Waste no time, for you have none to spare. Kayakers become complacent in swim supports. We are too used to offering encouragement. In the Columbia swims and similar shallow water swims, we see a lot of aquatic stress, for lack of a better term. Many of these swimmers are naive to open water swimming and when moving into dark waters of the early morning, where they can’t see bottom, they panic. We easily move to them and they readily accept our proffered bows. Some will rest a few moments, gather their wits about them and with a little encouragement, go on to finish the race. In these races, we kayakers are mostly shuttlers, retrievers, or cheerleaders. In the longer, deep water crossings, like the Potomac River Swim and the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, the swimmers are more experienced and less likely to panic. In fact, many have completed these crossings on previous occasions. Here, our role is not that of cheerleader, but monitors. Kayakers in these events are the appointed Guardian angels, so to speak. Our principle responsibility is to maintain a constant vigilance on the swimmers status, looking out for any of the signs that may indicate he is nearing the point of exhaustion, in danger of becoming confused or disoriented, and to act promptly if any of these signs present. Here, acting means to have that swimmer pulled from the race, even if he objects. You are making a life or death decision. Swimmers drown for numerous reasons, among which are: a cardiac event happens, exhaustion occurs, a traumatic event happens. Cardiac events usually go unnoticed. The heart stops beating, respiration continues and the lungs fill with water. If consciousness is regained, the swimmer is beneath the surface and resurfacing is unlikely unless he is wearing a wetsuit to offset negative bouncy. These swimmers usually just disappear from the pack and do not get noticed until the final role is taken at event’s end. Alternatively, they are found floating. Traumatic events are less likely, but have occurred. Drowning occurs with loss of consciousness. Exhaustion is, or should be a preventable event, for it is accompanied by the signs and symptoms outlined. The swimmer only has to be observed by an attentive observer. I have five suggestions for kayakers providing swim support: First, don’t allow yourself to become complacent. If you are doing one of the long, deep water support, remember, you are monitoring experienced swimmers. A swimmer that shows any of the symptoms outlined above means that swimmer needs support now. Second, cheer-leading is for shallow water events only. It makes no sense to give encouragement to a swimmer having difficulty at the 3 mile marker to continue on in a 7.5 mile swim. Third, do not assume that the swimmer showing signs of distress will grab hold of your deck lines as he approaches exhaustion. He won’t. A state of mental confusion may precede complete exhaustion and prevent the swimmer from saving his own life. A swimmer in the Bay swim a few years ago, dove for the bottom of the bay when approached by a support kayaker, only to float lifelessly to the surface moments later. Another swimmer in the Potomac Swim began swimming toward the open waters of the bay and failed to respond to rescue boaters. Marine police had to enter the water and handcuff the swimmer before he could be brought on board. He was severely confused, belligerent, and disoriented. Fourth, talk to any swimmer showing any signs of distress. If he doesn’t respond meaningfully, or does not respond at all, consider having him pulled from the race immediately. Fifth, don’t be afraid to call for a second opinion. If you suspect a swimmer is in difficulty, but can’t bring yourself to have him pulled, get a second opinion from another kayaker. Explain what the difficulties are and make the decision together. What to watch for: 1. Any swimmer who is not flat (horizontal) on the water. 2. Choking, gasping for air, gurgling, bubbling noises made by the swimmer. 3. Failure to reply to your questioning, or otherwise inattentiveness. 4. Signs of confusion or disorientation. Good luck out there and bring'em back alive folks.
Imagine what it would be like if you knew that the moment you entered a room, people would immediately take notice, want to hear what you have to say, and be eager to earn your approval. For effective public speakers, this is a way of life. Everyone is impacted by their presence. People are magnetically drawn to them and feel strangely compelled by their every word. An effective speaker is seen as a leader. People like you, trust you and want to be led by you. However, contrary to popular belief, people are not born public speakers. If public speaking were an inherent attribute, all public speakers would be captivating, and that’s just not the case. If you are not fully present in your public performance, there is a good chance your eyes will wander or that your facial reactions will be a split-second delayed. Since the human mind can read facial expressions in as little as seventeen milliseconds, your audience will likely notice even the tiniest delays in your reactions. Presence is a learnable skill. You can increase it with practice and patience. And being mindful of your audience means simply having a moment-to-moment awareness of what’s happening. Mindfulness also sets a pace at which the words flow from you. This prevents you from speaking too fast and getting lost in your message. To be considered a powerful speaker, you must be able to affect the people to whom you are speaking. We look for clues of power in someone’s appearance, in others reactions to this person, and most of all, in the persons body language. Our reaction to power and warmth is deeply wired. We react to these qualities more than we do to intelligence and kindness, as our ancestors survived by having a strong reaction to those who displayed power and warmth in critical moments.Through the combination of warmth and power, you will be able to play powerfully on other peoples instincts Warmth tells us whether or not people care, and are willing to impact the world in a positive way. Warmth is assed through body language and behaviour. Power can be expressed through clothing, and having a confident posture. Posture leads to assume the person has something to be confident about. In essence, people will accept whatever you project. Feeling internal discomfort and negativity is a natural part of life. Everyone experiences it. When it comes to public speaking, these feelings often arise without warning and can hinder our performance if we dwell on them. We all feel the whole spectrum of emotions, no matter how good we think we are at public speaking. But somehow, we’ve gotten into the habit of viewing our physical or mental discomfort as a sign of something gone wrong. When you experience unwanted feelings of negativity and discomfort, it is good to remind yourself that you are not alone, and that your favourite public speakers feel the same as you before making their speech. Rather than seeing negativity as one big emotion felt by one person, instead, see it as community of people struggling with it – a burden shared by many. Because we have deep admiration for great public speakers, we sometimes wish we could be more like them. We can quite happily spend time viewing their public performances, learning to imitate their movements, tonality and words. Excellent speakers have an authenticity about them that cannot be imitated. Their words, movements and tonality represent who they are at the core. If we try to imitate someone else, we lose ourselves in the process. We spend more time trying to be like them at the risk of our own personal development. Instead, seek to learn from your favourite speakers, and not model their performances. Expect to learn and fail at the process of becoming the best you can. Read this article for more on Talent And Self-Mastery : Unleash The Power Of Greatness – Talent Revealed If you can easily talk about your subject to a friend for many hours, and discuss confidently about it, then your message has a natural flow. If, however, you feel the need to deliver your message by a formulated structure, you risk making errors live. Instead, you should treat your speech more like a conversation, as if you were talking to a friend or family member. This will also lower the intensity of your performance, giving you a more natural flow. Your audience will feel more relaxed, if you feel more relaxed. We access information swiftly by association. Simple words have the power to help you access information that you would normally keep locked away. Instead of trying to remember your speech word-for-word, create a list of points you wish to discuss related to your talk. Using this simple approach of making points will allow you access the information easily, and will prevent you from making mistakes during your performance. You can quite simply keep a small card in your hand, and take a quick glance when needed. Like all skills in life. If you wish to be truly great speaker, it will require your time and patience. Public speaking is considered an art, and should be treated as such, especially if you choose to make a career out of it. The best way to become a great speaker is to practice. Join the local toastmasters and take every opportunity you can to speak in public, whether for a local club, library programs or other venues.
Abstract: A groundwater risk assessment was carried out for 30 potable water supply systems under a framework of protecting drinking water quality across South Australia. A semi-quantitative Groundwater Risk Assessment Model (GRAM) was developed based on a “multi-barrier” approach using likelihood of release, contaminant pathway and consequence equation. Groundwater vulnerability and well integrity have been incorporated to the pathway component of the risk equation. The land use of the study basins varies from protected water reserves to heavily stocked grazing lands. Based on the risk assessment, 15 systems were considered as low risk, four as medium and 11 systems as at high risk. The GRAM risk levels were comparable with indicator bacteria—total coliform—detection. Most high risk systems were the result of poor well construction and casing corrosion rather than the land use. We carried out risk management actions, including changes to well designs and well operational practices, design to increase time of residence and setting the production zone below identified low permeable zones to provide additional barriers to contaminants. The highlight of the risk management element is the well integrity testing using down hole geophysical methods and camera views of the casing condition. A drinking water system is often described as an integrated chain of supply from source to tap or catchment to consumer [1,2]. When groundwater is the source for public water supply, understanding the impacts of land use and aquifer vulnerability are fundamental to groundwater protection. The risks to groundwater are two-fold—adverse land use and over extraction—thus requiring a dual nature of protection [3,4,5]. Therefore, it is important to identify which aquifer systems are at high risk in order to adopt appropriate risk management options. Groundwater vulnerability assessment, such as the DRASTIC index or the GODS index have been used as early attempts of assessing risk to groundwater [8,9,10]. Index models are based on rating scores and key attributes such as depth to water, annual recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, vadose zone impact, and hydraulic conductivity . These factors are weighted according to their relative importance in determining the ability of a pollutant to reach the aquifer and mapping areas of high groundwater vulnerability [11,12,13]. The common feature of the index approach is the additive utility assumption such as in multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Whilst the MCDA approach is commonly used because of its simplicity, disadvantages of this method include attributes with high value that compensate those with low values and vice versa . Several process based approaches exist for assessing whether a contaminated site or surface applied chemicals constitutes a risk to groundwater [15,16,17,18,19]. Such an approach requires modeling of pollutant transport and fate. Similarly, statistical methods based on the concepts of uncertainty have been developed [20,21,22]. Both methods require an extensive data base, including monitoring and actual measurements of contaminant concentrations to calibrate and validate the models. Therefore, process based risk assessments are often subject to data limitations and significant uncertainties . Uncertainties may arise from poor conceptual understanding, overly simplified assumptions about subsurface fate and transport or lack of soil and aquifer parameters. The conceptual uncertainties have been recognized as the most significant sources of error [24,25]. Such approaches can be useful for detailed risk assessment, but are of limited value to groundwater managers who need to achieve proactive and timely groundwater protection across extensive groundwater basins. For this purpose, risk screening models such as the Pattle Delamore Partners model , which is a modification of the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment (CCME) risk screening model are more useful. The assessment process of the Pattle Delamore Partners model is based upon the hazard-pathway-receptor risk equation. Although the model is fundamentally qualitative, numerical scores are assigned to various risk parameters, hence it is semi-quantitative. The ranking system is multiplicative rather than additive. Development of a microbial contamination susceptibility model for private groundwater sources has been carried out by assessing the presence of thermotolerant coliform (TTC) in groundwater . Risk analysis in the study shows that source type, groundwater vulnerability, subsoil type, and set back distance from septic tanks are all important factors for the presence of TTC. However, risk assessment tools and risk management actions must be proactive rather than being a reactive response to the detection of coliform bacteria. In the first instance, risk has to be assessed using external parameters such as using the likelihood of release of risk agent, and pathway to the receptor. This is in support of new wells being drilled and new wellfields being developed to support water supply. Risk assessment tools and risk management actions also have a role in the proactive design of an adequately (water quality) sampling regime, and can be set up to include new information such as the detection of coliform bacteria and increasing salinity, once they become available. The index i specifies that more than one scenario may be of interest, curly brackets indicate a set of answers and index c indicates possible scenarios of interest that are considered . The multiplicative semi-quantitative risk assessment approach is widely used in a variety of risk assessment models [31,32,33,34,35]. The GRAM is based on three distinct criteria: likelihood of release, exposure pathway to receptor and consequence. The ranking system is designed to avoid ultra-low scores which will result in removal of risk associated with a site. The system is consistent with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines’ (ADWG) generic risk matrix. The model incorporates as many physical parameters as possible in order to reduce parameter uncertainty. The multi-barrier approach is followed based on implementation of multiple barriers throughout from hazard to receptor (Figure 1). 2.1. Likelihood of Release (Management Barrier) Proactive catchment management is considered to be the first barrier and the likelihood of release of contaminants depends on how best the hazards are managed in the supply catchments. The assessment process starts by describing the potential of hazards being released into the environment. This is divided into four distinct categories, each having five levels. These levels are assigned scores based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria including informed judgments. The range of scores is derived from the Prattle Dellamore model and reflects the importance and contribution to the likelihood of contaminant release, which are given in brackets in Table 1. The four categories are: Quantity: Release due to nature of the source, amount, type and occurrence; Attenuation: Contaminant characteristics, attenuation and degradation capacity; Control measures: Best management practices (BMP), regulations and guidelines; Mitigation measures: Emergency plans and effective monitoring. The likelihood of release is the multiplication of the above four distinct categories. \|Release Category\|\|Category Levels\| \|Level 1\|\|Level 2\|\|Level 3\|\|Level 4\|\|Level 5\| \|Quantity\|\|consistently low quantity (0.4)\|\|occasionally high quantity (0.5)\|\|more frequently high quantity or continual low quantity (0.65)\|\|frequently high quantity (0.8)\|\|consistently high quantity (1)\| \|Attenuation\|\|very high (0.75)\|\|high (0.8)\|\|moderate (0.85)\|\|low (0.95)\|\|negligible (1)\| \|Control measures\|\|well developed and in place (0.4)\|\|in place but not fully compliance with BMP (0.5)\|\|moderately developed programs in place (0.65)\|\|poorly developed programs in place (0.8)\|\|None in place (1)\| \|Mitigation measures\|\|well developed and in place (0.75)\|\|in place but not fully compliance (0.8)\|\|moderately developed programs in place (0.85)\|\|poorly developed programs in place (0.95)\|\|None in place (1)\| Many of the above categories can be accessed through field survey and monitoring, but some may require experience and expert judgments. The South Australian Environment Protection Authority (SAEPA) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines were used in assessing BMPs. In some cases, detailed groundwater flow and capture zone modelling were used, and hence, assessing the likelihood of a contaminant release from the source provides a crucial step in risk assessment. Consistent with likelihood estimates of risk assessment models [4,32,34,35], the likelihood of release was divided into five levels which are given in Table 2. \|Level\|\|Score\|\|Likelihood of release\| 2.2. Exposure Pathway (Strata Vulnerability and Well Integrity Barrier) The pathway component describes the likelihood of contact with, or transport to, a receptor. In this case, the receptor is considered to be a water supply well or the aquifer depending on the objectives of the risk assessment. This indicates the physical characteristics of the aquifer and its susceptibility to land use. For exposure to occur, a source of contamination or contaminated media must exist and transport from the source to a point where exposure could occur. This concept is referred to as an exposure pathway. the level of hydraulic inaccessibility of the saturated zone of the aquifer or production zone of the water supply well; the contaminant attenuation capacity of the strata overlying the saturated aquifer or production zone of the water supply well. Since risk assessment involves the consideration of all potential exposure pathways, well integrity (the degree to which the well is properly designed and constructed to achieve protection objectives) is considered as an important contaminant pathway. The well integrity testing using downhole geophysical methods includes gamma, neutron, caliper, density logs, casing collar locator and downhole camera view of the casing. These geophysical logs can confirm well casing construction and identify any irregularities such as reduction in casing size, casing corrosion, lamination, and low density anomalies. Downhole camera view can provide evidence of casing condition (corrosion, cracks and clogged screens), whilst the pan and tilt camera allows a detailed inspection of any area of the well casing. This ensures provision of adequate protection of the well collar, casing and sealing of the annular space against physical damage and seepage of contaminants. In this case, vulnerability levels (Table 3) were assigned based on the level of well integrity: properly maintained well integrity (Negligible), suspect of leaky casing (Moderate), corroded steel casing with no annulus sealing (High) and open dug wells and trenches (Extreme). In addition, when the water production zone of the aquifer is overlain by impermeable barriers such as stiff clay layers within an unconfined aquifer, it is considered equivalent to hydraulic confinement; hence, the vulnerability level is adjusted to Low or Negligible. Northern Region: The most southern water supply system in the Northern region is the Para Wurlie basin, which supplies potable water to the township of Warooka. The Para Wurlie groundwater basin is a calcareous limestone aquifer located approximately 20 km west of Warooka. The climate in the area is typically characterized by hot dry summers and wet winters, with the highest rainfall occurring between May through September. The average annual rainfall is 447 mm and average annual pan evaporation is 1400 mm. The far north of the Northern region is in arid lands and bounded by the Simpson Desert. The most northern water supply system is Marla, which receives highly variable annual rainfall of about 200 mm per year and evaporation exceeding 3300 mm per year. Except Para Wurlie basin, much of the groundwater systems extract from fractured rock aquifers or the deep confined aquifer in the Great Artesian Basin. Outer Metro Region: The climate near Mount Compass is characterised by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Mount Compass receives relatively high rainfall, averaging 840 mm per year. Most of the rainfall occurs in winter and early spring. The Mount Compass region has been extensively developed including irrigated horticulture (mainly berries, vegetables and olives), cattle grazing, some industry and mining. The township consists of semi-rural and residential areas. Two semi-confined water supply wells are located in a road reserve near the town. South East Region: The climate of the South East region is characterised by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Average annual rainfall varies considerably within the region, from approximately 750 mm in the south near Mount Gambier, to 250 mm in the north of the region around Pinnaroo. Potential annual evapotranspiration increases from ~1400 mm in the south to ~1800 mm in the north The dominant land use is dryland cropping and livestock grazing. There is some irrigated cropping, which includes pasture for dairy, wine grapes, lucerne, potatoes and cereals. Commercial forestry forms a significant industry in the southern part of the South East region, with both softwood and hardwood plantations. Except in Kingston SE, Millicent and Bordertown, all water supply wellfields are located within townships. 4. Results and Discussion Potential sources of bacterial pollution in a catchment are many. The most prevalent and common is coliform bacteria which originate as organisms in soil or vegetation and in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals . The bacteria could enter groundwater and water supply wells through many interacting variables related to land use, soil types, depth to water, types of geological strata and the method of well construction. Similarly, presence of nitrate in groundwater may indicate groundwater pollution, originating from land surface, particularly in rural catchments. In the absence of other significant pollutants, thus the presence of coliforms and nitrate in groundwater indicates connectivity between the ground surface and sampling zone of the aquifer, which may also facilitate the transfer of pathogens and other pollutants. 4.1. Detection of Coliform Bacteria The survival of coliform bacteria in soil depends on the soil characteristics and warm, moist conditions for maximum survival . In well aerated sandy soils, bacterial survival may be low, but if the depth to groundwater is small and the water flow rate is fast, bacterial contamination of the groundwater may be high . Thus, shallow karstic aquifers and water sources that have direct contact with moist soils such as dug wells and trenches are prone to high bacterial contamination. The number of wells available for each well construction category varied from 5 to 45, and from 3 to 44 in relation to geological strata. Where few wells are available (in some categories) rigorous statistical analysis proved difficult. Despite this, the frequency of coliform detection are clearly influenced by aquifer type, soil and geological strata (Figure 4) and well construction (Figure 5). An insufficient number of wells available in each category for assessing the likelihood of contaminant release precludes any analysis, particularly in relation to land use changes. Frequent detection of coliforms with an occasional appearance of E. coli (Escherichia coli) is observed in most of the unconfined water supply wells. Historical well construction practices used steel casing with a cement plug at the casing shoe and the surface. The well annulus (annular space between the casing and the aquifer) had not been pressure cemented, and hence, provided a pathway for contaminants to move into groundwater. In Figure 6 and Figure 7, coliform and E. coli detection per 100 mL for the period of 1985–2013 is given for Robinson Lens, which is the water supply aquifer for the township of Streaky Bay. The land is a water reserve and fenced off from grazing animals, but kangaroos and rabbits are common in the reserve. Data is presented for a water supply trench (Trench 1: 25 m × 3 m × 5m), a 250 mm diameter water supply well (Bore 485) and the western wellfield comprising six 150 mm diameter spear points. The trench was dug into calcrete in 1934 and is a covered structure. The well was drilled in 1984 and steel cased (possibly now corroded) with a cement plug. The six spear points were drilled in 1995, cased with PVC and stainless steel screens in the production zones. The annulus sealed to a one metre depth with the remaining depth filled with gravel. Depth to groundwater varies between 3 and 4 m. The detections of coliform (Figure 6) and E. coli (Figure 7) are in the order of Trench > Bore 485 > western well field (six spear points) Figure 6), highlighting the importance of maintaining well integrity in concurrence with land management. A well integrity testing program was initiated and confirmed identified high risk wells. This revealed about 50% of wells failed well integrity testing. The factors influencing coliform detection (aquifer type, source type, strata vulnerability, geology, well construction, and maintenance of well integrity) are consistent with similar studies conducted elsewhere . 4.2. Nitrogen in Groundwater Typically, the pool of inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−) in the soil is usually very small at any time because of rapid uptake by plants and microorganisms . Organic nitrogen may however exist in large quantities in the soil, and through nitrification processes, nitrogen is leached through soil as NO3− reaching the groundwater. The complex nitrification-denitrification processes that control the reaction and movement make it difficult to use nitrogen as an indication of groundwater pollution influenced by land use. This is evidenced in detecting highest nitrate (as N) levels (4–6 mg/L) in the karstic Uley South basin, which is a water reserve with restricted access. Whilst the most common nitrogen compound found in groundwater is NO3−, in a strongly reducing environment NH4+ can be the dominant form [40,41]. If the redox conditions are strongly reducing (i.e., anaerobic) combined with high amount of carbon and limited amounts of nitrate, microbes may reduce nitrate to ammonium according to the following reaction . The reaction is known as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. It could be seen from Figure 8, as the confining pressure increases (anaerobic conditions), the amount of ammonia in the confined aquifers increases, even exceeding the aesthetic limit of the 0.5 mg/L guideline value . 4.3. Relation of Actual Coliform Detection in Water Supply Wells to GRAM Likelihood The GRAM calculated likelihood of detection using scores from Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 are plotted against actual coliform detection frequency for each well in 30 potable water supply systems (Figure 9). The results show a tendency of increasing detection with increasing likelihood. The fundamental reason for poor co-relation is, in proactive protection, GRAM calculates likelihood of release based on the four attributes given in Table 1 (not based on any actual measurements/detection), and therefore is a measure of release probability rather than actual release. However, coliform detection frequency increases with increasing GRAM risk levels, which are summarised in Table 5. \|GRAM Risk Levels\|\|Frequency of Coliform Detection\| 5. Risk Management Case Histories 5.1. Risk Reduction through Changes to Well Designs and Layout Water supply well design is an important aspect in maintaining groundwater quality and protecting the aquifer. In Kingston SE, four water supply wells were designed along the same flow path, one after the other along a road (Figure 10). On either side of the road is a marsh, linked to the upper Bridgewater Formation aquifer with salinity of 3000–15,000 mg/L. The town water supply wells targets the lower Mepunga Formation confined sand aquifer which contains fresh water of salinity 750–850 mg/L. The location of wells along the flow path is as follows: TWS 9 is the first well, which captures fresh groundwater flow, followed by TWS 12, TWS 13, and finally TWS 8 (Figure 10). Since groundwater flow is progressively reduced in the flow direction from TWS 12, TWS 13 and TWS 8, salinity of the wells progressively increases due to leaking of upper unconfined groundwater (Figure 11). A new wellfield was designed perpendicular to the flow direction, so that each well has individual capture zones in the deeper Dilwyn Formation confined sand aquifer. A new investigation/production well (TWS 15) was drilled into this formation and successfully tested with 40 L/s yield and salinity of 700 mg/L. Salinisation has caused long-term aesthetic impact to the drinking water quality of the township. The Mepunga Formation is immediately below the Bridgewater Formation and separated by a sandy clay aquitard. Therefore, excessive and permanent drawdown caused by lack of groundwater replenishment due to interception led to downward leakage of brackish water to the production zone. Likelihood of release was assessed using scores from Table 1 (continuous low quantity release with no attenuation, no control or mitigation measures) to be 0.65. A summary of risk assessment for TWS 8 and new investigation/production well (TWS 15) is given in Table 6. \|Aquifer with brackish water: Salinity\|\|TWS 8\|\|5\|\|0.65\|\|0.1\|\|0.3\|\|Medium (0.97)\| \|TWS 15\|\|5\|\|0.1\|\|0.1\|\|0.1\|\|Low (0.05)\| 5.2. Risk Reduction through Changes to Well Operational Practice Good well design and operational practices are critical in fragile groundwater systems. Coffin Bay town water supply relies on a small fresh groundwater lens formed in the upper Bridgewater Formation aquifer. Below this, Tertiary clay and Tertiary sand units contain brackish and saline water. Historically, three wells (TWS 1, TWS 2 and TWS 3) were used, operating 10–12 h per day with pumping rates of 8–12 L/s. Due to TWS 1 being drilled 1 m into the Tertiary clay and excessive pumping, up-conning occurred and the use of the well was ceased in 2005, thus relying on only TWS 2 and TWS 3 for water supply. A rising trend of salinity was noticed in TWS 3, and two additional wells were drilled in 2009 to handle the demand. An analytical model was used to calculate well drawdowns for different pumping scenarios to assess drawdown effect. A stiff-plastic clay aquitard separating the fresh water lens from the brackish to saline water aquifer has not been tested for vertical leakage. Therefore, based on similar aquitard parameters in adjacent Uley South basin, a vertical hydraulic conductivity of 0.022 m/day was used to calculate vertical leakage due to simulated drawdowns from the analytical model. The result of the risk assessment for pre- and post-implementation of an additional two wells is given in Table 7. In this risk assessment, well integrity is not applicable (NA) as the risk agent is upward leakage of brackish water. Strata vulnerability was set to negligible due to stiff clay layer and the main risk element is therefore caused by well operation (likelihood of release of brackish water). The likelihood of release was set to 0.65 and 0.4 (no attenuation, mitigation or control measures) based on potential leakage reduction from Level 3 to Level 1 from Table 1. \|Source and Hazards\|\|Receptor\|\|Consequence\|\|Likelihood of release\|\|Strata vulnerability\|\|Well integrity\|\|Risk level\| \|Up-coning: Salinity\|\|TWS 3 (pre)\|\|5\|\|0.65\|\|0.2\|\|NA\|\|Medium (0.65)\| \|TWS 3 (post)\|\|5\|\|0.4\|\|0.2\|\|NA\|\|Low (0.4)\| This resulted in a new operational cycle of 5 h with two wells pumping at 5 L/s with a 5 h resting period for recovery. The gradually increasing salinity in TWS 3 was observed from 2004 up until 2009, followed by stable and declining salinity after 2009 (Figure 12). The time of residence for the contaminants and dilution within the aquifer can be used in a beneficial way to minimise risk. At Mount Burr, a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) is located 700 m down gradient of two water supply wells. The WWTP lagoon is known to leak and monitoring wells detected elevated nitrate (as N) up to 16.5 mg/L (Figure 13). Both town water supply wells failed the well integrity test, having failed casing requiring well replacement. Shifting replacement wells to other locations required additional infrastructure costs. MODFLOW-2000 and particle tracking model MODPATH based groundwater models indicated drawdown curves of water supply wells extend up to 1 km, and that a hydraulic gradient exists towards the production wells. The limestone aquifer’s hydraulic conductivity is 2–5 m/day, and therefore, any pathogens that enter the saturated zone might die off, since a minimum of 375 days is required to reach the production wells at maximum drawdown. Therefore, WWTP induced pathogens were assessed to pose no risk to production wells. The production zones of the replacement wells were set 40 m below the watertable so that nutrients might dilute before reaching the production zones of the new wells. Even though it is possible to model nutrient transport through aquifer systems, this was not followed, as it requires a comprehensive measured data set to obtain reliable results. Therefore, a qualitative judgment was made to set the production zone deeper into the aquifer for maximum attenuation by dilution. This well design has reduced the risk level from Medium to Low level. A summary of risk assessment for failed well (TWS 1) and replacement well (TWS 6) is provided in Table 8. 5.4. Risk Reduction through Use of Vertical Flow Barriers The importance of setting a production zone of the well below an impermeable layer and maintaining well integrity is illustrated in Millicent’s (population 4000) TWS 5. The depth to water in the shallow unconfined Gambier Limestone unit is about 2–3 m. The upper aquifer unit is calcrete, with 1 m of silty soil cover. This results in the upper aquifer having a 0.57 vulnerability index (High vulnerability). However, setting the production zone below stiff clay aquitard of over 20 m thickness results in the vulnerability index being reduced to 0.1 (Negligible). The land use here is predominantly sheep and cattle grazing. A single tree is near the waterhole adjacent to the TWS 5, and therefore, animals flock for shelter at this point. Under these conditions, the likelihood of release of contaminant is 0.62 (most frequently, high quantity or continual low quantity release with low attenuation and no control and mitigation measures in place). The upper part of the aquifer is known to be polluted, having nitrate (as NO3) levels exceeding 60 mg/L . However, the production zone of TWS 5 has been set below an impermeable clay aquitard layer 80 m from the ground surface (Figure 14). In 2009, coliform were detected at a frequency of 0.8 of detection, and subsequently, a well integrity test was carried out in 2010. This confirmed that the corroded casing had failed in several locations. The annulus of the well had not been pressure cemented, and failed casing made a pathway of contact with the polluted upper part of the aquifer. A replacement well (TWS9) with PVC casing and pressure cemented annulus was constructed at the site, and is currently supplying coliform free water, despite the fact that an adjacent waterhole is hydraulically connected to the aquifer. For comparison, summary of risk assessments for TWS 5 and TWS 9 are given in Table 9. \|Source and Hazards\|\|Receptor\|\|Consequence\|\|Likelihood of release\|\|Strata vulnerability\|\|Well integrity\|\|Risk level\| \|Waterhole: Pathogens, NO3, Ammonia\|\|TWS 5\|\|10\|\|0.62\|\|0.1\|\|0.7\|\|High (4.3)\| \|TWS 9\|\|10\|\|0.62\|\|0.1\|\|0.1\|\|Medium (0.62)\| We show that semi-quantitative risk assessment models such as GRAM are useful tools in groundwater risk assessments utilizing a multi-barrier approach. In the multi-barrier approach, identification of the weakest barrier is necessary to enable effective risk management. In this study, groundwater vulnerability and well integrity are incorporated to the pathway component of the risk equation. 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“We must create dignity and equity conditions for peasant women all around the globe”, said Wendy Cruz to Real World Radio. She is the representative of Vía Campesina Central America. This Honduran leader shared with us her viewpoint on the situation of peasant women around the globe and about the challenge of gender equality in the fight for food sovereignty. In order to contribute to better social justice at international level, she also insisted on the engagement that is necessary in the campaign against violence towards women. Cruz comes from a country that is ruled by a government heir to the coup d’état of 2009. Every day, more than 30 people are persecuted and murdered. During these last four years, dozens of journalists have been annihilated and so have more than 100 farmers from the Bajo Aguan region, in the department of Colon. The farmer was interviewed by Real World Radio during the 6th International Conference of Vía Campesina, which took place in Jakarta (Indonesia) from the 6th to the 13th of June, after the IV International Conference of Women of the same movement. Cruz mentioned the main challenges faced by Vía Campesina. From her point of view, the movement must take into account and debate about the issue of feminism in the rural and popular world, and that is the reason why women from Vía Campesina include it in its Manifesto. The challenge related to the lack of security that many women suffer everyday and that too often means violence and forced migrations was also mentioned in the Manifesto. “Another main axis that we women propose is our concern for the issue of militarization and everything it implies. This is a phenomenon that can be seen in every country and women are the first affected by it.” Women’s contribution to the peasant movement goes beyond their participation in the Organization. In fact, women are behind more than half of the world’s food production. Roughly 60% of the food consumed in the world is produced by women. That is the reason why one of the proposals of Vía Campesina is to fight for food sovereignty in order to ensure gender justice. “We are talking here about a small-scale and medium-scale agriculture and not an agro-industry that nourishes the whole world, since there is no doubt that peasant men and women are the ones who are in charge of nourishing the world”, said Cruz. In this sense, the special link between women and land can be seen in some practices such as agroecology. According to Wendy Cruz, practices such as this one must be promoted so as to resist phenomena like climate change. “We are living a food crisis and a climate crisis, and a friend of mine told me we are even living a crisis of values, ethics and a moral one, so women and the whole peasant movement as a whole must meet the challenge of creating real collective processes such as the one for gender equality. In these processes, men and women must realize that we are all necessary and that we must work together, hand in hand.” Wendy Cruz welcomes the fact that women have managed to organize towards the movement and impose themselves. She repeats the motto: “we are the mothers of food sovereignty!” Apart from extending the idea of a world that is more just, Cruz appealed to women all over the world so that they will claim their rights and their dignity. After that, with tears in her eyes, Wendy Cruz talked about the situation in Honduras, since the country is living a deep crisis of human rights that is affecting specially farmers and indigenous peoples, who are fighting for access to land. Some 3,000 people are in this moment in prison just because they claimed a better access to lands. Hundreds more are being persecuted and murdered, after the coup of 2009. Therefore, leaders from these indigenous and peasant movements have undertaken a “daily resistance fight”. Some weeks ago there was a large popular defense act from activist Bertha Caceres, from the Civil Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), and she was arbitrarily sent to trial. The leader from COPINH was acquitted, but social movements and organizations are on the alert for any changes. Wendy also underlined the importance of an “international solidarity” that does not ignore the situation of Honduras, a country in which persecutions and murders are coupled with a poverty rate of 74%. Wendy Cruz believes that nobody expects anything from justice in Honduras because there are laws that criminalize the social protest. This means that the police forces have openly declared “war” against the Honduran people, says Cruz. Fights and resistance acts for a better access to land are still important in Bajo Aguan, the region with the best resources of the country. “It is terrible to know that every week or every fifteen days, one of our comrades is murdered, but we cannot stop our fight.” The activist believes that the coup d’état of 2009 has given way to a political context in which there are no more institutions, but leaders who steal land and resources from the people. According to Cruz, the approval of the “model city” project is a violation to the people’s sovereignty. Finally, Cruz talked about a proposal that is being prepared to create a delegation of international observers that will make sure that the election process next November in Honduras will not be subject to frauds of any kind. El gobierno ilegítimo de Michel Temer no tiene ya problemas de “imagen”: sin respaldo popular, acelera un conjunto de reformas que impactan fuertemente sobre los sectores populares y sobre la propia estructura del estado brasileño con consecuencias difíciles de calcular a mediano plazo según Alberto Broch, Vicepresidente de la Confederación de los Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Agicultura de Brasil CONTAG y de la Coordinadora de la Producción Familiar del Mercosur (Coprofam). Diálogo con Irene Barrientos del Comité de Unidad Campesina (CUC, CLOC-VC) sobre el proceso de movilización social en Guatemala a partir de casos de corrupción en las principales esferas del estado centroamericano que derivaron en el encarcelamiento en 2015 del ex militar y presidente Otto Pérez Molina, así como cuestionamientos hacia el actual mandatario Jimmy Morales.
Kentucky officials warn of risk of carbon monoxide With subzero temperatures in Kentucky's forecast this week, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services says residents should take care to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of heating or cooking devices. The cabinet says the National Center for Environmental Health advises using a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in the home. Also: -Don't use a generator, charcoal, grill, camp stove or other such device indoors, or outside near a window. -Don't run a vehicle inside a garage attached to the home, even with the garage door open. -Don't use a fireplace that isn't properly vented or heat the house with a gas oven. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Seek immediate medical attention if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.
One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained. An intense pulse of electromagnetic radiation, especially one generated by a nuclear explosion and occurring high above the earth's surface. - ‘The apocalypse of the technological age did not come, as some had feared, from fallout and electromagnetic pulses of a great nuclear war, but from a thought.’ - ‘The electromagnetic pulse generated by the test led to power surges in electrical cables in Hawaii, blowing fuses, street lights, and circuit breakers.’ - ‘They eventually traced the source of the failures to the electromagnetic pulse generated by the bombs themselves.’ - ‘Similarly, in a nuclear environment, electromagnetic pulses would wreak havoc on computers and networks that are not hardened.’ - ‘But the concern about electromagnetic pulses - either from nuclear attacks or, more likely, from ‘e-bombs’ - puts a different cast on things.’
The secretary for future vision is considering how many South Koreans it takes to change a million lightbulbs. No joke. Kim Sang-Hyup, the president's extravagantly titled right-hand man, is trying to create more than 940,000 green jobs and improve his country's energy efficiency at the same time. Switching every bulb in every public building in South Korea to light-emitting diodes by the end of this year is one, very small, element in the master plan of what has been described as the greenest new deal on the planet. Since the start of the financial crisis last year, governments across the globe have been talking up the environmental content of their fiscal stimulus programmes and being judged by their efforts to save the planet. US president Barack Obama and the Chinese government have been praised for their ambitious plans to invest in renewable power, clean transport and energy-efficient buildings. Britain, by contrast, has been castigated for the relatively miserly sums it has so far committed to green projects. Alistair Darling's budget tomorrow will be closely scrutinised from the same perspective. But no matter what the UK promises, it will pale in comparison with the green boasts of South Korea's 50tn won (£23bn) plan. According to an international ranking by the bank HSBC, 81% of the money is earmarked for green projects, easily the highest proportion in the world and vastly more than the 7% share in the UK. So how will South Korea spend all that money? The first challenge for Kim is co-ordinating how this huge sum - equivalent to 2.6% of GDP - should be doled out. He must face both drooling construction industry conglomerates and suspicious environmental groups while creating jobs and lifting a nosediving economy. Many Koreans believe the apparently green spending will turn out to be heavily grey. At his office in the presidential Blue House, Kim says he is tasked with a fundamental restructuring of the South Korean economy and energy structure, which is 97% dependent on expensive imported fuel. "The president realises that now is the time for change," he says. Over the next four years, the government promises to build a million green homes, improve the energy efficiency of a million more, invest £1.2bn on research into low-carbon technologies and spend £4.8bn on high-speed railways and other forms of "clean" transport. More than 2,500 miles of bicycle expressways will be built, including a 175-mile stretch alongside the demilitarised zone boundary with North Korea. By 2020, expanded subway, railway and electric car ownership is expected to reduce greenhouse gases from transport by 20%. The forestry sector will employ an extra 50,000 people to increase carbon sink capacity and build the country's first wood pellet fuel mill. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has praised the example set by his homeland. But environmental groups warn the plan is not nearly as green as it seems. The biggest and most controversial item of expenditure is the "renewal" of four rivers, ostensibly to reduce the risk of drought. The project is likely to mean more dams and concrete embankments. Critics suspect it will be used as a cover to push through the president's widely opposed goal of building a canal through the centre of the country. There are fears too that developers will use the excuse of "ecohome" building to tear up strips of green belt outside Seoul. Many also question the wisdom of building long-distance cycle paths they think will benefit the cement industry more than the environment. "This is just old-style fiscal spending with a new label. At the end of this 'green new deal', Korea will definitely be a greyer country," said Oh Sung-kyu, general secretary of the Citizen's Movement for Environmental Justice. "The problem is that in Korea, jobs equals concrete." With few specific details about how the money will be spent and no estimate of the impact on carbon emissions, environmental auditing of the plan is difficult. Diplomats and local journalists said the true amount of green spending was likely to be far below 81%. In the short term, some suggest, South Korea's carbon footprint could even go up as a result of the burst of construction. But Kim denies these accusations. "Our projects are all related to lowering emissions. They will definitely reduce our carbon emissions." President Lee Myung-bak may have a long way to go before he can persuade sceptics that he has turned over a green new leaf. Lee is a former head of Hyundai Construction, one of the world's biggest cement pourers. As mayor of Seoul, his best-known "green" project was the development of Cheongye stream, which was uncovered and now runs on a concrete bed, beside concrete walkways and neon-illuminated concrete walls. Concern for the environment has traditionally been a low priority in South Korea's development, which has long centred on energy-intensive heavy industry. Green groups say the world's 13th biggest economy pours almost twice as much cement as Japan and is three times worse for energy inefficiency. However, the business-oriented president says the country must turn green to improve its corporate competitiveness. To sell his green growth plans to the nation's conglomerates - known as chaebol - he has stressed that moving early on low-carbon technology will give South Korea a head start over rivals around the world. Hi-tech companies, such as Samsung, Hyundai and SK, have already begun investing in energy-saving technologies that use their expertise in semi-conductors and information technology. The government hopes to accelerate the move to green-tech powerhouses by offering incentives and support for research and development. Hyundai and Kia will get financial support to develop electric and hybrid vehicles. South Korea also aims to be the first country in the world to have a "smart national grid" that uses information technology to maximise the efficiency of electricity transmission. Given the huge sums spent in other areas, the renewable energy spending share of South Korea's green new deal is a disappointingly low £80m, mostly on solar-powered homes, photovoltaic heating and geothermal power sources for apartment blocks. Part of the reason is that the government had previously announced plans to invest 37tn won from 2009 to 2022 on new power plants, including 12 nuclear plants, to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Government advisers say South Korea's relatively small and crowded land area limits the potential for large-scale wind and solar projects and the rivers have far less hydro-power potential than those in China and the US. But even before the green new deal, engineers had begun work on the world's biggest tidal power plant. When it is finished later this year, the 254MW capacity plant at Siwha will supply the energy equivalent of 862,000 barrels of oil a year. A three times bigger tidal power plant is planned at Ganghwa. Over the next 20 years, the government says it will invest 110tn won in renewables so that by 2030, they make up 11%of the overall energy mix. While this is far less ambitious than China, Europe or the US, it is a big improvement on the 2.4% share in 2007. Chung Rae-kwon, South Korea's Climate Change Ambassador, said the new stimulus plan was not the only sign that the country is changing. Government sources have said that a study into how much South Korea's target should be for reducing greenhouse gases will be finalised in June 2009 and announced at some stage thereafter. "The Green New Deal is just the start," said Chung. "We will put out a Green Growth Package that will be different, more long term. It will look at the energy mix and consumption patterns," said Chung. John Ashton, special representative for climate change for the UK Foreign Office, said South Korea was moving fast. "There seems to be growing consensus in Korea that being an early mover in the low carbon transition is good for the Korean economy, and good for Korean manufacturers." At the Blue House, Kim says South Korea is on the point of embracing green technology with the same fervour that it adopted broadband in the late 1990s. "By 2020, we'd like to be at least in the top five nations for green technology," says the presidential secretary for future vision. "As a nation, we want to be charming, to get respect from global society, to be seen as more than an economic animal. "It has been only seven months since the president made the speech calling for low-carbon, green growth, but so much is changing. Everyone is now talking about green things. It may be a strength or a weakness of Korean people, but once we reach a consensus we move very quickly," he said. $6bn for the construction of 1m green homes, energy efficiency upgrades for a million more, energy conservation improvements in villages and schools, and the installation of LED lighting in public facilities. $1.8bn to support the development of fuel-efficient vehicles, such as electric and hybrid cars, by automakers Hyundai and Kia. Trains and bikes $7bn to upgrade the transport infrastructure through the expansion of electrified tracks, new high-speed rail links and the construction of more than 2,500 miles of bicycle paths. $11.1bn on river "restoration" and water resource management that will controversially include building dams and concreting some embankments. $1.7bn on forestry management, including tree planting to improve carbon sink capacity, and new facilities to use wood as biomass energy. $670m on resource recycling, including rubbish incineration plants that burn methane emissions to generate electricity.
The NRF Vision 2015 acknowledges the importance of internationalising the science and technology environment in achieving the national social and economic development imperatives of South Africa and has thus strategically positioned internationalization as a cross-cutting agenda. Within this ambit, the International Relations and Cooperation (IRC) Directorate plays a contributing role in the promotion of research excellence, with regards to the internationalisation of research and higher education, and in particular to the concerted focus on Africa within the NRF. Through the synergies of its core initiatives and strategic projects, IRC strives to make a significant contribution to human capacity development in the national system of innovation, particularly relating to issue of redressing inequality. The mission of IRC within the NRF is multidimensional and cross-cutting, viz. To contribute pro-actively to the internationalisation of science and of higher education, To facilitate the generation and transfer of knowledge and technology to achieve international competitiveness for South Africa, To enhance international science collaboration (networking), especially amongst emergent and developing economies, To promote and support continental/regional scientific collaboration in order to contribute to socio-economic and sustainable growth on the African continent, To contribute to an enabling process of accessing international (research support) opportunities throughout the NRF, in particular the National Research Facilities, To contribute to the imperatives of redress and equity within the national science system and, thereby, To promote and support strategic human resource development as a contribution to the national system of innovation. Working closely with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), IRC assumes a proactive responsibility to facilitate and enhance international scientific collaboration between individual scientists, higher education institutions, research bodies and scientific and professional associations (unions) in South Africa and abroad. Click here to see an Organogram IRC (as a directorate of RISA) derives its mandate from the National Research Foundation Act, No 23 of 1998. IRC contributes to the achievement of the NRF’s strategic goals and vision by sourcing funds for research (locally and abroad); facilitating and promoting international liaison between researchers and research institutions; promoting participation in international scientific activities through maintaining membership of appropriate international science organisations; and initiating liaison with structures involved in the protection of intellectual property rights. At present, the IRC through the DST has signed more than 40 bilateral and multilateral agreements globally. Click HERE to view map showing NRF country partnerships. There are three broad focus areas/ units within IRC, namely: the Overseas Collaboration (OC); the Africa Cooperation (AC); and the Multilateral and Strategic Initiatives (MSI). AFRICA COOPERATION - In line with the NRF’s mission to prioritise Africa, AC promotes and supports continental and regional scientific collaboration in order to contribute to socio-economic and sustainable growth on the African continent. A strong emphasis is placed on human capacity and skills development as the driver for promoting international competiveness through knowledge transfer. Funding from grants awarded through the AC enable South African Researchers to interact with the science community on the African continent and the rest of the globe. Click here to read more OVERSEAS COOPERATION - The OC unit is tasked with promoting South Africa’s science and technology links on the global front. Working closely with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), OC participates in the implementation of the Intergovernmental and Inter-agency Bilateral agreements by funding joint research projects and in the process ensure capacity building in key strategic areas. In addition OC serves as liaison between the South African and international scientific communities, and facilitates South African participation in global scientific and research engagements. Click here to read more MULTILATERAL AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES - The MSI unit has been recently created to provide additional support and strategic direction for the development and enhancement of internationalisation at the NRF, as driven by the IRC Directorate. MSI also manages the Secretariat for the International Council for Science (ICSU) and mobility initiatives, most prominently the . In addition, the unit is responsible for the NRF’s adhering function as a National Member Organisation of the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA), based in Austria, and other strategic capacity development interventions like the Southern African Systems Analysis Centre (SASAC) and the Global Research Council As a Directorate, the IRC focuses on four core modalities in order to achieve its mandate within RISA, namely bilateral and multilateral agreements, regional cooperation, strategic agreements and enabling mobility across borders. BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS focus on building and strengthening partnerships through cooperation with international partners. In partnership with DST, OC participates in the implementation of the intergovernmental and interagency agreements by funding joint research projects and in the process ensures capacity building in key strategic areas. REGIONAL COOPERATION facilitated primarily through the activities of the three units of the IRC with the main aim of promoting and supporting continental, regional and global scientific collaboration in order to contribute to socio-economic and sustainable growth of South Africa and the rest of the continent. In this regard, multilateralism as a way of increasing the country’s science and technology research and development agenda through human capacity and skills development as the driver for promoting international competiveness through knowledge transfer is emphasised. Southern African Systems Analysis Centre (SASAC) - An innovative initiative that contributes to the establishment, growth and enhancement of high level strategic research networks internationally. Click HERE for more information on SASAC. TWAS/NRF agreement for Mobility of Students from Africa - A five-year agreement on human capital development, supported by the DST. Up to 240 bursaries for postgraduate students will be provided to study and conduct research in South Africa. Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) - The JINR is an independent, multinational research agency located in Dubna, Russian Federation. The JINR conducts both theoretical and practical research, mainly in the fields of elementary particle physics, nuclear physics and condensed matter physics. Click here for more information on the JINR. Strengthening the Capacities of Science Granting Councils in Sub-Saharan Africa - A 5-year investment for institutional strengthening and quality improvement of granting and research support. The programme will be supported by NRF, IDRC and DFID. MOBILITY is enabled through the activities of the KIC and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) and ICSU which focus on the internationalization of South Africa’s research platform, the enhancement of networking in the global science system and the nurturing of collaboration to improve the quality of research outputs by researchers. The KIC funding instrument is South Africa’s largest mobility programme, supporting South Africa-based researchers to increase and expand their international networks. Specific engagements with Africa have been supported since 2013, with a concomitant increase in quality applications under the Africa bilateral framework as a consequence. Annually, more than 400 applications are supported, of which approximately 40% are focussed on Africa.
Rochester Institute of Technology scientist Manuela Campanelli was recently made a fellow of the American Physical Society. Campanelli is the director of the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation and an associate professor of the RIT’s School of Mathematical Sciences. Election to fellowship in the 50,000-member society is limited to 250 fellows per year (or one half of one percent of the membership) and recognizes outstanding contributions to physics. Campanelli was chosen to receive this distinct honorific title for her groundbreaking work on numerical simulations of binary black hole space times and for explorations of physical effects such as “super kicks” and spin-driven orbital dynamics. Campanelli’s research is helping to make the field of gravitational wave astronomy a reality. In 2005, Campanelli and colleagues Carlos Lousto and Yosef Zlochower were one of two independent teams of scientists to simulate the merger of two black holes on a supercomputer according to Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity for strong field gravity. The Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation at Rochester Institute of Technology is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to the study of extreme gravitational astrophysics systems through the use of computer simulation and visualization. Research focuses on some of nature’s most spectacular phenomena, such as black-hole and neutron-star collisions that produce intense bursts of gravitational and electromagnetic radiation, collisions between entire galaxies, and the central black-hole engine that powers active galactic nuclei.
Sir David Attenborough has warned that cats are killing huge numbers of birds in British gardens. The TV naturalist said cat owners should buy bell collars for their pets to help stop the deaths. Sir David, 87, features the robin on the Christmas Day edition of Radio 4 programme Tweet Of The Day. He told the Radio Times that cats and the cold winter weather, when frozen ground makes it difficult to find food, are the biggest problems faced by birds. “Cats kill an extraordinarily high number of birds in British gardens,” the broadcaster said. Asked whether cat owners should buy bell collars for their pets at Christmas, he replied: “That would be good for the robins, yes.” The presenter also warned that scientists should not attempt to bring back species such as the woolly mammoth. TV presenter Alice Roberts recently urged society to “grapple with” the issue of bringing Ice Age animals back from the dead after Japanese scientists extracted the bone marrow from woolly mammoth remains with a view to resurrecting the creature. But Sir David, who encounters extinct animals in a new Sky documentary using special effects, said he was not keen on the idea. “I think it could conceivably happen, but to what end? It’d be a nice intellectual triumph for the scientists, but where’s the poor thing going to live? “Where’s it going to find a mate? What’s it going to do? We’ve got quite enough problems saving the species we’ve got without bringing old ones back,” he said. Sir David also suggested that he had mixed feelings about the approach, taken by conservationists, of focusing on the danger of particular species dying out. “It’s a mistake that conservationists have made (to focus on species such as this). But it’s a useful mistake. It made sense to concentrate on the disappearance of species that we care about, the charismatic species, in order to make people aware of what mankind is doing,” he said. “It’s very easy to say ‘The giant panda’s disappearing’. What you should be saying is that the ecosystem of which the giant panda is only a part is disappearing. “Because the world wouldn’t change hugely if we lost the panda. But if we see the disappearance of the bamboo forests on which the panda depends, that will disrupt the whole natural pattern of things.”
- Intro to course logistics - Stream – collaborative decision - Text Analysis for Digital humanities (see Resources for Digital Humanities) Week 2 – 7 September - Discussion of the following articles: - The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the Scientific Method Obsolete by Chris Anderson - Visualizing Big Data: Bar Charts for Words by Mark Horowitz - Scan This Book! by Kevin Kelly - Google’s Moon Shot by Jeffrey Toobin - Quantitative Analysis of Culture Using Millions of Digitized Books - Matthew Jocker’s critique of the Google’s ngram analyzer - Text Analysis Continued - Discussion of results with tools - Introduction to Morphology (PDF of slides) - Introduction to Finite State Transducers Week 3 – 14 September - Southern Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation - How Natural Language Processing is Changing – a video - Entropy and Entropy Worksheet on Rotokas. - Discussion of the debate between Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google and Noam Chomsky. - On Chomsky and the Two Cultures of Statistical Learning by Peter Norvig. (everyone read) First responders: Brian, Shannon - Norvig vs. Chomsky and the Fight for the Future of AI by Kevin Gold. First Responder: Samantha - Discussion of the following article: - Unsupervised Learning of the Morphology of a Natural Language by John Goldsmith. First Responder: Mary - ToDo: Download and install Linguistica and test it on how well it learns morphology of a corpus of English that you find and a corpus of another language. - Computational Morphology continued Week 4 – 21 September - Discussion of Morphology long-term HW – Finite State Transducers and Morphology (link to write-up) - Discussion of Joint Entropy of Rotokas and other langs (Please compute this before class) - Southern Brazilian Portuguese FST (15 min) - English Plurals FST (15 min) - Unsupervised Morphology (20 min) - Demo – Naive Bayes Classifier (zip file of classifier) - Geographic Classification of Arabic. - HW for next week (can do with a partner): - try the classifier on your texts. - try Linguistica on a Foreign Language Corpus. Analyze results. - skim Parts of Speech and Basic Syntax chapters of book mentioned in Week 5. Week 5 – 28 September - What we learned from 5 million books – TedTalk - Wrap up and discussion - Entropy – interested in hearing reports and impressions from people - Southern Brazilian Portuguese - English Plurals - Linguistica – discussion - Introduction to Lexc – Part of the Xerox Toolkit (pdf of relevant chapter in Finite State Morphology (51MB dl)) - Esperanto Worksheet (2 tasks – first write FSA then FST) - Linguists in class: Week 6 – 5 October - WordSeer – How Natural Language Processing is Changing Research - Eserpanto Worksheet- finish up FSA and FST - Talk and demo of Porter Stemmer (info at Martin Porter’s Porter Stemming Algorithm webpage) - Video of Peter Norvig talking about the effectiveness of data. Either - Great Programming Shootout - Parsing Intro. Week 7 – 12 October - Great Classifier ShootOut Week 8 – 19 October - Game plan for rest of semester - Introduction to the Final Project (pdf of slides) - Great Classifier ShootOut - BUBs parser lab - Statistical Machine Translation I: Word Alignment Models (Kevin Knight’s A Statistical MT Tutorial Workbook (rtf) - Language Model Optional Project (description) Week 9 – 26 October - Project elevator pitch - 15-20 minute presentation Ferrucci et al. Building Watson: An Overview of the DeepQA Project, AI Magazine 2010: Ryan and Shannon! - 15-20 minute presentation AskMSR question answering system (report on both AskMSR: Question Answering Using the Worldwide Web and An Analysis of the AskMSR Question-Answering System) Ashby & Valerie! - time to co-ordinate project - Statistical Machine Translation II: Statistical Alignment Models (chapter 25 of this draft) - Videos shown in class: - The Bears discuss the state of the machine learning labor market. - Project update reports - Discussion of Manning Video - Information Extraction presentation (chapter 22 intro through 22.1 Named Entity Extraction of this draft same pw as above) student presenter 10 minutes. Gray & Eric! - Information Extraction presentation (chapter 22 — section 22.2 of this draft) Joe F and Jacob B! - Introduction to Information Extraction Technology (old paper but still relevant) Amy Olson & Samantha Whay - 1/2 hr. to co-ordinate project - Odds and Ends re. Satistical MT - Evaluating MT systems - Hands-on MT lab (going through basic tutorial (sec 2.1) of Moses Statistical Machine Translation System User Manual. Week 11 – 9 November - Sprint 1 demo (5 – 10 minutes each team) - Intro to Computational Semantics - Computers versus Common Sense (The Cyc Project) Doug Lenat vido - Hands-on MT lab. (handout) Week 12 – 16 November - Sprint 2 demo (5 – 10 minutes each team) - Computers versus Common Sense (The Cyc Project) Doug Lenat - Semantic Role Labeling (if people need it, can make this a student presentation, let me know) Week 13 – 23 November - Thanksgiving Break Week 14 – 30 November - Cyc Discussion - Open Cog Project (talk by Ben Goertzel) - Formal Computational Semantics - Soft AI: what we have now: Powerset Demo Video - Hard AI: Embodied Conversational Agents – Justine Cassell’s research - PBS Scientific American Frontiers (Friendly Characters) - excerpts from The Human at the Heart of our Work (around the 26 minute mark for code switching and 48 min. for work on autism) - Apple Knowledge Navigator revisited (vs. annoying Microsoft Paper Clip) Week 15 – 7 December - Final Sprint Demo – 20 minute presentations
This article has Open Peer Review reports available. Effect of nitrous oxide on cisatracurium infusion demands: a randomized controlled trial Recent studies have questioned our previous understanding on the effect of nitrous oxide on muscle relaxants, since nitrous oxide has been shown to potentiate the action of bolus doses of mivacurium, rocuronium and vecuronium. This study was aimed to investigate the possible effect of nitrous oxide on the infusion requirements of cisatracurium. 70 ASA physical status I-III patients aged 18-75 years were enrolled in this randomized trial. The patients were undergoing elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with a duration of at least 90 minutes. Patients were randomized to receive propofol and remifentanil by target controlled infusion in combination with either a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (Nitrous oxide/TIVA group) or oxygen in air (Air/TIVA group). A 0.1 mg/kg initial bolus of cisatracurium was administered before tracheal intubation, followed by a closed-loop computer controlled infusion of cisatracurium to produce and maintain a 90% neuromuscular block. Cumulative dose requirements of cisatracurium during the 90-min study period after bolus administration were measured and the asymptotic steady state rate of infusion to produce a constant 90% block was determined by applying nonlinear curve fitting to the data on the cumulative dose requirement during the study period. Controller performance, i.e. the ability of the controller to maintain neuromuscular block constant at the setpoint and patient characteristics were similar in both groups. The administration of nitrous oxide did not affect cisatracurium infusion requirements. The mean steady-state rates of infusion were 0.072 +/- 0.018 and 0.066 +/- 0.017 mg * kg-1 * h-1 in Air/TIVA and Nitrous oxide/TIVA groups, respectively. Nitrous oxide does not affect the infusion requirements of cisatracurium. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01152905; European Clinical Trials Database at . Volatile anesthetics are known to affect the pharmacodynamics of neuromuscular blocking agents [1–3]. For this reason neuromuscular blocking agents are usually studied under nitrous oxide anesthesia supplemented with opioids and intravenous hypnotics. Unlike volatile anesthetics, nitrous oxide has been thought to have no effect on the dose-response relation of neuromuscular blocking drugs. However, recent studies have questioned our previous understanding on the effect of nitrous oxide on muscle relaxants since nitrous oxide has been shown to potentiate the action of bolus doses of mivacurium, rocuronium and vecuronium [4–6]. Whether this interaction is due to an alteration in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics remains, however, completely unknown. Evidence from one study on the infusion requirements of rocuronium during nitrous oxide demonstrated that nitrous oxide does not affect rocuronium in a clinically significant degree . Thus, different study methodology appears to give different results on the interaction between nitrous oxide and rocuronium. Because the mechanism of action of nitrous oxide on muscle relaxants is unknown and because it is controversial whether there is an interaction between nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants, we found it important to repeat our previous study using cisatracurium, a muscle relaxant with a different chemical structure and elimination kinetics. Cisatracurium, as opposed to the aminosteroid relaxant rocuronium, is a benzyl isoquinoline compound with a novel pharmacokinetic profile since its elimination kinetics is essentially independent of liver and renal function . We used a closed-loop feedback control method of administering cisatracurium to maintain a constant neuromuscular block of 90%. The interaction between cisatracurium and nitrous oxide was measured by determining the infusion requirements to produce 90% neuromuscular block with cisatracurium. The patients received oral premedication consisting of 3.75-7.5 mg midazolam approximately 1 hour prior to induction of anesthesia. All patients received total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using target controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil. One group of patients received a mixture of air with 30% oxygen (Air/TIVA group) and the other group received nitrous oxide with 30% oxygen (Nitrous oxide/TIVA group). The patients were randomly assigned to one of these groups, each group consisting of 35 patients. The initial target of propofol was set at 4 μg/ml and if necessary adjusted to 6 μg/ml for adequate induction. After induction the target was maintained at 4 μg/ml until the end of surgery. The target of remifentanil was initially set at 2 ng/ml and later adjusted between 1.5-6 ng/ml, according to clinical needs. A decrease in systolic blood pressure below 85 mmHg or a decrease in mean blood pressure below 55 mmHg, respectively, was treated by decreasing the target of remifentanil to a minimum level of 1.5 ng/ml. In addition, the patients received rapid infusion of Ringer's acetate solution and/or 5-10 mg of intravenous ephedrine, when considered necessary. In hypertensive patients treatment of hypotension was initiated if a 30% decrease in blood pressure was detected. Fresh gas flow was kept at 10 l/min until tracheal intubation, using the above mentioned gas mixtures. During maintenance of anesthesia gas flow was set at 5 l/min, with the end-tidal nitrous oxide concentration kept above 65% in the patients receiving nitrous oxide. The degree of neuromuscular blockade was assessed every 20 seconds, throughout the procedure, using a Datex Relaxograph® monitor (Datex, Helsinki, Finland). Surface electrodes were attached over the ulnar nerve and over the first interosseus muscle and the index finger . The train-of-four sequence was used (2 Hz frequency, 100 ms pulse width), the stimulus output being a rectangular wave with a current of 0-70 mA. The machine calibrated automatically by searching for the optimal signal levels before setting the supramaximal level. Control electromyographic values were obtained after induction and following this, a stable baseline calibration signal was awaited and a second calibration was performed approximately 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. During this period patients were ventilated manually with a mask. The degree of neuromuscular blockade was defined as the ratio of the measurement of the first twitch in the train-of-four sequence to the corresponding control value. After obtaining a stable calibration signal, a bolus dose of 0.1 mg/kg cisatracurium was administered. We used the ideal body weight (IBW), as defined by Devine's equation, for the calculation of the dose of cisatracurium . Tracheal intubation was performed and the patients were mechanically ventilated using either of the above mentioned gas mixtures. Bolus administration of cisatracurium was followed by infusion of cisatracurium by a model-driven closed-loop feedback system as described previously . An infusion pump (Fresenius Infusomat CP®; Bad Homburg, Germany) and the Relaxograph® were attached to a Compaq® portable 386 computer (Houston, TX) by means of a serial RS232C interface. The study time was 90 min for all patients. Propofol, remifentanil, and cisatracurium infusions were continued as long as clinically indicated, but only the initial 90-min period from the administration of the bolus dose of cisatracurium was analyzed. Palmar skin temperature was measured and kept above 33°C, and end-tidal carbon dioxide was maintained at 34-40 mm Hg (4.5-5.3%). Depth of anesthesia was monitored using the Bispectral Index. where D is the amount of cisatracurium in its apparent distribution volume, k is the relative rate of distribution of cisatracurium, Iss is the asymptotic steady state infusion rate of cisatracurium, and t is the duration of administration of cisatracurium. The asymptotic steady state rates of infusion were given as actual values and per kilogram ideal body weight (Iss/IBW). By the end of surgery, all patients received a neostigmine-glycopyrrolate mixture to reverse neuromuscular block according to our normal routine. For statistical analysis, we used the Student t test and chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant differences between the two groups. All results are given as mean ± SD. For continuous variables, we also calculated 95% confidence intervals of the differences in mean values. All data were analyzed with use of the statistical program Systat for Windows, version 10.2 (Systat Software, Richmond, CA). 75.0 ± 14.3 173 ± 11 0.96 ± 1.25 3.03 ± 1.34 31.5 ± 6.1 12.4 ± 2.6 4.8 ± 1.5 0.072 ± 0.018 48.6 ± 12.3 77.7 ± 15.1 174 ± 10 1.10 ± 1.28 2.95 ± 1.19 34.4 ± 7.6 12.1 ± 2.2 4.5 ± 1.2 0.066 ± 0.017 Mean difference (95% CI) The computerized closed-loop feedback infusion of cisatracurium kept the level of neuromuscular block at a reasonably constant level and thus allowed the accurate quantitation of the possible interaction of nitrous oxide with cisatracurium by assessing cisatracurium infusion requirements. Unlike observed earlier with bolus administration of mivacurium, rocuronium and vecuronium [4–6] but in good agreement with our own study with continuous infusion of rocuronium, nitrous oxide had no statistically significant effect on cisatracurium although the study was adequately powered to observe as small as 15% difference in infusion requirements at a level of significance of P = 0.05 and a power of 80%. Our studies differ from previous studies on the interaction between nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants in many ways. Like our former study on rocuronium but unlike previous studies using bolus techniques, we used a closed-loop feedback control method of administering cisatracurium to produce and maintain a relatively constant neuromuscular block of 90%. It was thus possible to quantitate any interaction between cisatracurium and nitrous oxide during maintenance of anesthesia with longer exposure to nitrous oxide and with minimal disturbance of the clinical routine. It has been suggested that propofol may affect the potency of neuromuscular blocking drugs. In one study a 20-min infusion of propofol caused a 50% rise in the potency of mivacurium as compared to a 5-min propofol infusion . We used a target controlled infusion of propofol and the target was kept unchanged at 4 μg/ml in each patient during the maintenance of anesthesia for the entire study period. Because remifentanil is not known to affect the level of neuromuscular blockade and because its cumulative dose during the 90-min study period and BIS-levels were similar in both groups, we believe that we were able to quantitate the effect of nitrous oxide on cisatracurium. If the possible interaction of nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants is studied using bolus techniques, it has several implications. The study group of Kopman et al. used the single-dose technique for the quantition of the nitrous oxide-rocuronium interaction. They estimated the value of the mean effective dose 50% (ED50) assuming that the dose-effect relation of rocuronium has a constant slope of 4.5 in a log-dose/logit plot. A 20% decrease of the mean ED50 was observed. Although this technique has weaknesses, it provides a rather robust estimate of the ED50, but with wide confidence intervals. If the true value of the slope were, for instance, 3.5 the estimate for the ED50 would increase by approximately 3%. The value of 5.5 would decrease ED50 by 1%. The single-dose technique can be used to estimate ED95, too. However, such calculations are seldom done because they are much more sensitive for having the correct value of the log-dose/logit slope. However, one might question the usefulness of ED50 for clinical purposes where normally at least 90% neuromuscular block is required for adequate surgical relaxation. We thus believe that it is more relevant to study the possible interaction of nitrous oxide and muscle relaxants using constant infusion of the muscle relaxant under investigation. Other previous studies using bolus techniques in the assessment of the pharmacodynamics have yielded similar results as compared to Kopman et al. Nitrous oxide has been shown to slightly affect the potency of both vecuronium and mivacurium . However, the duration of nitrous oxide administration before muscle relaxant was only 15 min in these rocuronium and mivacurium studies and 5 min in the vecuronium study [4–6]. While the interaction between muscle relaxants and volatile anesthetics is clearly a pharmacodynamic one, the mechanism of action of nitrous oxide on neuromuscular blocking drugs is still unknown. Volatile anesthetics do not seem to affect the pharmacokinetics of muscle relaxants, and it is generally assumed that nitrous oxide has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of muscle relaxants [16–20]. It has been proposed that nitrous oxide affects the neuromuscular junction directly and independently of its rate of accumulation in the muscle or by altering the transfer of muscle relaxants to the site of action . In fact the saturation of muscle tissue with nitrous oxide is less than 30% complete after 15 min of nitrous oxide anesthesia thus supporting the idea of an accumulation-independent effect of nitrous oxide on neuromuscular junction . The reason for the disagreement between both our studies using continuous infusion and previous studies using bolus administration of muscle relaxants [4–6] is not at all clear. Obviously, the results of our studies cannot be directly compared to the previous studies, due to this difference in modes of administration. Ideally, the effect of anesthesia on the pharmacodynamics on both bolus dosage and continuous infusion should have been investigated consecutively in all our patients. However, this would have been time consuming and logistically impossible to carry out in our clinical setting. It is logical to assume that the duration of the exposure to nitrous oxide has an effect but there is no definitive evidence. The more likely explanation is that nitrous oxide has only a minor effect, if any, on the neuromuscular action of muscle relaxants. While looking at the scattergram of the individual Iss values in the current study (Figure 2), it is plausible to conclude that the effect of nitrous oxide on cisatracurium pharmacodynamics is negligible, as was the case in our rocuronium study, and has no clinical significance. The same information is provided also by the 95% confidence intervals of the differences in mean Iss and Iss/IBW values. We conclude that nitrous oxide does not affect the infusion requirements of cisatracurium to a clinically significant degree. Nitrous oxide does not affect cisatracurium demand when using closed-loop computerized infusion of the muscle relaxant with the aim of maintaining a stable 90% neuromuscular block. - Kalli I: Effect of surface electrode positioning on the compound action potential evoked by ulnar nerve stimulation during isoflurane anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth. 1990, 65: 494-949. 10.1093/bja/65.4.494.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar - Devine BJ: Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1974, 8: 650-655.Google Scholar - Olkkola KT, Schwilden H: Quantitation of the interaction between atracurium and succinylcholine using closed-loop feedback control of infusion of atracurium. Anesthesiology. 1990, 73: 614-618. 10.1097/00000542-199010000-00005.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar - Keéri-Szanto M: Drug consumption during thiopentone-nitrous oxide-relaxant anaesthesia: The preparation and interpretation of time/dose curves. 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EARTH IS ALIVE, millions of microorganisms are living in it. The fertility and providing food for the plants to grow healthily depends on decomposition of these materials on the soil surface. Chemical fertilizers undermine these microorganisms, and the fields treated with them are becoming increasingly ill as they lost their source of life: the humus. The plants grow faster, against nature. Its exterior is beautiful to look at and seems healthy, but inside it cannot form properly or develop the defenses necessary to prevent diseases and pests, so if you do not want to lose the crop, you must use pesticides. And we all know that the earth "is increasingly DEAD", groundwater and air are polluted, fish and birds die, the trees disappear. The desert arrives. Organic agriculture is an alternative approach to agricultural production based on respect for the environment around us, producing healthy food of the highest quality, upgrading technical and scientific knowledge. To achieve these objectives, we should apply a series of techniques: - Being integrated into the organic system of agriculture that is not environmental bad. - Enhancing soil fertility and productive capacity to ensure the continuity of agricultural production. - Respecting the natural cycles of crops and animals to provide healthy living conditions. - Not adding substances that are harmful to health or impair the ability support. The consumer can now buy organic products in different outlets, supermarkets, consumer associations, specialty shops, etc., always looking for the label of the inspection body and reference for organic growing. The lack of effective legislation that identifies the food makes the endorsement of the Organic Agriculture reliably guarantee that food that does not contain genetically modified ingredients. Agriculture today has come to leave much of the medium that has become one of its worst enemies. The widespread use of synthetic chemical fertilizers leads to soil, water and air degradation. Organic Agriculture avoids these problems by using only natural products and methods. Using the productive potential of the soil, keeping it as a living system and improving its natural fertility. Balanced systems are created with strong and healthy plants, so that natural processes and the resistance of crops are sufficient to prevent pests and diseases. Livestock breeding is a very natural environment, eating a balanced manner. This avoids having to resort to the use of substances and techniques that may cause any harm to the environment. The Organic Agriculture needs diverse systems, where the variety of crops, hedges, grass under the fruit trees, green manures, vegetation margins and slopes, and rich ecosystems... generates high environmental value. In short, agriculture remains as vital and complex ecosystem, closely associated with nature.
Tips For Enjoying Your Later Years I know quite a few people in their eighties and nineties who are very active, healthy and happy. They all seem to have a number of things in common which I believe keeps them that way. 1. HOBBIES OR INTERESTS: Every one of them has interest in a hobby or other activity. My neighbor and my Dad, both eighty-nine, still live in their own home and are avid gardeners. This activity gives them immense pleasure and something to look forward too. It keep their bodies and minds busy. Their home- grown veggies also adds to the overall of their bodies and budget. Two other eighty-plus friends of mine are interested in art and, although they say they'll ‘never be famous artists' they don't care because they just love to do it. They read books about art, visit or volunteer at museums and rent movies about the suject. They are continually learning and expanding their art experiences. Other folks I know make jewelry or pottery, serve as literacy volunteers, build doll houses or carve wood. It's much easier to get up in the morning and ignore aches and pains or avoid depression if you have something fun and fulfilling to do. My grandmother lived to crochet. When her arthritis made it difficult, she taped a pencil to her crochet hook to make it easier to hold on to and kept on going. I recently learned to knit. I'm sixty years old and have probably crocheted my weight in yarn, but never learned to knit. I took a class at the local yarn shop when I was feeling a little blue last winter. Not only did I learn to knit, but met some very nice folks and had fun in the process. You may not think you have an ‘interest' in anything, but I bet if you look back at what you liked to do as a child, you'll find something. Don't limit yourself. I recently purchase a stained-glass style coloring book and a package of watercolor markers. Who said you have to be a kid to color? Fly a kit? Build a toy boat? My neighbor invited a few of us over to work on a jigsaw puzzle that her grandson had given her. We had a great time putting it together while talking and laughing. 2. EAT! I've noticed that my older friends eat balanced ‘mini' meals throughout the day. This will keep your energy level at maximum and help keep excess weight from creeping onto your behind. Lately, since there are only two of us at home now, I buy more individual serving sizes of food. Brookstone sells little four-packs of cottage cheese. They may seem more expensive when you compare price-per-ounce, but after I threw out yet another large, half-eaten, long-past-sell-by date carton of cottage cheese, I realized that I was probably spending more for them in the long run and wasting food to boot. I purchase three-packs of organic milk that come in eight ounce containers, so have fresh-tasting milk when I want it and don't feel guilty about finishing the last bit of that gallon jug that I know no longer tastes good. Low-sugar fruit cups, one-serving bottles of orange juice, and small bags of baby carrots are helpful as well. On the treat side, which may not be good for us physically but sure do lift the spirits on occasion, I purchase cookies that come in 100 calorie packs. I keep them in the freezer downstairs and know I'll have to REALLY want them to dig them out. Don't keep this stuff where its too easy go grab. If you're like me, you'll eat five of them in a row. Not good. Blue Bunny sells individual two-packs of ice cream. They taste very good, but the portion is automatically scooped out for you. It's so easy to eat a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream, but easier to just open a single serving and therefore limit your portion size (and your own size as well). I tend to skip meals or not want to cook like I used too. Having these healthful, convenient foods are perfect for those days. When I do feel like cooking, I make a crock pot of boneless chicken and veggies, bean soup or chili and freeze it in several individual sized containers so I'll have something nutritious and yummy as a back up. 3. EXERCISE: Yeah, I know, I hate it too. But all of my buddies who are age eighty and above make it a point to do some form of exercise. One lady puts on her MP3 player and walks laps in her basement for twenty minutes each morning. Another goes to a senior swim class three times a week. Start slow. We have a treadmill-ski machine. I started out doing only ONE minute on it. The next day I added a minute and so on until I was up to about thirty minutes. I probably took it way slower than most, but it helped me overcome the hardest part; getting started. I also tell myself that I don't have to do more than a few minutes and often end up staying with it for the full half-hour. Music really helps. I put on ABBA, the Eagles or Queen and sometimes they get me going too fast! 4. SOCIALIZE. Socializing is a very important aspect of a healthy happy life. Good friends often mean laughter which is very healthful. They also give us someone to share our worries and troubles with, and this offers a sort of therapy and emotional support. I combine my art and writing with friends who share my interests. Places to find friends and people with common interests are; church, senior centers, classes at fabric or yarn shops, continuing education classes, library book or volunteer groups. Find a club or group that shares your interest in books, gardening, art or travel. Or, better yet, start one of your own! 5. ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. Although I know it sounds cliché' but a positive attitude is very important. I'm a cancer survivor and my doctor said that my 'upbeat attitude' was a huge plus in getting well. A ninety-year old neighbor jokes that he's so old that he doesn't buy green bananas, yet he still plants trees for future generations and watches funny movies when he's feeling low. It's just as easy to focus on the positive aspects of life as it is to become a negative grump. It may take a bit of ‘rethinking' but once you start looking on the bright side, life does seem to become brighter. A friend once told me that she lists five things she's that thankful for every night before going to sleep. Hearing a child laugh, seeing a Heavenly Blue Morning Glory bloom, the taste of a ripe pear, or the scent of cinnamon, are a few I've listed lately. My older friends and relatives are a source of inspiration and admiration. I've often told them that I want to be just like them when I grow ‘up'.
I spend hours every week staring at videos of people trying to smile. We interpret a simple smiling face in a split second, and based on the symmetry, make many assumptions about a person. I am a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, with expertise in treatment of disorders of the facial nerve. The facial nerve controls the 46 tiny facial muscles that allow an array of nonverbal communication and emotional expression. Nearly everyone takes those 46 tiny muscles for granted, until an accident or illness suddenly alters their facial expression and how they interact with the world. New techniques that allow us to reconstruct a smile also remind us that a simple smile can change a life. The face is the most important means of social communication. In less than 100 milliseconds — an eye blink takes 300 — humans can see a face, decide whether it is among the thousands stored in our memories and form an opinion. Mere millimeters of facial asymmetry can attract the attention of others and affect perception. Responding to symmetry In the animal kingdom, more symmetric animals are better at attracting mates, as their symmetry is thought to signal genetic quality and developmental stability. In humans, the research is more robust, if not creepy. Human body symmetry has been correlated with increased female fertility and male sperm numbers, and more symmetric faces were universally regarded by countless study groups as more attractive. But facial perception studies also show that we subconsciously regard faces with less symmetry as less honest, less employable, less trustworthy, less optimistic, less effective, less capable, less intelligent and less popular. Such negative perceptions can be psychologically devastating for people with significant facial scars, asymmetries or paralysis. They are constantly trying to catch up with their own emotions and provide the world a face that simply doesn’t garner attention. Many patients actively dampen their emotions because any increase in emotion — a laugh or smile — draws attention to one half of their face moving while the other does not. Some of my patients say it feels like walking into work without pants; others say it is like showing up late for an important meeting. But all of them just want to go unnoticed, to walk to the grocery store without long looks or furtive glances. ‘What can we do?’ Sir Harold Gillies, known as a pioneer of modern reconstructive surgery, described in 1920 facial paralysis with extreme detail — and sympathy: “This pathetic condition, curious in that there is no loss of skin, muscle or bone, produces one of the most heart-searching deformities that one meets in plastic surgery. The eye is drooped and drips tears onto the cheek, the tip of the nose is pulled towards the sound side, the corner of the mouth is down and the cheek flaps as if a bubble were being blown. When the crooked smile comes with its unbridled overaction, the picture of misery on the paralysed side is matched only by the plea on the normal side for us to do something about it. What can we do?” Little could be done in the 1920s. Sir Gillies described slings of muscle tendon or suture similar to marionette strings, a technique still used today, but teams from around world have been working feverishly to stimulate nerves to grow, which would be the Holy Grail of smile reconstruction. Similar to spinal cord injuries, the facial nerve has limited regenerative ability. It spreads out into the face like the branches of a tree, providing electrical signals to those 46 muscles to conjure thousands of unique emotional expressions. But for those with facial paralysis, the wires may all be strung into place and the muscles all ready to go, but the signal never makes it through and that happy thought can turn into frustration and sadness. One way to replace that signal is to “borrow” nearby muscles and nerves. The most exciting of these procedures is called the gracilis muscle transfer, a procedure that “borrows” a strip of muscle from the inner thigh, complete with its nerve and blood vessels. This muscle is then placed under the facial skin and the nerves and blood vessels are precisely reconnected under a microscope with stitches smaller than a hair. Because the patient’s own muscle is used, there are no worries of rejection. After a few months, the muscle will start tiny movements, but soon strengthens and can become an ear to ear grin. There is very little in medicine that I have experienced that is more humbling than seeing a full smile where once it was not possible. We should never forget that a simple smile can change lives.
Can Autism Be Associated With Oppositional Defiant Disorder ASD are a spectrum of disorders of varying degrees that are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as ...Read more These patients refuse to follow adult rules, hold grudges, blame others for their mistakes, are easily anoyed by others and annoy those around them. For the full DX list see the apa website Negative and defiant: The primary symptoms of odd include angry outbursts, deliberately annoying others, irritability, arguing with authority figures, blaming, and refusing to follow rules and expectations. For a child or adolescent to be diagnosed with odd, these emotional/ behavioral problems must cause significant difficulties in important areas of functioning, such as academics, community, and home life. ...Read moreSee 1 more doctor answer Nurture neglected: Defiant children have a big impact on both parents and siblings alike. Constant stress of confrontation puts everyone on edge. Having had one like this we learned that there were battles not worth fighting and some that were. Give special attention to any other children as it is easy to be overshadowed by one demanding all the attention. ...Read more See below: Dsm-iv, the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-4th edition, defines the essential feature of odd as a recurrent pattern of behavior with negativity, defiance, disobedience, and hostility directed toward authority figures. ...Read more Parenting and ODD: According to the DSM (manual for diagnosing psychiatric disorders) "children with oppositional defiant disorder may have experienced...hostile parenting. [but] impossible to determine if the child’s behavior caused the parents to act in a more hostile manner toward the child, if the parents’ hostility led to the child’s problematic behavior, or if there was some combination. ...Read moreSee 1 more doctor answer How can you differentiate between oppositional defiant disorder and just "bad" behavior in 4 year old boy? What's "bad"?: Odd is a description of how a child interacts with others by being negative and resistant. "bad" is a moral judgment that can be associated with lots of behaviors. Unacceptable behaviors needed effective correction, hopefully from loving parents who see the good in their child even when the behavior is bad. ...Read moreSee 3 more doctor answers Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anti-social personality disorder, what to do? I was wondering is it possible for a sociopathic child to be misdiagnosed as having oppositional defiant disorder? Yes: The problem is that we do not define a child as having antisocial personality disorder or sociopathy at a young age. They are referred to as having conduct disorder. Once they are 18 years old, if sociopathy remains then the diagnosis can be rendered, provided that the conduct disorder diagnosis was also rendered by 15. ...Read more What medication would be effective in combination with therapy in treating oppositional defiant disorder? Therapy alone isn't working. Which meds help Psychiatric Eval: Starting medication is a big step. Get a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. If medication is the next step you want to be sure it is monitored. Talk to the therapist about your concerns, it might be helpful to try something different in therapy and/or more sessions. Groups can be helpful for both parents and children. Best wishes and good luck. ...Read more Negative behavior: Oppositional defiant disorder is a usually first diagnosed in childhood. It is represented by a pattern (lasting at least 6 months) of hostile, defiant, and negativistic behavior. A child with this disorder might often lose his/her temper, argue with adults, defy or refuse to comply with adults' requests or rules, deliberately annoy people, blame others for his/her mistakes or misbehavior, etc. ...Read more Oppositional looks: They look like everyone else. There is no physical characteristic that is different. ...Read more Effects of ODD: I am not sure this has been researched systematicly. So I am not sure there are just three. But oppostional people turn off their neighbors family and coworkers. They do not get promoted. They may get fired. They do not get invitations to parties and social events. ...Read more Almost any age: Odd is typically more common among teenagers but can be diagnosed in school aged children. There is no age criteria for the diagnosis but diagnosing a toddler with odd would likely be inappropriate. Once a child understands what adults are looking for and intentionally engages in behavior that defies authority figures (this goes beyond parental defiance) then the child might be odd. ...Read more Many will not know they have a disorder because they believe every else is wrong. These patients refuse to follow adult rules, hold grudges, blame others for their mistakes, are easily anoyed by others and annoy those around them. For the full DX list see the apa website Can be fairly common: The frequency of oppositional defiant disorder can vary depending on the study, with some studies reporting rates of 2% and others up to 15%. It is generally noted that rates are higher in boys before puberty, but then become more equal in adolescence. ...Read moreSee 1 more doctor answer A condition in which a child or adolescent displays an ongoing pattern of an angry or irritable mood, defiant or argumentative behavior, and vindictiveness toward people in authority. The child's behavior often disrupts the child's normal daily activities, including activities within the ...Read more
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition - n. A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts. - n. a philosophical theory or attitude having various interpretations, generally emphasising the existence of the individual as a unique agent with free will and responsibility for his or her own acts, though living in a universe devoid of any certain knowledge of right and wrong; from one's plight as a free agent with uncertain guidelines may arise feelings of anguish. Existentialism is concerned more with concrete existence rather than abstract theories of essences; is contrasted with rationalismand empiricism; and is associated with Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Sartre, as well as others.
Stephanus Byzantinus' gazetteer, De urbibus -- also known as the Ethnica. This is an editio princeps (first ever printing) of this geographic work on cities in the ancient world. The text is from the 5th century, but the incomplete manuscript Aldus used is from the 6th century. It is notably missing the section for the letter 'F'. In the Preface, Aldus encourages readers to add the missing text, should it be rediscovered.
2017 will see companies leveraging the ecosystem which the government is trying to create. Ideas having originated since the initiative was announced will be seen in full force as they are made commercially viable. The Digital India program was launched over a year ago in 2015. The program has now moved from the planning phase toward execution and significant progress has been made in implementation of various initiatives. However, some challenges have been faced during execution, which need to be addressed. The Digital India program is focused on fulfilling three vision areas through 9 pillars or focus areas, which lay down objectives in areas such as skill development, e-governance, mobile/broadband connectivity, etc. These 9 pillars are supplemented by initiatives that are operating at various levels. All the initiatives have been launched and are in various phases of implementation, while significant progress has been achieved on some of these initiatives, such as Smart Cities, Jandhan, PAHAL, etc., in the last 6–12 months. Overview of Digital Infrastructure The information communication and technology (ICT) sector forms an essential part of the digital infrastructure requirement to ensure availability of telecom, broadband, computers, and software across the country. While with increasing reach and affordability, ICT has evolved as a basic infrastructure, India's ICT readiness has remained low, ranking 131 in the ICT Development Index in 2015. The Digital India program aims to increase the reach of digital infrastructure through an extensive broadband and mobile network in order to enable electronic delivery of government services to citizens. To enable this vision, the development of a strong digital and telecom infrastructure backbone is critical. The government has taken several initiatives to improve the digital infrastructure in the country, which are in various stages of implementation. These initiatives extend beyond physical infrastructure and also address software and security infrastructure as all the three aspects are required in tandem to ensure the success of Digital India. The success of Digital India depends on the creation of an ecosystem in which every citizen is digitally empowered and has access to key services made available electronically. Globally, technology has been the most important enabler in ensuring the success of such massive transformational projects. While the government has been focused on developing key technology enablers for Digital India, adoption of digital technologies has remained a challenge. It plans to use cloud technologies to enable seamless integration between various departments and delivery of services to the citizens. Challenges Faced and Way Forward Delay in development of infrastructure. One of the biggest challenges faced by the Digital India program is the slow progress of infrastructure development: - lThe BharatNet project was approved in October 2011, with a two-year implementation target. As of 2016, less than 40 percent of the target has been achieved. - lSpectrum availability in Indian metros is about a tenth of the same in cities in developed countries. This has put a major roadblock in providing high-speed data services. - lPublic Wi-Fi penetration remains low. Globally, there is one Wi-Fi hotspot for every 150 citizens. For India to reach that level of penetration, over 8 million hotspots are required, of which only about 31,000 hotspots are currently available. - lWhile the project has seen delays, the exercise needs to be reinforced with both funds and involvement of senior government functionaries toward making it happen on a war footing.' Rural connectivity. For Digital India to have a large-scale impact on citizens across the nation, the digital divide needs to be addressed through last-mile connectivity in remote rural areas. Currently, over 55,000 villages remain deprived of mobile connectivity. This is largely due to the fact that providing mobile connectivity in such locations is not commercially viable for service providers. Development of the application ecosystem. For digital technology to be accessible to every citizen, significant efforts are needed to customize apps and services to cater to local needs. Finding vendors who can provide such applications has become a challenge. Policy framework for Digital India. Challenges in policy, such as taxation, right of way (RoW), restrictive regulations, etc., are major roadblocks in realizing the vision of Digital India. Contracting. Implementation of the Digital India program has been hampered by contracting challenges as several projects assigned to PSUs are delayed given challenges related to skills, experience, and technical capabilities and several RFPs issued by the government are not picked up by competent private sector organizations since they are not commercially viable. Digital literacy. Reports suggest that as recently as 2014, nearly 70 percent of Indian consumers indicated that lack of awareness was the main reason for not using Internet services. Nonavailability of digital services in local languages is also a major concern. Data security. With the proliferation of cloud-based services like DigiLocker, data security has emerged as a major challenge. The recent data breach in August 2016, in which debit card data for more than 3.2 million subscribers was stolen, highlights the importance of implementing foolproof security systems. Development of digital infrastructure is a critical component of Digital India. To further enable development of digital infrastructure, following measures should be considered: Uniform policies for deploying telecom and optic fiber infrastructure. A uniform RoW policy across all states with a reasonable cost structure is required along with a single-window mechanism for granting RoW permissions. PPP models need to be explored for sustainable development of digital infrastructure, as has been the case for civic infrastructure projects like roads and metro projects. Also, the government should make efforts to make additional spectrum available to telecom service providers for deployment of high-speed data networks. Encourage collaboration with the private sector. Effective collaboration with the private sector is critical to the development of digital infrastructure. Innovative engagement models that ensure commercial viability need to be developed jointly through consultation with industry bodies. This will encourage private sector participation and ensure a better response to infrastructure RFPs. In addition, startups need to be incentivized for development of the last-mile infrastructure and localized services and applications. Rural infrastructure development. Existing government infrastructure assets (e.g., post offices, government buildings, CSCs) should be further leveraged for provision of digital services. In rural and remote areas, private sector players should be incentivized to provide last-mile connectivity. USOF can be effectively used to incentivize and create a viable business model. The deployment of funds so far has been erratic and has not been used to effectively fund the cost of infrastructure creation in rural areas. Currently, the fund has over 451 billion in reserves, which can be used to finance rural digital infrastructure growth in India through direct investment or subsidies. Use of complementary technologies. Satellite communication solutions could be used to speed up broadband access in rural and remote areas. For instance, banks can use VSAT technology to connect remote ATMs, remote branches that need instant access to customer data. It could be used as a last-mile connectivity solution in rural areas which lack telecom networks. Capacity Building for Digital India For the success of the Digital India program, capacity building is crucial. In addition to infrastructure development, digital literacy, skill building, and higher adoption of digital solutions is key to the success of the program. India is rapidly evolving into one of the largest digital economies globally. The rising Internet user base in India and smartphone penetration is expected to provide accessibility to digital technologies to all sections of the population. Digital India – Making an Impact Digital India focuses on transforming India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy, thus, impacting all facets of businesses, citizens and environment. It is projected that Digital India has the potential to provide an incremental 20–30 percent increase in GDP by 2025, resulting in an opportunity of close to USD 1 trillion annually by 2025. The impact of this program can be felt across all domains through the adoption of technology in key sectors including financial services, healthcare, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and education. Digital India is likely to have a significant impact on the profitability and operations of business. Through adoption of digital technologies, companies can consolidate documentation, automate processes, and have access to efficient and cheaper ICT capabilities. While the benefits will be realized in years to come, some of the key areas of impact are likely to be: Increasing profitability. In India, adoption of advanced business digital technologies can lead to increase in revenues by up to 27 percent, increase in employment by up to 84 percent and enhanced access to international markets by up to 65 percent for small and medium business (SMBs). Digital infrastructure can also help leveraging technologies like telepresence that can reduce the need for business travel and result in cost savings Higher productivity. Increased levels of digital technology use can improve employee satisfaction and collaboration, leading to a more productive workforce. In India, it is estimated that employees in SMBs with advanced digital engagement are 8.7 times more likely to collaborate than offline businesses. Ease-of-doing-business. The government has taken several measures to improve ease-of-doing business in India. Consequently, India has seen an improvement in the global ranking for ease-of-doing business. Services such as eBiz portal, KYC, and other e-governance initiatives have started to contribute to the improvement in ease-of-doing business, and this is expected to improve further. Faster time-to-market. Availability of digital infrastructure will help companies drive significant efficiencies, reduce time-to-market (new products, new markets) by digitizing their core operations and supply chains. Investment. The vision and initiatives toward Digital India are expected to boost investment in the digital space in the short term and lead to rise in digital innovation, efficiency, and productivity in the long term. Currently, a number of domestic and global companies have announced investments in the digital space in India. The Digital India program is now in the second year of its existence and several of the flagship projects under the program have now moved from the planning phase to the execution phase. While the usage of smartphones and the Internet has increased, digital literacy and awareness is still low, and is an area that requires enhanced focus. To further strengthen the development of infrastructure, services, capacity building, and enhance their impact, the government needs to take steps across multiple functional areas, some of which are: Increase availability of digital infrastructure at rural and remote locations. The speed at which digital infrastructure (especially fiber networks) is being developed needs to be increased. Existing government infrastructure assets (e.g., post offices, government buildings, CSCs) should be further leveraged for provision of digital services at remote locations. Improve digital literacy. Digital literacy needs to be increased by providing institutional trainings in schools, colleges, and universities, and accelerating partnerships with global technology leaders and using the workforce trained under Skill India to impart trainings. An integrated approach between Digital India and Skill India needs to be constructed to design programs and impart training. Create awareness on the benefits of digital services. The government should increase awareness regarding the value-add of technology to increase technology adoption. The benefits of technology such as increase in the standard of living of the weaker sections of society and enhancing financial inclusion should be communicated to citizens. Provide incentives for greater participation from private players and startups. Private sector players should be incentivized to develop infrastructure, provide services, and promote digital literacy as part of the Digital India program. Startups should be involved to create and customize apps to local needs to increase adoption of digital technology. Based on a Deloitte-Assocham Report released in November 2016
Re: More tyrant Q & A's Perhaps I'm missing something. It seems to me that suggesting the female of a genus like _Tyrannosaurus_ would be larger in general is not well-founded. I recognize the chevron dimorphism and feel that this is a good character, but how widely has this been surveyed or may it be surveyed? Skeletons are incomplete at best and one little chevron is liable to be displaced. More often, I see the bird analogy, and I agree that birds are good analogies for dinosaurs in many cases, but maybe not here. Consider why a female bird is larger--to carry eggs. Many features of birds may find their origins in weight reduction. The single operational ovary is one of these. Male birds don't have to worry about carrying eggs so they can be smaller whereas female birds need the extra size. Also, birds often copulate on the wing without the aid of external genitalia. When copulation is land-based, external genitalia are implemented and the size dimorphism is less pronounced. When you are terrestrial it seems better for the male to be larger to make copulation less cumbersome. Of course, there are exceptions and like I said, maybe I'm missing
The Wolf (Canis lupis) You hear them howl; you see them run; who are those animals with the mysterious eyes? Wisconsin Wolves are astonishing animals that catch everyone’s attention. You will find these Wolves mainly in the northern and central portions of the state. The sizes of the Wisconsin Wolves differ between the sexes. The males are generally larger than the females. Males can get up to six and a half feet long while females only get up to five and a half feet in length. A Female Wolf usually weigh up to sixty to eighty pounds and the male can weigh up to seventy to one hundred ten pounds. I wouldn’t want to mess with one of the male Wolf being that big. Even though the weight and length differ between the males and females, the height seems to be about the same for both. They generally get to be twenty-six to thirty-two inches high up to the shoulder. Wisconsin Wolves have a strong sense of hearing which benefits them by helping them hear their predators and prey from long distances away. Wolves also have very strong legs which allow them to sprint up to thirty-five mph on short distances when running after prey or away from predators. You will generally find them in wooded areas; however, they do tend to go into grassy territories and meadows when following their prey. Their diet consists of varieties of: deer, moose, caribou, elk, bison, musk-oxen, and beavers. Wisconsin Wolves have a behavior much like your typical house dog. The Wolf likes to play and frolic a lot with other Wolves which is also part of training. They spend eight percent of their time resting. Wolves are pretty much harmless and won’t bother you unless you bother them or put them into danger. When Wisconsin Wolves travel, they like to stay in packs to help protect each other. They do what they can to increase their safety. Wisconsin Wolves’ mating season happens between the months of February and March. The mother wolf is pregnant for around sixty-three days and then she gives birth to four to six cute little pups. Don’t ever try to mess with the pups because the parents will protect them with all of their strength. What is interesting about Wolves is that sometimes the male and female once paired, will mate for life. Wolves have many advantages to their existence. One major advantage is that they can use their loud howl to either call their pack together or warn the others of nearby danger. A Wolf also put a scent on the trees around them to warn others of their territory. The color of their fur also helps them to blend into their surroundings when going after prey or hiding from lurking predators. One of the problems that Wisconsin Wolves have is loss of their habitat. This is due to: logging, bad storms, and other natural events. Another downfall for the Wolves is that a good number of humans like to hunt Wolves for their beautiful fur. Wolves also put out benefits for other animals in the wild. Wolves tend to leave some of their meals unfinished so other animals naturally don’t have to look very hard to find their dinner some nights. The only predators that a wolf seems to have so far are humans and other Wolves. Wild Wolves are known to live up to thirteen years. If they are captive they get to be up to sixteen years old. Wisconsin Wolves are a very interesting animal; If you get the chance to see one, take a picture! It is a moment of a lifetime. One interesting fact about the wolf is that the leader of the pack is called an alpha. Wolves are also known as the largest member of the canine species. They can get to be pretty large. Did you know that a pack of howling Wolves can be heard by humans from as far as 10 miles away? Also, if they need to, a wolf can go up to two weeks without food. Wisconsin Wolves are an amazing canine!
We receive a great many enquiries from international parents looking for specialist support for their child in a UK school because this is simply not available in their own country. SEN teaching is highly developed in UK private schools and we can usually find a suitable school for a child. Bear in mind, however, that additional learning support in a boarding school will incur an extra cost and specialist SEN school fees are much higher than those of a mainstream school. There are numerous types of SEN which can cause learning difficulties for children. The most common is dyslexia and it is estimated more than 4% of the UK population are dyslexic. However there are many other conditions that can affect a child’s ability to learn and progress at school, including: Most SENs are graded according to severity and there are several different types of school to cater for the various levels of need. There are specialist schools for each SEN and we find most to be wonderfully happy places. However, they are often avoided by parents who would much rather their child went to a mainstream school with a learning support unit. Unfortunately some parents still feel a stigma in having their child labelled as in need of specialist care. Our approach is generally to try to show parents both types of school, but of course this depends on the diagnosis of the condition and its severity. British boarding schools probably have the best learning support units in the world but before they will consider a child for admission they have to be sure they can provide the right support and facilities. That means that MOST schools will ask to see a recent Educational Psychologists report before they will allow parents to visit or register their child. Please discuss this with us first. If you do not have one, we can usually recommend an Educational Psychologist in London, but bear in mind it can take a month to get the report which then results in two visits to the UK. Next tip – start as young as you can. Most senior schools are "selective", meaning your child has to pass a stretching admissions test. The older they get, the more difficult this could be. If we can place a child in a preparatory boarding school, especially of the "all through" variety, it can make the transition / progress to senior school a lot easier. In the case of dyslexia the condition often is diagnosed around age 7 and thus it is preferable to get the child into the right school before the age of 10 if possible. Next issue – cost. Once you get to senior boarding school the average annual cost is now on average £30,000 +. If your child needs several extra learning support sessions with therapists per week, you could find the cost escalating to circa £40,000 per annum. If your child needs a specialist school, the cost could even rise to £50,000 to £70,000, especially if they are in need of constant supervision. Next issue for international parents – visa issues. Most mainstream boarding schools do not have a problem issuing CAS letters for visa applications. However some of the specialist schools do not have Tier 4 status, which means they cannot accept children needing visas. We handle many SEN assignments. They can take quite a long time and we have to charge consultancy fees. We don't take on cases unless we believe we can succeed – so best to call us first on +44 1622 813870 for a free initial consultation or complete an Enquiry Form We will need to see copies of your child’s previous school reports and the medical diagnosis.
The Beef: Male Menopause and Libido Foods Testosterone plays a large part when building muscle, but did you know that a diet low in fat will help you to not only lose weight, but also reduce your testosterone levels? “Today’s fashionable low-fat diets lower testosterone levels and contribute to a host of health problems,” said Kaayla Daniel, PhD and author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food. “This not only can affect the body’s capacity to build muscle, but the libido and fertility,” she added. This is disturbing. The Mayo Clinic explains that it is normal and quite typical for testosterone levels to decline as men age. In fact, two Beverly Hills aging consultants concluded that Michael Jackson may have been suffering from — get this: “male menopause.” Karen Norris and Eve Michaels of simplyageless411.com explains that, “Male menopause – clinically diagnosed as andropause – is the period in a man’s life when the production of a vital number of hormones, particularly testosterone, begins to decline. Common symptoms include chronic fatigue, mood swings, depression, anxiety, memory loss, among others.” Anything is possible when it comes to hormones in Los Angeles, so perhaps these ladies are correct. Poor MJ. According to Genie James, a “sexpert” and author of In the Mood Again, “Studies have shown that dietary fats, specifically Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs, can contribute to testosterone production. The most common being omega-3 and omega-6, found in fish oil, flax seeds, avocados, almonds and spinach.” James also suggested eating foods high in zinc, specifically liver, “when your body does not have enough zinc, the pituitary gland is prevented from releasing Luteinizing (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormones (FSH), which promote testosterone production.” “Beef is rich in protein and zinc – two nutrients, key to optimizing testosterone and muscle building potential,” says Christian Finn, of thefactsaboutfitness.com. “Animal protein is high in minerals (i.e. zinc) and nutrients such as carnitine,” said Dr Brooke Kalanick a naturopathic doctor specializing in weight loss. However, with hormone levels so rampant in the beef industry, you may want to consider grass-fed. High in monounsaturated fat (MUFA), walnuts, almonds, peanuts, hemp seeds and even avocados (more of a fruit, not really a nut) all contain EFAs. MUFAs have been proven to contribute to weight loss while providing fats that promote testosterone levels. Head over to the fresh produce for this edible fungi. Mushrooms inhibit estrogen production and enzymes that promote testosterone conversion (bad). Mushrooms are also low in calories (90 percent water) and high in fiber. Did you know that the Pharaohs kept mushrooms for themselves? They were thought to provide strength and were therefore too good for commoners. You can buy them now for less than two bucks a pound at any common supermarket. This phallic fruit contains the blood-thinning bromelain enzyme, which has been found to increase a man’s libido. Bananas are also high in potassium and Vitamin B which help to increase energy (day and night). Bromelain is primarily found in pineapple which has been rumored to have other male specific enhancing properties. Hey, did you know that Bromelain is also sold in grocery stores as a meat tenderizer?
In response to our recent sunset photos on the Sea of Galilee Mark Hoffman sent a beautiful photo of a sunrise from Ein Bokek, a resort site located on the southern end of the west shore of the Dead Sea. When I asked Professor Hoffman for permission to elevate his photo to a post, he graciously granted it. The photo was made in January, 2014. The Mountains of Moab are visible to the East in the modern country of Jordan, and reflected in the waters of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is known as the Salt Sea in Genesis 14:3. Mark Hoffman writes a practical blog for teachers and preacher who use any sort of technology. It is called Biblical Studies and Technological Tools. The subtitle is “From scroll to screen… codex to computer….” There you will find lots of helpful material relating to Bible software programs. Last year I recommended two of his posts to my tour group. Others might enjoy these picture taking tips. - Picture Taking Tips on Biblical Site Tours – Part 1 - Picture Taking Tips on Biblical Site Tours – Part 2
As it says in the NIV version of Isaiah 45:12….”It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” This blog is about the wonders of the heavens that we can observe. When we observe and sketch scenes from those heavens from our backyard or during our travels, we find Parables of the Sky in many of the scenes. The inspiration page on www.christworksministries.org expresses many of those parables and scenes. This blog is an avenue to encourage observing and to discover the wonder of the created universe, which points to the attributes of God.
Atlantic City, resort city, Atlantic county, southeastern New Jersey, U.S., on the Atlantic Ocean. It lies on low, narrow, sandy, 10-mile- (16-km-) long Absecon Island, which is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait and several miles of meadows partly covered with water at high tide. The area was inhabited by Delaware Indians before English settlers arrived in the late 1670s. Development of the island as a summer resort was first envisioned by physician Jonathan Pitney, who arrived about 1820 and wanted to establish a health resort. He later headed a group that persuaded the Camden and Atlantic Railroad to make the place its eastern terminus. Its success spurred construction of another line, the Narrow Gauge Railroad, in 1877. Atlantic City’s mild winter climate, tempered by the Gulf Stream, made it a popular resort. Its famous Boardwalk, initially 8 feet (2 metres) wide and 1 mile (1.6 km) long, was built in 1870; it was later extended to a width of 60 feet (18 metres) and a length of 5 miles (8 km). Other innovations enhancing the resort’s reputation included the rolling chair (1884), in which guests were wheeled about, the introduction from Germany of the picture postcard (1895), and saltwater taffy. Amusement piers, jutting from the Boardwalk into the ocean, brought a carnival atmosphere with their vendors, shows, and exhibits. The largest, Steel Pier, is 2,300 feet (700 metres) long. The construction of Convention Hall (1929, new wing completed in 1972), with its 41,000-seat auditorium, made Atlantic City a popular convention site. The Miss America Pageant, held there annually in September, was established in 1921, discontinued in 1928, and revived in 1935. Atlantic City’s resort trade declined in the decades following World War II. In hopes of reviving the city’s stagnating economy, a statewide referendum legalizing gambling in Atlantic City was passed in 1976. As a consequence, the first legal gambling casino in the United States located outside the state of Nevada opened on the Boardwalk in May 1978. The development of gambling resorts provided an influx of jobs and money, but much of Atlantic City beyond the Boardwalk remained blighted and impoverished. Tourism remains the mainstay of the economy. The city also is a trade and shipping centre for agricultural products and seafood and has light manufacturing (textiles, candy, glassware, and china). Absecon Lighthouse State Historic Site is nearby; the 167-foot (51-metre) lighthouse was in service from 1857 to 1933. The Historic Towne of Smithville, 6 miles (10 km) north, has restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings including a general store, a gristmill, and an inn. Greater Atlantic City embraces the down-beach communities of Ventnor, Margate, and Longport and the mainland communities of Absecon, Pleasantville, Northfield, Linwood, and Somers Point. On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall at the New Jersey shore, causing extensive damage; in Atlantic City, it destroyed large portions of the Boardwalk, severely eroded the beach, and inundated some four-fifths of the city. Inc. 1854. Pop. (2000) 40,517; Atlantic City–Hammonton Metro Area, 252,552; (2010) 39,558; Atlantic City–Hammonton Metro Area, 274,549.
Report: Buried chemicals on Camp Carroll removed in 1979-80 By ASHLEY ROWLAND \| STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 23, 2011 The 8th Army said Monday that chemicals were buried at Camp Carroll in 1978 but were removed during the following two years, a finding that could back claims made last week by U.S. veterans who said they helped bury Agent Orange there. A 1992 Army Corps of Engineers environmental assessment found that a “large number” of drums containing pesticides, herbicides and solvents were buried at the base. The study did not say if Agent Orange was among those chemicals, according to an 8th Army news release. Three former soldiers told a Phoenix television station last week that they helped bury the toxic chemical — used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War — at Camp Carroll in the late 1970s and continue to suffer health problems related to their exposure to it. According to the study, the chemicals and between 40 and 60 tons of soil were removed in 1979 and 1980 and disposed of outside the base. “Eighth Army officials are still trying to determine why the materials were buried and how it was disposed after it was excavated,” the release said. Subsequent testing in 2004 revealed trace amounts of dioxin, a component of Agent Orange, in one of 13 test holes bored at and around the site where the chemicals where buried, according to the release. That amount was not large enough to be hazardous to human health, the 8th Army said. The U.S. and South Korea have launched their own investigations into the matter, and agreed over the weekend to conduct a joint investigation. Officials from both countries toured the base Saturday and were briefed on past testing at Camp Carroll. A larger group that included environmental experts, a representative from an environmental activist group, and three local officials toured the base Monday. More environmental data was to be given to a representative from South Korea’s Ministry of Environment on Monday, the 8th Army said. A ministry official said that analysts have collected soil and water samples from outside Camp Carroll but have not received results yet. He also said that the ministry will not interview the three soldiers who claimed to have buried Agent Orange at the base because officials do not believe it is necessary. Activists have held small protests outside the base in the past few days, according to South Korean media reports. U.S. officials, including USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp, have said that its investigation will be as transparent as possible. Approximately 3,850 people work at Camp Carroll and 900 people live there.
Study Shows Facebook a form of Peer Influence Social network sites like Facebook and MySpace do have an impact on a teen’s choice to smoke or drink, a new study shows. According to the study, teens that see pictures of their friends drinking or smoking on social networking sites are more likely to take part in those activities as well. The study was done by the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, and published in the September edition of the Journal of Adolescent Health. Principal investigator Thomas W. Valente, PhD, said, “Our study shows that adolescents can be influenced by their friends’ online pictures to smoke or drink alcohol,” and that online behaviors are a viable source of peer influence. “This is important to know, given that 95 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States access the Internet every day, and 80 percent of those youth use online social networking sites to communicate,” added Grace C. Huang, PhD, co-author of the study. Being Responsible Online Not only do photos and posts about risky behavior have a negative influence on other teens, but they can easily cause problems with a teen’s future career and reputation. Young adults often fail to think about the repercussions that can occur because of their online posts, and they carelessly display information and details that can tarnish their reputation. Because of the extended periods of time teens regularly spend on social media sites, it is important to continue to educate adolescents about the dangers of substance abuse and risky behaviors, and encourage them to be more responsible in their online posts. “Our study suggests that it may be beneficial to teach teens about the harmful effects of posting risky behaviors online and how those displays can hurt their friends,” added Dr. Huang.
The MARSH school has invited “Atrium”'s headers to lead one of the design studios for the first year students of Magistracy. September 10, 2015, at the Open Day, dedicated to just design studios, Anton Nadtochiy and Vera Butko presented their studio 'Re-Formation ", in which they offer future architects to focus on the process of creation and the birth of form. To think about what justified a formal decision – function plot, the criteria of appropriateness, the author's idea? What are the means and tools enjoyed the architect when designing forms, defined as iconic? What is its specificity, depending on the type of building? Can a building be iconic and does not stand out of context? During the course of study, which will be held in the second half of the training year, students will have to find answers to these questions and apply them to specific objects. These are objects of public, social and residential functions on the basis of developing master-plan of the village for 10 thousand of residents. The village founded in a unique lake region is strategically located between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and one of the Russian developers in the near future plans to turn it into a new tourist cluster. The same developer being very interested in the future village's architecture of really high quality, mandatory for 'Re-Formations's participants will organize a special tour to the place. After all, studio's leaders are convinced that the form – this is the answer to solve the problem, growing out of the aggregate function and context, place and circumstances. And visiting local scenic area, students will be able to learn the most important skill of the architect – the choice of a formal strategy. It determines the quality of the architectural object as a piece of art.
An overhead view of Texas Motor Speedway. According to Dr. Dean Sicking, having poles in or around netting could be dangerous for drivers. IndyCar: Crash expert wants to eliminate fence posts March 8, 2012 Dr. Dean Sicking's career spent preventing the injury and death of race car drivers has earned him a major say in motorsports safety matters—and in the debate between the Izod IndyCar Series, its drivers and Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage about the positioning of the track's catch-fence poles, Sicking told Autoweek in an email he “cannot say that having the posts in front of the wire [as they are at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway] was a major safety issue. It is a bigger problem than having the posts behind the netting, but not much.” The positioning of poles has become an issue since the death of driver Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which, like TMS, has support-poles located inside the mesh. Wheldon perished as a result of a head injury caused by contact with a pole, though an IndyCar report noted that positioning of the pole was not a fatal factor. However, Sicking, director of the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, assistant professor of engineering at the University of Nebraska and one of the developers of the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier, said the elimination of all poles is a prime safety goal. Sicking told Autoweek: “The following represents my best understanding of how most of these systems work: “1) When a vehicle strikes the fence netting in front of a post, it tends to be contained by the netting. However, the netting deflects a lot and bends around the post. The bottom line is that the fence material doesn't generate a lateral force until it deflects quite a bit. This causes the netting to generate what we call a pocket behind the post. Whatever part of the car that is leading, front or back will be caught in the pocket and the pole strikes the middle of the car, where the driver is often contacted directly and he/she dies. For this, ‘most common' impact condition, having the fence on the front side versus the backside is of little import. “2) The only time that the posts on the front of the wire would be likely to matter is when the car is basically traveling parallel to the fence and the post is contacted by either the driver's head (IndyCar) or a stiff part of the car (NASCAR). This impact condition is relatively rare, but it does happen. “I think that having posts in close proximity to the wire is the problem. I am afraid that many people want to say that if we just move the posts behind the fence, all would be well. Nothing could be further from the truth. Having the posts behind the netting is akin to being shot in the head with a .38 instead of a .357. Most of the time, the outcome is the same. I want to get rid of the gun [posts], not reduce the powder behind the bullet.''
Giant, lizardlike beasts with teeth strong enough to puncture clamshells and equipped with short limbs and a long, paddle-shaped tail populated waterways some 200 million years ago. And now, two new species of these thalattosaurs have been added to the ranks. The two thalattosaurs, discovered by separate groups of scientists, are from different sides of the world — one from central Oregon and the other from China’s southwestern Guizhou province. Both species have yet to be named, but researchers shared their unpublished findings with Live Science in October at the 75th annual Society of Vertebrate Paleontology conference in Dallas. [Image Gallery: Ancient Monsters of the Sea] Thalattosaurs are semi-aquatic, meaning they hunted prey in the water but likely slept on land, much like seals and sea lions. “They’re kind of known for being weird,” said Eric Metz, a graduate student in the geosciences department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. For instance, some thalattosaurs had no teeth, while others, including the new species in Oregon, sported teeth on the roofs of their mouths, which likely helped them crush mollusks, Metz told Live Science. Until now, scientists knew of just five species of thalattosaur that lived in North America during the Triassic period. But the new specimens — there are at least seven in all — bring that tally to six, Metz said. The North American thalattosaur remains were found in rocks dating to about 235 million to 228 million years ago, making them the oldest known vertebrate remains in Oregon, he said. These thalattosaurs lived on a volcanic island off the coast of Oregon, but that land has since been pushed inland, and now sits in the central part of the state, Metz said. The finding is “huge” because the thalattosaur remains belong to individuals of different ages, meaning researchers can study how the reptiles changed from youth to adulthood, Metz said. Moreover, the adults are the largest known North American thalattosaurs, measuring about 9.8 feet (3 meters) long from head to tail, he added. The species also had a downturned snout, which it likely used to break apart reefs made of mollusks and sponges, Metz said. The other new species of thalattosaur is slightly older, from rocks dating to the Middle Triassic, about 242 million to 235 million years ago. Researchers have found other thalattosaur remains in southwestern China since the 1990s, but this is the first time they have discovered fossils from the genus Xinpusaurus in the city of Xingyi in Guizhou province, said study researcher Zhi-Guang Li, a doctoral candidate of geology at Peking University in Beijing. The new species was found in 2011 alongside fossils of other marine reptiles, fishes and invertebrates, but it took a few years to analyze the new species of thalattosaur, Li said. It measures 6.9 feet (2.1 m) from its head to its slightly broken tail. Paleontologists have unearthed other thalattosaurs in Europe, China and North America, but these new finds may help researchers learn more about the ancient reptiles’ geographic range, anatomy and diversity, the researchers on both studies said.
Materials: Mahogany marine plywood, PVC toy train tracks, reclaimed rice bags of various origins, traditional nylon canvas bags, marine grade nylon roping, Tonkin bamboo, solar panels, LED spotlights & ropelights. A sculptural installation of the shell of a “junk boat” (an Ancient Chinese sailing ship intended to carry both cargo and people), the piece is a symbolic vessel which speaks to Canada’s proud history as a country of immigrants. Presented on the eve of Canada’s sesquicentennial, the sculpture is an ode to the many Chinese migrant workers that came to Canada with a dream to create a new life for themselves and their family, away from hardships they faced. The boat exists as both fact and fiction. It is a dream we envision in our minds as well as a physical object. The sail looks flimsy, almost drawn by a child. The hull is composed of train track-like pieces which reference the Asian Canadian experience of building the railway. They appear almost like dragon scales and the shape resembles the parapets of the Great Wall of China. The boat looks almost abandoned Saskatoon’s Chinatown neighborhood, metaphorically shipwrecked in a landlocked province. Although Tsang comes from a Chinese-Canadian background, the piece speaks more broadly to the nature of Canada, whose history was largely built on the dreams and aspirations of immigrants and refugees - a wonderful legacy which continues to this day.
British Military Hospital Bowen Road Hong Kong opened in 1907. It was built upon a hill and had a maximum capacity of 200 beds and about 12 regular QAIMNS (Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service) sisters who worked alongside Canadian Army Nursing Sisters and members of the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corps). The balconies of some of the wards overlooked the harbour giving staff and patients beautiful views. The book Sub Cruce Candida: A Celebration of One Hundred Years of Army Nursing has a panoramic photo of the British Military Hospital Bowen Road, Hong Kong. Because of the hill sedan chairs were used to carry the sick from the lower levels up the hill each morning (cited in the book Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (Famous Regts. S) by Juliet Piggott). In 1940 Shanghai Military Hospital was evacuated and many of the QAIMNS (Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service) sisters were posted to BMH Bowen Road Hong Kong. World War Two On the 7 December 1941 Britain declared war on Japan after the Japanese bombed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor at Oahu, Hawaii on the 7 December. Though at this time the US were not involved in World War Two Japan wanted to protect their move to Singapore by destroying the US Pacific Fleet. This unprovoked attack brought the USA into WWII and Great Britain became their ally and Japan their enemy. Within hours of the declaration of war the Japanese army attacked the garrisons in Hong Kong. A photograph of BMH Bowen Road, Hong Kong from the Second World War can be seen in The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese. The British troops held the garrisons as long as they could for there was no order to surrender or to retreat. War in the Far East was not expected until Britain declared war on the Japanese as an act of solidarity with America. So there was still wives and children of servicemen serving in Hong Kong and it was too late to evacuate many who wanted to stay and care for their husbands. Many had joined the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) where they assisted at Bowen Road Hong Kong Military Hospital. The BMH Bowen Road Hong Kong was running at full capacity at this time because a virulent strain of malaria was rife according to Quiet Heroines: Nurses of the Second World War by Brenda McBryde. QA Sister Edith Dyson was the Matron of the Bowen Road Hospital and after the war Colonel Dyson became the Commandant of Queen Alexandra Camp the QARANC Depot and Training Establishment in 1950 (cited in the book Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (Famous Regts. S) by Juliet Piggott. Theatre Sister Kathleen Thomson was the first nurse in Hong Kong to learn of Britain being at war with Japan when the duty sergeant telephoned her to say: The CO's compliments Sister, and Great Britain has declared war on Japan. More can be read about this Black Christmas in The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese. Burnt Vengeance - How will a dying patient in a hospice take his revenge? What are his final wishes and what will his solicitor reveal when she reads out his Last Will and Testament? 5-star author C.G. Buswell brings another story from his dark, tempestuous mind. Burnt Vengeance will have you screaming for the light and grappling with your imagination as you try to quell your fear. If you like this page and would like to easily share it with your friends and family please use the social networking buttons below: Japan Air Attack On Hong Kong Japan then attacked the RAF airfield and destroyed all but one plane on Hong Kong within hours of the declaration of war. The Japanese pilots then commenced an aerial attack on the Island and the first bomb hit the kitchens of British Military Hospital Bowen Road Hong Kong. In the event of an attack upon Hong Kong there had been emergency plans to obtain extra medical supplies from the cellars of nearby St Albert's Convent on Rosary Hill. The Convent would also be used as an auxiliary hospital and was indeed opened by Lt Colonel Rudolph (RAMC) as the Commanding Officer with Sister Kathleen Thomson as acting Matron. They were assisted by 2 QAs and several VADs and members of the Chinese St John's Ambulance Brigade ( cited in Quiet Heroines: Nurses of the Second World War). Casualties soon arrived at both Hong Kong hospitals as a result of the bombing. Because the RAF planes had been destroyed, the Royal Navy ships nearby had been sunk and the Japanese Navy ruled the seas, there was little hope of help for the British garrison. Troops bravely defended the garrison alongside the Hong Kong Defence Corps whilst the nurses courageously attended to the wounded. The nursing staff had to work in darkness because the continual bombing had shattered windows and caused further injuries to patients. So each window was shuttered closed to protect from flying glass and the only light was from hurricane lamps though these proved dangerous to use so the nurses and doctors had to work by pocket torch. Sister Mary Currie As the battle continued more hospitals were opened to cope with the increased wounded. These were at the Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Hotel, the St Stephen's Boys' School at Stanley and the University. These were staffed by QAs from Bowen Road such as Sister Mary Currie who was later awarded the RRC. She was later moved to the temporarily hospital at St Albert's Convent when Sister Kathleen Thomson was seriously wounded when a shell fell when visiting the temporarily Sisters Mess for a hot meal. Sadly the same bombardment killed Sister Brenda Morgan. Sister Kathleen Thomson was evacuated to the civilian Queen Mary's Hospital in Hong Kong for an emergency operation. In the book Women Who Went to War by Eric Taylor she is called Matron Kathleen Thomas and he describes how astonished she was that the Japanese troops were able to overrun the British Army: I shall never forget my first sight of our Japanese conquerors; grubby little men, with bicycles, in dirty khaki uniform and white tennis shoes, wearing tin hats. Surely, I thought, a British garrison cannot have surrendered to men like these? First Japanese Troops to Enter Hong Kong The bombing continued until the 18 December 1941 when the first Japanese troops entered Hong Kong from the mainland. Their first target was the water supply of Hong Kong and they achieved this by capturing the main water reservoir. This made life within the hospitals harsh and medical supplies were restricted after ten RAMC personnel were killed by the Japanese troops at the medical supply base. The next day a doctor ran into theatre and announced The Japs are here. Sister Currie was assisting the surgeon and without a thought for her own safety grabbed her helmet and ran to her young nurses. She was met by armed Japanese troops with fixed bayonets and was captured and tied up and taken outside. She was hit by a Japanese soldier with his rifle butt who tripped over her legs. She became angry and berated him for not obeying the Geneva Convention for their prisoners of war who were medical personnel. This attracted the attention of a Japanese officer who had been educated at Oxford University. She informed him that she had tried her utmost to respect his dead General. She took him to the General's body in the mortuary. Looking from the body to the English woman the officer asked Do Englishwomen never cry? To which Sister Mary Currie replied Not when they have work to do (cited in the book Sisters In Arms: British Army Nurses Tell Their Story. The officer was so impressed by her behaviour that he left Sister Mary Currie in charge of the temporarily hospital whilst he would remain to ensure the safety of her fellow nurses. These were the only nurses at Hong Kong to escape the atrocities by the Japanese troops and many of the VADs wrote to the QAIMNS Matron in Chief after the war and to tell her about the courage of Sister Mary Currie and she was awarded the Royal Red Cross medal. The letter survives at the AMS Museum and is cited in the book Sisters In Arms: British Army Nurses Tell Their Story. Staff and patients at the other hospitals on Hong Kong Island did not have such security and were victims of many brutal attacks. Nurses were raped, patients murdered in their beds and much looting took place, especially alcohol stores. RAMC officers like Captain Whitney and Dr George Black who tried to stop such atrocities by the Japanese troops were shot dead and their bodies mutilated by the bayonets of the Japanese soldiers. One nurse tried to stop a Japanese soldier from ripping off the dressings of a wounded British soldier and both were bayoneted together Quiet Heroines: Nurses of the Second World War. St Stephen's Hospital The first person to be killed at St Stephen's was 65 year old Dr Black who was the civilian superintendent (cited in the book Women Who Went to War by Eric Taylor). Dr Black was a veteran of World War One and stood in the doorway in an attempt to halt the drunken Japanese troops entering the hospital. He was shot in the chest and bayoneted to death. Fifty six British personnel were killed within a thirty minute drunken rampage at St Stephen's Hospital though some patients were able to hid in cupboards despite their painful wounds and injuries. Nurses, still thinking of their patients rather than their own safety, had been able to hide patients before the arrival of the Japanese army. When the Japanese arrived the QA nurses were targeted and repeatedly raped over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One patient who had been hidden by the nurses was Lance Corporal Harding of the Middlesex Regiment who had bad injuries to both legs. He was hidden in a wicker laundry basket and had to watch helplessly through its slats as the nurses were attacked and dragged to a nearby room to be raped (cited in the book Women Who Went to War by Eric Taylor). The VAD and Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps nurses and assistants were murdered. Late on the 25 December the soldiers ordered the staff and patients that had survived the atrocities to bring all the furniture into the grounds to form a bonfire. This was used by the Japanese troops to burn the bodies of their murder victims and any evidence of their atrocities such as the bloodied mattresses. The surviving QAs were released and returned to BMH Bowen Road Hong Kong to continue to nurse despite their terrible ordeal. Alcohol supplies were destroyed to prevent any further atrocities from drunk Japanese soldiers. Other first hand accounts of the St Stephen’s Hospital massacre can be read in Deadly December The Battle of Hong Kong. The first QA Prisoners of War (POWs) of the Second World War were captured by the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941 at British Military Hospital Bowen Road, Hong Kong. The garrison finally surrendered at 0045 hours on the 26 December 1941 and POWs were taken to a POW camp Shamshuipo. Nursing staff were kept at their hospitals to tend the wounded who were too ill to take to the POW camps. There was still the threat of rape by the Japanese and RAMC doctors had to protect their QA comrades as best they could until the Japanese authority restored a form of law and order. Matrons like Matron Franklin had to hide with her fellow nurses such as Sister Freda Davies whilst doctors bluffed their way around soldiers looking for females and directing them to rooms and areas which were empty of nurses. St Albert's Convent British Military Hospital Discipline was finally maintained by the Japanese attackers and more wounded patients and their nurses were transferred to St Albert's Convent British Military Hospital from other hospitals such as the Naval Hospital at Wanchai. A tented hospital was set up in the grounds. Food and water were in short supply at the Convent Hospital and the Bowen Road Hospital. Nursing duties were resumed and command was taken over by Major Saito of the Japanese Director of Medical Service. The patients and staff of St Albert's were then removed and the building used exclusively by the Japanese army. By this time Miss Kathleen Thomson returned as Matron having recovered from her wounds and operation. She and her nurses were taken to St Theresa's Convent to work with the French nuns in caring for the wounded. They were only given one hour by the Japanese to remove the patients, medical supplies, mattresses and linen. The Japanese allowed Major Officer and Sergeant Major Foster of the RAMC to work at St Theresa's Convent. Many patients died from their wounds and also from malnutrition because the Japanese would only release minimum food like rice and vegetables like spinach and turnip. This worsened cases of dysentery. Staff members fell to ill health and one VAD died. Despite the Japanese having stores of medical supplies they would not release any to the RAMC or QAIMNS. Civilian women in Hong Kong also suffered from the atrocities by the Japanese troops. For example one district was turned into a brothel and the women made to work as prostitutes. European women were raped then shot and bayoneted. St Theresa's Convent hospital was closed by the Japanese in August 1942 and the male patients and staff taken to the Shamshuipo Camp whilst the female staff were taken to the Stanley Internment Camp on Hong Kong Island where they were interned for three and a half years Salesian Mission Advanced Dressing Station The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese describes the atrocities that took place at the Advanced Dressing Station at the Salesian Mission at Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong. The Commanding Officer was Major Barfill, RAMC and most of the treated casualties were from the Rajput Regiment. The Japanese overran the buildings with orders to kill enemy soldiers, despite the staff being non combatants and under the protection of the Geneva Convention. The Japanese soldiers stripped doctors and robbed them of jewellery and money. One group of five RAMC doctors were made to kneel naked on the grass and then each in turn were shot in the head by a Japanese officer. The QAs and Major Barfill were made to watch. Other officers from the Japan army then drew their katana swords and hacked at the heads and bodies of members of the Royal Rifles of Canada who were working in the hospital or driving ambulances. Ten members of the RAMC were also murdered in this manner. Miraculously the members of the QAIMNS were unharmed and told to go home by the Japanese. Stanley Internment Camp The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese describes how Bowen Road Hospital was turned into a Prisoner of War Camp A by the Japanese in December 1941. The staff and patients were locked in by an electric fence and supplies were not allowed in. This gave the QAs many challenges from lack of equipment, dressings, drugs and even food. The Japanese effectively used beatings, intimidation and starvation as a means to control the staff and patients and reduce moral. Many deaths occurred due to this regime of starvation and neglect. St Theresa's Convent and Bowen Road Hospital were closed by Japan in August 1942 and the QAIMNS Sisters were taken to Stanley Internment Camp whilst the men were taken to Shamshuipo Camp. The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese describes the Stanley Internment Camp as being called the second best camp in the Japanese gulag. Matron "Billy" Dyson took charge of the 18 nurses who were a mixture of QAs, Navy nurses and Canadian nurses. Their daily life over the next few years is written in greater detail in The Real Tenko: Extraordinary True Stories of Women Prisoners of the Japanese by Mark Felton. The book Draftys Blunder by Bill Wessex gives a comprehensive account of the events that led to the fall of Hong Kong in the first of a trilogy. The novel develops as the character escapes from the Japanese invaders. Below is a photograph of Charles Henry Goodwin Sub Inspector of Kong Police in his uniform. He was awarded a 2nd Class Hong Kong Police Merit medal. Charles Goodwin was interned at the Stanley Internment Camp. This was his last picture taken before being captured and then taken to the Prisoner of War camp in Hong Kong. Just before his imprisonment he married a lady from Kowloon called Kwong Yuet. His wife, Kwong Yuet was sent to the Rosary Hill Red Cross Home. Many of his fellow Hong Kong policemen married at the same time in a mass wedding. The photo below is of the grave of Charles Henry Goodwin Sub Inspector Kong Police. Sadly he died whilst a POW in June 1944 aged just 44 years. Post War Years After the Second World War BMH Bowen Road in Hong Kong became a families hospital with a children's ward and maternity unit. In addition to caring for British servicemen's families QAs nurses Chinese and Ghurkha patients. In the mid 1950s there were riots in Hong Kong and fearing that they would spread to British Military Hospital Bowen Road the ward sisters were armed with pistols. Alteration work to the original British Military Hospital Bowen Road building started in November 1952 and was completed by January 1953. This included ten new rooms for the QA staff and a new sitting room and modern conveniences. The building was inspected by Colonel E.M.E. Dawe, MBE, RRC and Major K.C. Harvey before each room was allocated to the first Other Ranks of the QARANC. The inspection By Col Dawe was reported in a newspaper article in the Hong Kong Standard newspaper on Sunday the 22 February 1953 which is pictured below. The caption read New Quarters For RANC Inspected. The QAs arrived aboard HMT Empire Fowey on the 24 February 53. Though 15 QA nurses were expected 5 were posted to Singapore. The photo below was taken during an inspection at BMH Bowen Road Hong Kong children's ward in 1953 during a visit by General Keightley G.O.C. (General Officer Commanding). The General and his aides are wearing black armbands during the mourning period of the death of His Majesty King George. In the next photograph Gen Keightley can be seen chatting with the hospital chef, a Sergeant in the Army Catering Corps. In the next picture the General is inspecting an adult ward at Bowen Road Hospital accompanied by the ward sister. If you can identify the accompanying QA officers in this collection of photographs then please contact Qaranc.co.uk. It is thought that the QA Officer above is Major Mount. BMH Bowen Road became Island School in 1967. The new BMH Hong Kong building was opened in June 1967 at King's Park in the New Territories (cited in the book Sub Cruce Candida: A Celebration of One Hundred Years of Army Nursing). These four photos of BMH Hong Kong and the two black and white photos of the exterior of British Military Hospital Hong Kong further above were kindly provided by Roger Nixon who served there from 1958 to 1960 where he met his future wife who was a serving QA. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. This photo shows the Gate House at BMH Hong Kong: This image shows the QAs Billets at BMH Hong Kong: This photograph shows the front of BMH Hong Kong: This picture shows the billet under the path lab at BMH Hong Kong: The following photo of a group of nurses based at Bowen Road Hospital, Hong Kong around 1912c was found in a collection of photographs belonging to a male nurse of the RAMC who served in Hong Kong for around 11 years before being transferred to No 8 Field Hospital in Rouen at the outbreak of WW1. It is thought that they are not members of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). 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Prof debuts miniature laser diode for fast networking And even faster hair removal Miniature laser diodes emitting intense single wavelength light could speed data networking. A professor Denis Deppe of the University of Central Florida has invented a new small laser diode that has fewer impurities in it. This brings several benefits. Firstly, the emitted light has a single wavelength, making its detection easier. Secondly, the light is very intense although it does need a high voltage to create it. Thirdly, the diode itself is stronger than current diodes and more resistant to cracking and failure. Deppe says these advantages makes it a good fit for laser requirements in CD and DVD players, optical mice, laser pointers – but really, this is not "big" news, and data networking, where it could potentially be huge. He says the small size of his laser diodes, their purity level and cracking resistance means they could be embedded inside optical cables and used for heavy data transmission. Deppe said: "The new laser diodes represent a sharp departure from past commercial devices in how they are made. The new devices show almost no change in operation under stress conditions that cause commercial devices to rapidly fail... At the speed at which the industry is moving, I wouldn't be surprised if in four to five years, when you go to Best Buy to buy cables for all your electronics, you'll be selecting cables with laser diodes embedded in them." One problem area is the relatively high voltage needed to make the diodes work, but Deppe seems confident that this problem can be cracked. The university release says: "Massive amounts of data could be moved across great distances almost instantaneously ... By using the tiny lasers in optical clocks, the precision of GPS and high-speed wireless data communications also would increase."
The story of the natural history of Australia is unique. The Reefs and Rainforests of North Queensland offer a journey back in time. Back to the time of Gondwana when the land was first formed. Thala Beach Nature Reserve embraces the mystery of Gondwana by showcasing the harmony of nature. Thala is proudly Eco certified and has been awarded the highest Ecotourism accreditation for maximising informative & meaningful experiences, whilst enhancing the local environment. The Thala Experience adheres to the principals of Ecotourism. Natural Area Focus Thala is built atop a private peninsular jutting into the Coral Sea, surrounded by miles of World Heritage coastline and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on the seaward side. The private beachfront has been left as nature intended it to be. Thala’s magnificent 145 acre peninsular has six different habitats concentrated into this small area. Ancient littoral rainforest, casuarinas and mangroves lap the beach, while dry eucalypt woodland, gallery forest and coconuts occupy the higher ground and inland creeks. Each habitat attracts its own unique species. In the early 1970’s Rob & Oonagh Prettejohn purchased the 145 acre Peninsula. At the time Thala only had 45 acres of the original forest. The balance of 100 acres had been cleared and was a degraded, unsustainable sugar cane plantation. Environmental sensitivities were not as they are today and planning approval at the time would have allowed for a 700 bedroom hotel to be built! Fortunately as locals with a feel for a low impact on this wonderful environment, this was not their style. They planted many thousands of indigenous plants to rehabilitate the area and start its return back to a wild natural state. The lodge is built out of natural sustainable materials in a low impact style that does not set out to dominate the surrounding landscape. Thala is proudly supporting the environmental charity the Australian Rainforest Foundation. The Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF) is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation dedicated to education, research and habitat rehabilitation for Australia’s rainforests. The ARF builds global awareness and support for Australia’s rainforests by funding enhancement programs made possible through investment, sponsorship and donations from corporate and private citizens. Although endorsed and supported by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments the ARF believes that Australia’s Rainforests can not survive without the help of ‘every day’ citizens from Australia and around the world. Contribution to Conservation Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a beacon of hope as mankind progresses from being the demolisher to the conserver and now to the environmental benefactor. Over a period of 30 years, owners Rob and Oonagh Prettejohn have shepherded the re-establishment of complex forests on land that was once cleared and devastated by extractive farming. With the return of the forests, wildlife populations have exploded bringing their pulsating natural energy. Rob and Oonagh employ wildlife specialists who are on hand to guide guests in the forests, the beaches or along the rocky headlands. This is done in a personalised quiet and unregimented fashion. Complimentary tours are designed so guests can enjoy the thrill of making their very own discoveries. They might see rare snub-finned Dolphins, followed soon afterwards by a resident Osprey diving for fish to feed her chicks. Then delicately treading along sandy paths through the magnificent rainforest with its many species of tropical birds and butterflies. Guests are encouraged to add new sightings to the growing lists recorded. Thala has many permanent guests. They are recognizable by their wild temperament and generous covering of fur, feathers or scales. They are constantly surprising and delighting the transient humans. At night there is an observatory where guests are taken time travelling to the far reaches of The Milky Way. Working with Local Communities Recognising the importance of the spirit of our local indigenous communities Thala invites the elders of the KuKu – Yalanji community to take our guests through the journey of their culture. From healing plants to bush food the elders bring in leaves and seeds for guests to handle and learn their history and importance to the survival of this wonderful community. Musical instruments so important to the rites and rituals of the ancient peoples of this ancient land are a part of Thala’s experience. Thala is always grateful to the KuKu-Yalanji elders for their eager sharing of their ancient knowledge.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore desireth to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God."James 4:4 1. There is a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, which has been often supposed to be of the same import with this: "Be not conformed to this world:" (Rom. 12:2) But it has little or no relation to it; it speaks of quite another thing. Indeed the supposed resemblance arises merely from the use of the word world in both places. This naturally leads us to think that St. Paul means by conformity to the world, the same which St. James means by friendship with the world: whereas they are entirely different things, as the words are quite different in the original: for St. Paul's word is aiOn St. James's is kosmos. However, the words of St. Paul contain an important direction to the children of God. As if he had said, "Be not conformed to either the wisdom, or the spirit, or the fashions of the age; of either the unconverted Jews, or the Heathens, among whom ye live. You are called to show, by the whole tenor of your life and conversation, that you are 'renewed in the spirit of your mind', after the image of him that created you;' and that your rule is not the example or will of man, but 'the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.' " 2. But it is not strange, that St. James's caution against friendship with the world should be so little understood, even among Christians. For I have not been able to learn that any author, ancient or modern, has wrote upon the subject: No, not (so far as I have ever observed) for sixteen or seventeen hundred years. Even that excellent writer, Mr. Law, who has treated so well many other subjects, has not, in all his practical treatises, wrote one chapter upon it; no, nor said one word, that I remember, or given one caution, against it. I never heard one sermon preached upon it either before the University or elsewhere. I never was in any company where the conversation turned explicitly upon it even for one hour. 3. Yet are there very few subjects of so deep importance; few that so nearly concern the very essence of religion, the life of God in the soul; the continuance and increase, or the decay, yea, extinction of it. From the want of instruction in this respect the most melancholy consequences have followed. These indeed have not affected those who were still dead in trespasses and sins; but they have fallen heavy upon many of those who were truly alive to God. They have affected many of those called Methodists in particular; perhaps more than any other people. For want of understanding this advice of the Apostle, (I hope rather than from any contempt of it) many among them are sick, spiritually sick, and many sleep, who were once thoroughly awakened. And it is well if they awake any more till their souls are required of them. It has appeared difficult to me to account for what I have frequently observed: many who were once greatly alive to God, whose conversation was in heaven, who had their affections on things above, not on things of the earth; though they walked in all the ordinances of God, though they still abounded in good works, and abstained from all known sin, yea, and from the appearance of evil; yet they gradually and insensibly decayed; (like Jonah's gourd, when the worm ate the root of it) insomuch that they are less alive to God now, than they were ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. But it is easily accounted for, if we observe, that as they increased in goods, they increased in friendship with the world; Which, indeed, must always be the case, unless the mighty power of God interpose. But in the same proportion as they increased in this, the life of God in their soul decreased. 4. Is it strange that it should decrease, if those words are really found in the oracles of God: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" What is the meaning of these words? Let us seriously consider. And may God open the eyes of our understanding; that, in spite of all the mist wherewith the wisdom of the world would cover us, we may discern what is the good and acceptable will of God! 5. Let us, First, consider, what it is which the Apostle here means by the world. He does not here refer to this outward frame of things, termed in Scripture, heaven and earth; but to the inhabitants of the earth, the children of men, or at least, the greater part of them. But what part? This is fully determined both by our Lord himself, and by his beloved disciple. First, by our Lord himself. His words are, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: But because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. And all these things will they do unto you, because they know not him that sent me." (John 15:18, &c.) You see here "the world" is placed on one side, and those who "are not of the world" on the other. They whom God has "chosen out of the world," namely, by "sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth," are set in direct opposition to those whom he hath not so chosen. Yet again: Those "who know not him that sent me," saith our Lord, who know not God, they are "the world." 6. Equally express are the words of the beloved disciple: "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." (1 John 3:13, 14) As if he had said, "You must not expect any should love you, but those that have 'passed from death unto life.' " It follows, those that are not passed from death unto life, that are not alive to God, are "the world." The same we may learn from those words in the fifth chapter, verse 19, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one." [1 John 5:19] Here "the world" plainly means, those that are not of God, and who, consequently "Lie in the wicked one." 7. Those, on the contrary, are of God, who love God, or at least "fear him, and keep his commandments." This is the lowest character of those that "are of God;" who are not properly sons, but servants; who depart from evil, and study to do good, and walk in all his ordinances, because they have the fear of God in their heart, and a sincere desire to please him. Fix in your heart this plain meaning of the terms, "the world;" those who do not thus fear God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: It means neither more nor less than this. 8. But understanding the term in this sense, what kind of friendship may we have with the world? We may, we ought, to love them as ourselves; (for they also are included in the word neighbour) to bear them real good-will; to desire their happiness, as sincerely as we desire the happiness of our own souls; yea, we are in a sense to honour them, (seeing we are directed by the Apostle to "honour all men") as the creatures of God; nay, as immortal spirits, who are capable of knowing, of loving, and of enjoying him to all eternity. We are to honour them as redeemed by his blood who "tasted death for every man." We are to bear them tender compassion when we see them forsaking their own mercies, wandering from the path of life, and hastening to everlasting destruction. We are never willingly to grieve their spirits, or give them any pain; but, on the contrary, to give them all the pleasure we innocently can; seeing we are to "please all men for their good." We are never to aggravate their faults; but willingly to allow all the good that is in them. 9. We may, and ought, to speak to them on all occasions in the most kind and obliging manner we can. We ought to speak no evil of them when they are absent, unless it be absolutely necessary; unless it be the only means we know of preventing their doing hurt: Otherwise we are to speak of them with all the respect we can, without transgressing the bounds of truth. We are to behave to them, when present, with all courtesy, showing them all the regard we can without countenancing them in sin. We ought to do them all the good that is in our power, all they are willing to us receive from us; following herein the example of the universal Friend, our Father which is in heaven, who, till they will condescend to receive greater blessings, gives them such as they are willing to accept; "causing his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sending" his "rain on the just and on the unjust." 10. "But what kind of friendship is it which we may not have with the world? May we not converse with ungodly men at all? Ought we wholly to avoid their company?" By no means. The contrary of this has been allowed already. If we were not to converse with them at all, "we must needs go out of the world." Then we could not show them those offices of kindness which have been already mentioned. We may, doubtless, converse with them, First, on business; in the various purposes of this life, according to that station therein, wherein the providence of God has placed us; Secondly, when courtesy requires it; only we must take great care not to carry it too far: Thirdly, when we have a reasonable hope of doing them good. But here too we have an especial need of caution, and of much prayer; otherwise, we may easily burn ourselves, in striving to pluck other brands out of the burning. 11. We may easily hurt our own souls, by sliding into a close attachment to any of them that know not God. This is the friendship which is "enmity with God:" We cannot be too jealous over ourselves, lest we fall into this deadly snare; lest we contract, or ever we are aware, a love of complacence or delight in them. Then only do we tread upon sure ground, when we can say with the Psalmist, "All my delight is in the saints that are upon earth, and in such as excel in virtue." We should have no needless conversations with them. It is our duty and our wisdom to be no oftener and no longer with them than is strictly necessary. And during the whole time we have need to remember and follow the example of him that said, "I kept my mouth as it were with a bridle while the ungodly was in my sight." We should enter into no sort of connexion with them, farther than is absolutely necessary. When Jehoshaphat forgot this, and formed a connexion with Ahab, what was the consequence? He first lost his substance: "The ships" they sent out "were broken at Ezion-geber." And when he was not content with this warning, as well as that of the prophet Micaiah, but would go up with him to Ramoth-Gilead, he was on the point of losing his life. 12. Above all, we should tremble at the very thought of entering into a marriage-covenant, the closest of all others, with any person who does not love, or at least, fear God. This is the most horrid folly, the most deplorable madness, that a child of God can possibly plunge into; as it implies every sort of connexion with the ungodly which a Christian is bound in conscience to avoid. No wonder, then, it is so flatly forbidden of God; that the prohibition is so absolute and peremptory: "Be not unequally yoked with an unbeliever." Nothing can be more express. Especially, if we understand by the word unbeliever, one that is so far from being a believer in the gospel sense, -- from being able to say, "The life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" -- that he has not even the faith of a servant: He does not "fear God and work righteousness." 13. But for what reasons is the friendship of the world so absolutely prohibited? Why are we so strictly required to abstain from it? For two general reasons: First, because it is a sin in itself: Secondly, because it is attended with most dreadful consequences. First, it is a sin in itself; and indeed, a sin of no common dye. According to the oracles of God, friendship with the world is no less than spiritual adultery. All who are guilty of it are addressed by the Holy Ghost in those terms: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses." It is plainly violating of our marriage contract with God, by loving the creature more than the Creator; in flat contradiction to that kind command, "My son, give me thine heart." 14. It is a sin of the most heinous nature, as not only implying ignorance of God, and forgetfulness of him, or inattention to him, but positive "enmity against God." It is openly, palpably such. "Know ye not," says the Apostle, can ye possibly be ignorant of this, so plain, so undeniable a truth, "that the friendship of the world is enmity against God?" Nay, and how terrible is the inference which he draws from hence! "Therefore, whosoever will be a friend of the world," -- (the words, properly rendered, are, Whosoever desireth to be a friend of the world) of men who know not God, whether he attain it or not, -- is, ipso facto, constituted an enemy of God. This very desire, whether successful or not, gives him a right to that appellation. 15. And as it is a sin, a very heinous sin, in itself, so it is attended with the most dreadful consequences. It frequently entangles men again in the commission of those sins from which "they were clean escaped." It generally makes them "partakers of other men's sins," even those which they do not commit themselves. It gradually abates their abhorrence and dread of sin in general, and thereby prepares them for falling an easy prey to any strong temptation. It lays them open to all those sins of omission whereof their worldly acquaintance are guilty. It insensibly lessens their exactness in private prayer, in family duty, in fasting, in attending public service, and partaking of the Lord's Supper. The indifference of those that are near them, with respect to all these, will gradually influence them: Even if they say not one word (which is hardly to be supposed) to recommend their own practice, yet their example speaks, and is many times of more force than any other language. By this example, they are unavoidably betrayed, and almost continually, into unprofitable, yea, and uncharitable, conversation; till they no longer "set a watch before their mouth, and keep the door of their lips;" till they can join in backbiting, tale-bearing, and evil-speaking without any check of conscience; having so frequently grieved the Holy Spirit of God, that he no longer reproves them for it: Insomuch that their discourse is not now, as formerly, "seasoned with salt, and meet to minister grace to the hearers." 16. But these are not all the deadly consequences that result from familiar intercourse with unholy men. It not only hinders them from ordering their conversation aright, but directly tends to corrupt the heart. It tends to create or increase in us all that pride and self-sufficiency, all that fretfulness to resent, yea, every irregular passion and wrong disposition, which are indulged by their companions. It gently leads them into habitual self-indulgence, and unwillingness to deny themselves; into unreadiness to bear or take up any cross; into a softness and delicacy; into evil shame, and the fear of man, that brings numberless snares. It draws them back into the love of the world; into foolish and hurtful desires; into the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life, till they are swallowed up in them. So that, in the end, the last state of these men is far worse than the first. 17. If the children of God will connect themselves with the men of the world, though the latter should not endeavour to make them like themselves, (which is a supposition by no means to be made) yea, though they should neither design nor desire it; yet they will actually do it, whether they design it, and whether they endeavour it, or no. I know not how to account for it, but it is a real fact, that their very spirit is infectious. While you are near them, you are apt to catch their spirit, whether they will or no. Many physicians have observed, that not only the plague, and putrid or malignant fevers, but almost every disease men are liable to, are more or less infectious. And undoubtedly so are all spiritual diseases, only with great variety. The infection is not so swiftly communicated by some as it is by others. In either case, the person already diseased does not desire or design to infect another. The man who has the plague does not desire or intend to communicate his distemper to you. But you are not therefore safe: So keep at a distance, or you will surely be infected. Does not experience show that the case is the same with the diseases of the mind? Suppose the proud, the vain, the passionate, the wanton, do not desire or design to infect you with their own distempers; yet it is best to keep at a distance from them. You are not safe if you come too near them. You will perceive (it is well if it be not too late) that their very breath is infectious. It has been lately discovered that there is an atmosphere surrounding every human body, which naturally affects everyone that comes within the limits of it. Is there not something analogous to this, with regard to a human spirit? If you continue long within their atmosphere, so to speak, you can hardly escape the being infected. The contagion spreads from soul to soul, as well as from body to body, even though the persons diseased do not intend or desire it. But can this reasonably be supposed? Is it not a notorious truth, that men of the world (exceeding few excepted) eagerly desire to make their companions like themselves? Yea and use every means, with their utmost skill and industry, to accomplish their desire. Therefore, fly for your life! Do not play with the fire, but escape before the flames kindle upon you. 18. But how many are the pleas for friendship with the world! And how strong are the temptations to it! Such of these as are the most dangerous, and, at the same time, most common, we will consider. To begin with one that is the most dangerous of all others, and, at the same time, by no means uncommon. "I grant," says one, "the person I am about to marry is not a religious person. She does not make any pretensions to it. She has little thought about it. But she is a beautiful creature. She is extremely agreeable, and, I think, will make me a lovely companion." This is a snare indeed! Perhaps one of the greatest that human nature is liable to. This is such a temptation as no power of man is able to overcome. Nothing less than the mighty power of God can make a way for you to escape from it. And this can work a complete deliverance: His grace is sufficient for you. But not unless you are a worker together with him: Not unless you deny yourself, and take up your cross. And what you do, you must do at once! Nothing can be done by degrees. Whatever you do in this important case must be done at one stroke. If it is to be done at all, you must at once cut off the right hand, and cast it from you! Here is no time for conferring with flesh and blood! At once, conquer or perish! 19. Let us turn the tables. Suppose a woman that loves God is addressed by an agreeable man; genteel, lively, entertaining; suitable to her in all other respects, though not religious: What should she do in such a case? What she should do, if she believes the Bible, is sufficiently clear. But what can she do? Is not this A test for human frailty too severe? Who is able to stand in such a trial? Who can resist such a temptation? None but one that holds fast the shield of faith, and earnestly cries to the Strong for strength. None but one that gives herself to watching and prayer, and continues therein with all perseverance. If she does this, she will be a happy witness, in the midst of an unbelieving world, that as "all things are possible with God," so all "things are possible to her that believeth." 20. But either a man or woman may ask, "What, if the person who seeks my acquaintance be a person of a strong natural understanding, cultivated by various learning? May not I gain much useful knowledge by a familiar intercourse with him? May I not learn many things from him, and much improve my own understanding?" Undoubtedly you may improve your own understanding, and you may gain much knowledge. But still, if he has not at least the fear of God, your loss will be far greater than your gain. For you can hardly avoid decreasing in holiness as much as you increase in knowledge. And if you lose one degree of inward or outward holiness, all the knowledge you gain will be no equivalent. 21. "But his fine and strong understanding, improved by education, is not his chief recommendation. He has more valuable qualifications than these: He is remarkably good humoured: He is of a compassionate, humane spirit; and has much generosity in his temper." On these very accounts, if he does not fear God, he is infinitely more dangerous. If you converse intimately with a person of this character, you will surely drink into his spirit. It is hardly possible for you to avoid stopping just where he stops. I have found nothing so difficult in all my life as to converse with men of this kind (good sort of men, as they are commonly called) without being hurt by them. O beware of them! Converse with them just as much as business requires, and no more: Otherwise (though you do not feel any present harm, yet) by slow and imperceptible degrees, they will attach you again to earthly things, and damp the life of God in your soul. 22. It may be, the persons who are desirous of your acquaintance, though they are not experienced in religion, yet understand it well, so that you frequently reap advantage from their conversation. If this be really the case, (as I have known a few instances of the kind) it seems you may converse with them; only very sparingly and very cautiously; Otherwise you will lose more of your spiritual life than all the knowledge you gain is worth. 23. "But the persons in question are useful to me, in carrying on my temporal business. Nay, on many occasions, they are necessary to me; so that I could not well carry it on without them." Instances of this kind frequently occur. And this is doubtless a sufficient reason for having some intercourse, perhaps frequently, with men that do not fear God. But even this is by no means a reason for your contracting an intimate acquaintance with them. And you here need to take the utmost care, "lest even by that converse with them which is necessary, while your fortune in the world increases, the grace of God should decrease in your soul." 24. There may be one more plausible reason given for some intimacy with an unholy man. You may say, "I have been helpful to him. I have assisted him when he was in trouble. And he remembers it with gratitude. He esteems and loves me, though he does not love God. Ought I not then to love him? Ought I not to return love for love? Do not even Heathens and publicans so?" I answer, You should certainly return love for love; but it does not follow that you should have any intimacy with him. That would be at the peril of your soul. Let your love give itself vent in constant and fervent prayer. Wrestle with God for him. But let not your love for him carry you so far as to weaken, if not destroy, your own soul. 25. "But must I not be intimate with my relations; and that whether they fear God or not? Has not his providence recommended these to me?" Undoubtedly it has: But there are relations nearer or more distant. The nearest relations are husbands and wives. As these have taken each other for better for worse, they must make the best of each other; seeing, as God has joined the together, none can put them asunder; unless in case of adultery, or when the life of one or the other is in imminent danger. Parents are almost as nearly connected with their children. You cannot part with them while they are young; it being your duty to "train them up," with all care, "in the way wherein they should go." How frequently you should converse with them when they are grown up is to be determined by Christian prudence. This also will determine how long it is expedient for children, if it be at their own choice, to remain with their parents. In general, if they do not fear God, you should leave them as soon as is convenient. But wherever you are, take care (if it be in your power) that they do not want the necessaries or conveniences of life. As for all other relations, even brothers or sisters, if they are of the world you are under no obligation, to be intimate with them: You may be civil and friendly at a distance. 26. But allowing that "the friendship of the world is enmity against God," and consequently, that it is the most excellent way, indeed the only way to heaven, to avoid all intimacy with worldly men; yet who has resolution to walk therein? Who even of those that love or fear God? for these only are concerned in the present question. A few I have known who, even in this respect, were lights in a benighted land; who did not and would not either contract or continue any acquaintance with persons of the most refined and improved understanding, and the most engaging tempers, merely because they were of the world, because they were not alive to God: Yea, though they were capable of improving them in knowledge, or of assisting them in business: Nay, though they admired and esteemed them for that very religion which they did not themselves experience: A case one would hardly think possible. but of which there are many instances at this day. Familiar intercourse even with these they steadily and resolutely refrain from, for conscience sake. 28. But whatever others do, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, hear this, all ye that are called Methodists! However importuned or tempted thereto, have no friendship with the world. Look round, and see the melancholy effects it has produced among your brethren! How many of the mighty are fallen! How many have fallen by this very thing! They would take no warning: They would converse, and that intimately, with earthly-minded men, till they "measured back their steps to earth again!" O "come out from among them!" from all unholy men, however harmless they may appear; "and be ye separate:" At least so far as to have no intimacy with them. As your "fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ;" so let it be with those, and those only, who at least seek the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. So "shall ye be," in a peculiar sense, "my sons and my daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Black women drive turnout for the black community and are one of the most progressive voting blocs in the country. They demonstrate high levels of support for progressive issues such as police reform, raising the minimum wage and protecting Social Security. Moreover, the majority of black women have an economically liberal view of government. Sixty-six percent of black women polled believe that the government should implement policies to shrink the gap between the rich and poor compared with 50% of all voters. Without black women, Barack Obama would not have won the White House in 2012. Black women voters delivered the key battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida for Obama, where he picked up 67 additional electoral votes. Without those states, Obama would have been five electoral votes shy of winning the presidency, and the black community would have lost the progressive policies ushered in by his leadership.
The DAMA/LIBRA experiment is a particle detector experiment designed to detect dark matter using the direct detection approach, by using a scintillation detector to search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) in the galactic halo. The experiment aims to find an annual variation of the number of detection events, caused by the variation of the velocity of the detector relative to the dark matter halo as the Earth orbits the Sun. It is located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. It is a follow-on to the DAMA/NaI experiment which observed an annual modulation signature over 7 annual cycles (1995-2002). The detector is made of 25 highly radiopure scintillating thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) crystals placed in a 5 by 5 matrix. Each crystal is coupled to two low background photomultipliers. The detectors are placed inside a sealed copper box flushed with highly pure nitrogen; to reduce the natural environmental background the copper box is surrounded by a low background multi-ton shield. In addition, 1 m of concrete, made from the Gran Sasso rock material, almost fully surrounds this passive shield. The installation has a 3-level sealing system which prevents environmental air reaching the detectors. The whole installation is air-conditioned and several operative parameters are continuously monitored and recorded. DAMA/LIBRA was upgraded in 2008 and in 2010. In particular, the upgrade in 2010 allows an increase of the set-up’s sensitivity, the lowering of the energy threshold, and several other kinds of investigations. Operation and results Data collection started in Sept 2003. The DAMA/LIBRA data released so far correspond to 4 and 7 annual cycles. Considering these data together with those by DAMA/NaI, a total exposure (1.17 ton x yr) has been collected over 13 annual cycles. This experiment has further confirmed the presence of model-independent evidence with high statistical significance on the basis of the dark matter signature. DAMA/LIBRA is sensitive to 2 keV to 20 keV and annual modulation is seen in the 2-6 keV range. Final phase 1 results were published in 2013, confirming an annual modulation. Interpretation and comparisons The obvious criticism of the seasonal variation of events recorded in the DAMA/LIBRA experiment is that it is in fact due to some purely seasonal effect unconnected with WIMPs. Although the deep underground location minimized temperature swings and other direct sunlight effects, there are annual humidity fluctuations and other non-obvious effects. At moment, all these criticisms are taken in account by DAMA collaboration in analysis of the experimental data and they have been excluded, as discussed in literatures. A repetition of this experiment in the Southern Hemisphere with the variation in phase with DAMA/LIBRA would discount this objection; if on the other hand variation was detected in the Southern Hemisphere that was 6 months out of phase with DAMA/LIBRA, then the seasonal variation objection would be upheld. An improved version of DAMA/LIBRA, named SABRE (Sodium-iodide with Active Background REjection) is under construction in two copies. One will be installed at LNGS, and the other will be installed in Australia at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, a laboratory being constructed 1025 m below the surface in a gold mine in Stawell, Victoria. First results are expected in 2017. - A. Bottino; et al. (2012). "Phenomenology of light neutralinos in view of recent results at the CERN Large Hadron Collider". Physical Review D. 85 (9): 095013. Bibcode:2012PhRvD..85i5013B. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.85.095013. - M. R. Buckley; et al. (2011). "Particle Physics Implications for CoGeNT, DAMA, and Fermi". Physics Letters B. 702 (4): 216. Bibcode:2011PhLB..702..216B. arXiv: . doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2011.06.090. - R. Bernabei; et al. (2013). "Final model independent result of DAMA/LIBRA-phase1". European Physical Journal C. 73 (12): 2648. Bibcode:2013EPJC...73.2648B. arXiv: . doi:10.1140/epjc/s10052-013-2648-7. - C.E. Aalseth; et al. (2011). "Results from a Search for Light-Mass Dark Matter with a P-type Point Contact Germanium Detector". Physical Review Letters. 106 (13): 131301. Bibcode:2011PhRvL.106m1301A. PMID 21517370. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.131301. - C.E. Aalseth; et al. (2011). "Search for an Annual Modulation in a P-type Point Contact Germanium Dark Matter Detector". Physical Review Letters. 107 (14): 141301. Bibcode:2011PhRvL.107n1301A. PMID 22107183. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.141301. - M.T. Frandsen; et al. (2011). "On the DAMA and CoGeNT Modulations". Physical Review D. 84 (4): 041301. Bibcode:2011PhRvD..84d1301F. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.84.041301. - Dan Hooper, Chris Kelso (2011). "Implications of CoGeNT's New Results For Dark Matter". Physical Review D. 84 (8): 083001. Bibcode:2011PhRvD..84h3001H. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.84.083001. - A. Liam Fitzpatrick; et al. (2010). "Implications of CoGeNT and DAMA for Light WIMP Dark Matter". Physical Review D. 81 (11): 115005. Bibcode:2010PhRvD..81k5005F. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.81.115005. - A.V. Belikov; et al. (2011). "CoGeNT, DAMA, and Light Neutralino Dark Matter". Physics Letters B. 705 (1–2): 82. Bibcode:2011PhLB..705...82B. arXiv: . doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2011.09.081. - J.H. Davis (2014). "Fitting the Annual Modulation in DAMA with Neutrons from Muons and Neutrinos". Physical Review Letters. 113 (8): 081302. Bibcode:2014PhRvL.113h1302D. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.081302. - Klinger, J.; Kudryavtsev, V. A. (2015). "Muon-induced neutrons do not explain the DAMA data". Physical Review Letters. 114 (15): 151301. Bibcode:2015PhRvL.114o1301K. PMID 25933303. arXiv: . doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.151301.
One of the most confusing food allergies Mitch has to avoid is wheat. It's obvious he has to exclude everything with a wheat ingredient, but what all the other grains like wheat, oats, barley, rye? Is there a safe allergen-free replacement for these ingredients? Thankfully, yes. Here is some information that I've found about the various wheat, oats, barley, rye and gluten. Wheat, Oats, Barley Rye…Oh My! Wheat, barley, and rye are all a variety of wheat grass and they all contain gluten. Major cultivated species of wheat include common (bread) wheat, Durum wheat, Einkorn wheat, Emmer wheat, Spelt wheat, Hard wheat and Soft White wheat. The Kids with Food Allergies Foundation and The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network both have excellent cheat sheets to print and take along with you to help you read labels when shopping for wheat free food. I highly suggest printing both lists since both lists have unique ingredients on them and food avoidance is key. Oats are grains grown for their seeds. Oats themselves are gluten-free but are easily cross-contaminated when transported and/or processed. What's the difference? Oats are typically eaten by humans as oatmeal or rolled oats, while wheat is a raw product that is used to make flours for baking cakes and pastries. Grains that are good substitutions. Rice, Corn (Maize), Soy, Potato, Tapioca, Beans, Garfava, Sorghum, Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat, Arrowroot, Amaranth, Teff, Montina, Flax and Nut Flours are all good substitutions for wheat. But, can I eat oats? Uncontaminated oats yes. There are two companies who are producing and guarantee wheat and gluten-free oats and they are Gluten Free Oats and Gifts of Nature rolled oats. What about Gluten? Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye. Gluten is not only found in wheat and related species but can also be added as a stabilizer. Just because something is wheat free doesn't mean it is gluten-free. Individuals with a wheat allergy have a 20% chance of having a barley and rye (other grains) allergy as well. As always, if in doubt, go without.
On Software Engineering Daily, we often discuss big data in terms of data engineering and data science. Data engineering is the infrastructure and pipelines that handle massive amounts of data and puts that data in a data lake. With a data infrastructure in place, a data scientist can study the data and take action on it. A data scientist can also create visualizations–which is the subject of today’s episode. Aurelia Moser has a specialty in mapping and data visualization. We discussed how to create effective visualizations of our data, and the tools that can be used to collect and present our data. Whether you work at the New York Times or a small tech company, data visualizations are important, because visualizations can be used to communicate important trends across an organization. Aurelia will also be speaking at the upcoming Strata + Hadoop World Conference in San Jose. We’re partnering with O’Reilly to support this conference – if you want to go to Strata, you can save 20% off a ticket with our code PCSED.

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