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By Anatole Kaletsky
NEW YORK, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives decision to suspend the Treasury debt limit is the most important political event in America since President Barack Obama was first elected in 2008.
As anticipated in this column immediately after the 2012 election, Washington seems to have broken its addiction to deadly games of economic chicken. That, in turn, should mean an orderly resolution of all U.S. fiscal problems and perhaps even an outbreak of bipartisan political cooperation, at least on economic issues, of a kind not seen in Washington since the early 1990s.
None of these favorable outcomes is yet acknowledged as true in Washington or Wall Street. Political analysts and market pundits have almost unanimously described the House decision as a diversionary tactic, simply designed to shift the high-noon confrontation with Obama to a new battleground more favorable to the Republican side: the March 1 date for automatic spending cuts under the sequestration procedure, or the March 27 expiration date of current government budgets.
This cynicism will almost certainly be proved wrong. The obvious reason is that an army in full retreat, as the Republicans have been since the election and fiscal cliff fiasco, finds it hard to regroup against an enemy enjoying strong momentum. And when such a battered force does attempt a last stand, this usually results in a rout.
In this case, however, there are more specific reasons for the Republicans to seek peaceful coexistence instead of the fight-to-the-death over borrowing and spending that many pundits still predict. To see why House leaders decided to unilaterally disarm their nuclear weapons - first the fiscal cliff and now the debt ceiling - one has to understand the transformation in U.S. political dynamics that occurred the moment the votes were counted on Nov. 6.
Before the election, Republicans and their business backers had two overriding reasons to obstruct any deals with Obama on borrowing, spending or taxes. First, most Republicans genuinely expected to win the presidential election and therefore had every incentive to defer important decisions until their man was in power. Secondly, they calculated that any collateral damage inflicted on the economy through fiscal warfare would harm the incumbent president, whose Achilles' heel was economic policy. Once the election was over, this calculus completely changed.
Having failed to unseat Obama, Republicans were suddenly in a situation where sabotaging the economy was no longer in their interests. As I argued immediately after the election, and again during the fiscal cliff negotiations, the GOP had few incentives after Nov. 7 to just thwart Obama. Republicans now had to persuade voters that their policies would promote jobs and growth - and would do so immediately, not in some distant future when budgets would have to balance or else the United States would turn into Greece.
The election also changed motivations for the Republicans' business supporters. Instead of viewing Washington gridlock as a weapon for defeating Obama, American businesses after the election had to accept the inevitable. They would have to live with Obama and his policies, however much they disliked them. For most U.S. businesses, the primary political consideration was no longer the ideological debate over taxing and spending, but a purely economic issue: How would the economic policies negotiated between the White House and Congress affect business conditions in the four years leading to 2016?
This gestalt shift implies that Republicans are unlikely to press very hard for large-scale spending cuts, government layoffs or fiscal tightening that could be seen as harming economic recovery. Instead the focus should move to long-term budget reforms, designed to take effect only after the economy has largely recovered in 2015 or so - conveniently beyond the next congressional elections.
The president will have strong incentives to cooperate with such gradual fiscal consolidation, with major budget cuts backloaded to the last years of his administration and beyond. He would rather go down in history as the man who delivered universal healthcare, saved the U.S. economy from its worst crisis since the Great Depression, and put U.S. fiscal policy on a sustainable footing than waste his entire second term haggling over budgets - especially since achieving fiscal austerity does not require any major cuts or austerity, except in the very long term.
In fact, the White House has already said it will offer some long-term entitlement reforms as part of the bipartisan budget deal that now looks eminently attainable. This may infuriate left-wing Democrats, but Obama is unlikely to care much, now that he has been reelected. In any case, grassroots Democratic voters will probably care more about presidential efforts on gun control, immigration and climate change than about wonkish arguments over "chained CPI" and Medicare spending caps in the next decade.
Why then has there been little discussion of this change in political dynamics? Probably because the media mostly see it as their role to magnify political drama rather than to analyze how they are likely to be resolved. The same applies to many professional politicians. Extreme statements from both parties will always attract the most media attention. The congressional arithmetic, however, means that the views of radicals, highlighted by the media, are no longer very important.
In the House, the minority Democrats can pass important votes, such as a budget compromise, with just 20 votes from moderate Republicans eager to compromise. The same applies in the Senate, where the Democrats can lose several of their left-wing caucuses but still easily pass a compromise bill. What matters in this situation is not how most Republicans vote but whether 20 moderates can be found to back a bill to raise taxes, passed mainly by the Democrats. Most likely the Republican leadership would tacitly even encourage and support this handful of defectors, who would allow their party to foster an image of reasonableness and compromise while forcing the Democrats to carry the entire responsibility for higher taxes.
For this very reason, however, the leaders of both parties who are brokering deals will have every incentive to operate quietly in the background, keeping up the public choreography of belligerence, to maintain discipline in each congressional caucus and to keep radical grass-roots activists onside. So do not expect white flags, flights of doves or armistice ceremonies in Washington. But from this week onwards we should pay less attention to bellicose rhetoric from politicians and focus on their actions instead. | <urn:uuid:8e756b00-f070-45bd-bb07-ed022ecc0601> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.trust.org/item/?map=column-cooperation-isnt-coming-to-washington-its-already-arrived/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97279 | 1,259 | 1.648438 | 2 |
THURSDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Inflammation caused by
psoriasis may trigger changes in a person's cholesterol, including
weakening the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the
"good" cholesterol, new research suggests.
The researchers said that, if confirmed, their findings could
help explain why people with psoriasis -- a chronic skin condition
-- are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular
death, especially if the psoriasis is moderate to severe.
"Anecdotally, many researchers have observed that HDL levels may be lower in states of inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and even obesity," study author Dr. Nehal Mehta, director of the Inflammatory Risk Clinic in the preventive cardiology program at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a university news release.
"However, these new findings suggest that in addition to lower levels, chronic inflammation associated with conditions like psoriasis may change the composition and decrease the function of HDL as well," Mehta added.
In the study, the researchers measured cholesterol levels in 78
people with psoriasis and examined the number and size of the
cholesterol particles. The results were compared to those of 84
people who didn't have the skin condition.
The investigators found that patients with psoriasis had a
greater number of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad"
cholesterol particles unrelated to other risk factors or obesity.
The researchers also noted these particles were smaller.
In a second study, the researchers examined how well the
participants' HDL removed cholesterol from cells involved in
atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." The findings
revealed that having psoriasis was associated with a reduction in
the protective benefit of good cholesterol by about 25 percent.
While the study uncovered an association between psoriasis and
HDL function, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, and
the researchers say more study is needed to confirm the link.
"We've been able to show that psoriasis is an important risk factor for vascular disease, and now we may finally be able to identify and ultimately treat the pathways by which psoriasis increases these risks," senior study author Dr. Joel M. Gelfand, an assistant professor of dermatology and epidemiology, noted in the news release.
The study was presented Wednesday at the American Heart
Association annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. Because this research
was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should
be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about | <urn:uuid:a3dc4578-432b-4742-8572-b97e2d77032b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.harthosp.org/HealthLibrary/News/default.aspx?fontsize=2&chunkiid=663932 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947431 | 571 | 2.3125 | 2 |
WHO Tackles Problem of Illicit Tobacco Trade
New agreement comes after years of negotiation, policy adjustments
New regulation aims to ensure that all tobacco sold is done so legally.
When one thinks of illegal drugs, images of heroin trafficking, coca farms, and makeshift methamphetamine labs are likely to come to mine. Absent from these thoughts is a cigarette. Tobacco is legal in most countries, but the sale of illegal and unlicensed tobacco, sold underground to avoid regulation and taxes, is a major problem in some parts of the world, and one that the World Health Organization (WHO) met to address in Geneva this week.
“The illicit trade in tobacco products is one of the most dangerous trades around at the moment in terms of public health,” said Ian Walton-George, the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the Protocol on the Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products. “It’s a way of getting cheap cigarettes, illegal cigarettes, into the hands of young people, poor people, people who are in a vulnerable position. And of course there’s huge profit to be made from the illegal trade in cigarettes.”
The WHO meeting ended in an agreement, after four years of negotiation, on a text that sought to eliminate all illicit trade of tobacco products. This agreement was signed by over 135 countries. This decision comes in the lead-up to World Health Day (April 7), when consumers are encouraged to consider the consequences of the choices that they make and go with healthier options.
Health institutions and many NGOs have fought against tobacco usage for its communally deleterious effects for years now. Citing the shared burden of healthcare costs and the targeting of minors by tobacco companies, these groups advocate anything from prohibitively high taxes on cigarette sales, to explicit warnings about the health effects of smoking, to outright illegalization.
Their efforts were rewarded in the form of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, one of the most widely accepted treaties in UN history, was adopted in 2005, aiming to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and combat the tobacco industry as it sought to ingrain itself deeper into world markets.
“The tobacco industry is ruthless, devious, rich, and powerful. As we all know, neither WHO nor public health is rich, but with the Framework Convention now in place, we are indeed powerful,” said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan at an FCTC anniversary event last year. | <urn:uuid:f6b6450e-fab6-42ed-a5f2-c821a5cde04e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://southsouthnews.com/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=082fe237-9f95-428c-be7a-342bd07ee944 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948515 | 502 | 2.40625 | 2 |
The storm is sweeping the entire state, flooding streets in the desert town of Bakersfield, dumping nine feet of snow on Mammoth Mountain, and clapping Cape Mendocino with thunder. About 2,000 people in the farm town of McFarland, in the Central Valley, were ordered evacuated because of flooding. But the situation is worst northeast of Los Angeles, in the areas of La Canada and Flintridge, which in October 2009 saw some parts of the San Gabriel Mountains denuded by the worst wildfires in local history. The National Weather Service (NWS) says all the precipitation is the result of a northern cold front moving south from Washington State and colliding with a mammoth bank of subtropical moisture that has been parked off the Pacific coast for several days.
NWS predictions are for another five inches of rain in coastal plains and valleys by the end of Wednesday, with as many as 10 inches in the mountains, according to meteorologist Jamie Meyer.
Warnings of flash floods and mudslides are in place for several communities, and traffic has been barricaded from traveling parts of the Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu and Ventura because of boulder landslides that have blocked lanes of traffic. | <urn:uuid:98624bd8-cc75-4c49-81d2-5939c88ee7e6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/1220/Soggy-California-braces-for-deluge-as-more-storms-take-aim/(page)/2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964186 | 244 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Bilston figural enamel bonbonniere box of a seal's head - For Sale
Bilston figural enamel bonbonniere box of a seal's head
Rare English Bilston type figural bonbonniere in the form of a seal's head, fashioned in painted enamels over copper. Circa 1760-1790. The cover is brass mounted and hand painted with two running hounds. The box is unmarked but was probably made at Bilston. Condition: some hairlines and with minor chipping and lines to the hinged cover; tiny blemish on animal's chin. Size: 1.5" length x 1.25" diameter. True period examples like this are scarce to the market. | <urn:uuid:14a8c419-2aa1-43d6-9c57-641610024c7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.antiques.com/classified/Decorative-Interior/Antique-Boxes---Caddies/Antique-Bilston-figural-enamel-bonbonniere-box-of-a-seal--s-head | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932485 | 155 | 1.5 | 2 |
The Southwestern County Commission Alliance met in Reserve, Feb. 27, and heard from New Mexico Office of the State Engineer Deming Office Manager Charles "Tink" Jackson on a proposal for building a small-diameter pipeline from the Gila River to Deming to utilize 10,000 annual, average acre-feet of water from the Gila Basin and funding for up to $128 million, allocated to the four-county region for Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna by the 2004 Arizona Water Settlements Act.
Glyn Griffin, Catron County commissioner, said at the beginning of the meeting, that it was the ninth meeting of the organization. "We were formed to address issues that affect all our counties."
Donna Stevens, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance executive director, was the only one to speak during public input. "I want to talk about the proposed $25 million pipeline. However, it's hard to be pertinent when the item hasn't been discussed yet. You might consider changing the order of public input."
She said at least some of the Grant County commissioners were not supportive of Sen. John Arthur Smith's proposal for the pipeline extending all the way to Las Cruces.
"We at UGWA support commonsense, non-diversion, cost-effective proposals to keep the Gila River free-flowing," Stevens said. "We support the Regional Water Plan in Grant County; we support effluent reuse projects in Deming and Bayard; and we encourage you to keep all projects on the table. What if there were a problem with only one proposal, and then there would be no water and no money? This proposal is expensive and doesn't count exchange costs."
Alliance members considered a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the wolf recovery area proposed expansion.
Darr Shannon, Hidalgo County commissioner, said although the commissioners realize the proposal has been pulled, "we want to write to Dr. (Benjamin) Tuggle because the project will come back, and Fish and Wildlife does not include local governments in its decisions." She read the letter, which asked that the agency include a full-blown environmental impact statement, as well as an economic impact statement. "These animals are misrepresented as Mexican wolves, although they are in reality hybrids," the letter alleged.
"Even though the project expansion has been withdrawn, we need to keep letting Dr. Tuggle know how opposed we are to this project," Shannon said.
Luna County Commissioner Javier Diaz said there is also the feeling in Luna County to oppose the project. "Fish and Wildlife never created a study. All the water in the expansion area is man-provided, and there is no prey for the wolves. I don't understand why they want to mistreat and abuse these animals."
Griffin said: "I wonder where the Humane Society is."
Catron County Commissioner Bucky Allred said the rules and regulations are complicated and hard to understand, but the way he understands the proposal is that when Canadian wolves come in, it will be critical habitat for them, and ranchers will not be allowed to protect their cattle. "The biggest point I want to make is that the Apaches have wolves on their land, and the elders never wanted the wolves on the reservation."
Grant County Commissioner Gabriel Ramos, SWCCA chairman, said his opinion was that, as long as people are unemployed, starving and homeless, he could not support spending more than $650,000 per wolf. "I would rather use the money to help people."
Commissioners approved sending the letter.
The next item of business was to consider a letter to the Gila National Forest requesting an update on the status of the Catwalk.
"We've already sent one letter and have heard nothing back," Shannon said. She read the second letter, which stated that the Catwalk, having been disassembled, is a "huge hardship in Catron County, with a huge economic impact."
Allred said he, too, had requested being kept informed. "Monday. I was at the supervisor's office. Basically what we hear is dragging feet. One-eighth of a mile is open to the octagon. We don't want a Rolls Royce, we just want the Catwalk back."
He said excuses that were given to him included liability, flooding, safety, the season and engineering concerns.
"The liability is on them, because they removed it, even after the BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Team said there was no threat for flooding," Allred said. "We need it open, and we need to find a way to keep it open."
The letter will be sent.
Shannon brought up the agenda item on signing in at the meetings.
"Particularly in Silver City, some people do not sign in, yet they want to speak," she said. "At certain meetings, including one in Deming, people don't want to sign in."
Ramos suggested the creation of a policy that if a person wishes to speak during public input, he or she will be required to sign in.
Another item of business considered was a detox facility to be placed in the former, now unused, Grant County jail.
"Part of it is in good shape," Ramos said. "Detox money is available. We have to do something to help people who are addicted. Drugs cause families to fall apart. We would like support to turn our old jail into a detox facility. If another county has a better facility, let us know."
Catron County Commissioner Richard McGuire asked if it would be a county project.
Ramos said Grant County already shares with Luna and Hidalgo counties on its jails.
"Would the clients receive professional counseling?" Allred asked. "We don't have any facility here."
Ramos said the clients would receive counseling. "The problem is they get out of jail and go back into the same environment."
Diaz said the problem with most jails is those addicted cannot be segregated and helped with detox and counseling. "We would agree to the proposal."
Fred Huff of Congressman Steve Pearce's office attended the meeting.
Ramos asked if Pearce would be willing to divert wolf money to a detox facility. "I think Pearce would be willing to help," Huff said.
Allred said: "These kids struggle and such a facility would be a great thing."
McGuire pointed out that it was not just young people, "although I know there is a problem in the schools."
Shannon asked how much money would be required for the project.
Ramos said most of the funding would go to paying for counselors. "Part of the jail is OK. We would have to tear down the old part."
Griffin and McGuire supported the project, and Ramos asked for a draft of a letter for the next meeting.
Shannon brought up the problem Hidalgo County is having with its 140-bed new jail. "It costs us $104,000 a month, and we average only eight to 15 inmates during the month. The jail is eating our lunch. We have talked about changing it into a juvenile facility, but changes would have to be made. The governor had $2.6 million on her agenda that we thought was ours, but now all of a sudden it's gone. Everything is top notch, but we have just about exhausted trying to get more inmates, although we're still working on it."
Ramos suggested every commissioner email the area state representatives to find out where the $2.6 million went.
Luna County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said: "We have an accredited facility for juveniles but it's very expensive, and you have to work with Children, Youth and Families Department. I don't see it as your solution."
Shannon said the jail was going to break the county. Kuenstler suggested trying to get Arizona inmates or from Portales or the eastern part of New Mexico. Ramos said the jail issue was discussed before at one of the SWCCA's first meetings.
"I know a lot of our juveniles are sent elsewhere," Ramos said. "I'm not sure why we skip the Luna County facility."
Diaz said the county had had a Boot Camp program that was quite successful until the economy turned down. Kuenstler said the detention center is currently a holding facility for juveniles pre-adjudication. "I'm not sure if there is a limit, but the majority are held for only a short time. Probably the only way to get certified is for pre-adjudication."
A resolution declaring support of New Mexico Regional Water Supply projects was next on the agenda. NM Office of the State Engineer Deming Office Manager Charles "Tink" Jackson spoke to the issue.
He said the resolution is the same as the original Deming resolution to pipe 10,000 acre-feet of water from the Gila River to Deming. He said Sen. John Arthur Smith's $25 million project to take water to Las Cruces, which is in front of the legislature, is in addition to one for $75 million to take water from the Carlsbad and Salt River basins to Las Cruces.
"The bigger puzzles are the three lawsuits attacking New Mexico groundwater supplies," Jackson said. "The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation claims the ground water below the Elephant Butte Dam is still project water even after it percolates into the ground. New Mexico law states groundwater is New Mexico public water."
He explained the Elephant Butte Irrigation District is a Texas entity, with 60 percent owned by Texas users. New Mexico said it would not agree that groundwater, after it percolates past plant roots, is still EBID water. Texas filed suit against New Mexico for everything in the Lower Rio Grand Basin.
If New Mexico should lose, it would be a $1 billion impact to the Las Cruces area. Jackson said wells on the New Mexico side of the border near Carlsbad are also drawing down water faster than Texas is.
"Smith's bill to pipe water from the Gila River to Las Cruces was more of a wake-up call to 'do something or we in the Legislature will,'" Jackson said. "We came up with a proposal to combine a bunch of the projects already being considered by the Interstate Stream Commission (to utilize up to 14,000 average annual acre-feet of water and up to $128 million in funding allocated to the four-county region of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna by the Arizona Water Settlements Act)."
Jackson said discussions in Deming are proceeding to make sure the area uses 10,000 acre-feet by providing storage for the excess floodwaters in the Gila River.
"The Act allows for 10,000 acre-feet for consumptive use in the Gila Basin and storage up to 60,000 acre-feet, which would provide water during dry years," Jackson said. "We can only take the excess floodwaters up to 350 cubic feet per second. The Consumptive Use and Forbearance Agreement does not allow the natural flow of the river to be taken and stored."
The continuation of the discussion and the rest of the meeting will be concluded in the next article. | <urn:uuid:31247654-aad5-4cf9-94cb-78f23d0b5b96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.grantcountybeat.com/index.php/news/news-articles/9406-southwestern-county-commission-alliance-met-in-reserve-among-topics-was-a-regional-water-project | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976243 | 2,328 | 1.671875 | 2 |
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- An airline, a museum, and a school teamed up to give some of the hardest-working young students in Atlanta an early Christmas present.
The children attend Unidos Dual Language Charter School; roughly 4 out of 5 come from economically disadvantaged homes. But every year, thanks to ExpressJet Airlines and school officials, the top performers in Grades 2 through 5 get to take a plane an hour north to visit the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Tenn.: their own personal "North Pole".
If the location didn't match, the spirit of the event did. The children tore through the many locations of this North Poll, their fingers snapping pictures the whole time.
"What makes it fun is that when you're learning, you're playing too," said 3rd-grader Kennedy Hood.
Santa Claus even showed up to say hello at the end.
Student Kiwi Cody got the message: "This is my first time on a plane, and the reason I got to go on this plane is because I worked hard reading books."
For more stories by Matt Pearl, you can follow him on Facebook and Twitter. | <urn:uuid:f17b657e-e6cc-4f6b-8345-8409c1ffa8d9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.11alive.com/news/article/266844/3/Airline-school-team-up-to-provide-trip-to-North-Pole | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960999 | 238 | 1.84375 | 2 |
When I first met Marina Bueno, I was instantly drawn to her excitement and passion for research in conservation medicine, a field that blends aspects of wildlife conservation, wildlife health, and human health. Marina is a veterinarian and doctorate scientist who works with the University of São Paulo’s Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. She also works with TRÍADE, a Brazilian organization for conservation medicine research, and Instituto Pri-Matas, a nonprofit organization conducting a project with golden-headed lion tamarins. Last summer, Marina spent extended time training in our Molecular Diagnostics Lab, learning how to improve DNA isolation techniques for some of her work. This is where we first discussed potential opportunities for collaboration on her projects investigating primate malaria in the Amazon.
Brazil’s Amazon region is seeing large-scale, human-induced (often referred to as anthropogenic) environmental changes that affect people and wildlife habitat. In a study conducted by Marina and collaborators, primates were surveyed across two protected field sites in the Amazon that are currently under severe anthropogenic pressure due to large construction projects that include the building of roads and dams. The idea was to sample South American primates in these sites to better understand what diseases they have and how these diseases could impact primate conservation and human health in these areas.
They found that approximately 20 percent of surveyed primates carried a malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium brasilianum. While infection with primate malaria generally does not harm the primates, there has been speculation that some of the primate-specific malarial parasites may not be so primate-specific. Some scientists believe that mosquitoes feeding on primates infected with Plasmodium brasilianumcould transmit the malarial parasite to humans when they bite a human host.
Marina’s research documents these malaria infections in primates, providing recommendations to closely monitor the human and primate populations for Plasmodium brasilianum infection in these areas of severe anthropogenic pressure, a situation that has been known to promote human malaria epidemics. The investigation also recommends that primates be tested for the presence of malaria infection before being relocated to other areas of Brazil for conservation or translocation projects so as not to inadvertently introduce malaria into areas where it has been eradicated.
Working collaboratively with scientists from around the world is a role that our Wildlife Disease Laboratories naturally falls into with its multidisciplinary group that includes veterinary pathologists, scientists, a molecular diagnostic laboratory, a histology laboratory, and an epidemiologist. Epidemiology expertise was provided for this particular collaborative project on primate malaria in the Amazon region. The study will be published soon in a peer-reviewed journal.
We are excited about our collaborations with our Brazilian counterparts in their quest to conserve one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the world and their search for harmony between human progress and wildlife conservation.
Carmel Witte is a senior research coordinator at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, Epidemi-what?
The above photos are printed with permission from Marina Bueno. | <urn:uuid:84b3310a-783b-457d-af08-7e3614f4651b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2012/09/17/investigating-primate-malaria-in-the-amazon/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935197 | 633 | 3.234375 | 3 |
HISTORY OF THE DONATISTS
The Catholic Discipline Compared With That of the Donatists
As one of the principal differences between Augustine and the Donatists had respect to this subject, as readers may have observed in the foregoing narratives, especially in the close of Chapter VII, that all may judge whether this people had valid reasons for their leaving the Catholics, I will describe their discipline according to their own writings in Bingham's Antiquities: "As to the practice of the Catholic church in Africa," says Bingham, "Augustine freely owns he was forced many times to tolerate the tares among the wheat, when they were grown numerous, and it was dangerous to eradicate them by the rough measures of severe discipline, for fear of overturning and destroying the church unity by dangerous schisms, and of scandalizing more weak souls in that way than they could hope to gain by the other." It was so in Cyprian's time, he says, and it was so in his own. He often repeats that famous passage of Cyprian, in his book De Lapsis, concerning the fallen, where, speaking of the reason of God's visiting the church with the terrible persecution under Decius, he plainly intimates that members, both of the clergy and the laity, had so corrupted their morals that good men could do nothing more than mourn and keep themselves as well as they could from partaking of their sins.
The Famous Passage of Cyprian
All men's minds were set upon augmenting their estates, and forgetting what the first Christians did in the times of the apostles, and what they ought always to do, they, by an insatiable ardor of covetousness, only studied to increase their fortunes. There was no true religion or devotion in the priests; no sincere faith in the ministers; no mercy in their works; no discipline in their morals. Many bishops who ought to have been both monitors and examples to the rest, forsook their divine calling and rambled about other provinces, seeking such business as would bring them gain and advantage. In the meantime they suffered the poor of the church to starve, whilst they minded nothing but the heaping up of riches and the getting of estates by fraud and violence, by usury and extortion. Cyprian, says Bingham, here plainly intimates that in such a corrupt state of affairs the discipline of the church could not be maintained or be rightly put in execution. But he was forced to endure those colleagues of his who were covetous, rapacious, extortioners, deserters, fraudulent and cruel. This mode of reasoning, says Bingham, was very often employed by Augustine in his disputes with the Donatists when he maintained that the church in his day followed the example of Cyprian in this matter. When, said he, we are not permitted to excommunicate offenders for the sake of the peace and tranquillity of the church, we do not therefore neglect said church, but only tolerate what we would not, to obtain what we would, have. In his book against Parmenian, Augustine treats this subject at large. Who can blame the Donatists for separating from such a church?
The Rebaptizing System of Cyprian, and the Use
Made of It by the Donatists for Rebaptizing
We come now to a strange event in Catholic history, which for some time produced no little disturbance in a large portion of the Catholic church. In the business now to be briefly described, the Donatists took no part, only in their comments on the new practice of rebaptizing by their opponents, who, by Cyprian's rule, baptized heretics anew for the same reason that they rebaptized Catholics, to wit, the reputed invalidity of the first baptism.
Cyprian's Council for rebaptizing Heretics
By this distinguished bishop of the metropolitan church of Carthage, the council under consideration was collected near the close of his life. As rebaptizing was contrary to Catholic custom both then and now,1 a violent dispute arose on the subject between Cyprian of Carthage, and Stephen, then bishop of Rome. Each in that age was of equal episcopal power, in the respective locations. The council under consideration was held at Carthage in 256. It consisted of upwards of eighty bishops. The only business of this convocation appears to have been to decide the question of the rebaptizing of the heretics who came into the church, on the principle that their first baptism was null and void; or whether it should be held as valid, if administered in due form, in the name of the Trinity. As immersion was then the practice of all parties, whether heretic or orthodox, there was no dispute on the mode of baptism, nor the subjects of the rite, especially in the controversy now under review. The whole council was evidently pledged to sustain their leader in his anabaptistical enterprise. They all spoke more or less on the subject, but in most cases their speeches were quite brief. The following may serve as specimens. The reader may notice that the speakers were all careful to make of no account the former baptism of heretics: "I," said one, "believe that every man who comes into the church from the heretics is to be baptized. "They who approve of the baptism of heretics make the baptism of the church void. "The baptism of heretics and schismatics is false. "If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch together; and so if a heretic baptizes a heretic, they together fall into death. He who is baptized for the dead, what doth his washing profit him? The same question may be asked respecting those who are "ab haereticis tinguuntur," baptized by heretics. "If the church omits the baptism of heretics because they are said to be already baptized, then the heretics stand first with the orthodox." "Christ instituted the church, the devil heresy. Can a synagogue of Satan have the baptism of Christ? "Since a true baptism can be administered only in the Catholic church, it is manifest that none can be truly baptized outside of the boundaries of that church; therefore all who have been "tinctos", baptized, in heresy or schism, when they come into the church, in my judgment, ought to be baptized. "There is but one baptism, which is by the church; where there is no true church there can be no valid baptism. "It is written, there is one God, one Christ, one church, and one baptism. How can any one be baptized in a place where God, and Christ, and a church are not? "A man who is a heretic cannot give what he has not; much more may this be said of a schismatic, who has lost what he had. "Without cause, indeed falsely and invidiously, they impugn the truth, that may presume to say we rebaptize heretics, when the church does not rebaptize, but she baptizes them." I have endeavored to give a literal version of what was said by the above speakers. The sameness of their remarks in some cases may be accounted for from their appearing to speak without much preparation. The speech of Cyprian to his council, of about two folio pages, I shall wholly omit. I have thus given to the reader more or less of the speeches or remarks of about one-eighth of the members of Cyprian's council, on what, in the language in which they spoke, was termed "rebaptizationes", in English re-baptisms. Of these fourscore speakers, not one but the last referred to, ever used the term "re" in connection with baptism; and it is somewhat amusing to see how carefully they all avoided it. This practice, it is said, prevailed somewhat extensively, and caused much trouble among the Catholics in Africa and the east, after Cyprian's death by martyrdom, two years after this council, that is in 258.
Remarks on the Details of the Foregoing Narratives
In this baptismal controversy immersionists may derive a valid argument from the fact that the numerous speakers in Cyprian's council almost uniformly, in their references to baptism, employed the verb "baptiso", and the nouns "baptisma" and "baptismus", when it is certain that immersion was the ordinary mode of baptism with all parties, whether Catholics or dissenters. The other terms, which were seldom used by these speakers, were "tingo" and "lavo". Augustine complained of the Donatists for so often reminding him of Cyprian's rebaptizing policy. Why, said he, do you assume Cyprian's authority for your schism? No longer, said he, quote Cyprian's writings and council for the repetition of baptism, but rather follow Cyprian's example for the preservation of Christian union, by remaining in the church.
Divisions Among the Donatists
This numerous and widespread community, in its progress, divided into parties, like the English Puritans, which appellation, as a term of reproach, was often applied to them. The Maximianists was the first of these divisions. This party, according to Augustine and Du Pin, arose in the following manner: A deacon of the Donatist church of Carthage in some way offended Primian, then the pastor of said church, and in the end was excommunicated; and under his management the new party was formed, which took its name from that of the deacon, its founder, which was Maximianus. But whatever names the new parties took, they all bore the general name of Donatists. This was the only party which went out from the original company, which, according to both Augustine and Du Pin, through their whole history, was the main body of this people. This first division began with twelve bishops, but it soon increased to one hundred; but it is doubtful if it held its own, as we read of some coming back to the main body. Of the cause of the first division I can only learn by Du Pin, that it was something about baptism. More is said on this subject by Du Pin in his historical sketches of the Donatists. As I shall refer with emphasis on the important position and services of the main body of this people in the chapter on their denominational character, compared with the minor parties, I will now only refer to the small division from the Maximianists. The Rogatians were so called from Rogatus of the province of Mauritania. As in the time of the Donatists there were two provinces in North Africa of this name, which together constituted a large part of the country, and in them the Donatists appear to have been numerous, why the bishop whose name indicates a Roman pedigree was specially referred to as a native of the province, I do not understand. On what point Rogatus differed from the party from which he separated I am not informed.
Augustine's Letters to Different Donatists and to
Catholic Statesmen Concerning this People
Macrobius was a Donatist bishop in the city of Hippo, in which this people were quite
numerous, and in which Augustine had very lately been ordained a Catholic bishop, and
being full of zeal for his party, as Macrobius was about to baptize a Catholic sub-deacon
for the purpose of making him a deacon with the Donatists, Augustine, in two epistles,
entreated his beloved brother in the Lord, not to take from his people one of their
sub-deacons. One of these epistles occupies five folio pages.
To Maximinus, also a Donatist bishop, Augustine sent an epistle of considerable length to hinder him from rebaptizing a Catholic deacon. He had previously sent him an epistle of more limited contents, on the same subject. It was to this Donatist bishop, Maximinus, and in one of these epistles, that Augustine proposed a compromise with the Donatists by which they and the Catholics should cease reproaching each other of their reputed bad men on each side. This account will be given in remarks on the Circumcellions. By Augustine, Crispin was warned of his danger of the fine of ten pounds of gold, according to the Theodosian code, for rebaptizing about forty Catholics. This baptism, like all others of those times, according to the Latin note, was by immersion. Crispin's case will be more fully noticed in connection with Du Pin's History of the Donatists. Severus, a kinsman of Augustine, was importuned by him to desert the wicked and impudent Donatists. To Donatus, a Donatist presbyter, Augustine sent an epistle of a peculiar character, in which he said if he could witness his solicitude for his salvation he would, perhaps, have pity on his soul. You, said he, maintain that no one ought to be coerced, even to that which is good, because God has given a free will to man. Donatus was a very common name with the Roman descendants in Africa. Du Pin has a list of almost thirty on both sides, in the conference at Carthage, in his Monumenta. To Donatus, a proconsul, and Festus, a magistrate in Africa, Augustine gave instructions respecting the amount of punishment they should inflict on the Donatists. Marcellinus, who became the president and judge in the Carthaginian conference, was a very frequent and confidential correspondent of Augustine, to whom he gave instructions how to arrange the manner of conducting that iniquitous meeting. But to the old warrior, Boniface, Augustine sent his largest treatise about punishing the Donatists, not so much for heresy, as he admitted to the count that they had nothing in common with the Arians, but for their impious dissension from the Catholic church. This epistle was of fifteen folio pages. The count was cautioned to spare the lives of the offenders. In the latter part of the ninth volume of Augustine's works we find a list of small works by him, consisting of letters, sermons and tracts, to the number of about one hundred, addressed directly to the Donatists or to Catholics of almost all classes of the clergy and the laity, respecting them. From such a variety of efforts to oppose the prevalence of this enterprising people, the reader may form an opinion of their number and their influence. In the celebrated council of Nice we do not find any of the Donatists. One of the Novatian bishops was invited to attend it by Constantine, but neither he, nor any dissenter, met with the Nicene Fathers.
Comparison of the Novatians and the Donatists
The Novatians arose about half a century earlier than the Donatists. The first party had its origin in Rome; the other in Carthage. While the Donatist party had their principal seat in Africa, the Novatians spread extensively in almost all parts of the Roman empire into which Christianity had spread. Each of these communities became quite numerous, and were distinguished for their evangelical principles; the one in their fixed location in Africa, the other as missionaries in widespread regions.
Wherein Did These People Differ?
I cannot find any material difference between them but in that part of their church discipline which had respect to excommunicated members. While the Donatists readmitted them on evidence of repentance, under no circumstances would this be done by the Novatians. As this party arose while the Catholics had much trouble in their church with apostates in the Decian persecution, this might have had an influence in the adoption of their severe discipline. Both the Donatists and the Novatians rebaptized those who came to them from the Catholics. They were also equally reproached as Puritans, because it was said they pretended they were more religious than their neighbors. And, different from the established church, they held that the visible church of Jesus Christ does not, and ought not to, consist of any but sound members, who were not contaminated with spots and falls. In this early age the Catholics adopted the absurd custom of freeing themselves from all blame in the punishing of those they condemned by throwing it on the secular powers. This mode of reasoning was well exposed in the Spanish Cortes by the eloquent Castellar in reply to what was said on this subject by father Manterola in the same Cortes. The venerable Manterola says that he condemns all religious persecutions. We do not put the persecuted ones to death, says he; it is the civil power that executes them. Ingenious defence! It is exactly as the assassin said, It is not I who killed this victim, it was my sword. But do not all know as well as I, said Castellar, that the inquisition was the sword of the church? Optatus did not appear well pleased with the persecutions of Macarius, which he admitted were very severe on the Donatists in the Macarian war, yet, said he, in all the scenes of that bloody war, nothing was done by our desire, nothing by our counsel, nothing by our knowledge, nothing by our assistance. All this was said in the face of the well known facts, that the emperor Constans, a zealous Catholic, sent count Macarius into Africa to fight the Donatists into the Catholic union, and that the count himself was a member of the Catholic church.
1. I inquired of a Catholic pastor if this ancient custom of not requiring re=baptism still prevailed in his church. He said it did. But, said he, to avoid any mistake, we say, "If thou hast not been baptized, I baptize thee," etc.
2. Et de tinguentibus loquitur.
3. Ubi mergeret homines in profundum. Op. August., Tome 9, p. 228.
The Reformed Reader Home Page
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Set your apps free in the secure cloud
Business apps were a hot topic at the latest Blue Door event. Debates centred on consumerisation and changes in the way people work. When people use their personal mobile devices at the office (Bring-your-own-Device or BYOD), companies face the challenge of developing, deploying and managing apps – not just for one company-approved device but for many different mobiles, tablets and operating systems.
A new breed of Mobile Application Development Platforms enable companies to develop, test and deploy apps that are less tied-in to specific mobile operating systems. Often referred to as cross-platform or hybrid app development, these platforms allow apps to be built once, in a standard language, and then run on a range of devices. This cuts development time and costs while maintaining all the on-device functionality of an app created using a single, native development language.
But there’s more to the challenge of BYOD than compatibility issues.
For businesses there’s the additional problem of security. If people are using business apps on their own smartphones or tablets, what happens if a device gets lost or stolen? What happens if they leave the company? How can an organisation ensure that sensitive internal data is protected? How is it separated from personal data? And how can they be sure that the app integrates securely with internal business systems?
The answer lies in the cloud. Users can have a “thin client” – a lightweight app on their smartphone or tablet that pulls and ring-fences all of the complex functions and information they need from the secure cloud.
Using a cloud-based Mobile Application Platform to develop an app, there’s no need to store sensitive data on the device itself, so there’s much less risk if the device is lost or stolen. The cloud stores the data and delivers it to the device. Basically – it does all of the leg work.
Business apps often require higher degrees of integration with IT systems and third-party services than consumer and gaming apps. Traditional business applications (such as CRM, ERP and Supply Chain Management) are now being mobilised and take advantage of device features such as geolocation and cameras, as well as services like social media and payments processing. Developing an app that securely integrates with these systems requires a server-side infrastructure. The cloud is the perfect model to support this and handles all of the integration, storage, security, and data push and synchronisation.
Gone are the days of the large-scale, capital-intensive applications projects. Innovation in cloud technologies and the advent of mobile apps now give businesses immense opportunities to implement high-value – yet low-cost – mobile apps, often on a monthly software-as-a-service type model.
Apps can deliver great value to business – whether they are customer-facing or employee apps. Barriers such as security, integration and upgrading can be overcome with smart use of the cloud. We can look forward to a world where apps and mobile devices become the standard business tool and the cloud is the power behind them.
But how does a business go about kick-starting or pushing forward their mobile app strategies? One way to approach it is to look to an initiative such as O2 made-to-measure apps”. Through partnerships with leading service providers, we bring together all the skills and resources needed for your business to leverage the power of mobile apps.
To find out more about BYOD, mobile apps and made-to-measure apps, see more here. | <urn:uuid:934ccdc3-abb1-41a3-b7ae-b9123ab96b42> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.o2.co.uk/2012/09/13/set-your-apps-free-in-the-secure-cloud/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93386 | 728 | 1.828125 | 2 |
Local 2 investigates health food meals
The health food business is booming in Houston. Since 2009, a handful of chains have cropped up to counter the fast food industry.
These restaurants sell fresh, low-calorie meals to go for busy people who want to eat healthy but don't have the time to cook. It's advertised as prepared food that's good for you and tastes good, too.
Does that sound too good to be true? Local 2 Investigates had nine meals tested to find out if the calories and fat advertised are accurate.
We shopped at Houston's three biggest health food chains: My Fit Foods, Snap Kitchen and TruMeals. We purchased three items at each location. We made note of the calories and fat on each dish, then packed them up and sent them to an independent lab for testing.
"A little bit of fudging either way is allowed by the FDA," explained Registered Dietician Roberta Anding of Texas Children's Hospital.
Anding said calories are not an exact science. It's why the Food and Drug Administration allows manufacturers to be over or under the stated calories on nutrition labels by 20 percent.
"In order to get it exactly right, it would always need to be a 4-ounce chicken breast," said Anding. "It would always need to be an exact half cup of rice."
So how exact were the meals we tested?
Four out of nine had higher calories and fat than advertised. Of those, all four missed the mark by more than 20 percent. Another four meals actually had fewer calories and fat than the labels claimed. One was almost exact, with just a 6-calorie difference.
"You have to look at this and say, 'At the end of the day, or at the end of the week, does it all average out?" explained Anding. "In the end, it usually does."
But when you consider the recommended daily calories for the average woman hoping to lose weight is just 1,500, those differences Local 2 Investigates discovered don't seem so small.
"If I'm having three meals and they're all over by 100 calories, now I've eaten 300 calories more than I thought," reasoned Anding. "And I could be scratching my head and saying, 'Why aren't I losing weight?'"
"Real people are cooking this food," My Fit Foods nutritionist Meg McCall said. "This is not manufactured food."
McCall said their cooks try to be 100 percent accurate, but human error accounts for the differences. One heaping scoop instead of a level one may be all it takes to throw the calories off kilter.
"Transparency is a key component in the process," said Snap Kitchen's dietician Andrea Hinsdale, responding to the test results we shared.
Both companies said the more telling numbers are the customers who are losing weight and getting healthier by eating their food.
"We help people lose weight," said McCall. "We help them feel better. We help with whatever their goal is."
Local 2 Investigates tested three different meals from each business. A test by the FDA would have sampled many of the same type of meal from each location.
My Fit Foods sent us the following statement after our interview:
"Although we wish the analysis of the three meals would have followed FDA protocol for accurate testing and information, My Fit Foods appreciates any and all information that helps us improve our business and service to our customers.
We have recently undergone a full review of all recipes and have updated menu items from customer feedback, visual appearance and updated ingredients. This information is available on our website at http://www.myfitfoods.com."
TruMeals was the only business in our test that didn't return our calls or emails. Ironically, the only meal we tested whose advertised calories and fat was almost a perfect match to what our tests showed came from TruMeals.
Below is the list of every meal we tested, the stated calories and fat on the nutrition labels along with what the calories and fat an independent lab found in the same meals.
My Fit Foods
Lean Lemon Turkey Meal (medium)
Label: 340 calories 12g fat
Actual: 440 calories 17g fat -- 29 percent more calories
Good Morning Sunshine (medium)
Label: 360 calories 15g fat
Actual: 460 calories 20g fat – 28 percent more calories
Tenderloin Roasted Vegetable Dinner
Label: 340 calories 14g fat
Actual: 250 calories 7g fat – 26 percent fewer calories
Berry Cheesecake (one size)
Label: 470 calories 34g fat
Actual: 343 calories 21g – 27 percent fewer calories
Peanut Butter Pancakes (Small)
Label: 190 calories 11g fat
Actual: 248 calories 11.5g fat -- 31 percent more calories
BBQ Pulled Beef (Small)
Label: 290 calories 14g fat
Actual: 225 calories 10g fat – 22 percent fewer calories
BBQ Chicken Pizza (medium)
Label: 410 calories 8g fat
Actual: 404 calories 9g fat -- less than 2 percent difference
Egg & Steak Scramble (small)
Label: 230 calories 7g fat
Actual: 317 calories 11g fat – 37 percent more calories
Linguine Alfredo with Chicken (one size)
Label: 450 calories 12g fat
Actual: 383 calories 8g fat – 15 percent fewer calories
If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).
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What languages have you tried to learn, and why did you find them difficult?
What problem are you trying to solve using a programming language?
If you are working on hobby robotics, you will find that C is the most common language for embedded controllers, but on PC-compatible controllers, other languages are possible.
Some here are career programmers, some have had some classes in college, some learned programming as a hobby.
What language you learn depends on what you intend to do and how far you want to go in the future.
I have no any knowledge about programming language but i want to learn programming language that is good for my future . so,Please you suggest me, the name of Simple and easy to learn programming language that is beneficial for my Future .....
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum | <urn:uuid:ec619988-a627-492c-918d-3cab7e026e05> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=35506 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962179 | 198 | 2.28125 | 2 |
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Hot on the heels of the successful launch of the ROUSH
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torque or towing capacity.
With an estimated eight-hour install time, fleet customers
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and much lower emissions. This ROUSH Liquid Propane Injection Kit will be
available in September through Ford dealers and fleet companies and has a suggested retail price of $8,595.00. And with propane
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long for the ROUSH propane conversion kit to pay for itself – and that’s before
the tax credits are taken into account for using propane as an alternative
The complete conversion kit includes a new fuel tank with
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within just a few hours a customer can convert their F-150 pickup to run on
this affordable alternative fuel,” said Jack Roush. “Once installed, they will
notice no difference in the way the truck runs, the power or payload capacity,
yet they can reap the benefits of a lower fuel cost and reduced emissions, both
topics that are at the top of mind for fleet owners.”
According to research provided by the
Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), propane is the most widely-used
alternative fuel today, with more than 10 million vehicles around the world
using it as a fuel. Operating costs typically range from five to 30
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percent less nitrous oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide and fewer
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Learn more about the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter from the project Web site maintained by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), managed by NASA's Ames Research Center in California, was launched with LRO on June 18, 2009. LCROSS searched for water ice in a permanently shadowed crater near one of the moon's poles. Visit the website below for more information about LCROSS and the crater impact.
NASA ended its successful GRAIL mission by intentionally crashing the twin spacecraft into the moon. Another satellite observed the event.
Scientific observations made by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) are the subject of a special edition of Journal of Geophysical Research Planets.
NASA beamed an image of the Mona Lisa to the LRO spacecraft as part of the first demo of laser communication with a satellite at the moon.
Readings from Apollo 14 and 15 dust detectors have been restored and made available to scientists thanks to work by the National Space Science Data Center at Goddard. | <urn:uuid:90c934bd-dfb0-4963-b5cd-d12ca1c8f436> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/main/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911591 | 218 | 3.4375 | 3 |
After many years of lobbying, a couple of close calls and one almighty let-down in 2010, the UK games industry has finally done it – it has secured a commitment to tax breaks from the government. Although positive murmurs could be heard in the run up to the budget announcement, it seems few insiders allowed themselves to believe that chancellor George Osborne would deliver a full tax credits proposal.
As late as last week, Richard Wilson, the chief executive of developers' trade body Tiga and the spearhead of the industry's fight for tax credits, was speaking in terms of potential compromise: perhaps the treasury would consider extensions to the more restrictive R&D tax credits; maybe there would be a promise to look into the notion of wider tax initiatives at some point? All that is in the past now.
On Wednesday, the chancellor committed to providing tax credits for the video games, animation and high-end television industries, "subject to state aid approval and following consultation". He also claimed that his ambition was to turn Britain into the technology hub of Europe. A fairly unambiguous proposition.
Watching the Commons speech live on Wednesday, Wilson was understandably ecstatic when the chancellor reached the part about games. "I almost leapt out of my seat," he says. "By making this announcement, the government has recognised that games are culturally as important as films – that is huge, that's an awesome achievement.
"The second thing is, it will mean a massive financial boost to the games sector – we should see £188m of investment expenditure because of this proposal. It's fantastic news for games and it's fantastic news for the UK economy."
Reactions have mostly been positive and enthusiastic within the industry. Bobby Kotick, the chief executive of US-based publishing giant Activision released an immediate statement: "This is a great first step and should put the UK in a stronger position to compete with other countries offering incentives for video games production. The UK is an important centre for development talent, employing 9,000 people in the video games sector, and anything that promotes further investment should be welcomed."
It was a sentiment echoed by other major publishers such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, who also issued supportive missives. Which brings us to an important point surrounding the tax credits issue: most major publishers have closed UK studios in the last two years.
Activision shut down the Liverpool-based Bizarre Creations in February 2011, Disney closed Black Rock, a veteran Brighton developer, in July, while Electronic Arts shuttered its Guildford studio, Bright Light, in January of this year
"The UK is a vital centre of game development and we intend to maintain a strong presence here," said an EA statement. But nowadays the publisher has just one developer, Criterion, in the UK.
Although still a major player in the global games industry, Britain has dropped from third to sixth in the development rankings over the past five years. While countries such as Canada and France have seen an influx of investment by offering tax breaks to games companies (In Quebec, government subsidies meet 37.5% of games industry payrolls) Britain has been subject to a brain drain as talented development staff have moved abroad for better salaries. Is there a chance tax credits could reverse that trend?
"Well, tax credits send out a strong message that the UK is the best place in the world to develop games. That in itself will attract inward investment," says Ian Livingstone, life president of publisher Square Enix and chair of the Creative Industries Council's Access to Finance Group.
"We've certainly got the talent here – we're the most creative nation in the world – we just have to make sure those creatives are empowered with a skilled labour force, access to finance, and tax credits that level the playing field internationally."
Games are a serious business
Perception seems to be a key element here. While Britain is still producing some of the best games in the world (Grand Theft Auto, Batman, LittleBigPlanet), smaller studios are suffering partly because of a lack of support from venture capitalists and business angels. If nothing else, a nod from Osborne is an indication that this is a business to take seriously.
"It's an important first step in raising the profile of the sector," agrees Colin Anderson, the managing director of Dundee studio Denki. "It's saying that the games industry is open for business. Not nearly enough has been made of this - lots of people are saying, well, what are tax breaks going to do for MY business, but that's missing the point.
"There's a bigger picture here. We tend to have a very insular view, we think games are mainstream because we're all into them, but I can't stress enough how un-mainstream the games industry is when you go and talk to investors - it's still the black sheep of the creative industries, let alone the wider business community.
"But now the government is saying, 'we recognise that you guys are as important as film and television'. That's a great benchmark. At the moment there aren't enough investors savvy enough to be investing in the games sector, so anything we can do to incentivise them to take a chance on games is good."
Of course, the details of the credits have yet to be bashed out, but we have a good clue in the structure Tiga has requested in its report A Video Games Tax Relief: An Incentive to Build a Sustainable Video Games Development Sector, which exactly echoes the tax credits being provided to the film industry. This equates to 20% tax relief on production costs for games costing more than £3m to produce and 25% on games costing between £50,000 and £3m. But this will based on UK expenditure, using British staff.
Will tax breaks hurt the indies?
Assuming these rates are adopted, will the system really start attracting those big publishers back into the county? Livingstone is convinced it will. "Look at the effect of film tax credits in the UK," he says. "We know for a fact that Warner Bros and Disney have produced films in the UK because of both the talent available and the incentive of 20% tax credits. Those films could easily have been made elsewhere, but they weren't. We hope that similar attitudes will exist with games."
This may well bring its own problems however. Lol Scragg, chief executive of games business consultancy Gamify, worries about the eco-system of development in the UK. "Whilst I have no knowledge of the detail of what is being offered, I do have a concern that any benefits could be to the detriment of the independent game developers we currently have in the UK.
"I fear that the large international companies could set up their megastudios here whilst hoovering up the talent currently in the independent sector, purely for the reduced costs of labour. I hope that Tiga are involved in any tax credits consultation to ensure that the greater benefit comes to indigenous UK owned and based companies, rather than just being cheap labour for our French and American colleagues."
It's a legitimate concern, but there are plenty of insiders who feel the effect will be the reverse: that tax breaks will help to support small studios, working on original development. On Thursday, I spoke to Dave Bailey, CEO of Mediatonic – a UK studio specialising in mobile games.
Although the company currently does a lot of work with publishers in the US, Bailey believes the availability of tax breaks would make it more rewarding for his team to produce original titles. "Well, it's going to be 20% cheaper for us to make games," he says, bluntly. "We do make our own original titles but this means we can potentially put more money into them, with tax credits mitigating some of the risks."
He isn't alone. "We are all about innovation," says Roberta Lucca of Bossa Studios, a Shoreditch start-up that just won a Bafta award for its social game, Monstermind. "We started with four founders using our life savings to do something creative. For us this announcement is a great incentive: in order to innovate you have to take risks, but this lessens them."
"I went to GDC last week and a lot of British companies were doing work-for hire," adds Oli Christie of Neon Play. "But there's a real desire among developers to make their own games. Working on original IP is much more fun and rewarding, and you're driving up the value of your own studio. There are so many talented young companies and I think that's where the drive for growth is going to come from in this country. Zynga should be buying UK studios, not OMGPOP."
What's the next move?
The big question is, what happens now? Osborne has provided no further information on his tax break plans beyond the brief mention on Wednesday. The whole substance of the proposal remains undecided.
The next step will be a period of consultation. "It has to go through the government and the treasury," says Livingstone. "They have to decide how it's going to work, who will be able to qualify, the limitations. Like the film industry, there may be a cultural test – that doesn't mean you'll need to have red telephone boxes throughout your game, it's about having a certain amount of British production talent working on the game.
"It will then have to go through EU approvals to make sure it's not contravening any state aid laws – that will take about a year. The important thing is, the industry has to come together as one to consult with the government to make sure it gets the best deal."
Despite the lack of solid information, a few possible figures are circulating the industry, and UK studios have begun working out the ramifications. "From what I understand, the tax break will be worth £15m in the first year and £35m in the second," says Miles Jacobson, studio director of Sports Interactive, creator of the hugely successful Football Manager series.
"At first, we thought that didn't sound like much, but then, it's a start. It's something. At Sports Interactive, if we successfully claim tax credits, we'll be looking to re-invest that money into creating new jobs, which in turn will make our games better and more competitive."
This is a common theme. "The beauty of it is, when tax credits come online, we'll be able to re-invest even more into jobs." says Imre Jele of Bossa Studios." Over the last year we've created 30 jobs and if we have credits, if we can save 20% on our production, that's 20% we can put toward wages. It's also about making it easier for game developers fresh out of university to start their own companies. It's a very exciting moment."
There are dissenting voices, however, and these are important. When I asked Ricky Haggett, founder of talented studio Honey Slug about the meaning of the budget announcement, he gave a very different answer.
"There's a wider issue here, which is whether tax breaks for the UK games industry is even appropriate. And on a personal level, I'd prefer it if the government was taking steps to equalise the huge difference between rich and poor: tax breaks for the games industry come as part of a package which contains some of the most awful things this coalition government is doing to the UK – so I don't feel it's appropriate to celebrate one part which happens to affect my own situation."
There's something in that, of course. But then, with billions of pounds a year to pump into the UK economy, the digital creative industries can at least provide a hint at a more optimistic future. It's hard not to be excited by that. And amid the anger directed at the 50p top-rate tax cut, at the bankers and businessmen growing ever more rich off a defunt fiancial sector, there is the bright potential of brilliant young high-tech studios making a stab at turning around the country's fortunes.
This is, as Jele put it, all part of a moment – a tipping point. During the process of lobbying for tax breaks, game developers have also joined with the wider technology community to campaign for better computer science education in schools. In January, Michael Gove committed to re-addressing outdated ICT teaching. Within the space of a year, the climate has utterly changed for the high-tech industries in the UK.
"I think this is the most important time in UK games production for 30 years," says veteran developer Philip Oliver, co-founder of Blitz Game Studios. "In 1982, Acorn launched the BBC Micro, Sinclair had the ZX Spectrum… those machines introduced a whole generation to computing. Now, if tax breaks and computer studies in schools are followed through, this will revolutionise not just our games industry but all digital creative industries in the 21st century.
"It will significantly increase the National GDP and global exports. It will become a fast-growth sector; and it will be employing many thousands of talented individuals in creativity rewarding careers." | <urn:uuid:829932c5-443e-459a-a27c-11acfe5fa166> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2012/mar/23/video-game-tax-credits | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97263 | 2,689 | 1.507813 | 2 |
| 5:03 pm on Sep 19, 2009 (gmt 0)|
About... Bloody... Time.
Lets hope they make it stick.
| 6:47 pm on Sep 19, 2009 (gmt 0)|
I see why the network providers don't want the gov telling them what to do.
I also see why google backed neutrality so much.
| 10:17 pm on Sep 19, 2009 (gmt 0)|
Most of what I've seen surroundingthe net neutrality so far is actually a direct result of too much competition for the customers leading to unrealistic promisses the ISP connecting consumers can't retract all that easily and hence an effort of them to try to find alternate ways to generate revenue.
Pushing them further into a corner will yield either them going belly up, or worse them seeking other -bad for webmasters and the general public- sources.
Examples of the type of offerign them sell their customers that are not sustainable:
FIOS, or any other high bandwidth solution that has no cap on amount of traffic the consumer can transfer in a given timespan. The costs involved for the ISPs are prohibitve from making a profit as the users increase their bandwidth usage.
P2P traffic is about the worst on this as it uses tremendous amounts of bandwidth on provider's backbones that don't run for free.
Examples of such sources we don't want them to be forced into:
- as webmasters: replace our ads with ads of their own, cutting off our revenue
- the general population really doesn't need every typo in a URL leading to a parked service of dubious nature.
Net neutrality as champion by Google and the like is sensitive from their perspective: They already pay for connectivity to the Internet to their upstreams, they have significant invenstments into content delivery systems to facilitate the delivery of content throughout the world. And then some leaf ISP connecting consumers (who already gets paid for connecting sad consumers want to have more money ?)
So the only solution is simple, but not popular: force ISPs connecting consumers to charge the consumers enough to cover the costs they cause (prohibit them from running the service at a loss). This will mean no "unlimited" use high bandwidth connections for $ 20 or even $50 a month ... and you'll have to accept either a cap on the amount of traffic you can send.receive and/or a significant price hike.
| 11:56 pm on Sep 19, 2009 (gmt 0)|
|So the only solution is simple, but not popular: force ISPs connecting consumers to charge the consumers enough to cover the costs they cause (prohibit them from running the service at a loss). |
I like simple solutions - I think you are on to something with this one. Perhaps fixed-line ISPs should introduce similar pricing structures as those used for wireless broadband (i.e. a reasonable bandwidth allocation and then you pay for the rest at say, 10% above cost).
| 3:50 am on Sep 20, 2009 (gmt 0)|
I personally don't buy the bandwidth issue.. selling 50mbit lines for 69/month isn't the issue, its when you have cable companies who want to protect their lucrative content industry and make it prohibitive to others to deliver over the internet that we have to worry about. In fact in many ways the Internet is probably one of THE best "Economy of scale" industries ever since the more you use, the cheaper it gets and the larger the network you support the more the carriers want to peer with you anyway.
Your talking $10.00/mb for GigE connections in most metropolitan areas for a Tier 1 network. 10gE is running 4.00/mb for wholesale.
Personally if companies go metered internet access i think they would risk failing more since most people don't use a fraction of their bandwidth and those who do use a lot of bandwidth would happily switch companies that don't meter.
| 4:59 pm on Sep 20, 2009 (gmt 0)|
Ars Technica ran an article which made it pretty clear that ISP's are raking in money like never before so there are no profit issues for ISP's period!
Some things I'd like to see happen...
1.) No more lying about download speeds. Comcast gives me a 12 megabit connection only to ISP speed test sites, I'm still only seeing six megabit on everything else tops.
2.) No more lying about upload speeds. Comcast will upload the first ten megabits of a file at about 320 kilobytes a second and then drop it to about 120 kilobytes a second after that.
3.) No more having to reset my cable modem every half an hour or any time I get a decent torrent download speed.
4.) Multiple cable ISP choices in all areas.
Any one who knows even half of what is going on knows ISP's are using packet filtering to slow down torrent, FTP, and other types of traffic, even at odd hours of the night. ISP's need to get it through their thick corporate skulls, if someone isn't watching their television service even if they made the content available people will still access it online via their computers.
The one-way medium is dead and big content is simply not going to succeed in using ISP's to turn human beings in to television watching zombies.
| 6:07 pm on Sep 20, 2009 (gmt 0)|
|No more lying about download speeds. Comcast gives me a 12 megabit connection only to ISP speed test sites, I'm still only seeing six megabit on everything else tops. |
That's not Comcast lying because the junk between your IP connection and the rest of the world can be staggeringly crappy.
Just last week I had a horrid FTP connection to one of my servers and the connection was from COMCAST -> TINET -> PEER 1 and the TINET portion of the connection was completely messed up.
I contacted Comcast on twitter, they contacted TINET, and within an hour it cleared up.
I do a full database backup from my server to my local desktop nightly and I download 80MB of data in just a couple of minutes so I can see daily in the download log that Comcast is doing a decent job.
Next time you have problems just run traceroute from your location to the destination and you'll see exactly where it's failing to reach top speeds.
|No more having to reset my cable modem every half an hour or any time I get a decent torrent download speed. |
So you're blaming Comcast because the pirate network doesn't run at top speeds?
| 8:13 pm on Sep 20, 2009 (gmt 0)|
I've had Fios before and I've gotten over 10 megabit connections to many of the sites I frequent including my own.
I run tracert all the time looking for bad hops.
Who said anything about piracy and tops speeds? I said everything I get a decent torrent download speed they kill the modem. On a 12 megabit connection 300 kilobytes is hardly top speed.
| 2:38 am on Sep 21, 2009 (gmt 0)|
|So the only solution is simple, but not popular: force ISPs connecting consumers to charge the consumers enough to cover the costs they cause (prohibit them from running the service at a loss). This will mean no "unlimited" use high bandwidth connections for $ 20 or even $50 a month ... and you'll have to accept either a cap on the amount of traffic you can send.receive and/or a significant price hike. |
Agree, allowing them to offer more bandwidth for their own services and content or giving privilege to certain companies will only allow them to bulldoze the competition. Separation of the connection service and content is crucial so sites can remain competitive. In many areas like mine consumers only have one choice for a provider.
| 7:40 pm on Sep 22, 2009 (gmt 0)|
I think the question here is not about unlimited vs limited bandwidth plans: the question is about slowing down or having preferential behaviors for different kinds of traffic/apps. No doubt that the unlimited bandwidth plans are foolish: the telcos need to get paid for the usage. However, the telcos have no right or place putting restrictions on the type of traffic we consume.
| 5:06 am on Sep 23, 2009 (gmt 0)|
So you're blaming Comcast because the pirate network doesn't run at top speeds?
More likely the poster is talking about the usage of devices from SANDVINE on the COMCAST network that deliberately interfere with specific traffic.
It(the SANDVINE system) profiles traffic, and if it determines that it is not traffic that the isp wants on the network it sends a forged TCP RST packet to the endpoints. This effectively shuts down the connection without the either end having initiated a shutdown sequence. Clearly this is dirty pool.
My view is that an isp is paid to provide connectivity. This connectivity should not be restricted to specific traffic. If I need a port to perform a task, it should be available without interference.
Once the Sandvine device latches onto a particular MAC address, it will start to interfere with all communications on all ports involving that MAC address. Not just the torrent that triggered it.
So, run a torrent slowly in the background, and watch the server administration connection come to a crawl as it continuously disconnects and reconnects.
Sending forged RST packets to interfere with TCP connections is nothing more than a disincentive to using protocols that are tied to high bandwidth consumption. This is bandwidth that was advertised and sold, but that the isp does not want to actually deliver.
BTW, torrents are not just for pirated materials, they are also used for software distribution and updates. As the torrents are initiated, offered and encouraged by the vendors, it can hardly be called piracy.
| 10:13 am on Sep 23, 2009 (gmt 0)|
|BTW, torrents are not just for pirated materials, they are also used for software distribution and updates. As the torrents are initiated, offered and encouraged by the vendors, it can hardly be called piracy. |
plumsouce, you're hitting it closer to target than you might know.
99% of P2P traffic is copyright violating material. There's no defense for breaking the law. And this gives all of the P2P traffic a really bad name.
The remaining part is a real annoyance: these companies sell a service or a product but deliberately chose not to pay for the distribution or the traffic it generates and instead borrow (some might argue: steal) that capacity from their users. Now those users often are unwittingly duped into this, or chosen due to them having much bandwidth available to them. Few do this as an intentional choice.
How those users are paying for their bandwidth is left out of the equation. If they have a fixed price deal and unlimited usage, they typically don't care and let the ISP run up the extra costs without getting any extra benefit form it.
Those without that flat fee unlimited use will easily get annoyed by it, jst like most companies trying to using their resources for business purposes instead of due to somebody unintentionally starting to supply something to the rest of the world for "free".
What are examples I've run into from non-copyright violating uses of P2P ... skype: Get promoted to supernode and you'll know what I'm talking about.
World of Warcraft: distributes their updates for the game using a P2P network they build from all gamers currently downloading the update with threats to the users to let the P2P happen or face even slower downloads.
There probably are more out there. And I think it's not in the best interest of all of us to allow companies to abuse this and not pay at all for connectivity for their quite profitable services. The difference between these companies and e.g. Google are gigantic. Google and the like pay serious amounts to be connected to the Internet with huge bandwidths around the world. asking them to pay once again for traffic to end-users is like asking them to pay twice for the same service. The examples above are companies that didn't pay once (ok, just for seeding it). Asking them to pay at least once isn't too much to ask IMHO.
Worse if ISPs are made powerless to stop things like P2P traffic it can only mean we all pay the price in the long run. Just imagine Googling for something means you accept to be part of their P2P crawler for the next hour, or using bing means you're a distribution point for the next black Tuesday updates Microsoft needs to distribute, ...
Since the ISP can't act against this anymore they'll have little choice but to slow it all down and/or charge you more.
| 12:14 pm on Sep 23, 2009 (gmt 0)|
If they have a fixed price deal and unlimited usage, they typically don't care and let the ISP run up the extra costs without getting any extra benefit form it.
If the ISP didn't do the costings on their packages correctly that is their problem not the customer's.
| 12:48 pm on Sep 23, 2009 (gmt 0)|
Sorry peeps but spammers set the stage for protocol interference.
Many of you can't directly send email via your own SMTP servers, you have to send email via your ISP yet you can read email from your own POP server, and it's been this way long before the ISPs targeted P2P protocols.
If the ISPs aren't allowed to police their own networks to stop harm from coming to the online community at large, then we might as well roll up the web and put it away now.
What I find most amusing is people pay a paltry $40/mo and think they should get the same kind of access someone paying full price for a T3 gets.
I'll suspect many people sign up for Comcast without reading the TOS and then complain they're being punished for violating those rules, let's investigate!
Comcast's TOS [comcast.net] clearly states that hosting file sharing services on their network is not permitted, so hosting P2P file sharing is covered, it's simply not allowed, and they further state:
"temporarily lowering the priority of traffic for users who are the top contributors to current network congestion"
That pretty much sums up the situation, it's not allowed.
Funny, I can stream HD movies full speed from various legit sources without a glitch but I'll bet there's a glitch if I try to download one via torrent, wonder what the difference is?
For the record, I'm for net neutrality, but I'm not for net abuse, two totally different things and the current system is working just fine at the moment without government interference.
It's way to early for the Feds to step in.
| 9:45 am on Sep 25, 2009 (gmt 0)|
|If the ISP didn't do the costings on their packages correctly that is their problem not the customer's. |
Have _you_ ever done pricing for mass consumer products ?
Regardless: the smart ISPs have hidden in the fine print the defenses together with purchasing the technology they needed to defend that pricing.
If anybody comes in and disturbs that balance they will need to seek a new balance.
If they want to keep the unlimited aspect: it'll be a solution with more income from somewhere. So It'll be "phorm" and other similar stuff or a price hike. I only hope they have the guts to go for the price hike.
Or if they want to keep the price levels: the details in the contract will change: no more unlimited bandwidth etc.
| 8:15 pm on Oct 1, 2009 (gmt 0)|
Unlimited is like virginity - you have it or you don't.
| 5:44 am on Oct 2, 2009 (gmt 0)|
it depends on what the definition of "is" is.
for example the bandwidth is obviously limited by the technology even if you are on a T3.
the fine print will simply become more obscure by adding qualifiers such as "unlimited instantaneous bandwidth" or "unlimited bandwidth consumption".
| 7:11 am on Oct 2, 2009 (gmt 0)|
something like unlimited edition
(some limits apply)
And then in the smallprint:
Additional traffic over the maximum average daily use will be invoiced at $X/Mbyte.
With that daily average calculated on a window of the billing period and the maximum set at something the majority of your customers are well below, somthing reasonable like 300Mbyte/day.
Pass it through marketing and legal a few times and no customer will notice till/unless the leachers get their first bill and start to protest: so you "gently" squeeze then out first (DMCA/copyright complaints sounds like an easy way to get them out and not have to take the heat) and be happy with the bulk of the rest of the customers.
The fun part: your competitor who stays last "truly" unlimited will end up with just the leachers and will have a _far_ bigger problem on his hands. | <urn:uuid:fe7c9ae2-1766-44bf-a8c1-f9297b0c1403> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.webmasterworld.com/foo/3992101.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947202 | 3,599 | 1.765625 | 2 |
It is the mission of the Central County Occupational Center/Program to educate
eligible high school and adult students for success in careers and college in a
professional, hands-on environment.
The Central County Occupational Center (CCOC) offers courses within 13
industry sectors where junior and senior high school students can explore
and develop technical skills that will lead them to higher education or into the workplace.
Click here for the Class Schedule.
Students attend half-days on the CCOC campus and half-days at their home high schools
for a semester or an entire school year. Free-of-charge busing is available or students
may drive or be transported to the campus.
CCOC day career technical education classes are designed specifically for high school
students; adults may register on a space-available basis, only.
CCOC has evening career technical education classes designed specifically for adult students;
high school students may attend with approval from their high school counselor. | <urn:uuid:c83ddea0-f17b-43d1-a0ee-0352144a81ce> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.metroed.net/cte-day.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945181 | 201 | 1.914063 | 2 |
Travel Time Tube Map
Click on (or select, above) a station to see the London Underground map reorganise around the times of travel from that station. Shortest paths are used to place the other stations - radius is proportional to time to travel, and angle should be correct for as-the-crow-flies direction on a map. The concentric circles are at 10 minute intervals. Press 'g' to get back to the geographical tube map.
NB:- times may not be accurate! This is really only a proof of concept, and to me it looks like I'm reporting times which are slightly too fast. You'll have to factor in interchange times and possibly times when the train is stopped if you want to actually make use of this in its current form. Also, it needs a recent Java plug-in, probably 1.4+, sorry.
Inspired by Oskar Karlin's reworking of the tube map around the time to travel from Elephant and Castle, and Rod McLaren's subsequent sketch 10 Minutes tube travel from Oxford Circus. Uses travel times from Geoff and Neil's travel times map (plus fake ones for DLR, sorry). Station locations are from Wikipedia's London Underground Geographic Maps. Yes, there are similar maps in existence elsewhere - you might have heard the terms anamorphosis, isochrone or isochronic map used to describe them. Here's one for Japan's railways.
Lots of things that need improving...
Would be nice:
- a key for the different lines
- search for stations (type into the applet)
- list out the shortest path between two stations (not including time to change)
- sort out the 'white dot' connecting stations to match the proper tube map
- proper DLR times to travel (just used 2 mins for everything - tube ones are better)
- display travel card zones
- sync with realtime TfL data (which lines are down etc.)
- add average time to change lines
- Harry Beck style layout
- filter for stations with toilets, disabled access, etc.
- use curves where appropriate
- sort out overlapping lines
- blobs/contours for time to travel
- interchange times
- time to surface
Suggestions on a postcard (tom [at] tom [dash] carden [dot] co [dot] uk) - particularly for sources of data for travel times, vector versions of Harry Beck's tube map, etc. | <urn:uuid:352475fe-80c7-43de-a536-981ca52dd4b7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tom-carden.co.uk/p5/tube_map_travel_times/applet/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917989 | 506 | 2.578125 | 3 |
These Fisheries activities were updated in late 2008 and early 2009 along with the Learning Results. Note that the 1997 Learning Results divided grades into 3-4 and 5-8, while the 2007 Learning Results divides them into grades 3-5 and 6-8.
Ideas to try....
The business of fishing has changed dramatically since the 19th century. What made a good fishery business then, as compared to the present day? Compare skills needed and the actual tasks and workplace environments.
Possible research topics: specific fish species: fishing boats and their evolution; regulations; and markets. See our resource list for some references, including primary sources available at the museum.
Health was relevant in the 19th century story of the fisheries, because of the dietary habits of the public, the hazards of obtaining fish, and the need for good methods of food preservation. Today, environmental pollution of various types can result in a health hazard when eating certain fish species—learn more from contemporary sources.
Learn about the health benefits of eating certain kinds of fish.
Make graphs or charts for environmental hazards such as mercury and red tide.
Science and Technology
Scientists study fish, other marine life, and bodies of water in order to learn more about these resources. Students could learn more about the ecosystem in Penobscot Bay or the Gulf of Maine, and interactions between various life forms.
Think more about the technology developments that have impacted fisheries over the past 200 years. Pick one, such as refrigeration or engine-powered fishing vessels, and make a diagram showing all the ramifications of this development.
Visit a lobster pound or tank at a market. Make detailed observations of the lobsters. Investigate sources of seafood by interviewing the manager of a supermarket or restaurant.
Civics and Government
The history of the fisheries in Maine contains many examples of regulation and attempted regulation, changes in economic structure, and conflict between fishermen themselves and distributors, owners, and managers, scientists, and politicians. These conflicts can offer material for discussion—take sides and debate as a fisherman vs. a regulator, etc. at certain periods in history. How do you feel about regulation by the government today? Who should have the final word about fishery regulation?
Investigate the fishing grounds of the world. Learn about how another country manages its marine resources. What have been the influences of the International Law of the Sea Conference and other United Nations organizations?
Economics is a key issue in the operation of the fishing industry. Choose one fishery, such as lobster or cod fishing, and learn more about supply, demand, incentives, and how different people profit or risk differently in obtaining the catch. The ideas of Herrick (see Resources) and his model for the lobster fishery may be of interest.
Create artistic works about marine life and using marine life, such as shells. The museum collection includes some works of art on the subject of fishing, fishermen, and fishing vessels. | <urn:uuid:0180b261-7d86-42e2-b419-e0524b63395c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://penobscotmarinemuseum.org/pbho-1/fisheries/5-8-activities | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94709 | 599 | 3.6875 | 4 |
Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman has written a children's book. (Getty Images)
NEW YORK (AP) - Dennis Rodman, one of basketball's most outrageous personalities, has written a book for children.
The Hall of Famer's book, "Dennis The Wild Bull," came out Wednesday and fans will immediately recognize Rodman's influence. The large red bull on the cover has flowing red hair, two nose rings, a tattoo and red stubble under his chin.
Rodman says the book teaches kids that it's OK to be different and that they will be accepted, as he was by teammates in Detroit in Chicago while winning five championships.
And Rodman, whose previous works include titles such as "Bad as I Wanna Be" and "I Should Be Dead by Now," laughs at the notion of himself as a children's author, saying that "to write a children's book with all the wild things I do and make it believable was pretty much incredible." | <urn:uuid:d3d2eeb5-fe67-4937-8fb9-f3a96253154e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wltx.com/news/watercooler/article/219129/363/The-Worm-Turns-Rodman-Writes-Book-for-Children- | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986041 | 203 | 1.742188 | 2 |
User Comments on String Vibrations (2)
Author: henry wilson
Posted: February 14, 2007 at 7:07AM
Do you think string theory has anything to do with the gravity dips surrounding masses? I saw a string vibrate and from the side it looks like dips I have seen in theory creations from artists that draw dips in space surrounding masses like stars and blackholes.
Author: Ed Lee
Posted: Feb 20, 2007 at 3:59PM
I passed Henry Wilson's question on to Steve Blau of Physics Today magazine, and here is his response.-- Ed Lee, Physics To Go site editor
My answer to Henry Wilson would be "yes and no." String theory has as a goal to be a theory of gravity. That's the yes part. But the visual coincidence he noted is just that, a coincidence. The string displacement is a displacement of physical string acted on by an external vibrator. I'm not sure I understand the gravitational "dips in space" that he refers to but I'd guess they are either the warping of spacetime by a gravitational masses, or a potential energy diagram. In either of those two cases, the physics is quite different from that of a vibrating physical string. | <urn:uuid:11cdc1e1-c01e-4e3a-8fd0-537c13788fe2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=4772 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959449 | 254 | 2.4375 | 2 |
Beryl will continue to unload drought-quenching rainfall in part of the South today, taking a path parallel to the Carolina coast.
Tropical Rainstorm Beryl has delivered over a foot of rain to parts of northern Florida. A gauge near Midway, Fla. has received 12.65 inches of rain from Beryl as of 6:30 A.M. EDT May 29, 2012.
While less intense amounts of rain are expected looking ahead as Beryl begins to pick up forward speed, both beneficial and disruptive downpours can occur.
Downpours will roll across the cities of Raleigh, Wilmington and New Bern, N.C. and Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Va. along the way.
Enough rain can fall to significantly impact existing drought conditions in a positive way. However, there can also be a few incidents of flash and urban flooding.
Beryl nearly became a hurricane before making landfall near Jacksonville, Fla., early on Monday morning. Beryl was downgraded to a tropical rainstorm during the midday hours Monday as it moved inland over northern Florida.
However, even as Beryl loses wind velocity and circulation the next couple of days, localized torrential downpours and locally severe thunderstorms are forecast begins to drift northeastward.
According to Meteorologist Joseph P. Sobel, Ph.D., "The risk of localized severe thunderstorms are most likely to occur on the storm's eastern and southern side."
Since the system will still be close enough to the coast to grab moisture, rainfall on the order of several additional inches is possible in portions of northern and central Florida to coastal North Carolina through the middle of the week.
It is possible that Beryl will regain some strength later this week, after the system turns well out to sea, off Cape Hatteras, N.C.
This region was foretold as a potential trouble spot and breeding area for tropical activity for the latter part of May. The disturbance that spawned Beryl originated from this region last week.
Pollution levels hit all-time highs Thursday in Singapore as Indonesian fires burned out of control.
Severe thunderstorms with the risk of a few tornadoes will advance eastward across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest into Friday.
A dangerous outbreak of severe storms will strike the northern High Plains and Canadian Prairies on Wednesday.
Evacuations and closed roads as wildfires continue to burn across the United States.
Join us on Thursday for AccuWeather LIVE as we will discuss the debate of climate change and hurricane frequency and the top five things you need to know about summer weather.
A hot and humid weekend is shaping up for Chicagoland just in time for the official start of summer, while severe thunderstorms fire nearby to the north.
Juneau, AK (1991)
Record warm 84 degrees; the old record was 83 set in 1958. This was one of ten times that Juneau has reached 80 degrees over the last 49 years. It was hot over northern Alaska as well with Fairbanks hitting 91.
Starksville, GA (1862)
Civil war drought: "The failure of oats in the region is total. Some wheat will be made but the crop is light and inferior."
Annette, AK (1991)
Record high of 86 degrees; the old record was 79 set in 1958. | <urn:uuid:cd2a8922-1ee1-4a3a-bbd8-8240fb2b4b75> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/whats-next-for-beryl/65722 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961182 | 682 | 2.25 | 2 |
Multiple hands-on, minds-on activities for teaching biology to high school and middle school students are available at http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/ .
Additional teaching resources presented here include:
- minds-on discussion/worksheet activities, games, and web-based activities for learning and review
- overviews of important biological topics, including major concepts, common misconceptions, and suggested learning activities.
The topics covered include biological molecules, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, cell structure and function, cell division, genetics, molecular biology and human health, biological concepts, and scientific method.
The overview at the beginning of each major section suggests a sequence of activities which can be used to help students overcome common misconceptions and develop a genuine, solid understanding of important biological concepts.
The minds-on discussion/worksheet activities challenge students to actively develop their understanding of biological concepts using logical inference and the application of concepts to the interpretation of real-world situations and experimental and observational data. To maximize student participation and learning, you may want to have your students complete the questions individually or in pairs and then have a whole class discussion.
These activities are designed for use in high school biology courses, but some of them could be adapted for use in a middle school classroom and others could be adapted for use in a college non-majors biology course. We encourage you to modify these activities to best meet the needs of your students, and we invite your feedback and comments.
Authors: Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, a post-doctoral researcher of science education at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and K-12 teachers in the Philadelphia area.
Subscribe to our listserv to receive notices when we post new activities or significant revisions.
Understanding the Functions of Proteins and DNA (revised 8/2012)
This overview provides a sequence of learning activities to help students understand that proteins and DNA are not just abstract concepts in biology textbooks, but rather crucial components of our bodies that affect functions and characteristics that students are familiar with. Students learn about how proteins contribute to the digestion of food and to characteristics such as albinism, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia. Then, students learn about the relationship between the genetic information in DNA and the different versions of these proteins. The discussion, web-based, and hands-on learning activities presented are appropriate for an introductory unit on biological molecules or as an introduction to a unit on molecular biology.
This game reviews introductory chemistry, including organic compounds and chemical reactions.
Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis -- Important Concepts, Common Misconceptions, and Learning Activities (revised 5/2011)
This overview of energy, cellular respiration and photosynthesis summarizes important concepts and common misconceptions. It also suggests a sequence of learning activities to overcome misconceptions, develop student understanding of important concepts, and relate these concepts to familiar topics such as breathing, food, body weight, and plant growth.
How Do Biological Organisms Use Energy? (revised 1/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity is designed to help students understand the basic principles of how biological organisms use energy, with a focus on the roles of ATP and cellular respiration. The overview developed by this activity provides a useful introduction to cellular respiration and an important conceptual background for students who will be learning the complex specifics of cellular respiration.
Cellular Respiration and Breathing (revised 5/2011)
The questions in this worksheet/discussion activity help students understand the relationship between cellular respiration, O2, CO2, and breathing.
Food, Energy and Body Weight (revised 5/2011)
This discussion/worksheet activity helps students to understand the relationships between food molecules as a source of energy, cellular respiration, physical activity, and changes in body weight.
Barley & Oat’s Brewing Backfire!
In this worksheet/discussion activity, students compare aerobic cellular respiration and alcoholic fermentation and then interpret evidence to figure out why a micro-brewer’s beer has no alcohol.
Where Does a Plant’s Mass Come From? (revised 3/2011)
The questions in this worksheet/discussion activity help students understand that a large part of a plant’s mass consists of water, most of the biomass comes from carbon dioxide, and minerals from the soil contribute only a tiny amount of the plant’s mass.
Plant Growth Puzzle (revised 3/2011)
This worksheet/discussion activity presents a structured sequence of questions to challenge students to explain why plants that grow in the light weigh more than the seeds they came from, whereas plants that grow in the dark weigh less than the seeds they came from.
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration (revised 3/2011)
Students use puzzle pieces representing the components of the equations for photosynthesis and aerobic cellular respiration and answer questions about these processes.
Cell Structure and Function -- Major Concepts and Learning Activities (new 7/2011)
This overview presents key concepts that students often do not learn from standard textbook presentations and suggests a sequence of learning activities to help students understand how the parts of a cell work together to accomplish the multiple functions of a dynamic living cell. Suggested activities also reinforce student understanding of the relationships between molecules, organelles and cells, the diversity of cell structure and function, and the importance and limitations of diffusion. This overview provides links to web resources, hands-on activities, and discussion activities.
Cells as Molecular Factories (revised 10/2011)
This discussion/worksheet activity reviews how eukaryotic cells are molecular factories in two senses: cells produce molecules and cells are made up of molecules. The questions guide students to think about how the different parts of a eukaryotic cell cooperate to function as a protein-producing factory and as a recycling plant. Additional questions require students to identify the locations and functions of different types of molecules in eukaryotic cells.
Diffusion and Cell Size and Shape (new 7/2011)
This discussion/worksheet activity helps students understand that cell size is limited by the very slow rate of diffusion over any substantial distance and the insufficient surface-area-to-volume ratio for larger cells. In addition, students calculate why these problems do not apply to long slender cells or parts of cells (e.g. the axons of neurons that extend from your spinal cord to your foot).
Diversity of Cell Structure and Function (new 7/2011)
The questions in this discussion/worksheet activity enhance student understanding of the similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the relationship between structure and function in different types of eukaryotic cells, the functions of the various organelles, and the relationships between molecules, organelles and cells.
Cell Vocabulary Review Game (new 7/2011)
This game helps students to enjoy reviewing vocabulary related to cells, organelles, and the plasma membrane. Each card in the deck has a target vocabulary word and two related taboo words that the student may not use as he/she gives clues so the other students in his/her small group can guess the target word. Many students have trouble learning the substantial new vocabulary required for biology, and this game lets students have fun while reinforcing their understanding of key terms.
Mitosis, Meiosis and Fertilization -- Major Concepts, Common Misconceptions and Learning Activities (revised 8/2012)
These teacher notes summarize important concepts concerning mitosis and meiosis and propose a sequence of learning activities that will help students understand and learn these concepts and progress beyond common misconceptions. Students also learn how understanding meiosis and fertilization provides the basis for understanding how inheritance occurs. Links to suggested activities are provided, including a hands-on simulation of mitosis, meiosis and fertilization, a card sort activity, a discussion activity about the effects of mistakes in meiosis, and a vocabulary review game.
How Mistakes in Cell Division Can Result in Down Syndrome and Miscarriages (new 8/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity reinforces student understanding of the process of meiosis and the importance of having exactly the right number of copies of each chromosome in our body's cells. This activity also helps students to understand that miscarriages are often the result of genetic abnormalities and that genetic conditions sometimes are not inherited (e.g. Down syndrome due to meiotic nondisjunction). Optional additional questions can be used to promote student understanding of sex chromosome abnormalities and X chromosome inactivation.
Mitosis and Meiosis Card Sort Activity
This activity is designed to help students review the processes of mitosis and meiosis and to ensure that students understand how chromosomes move during mitosis vs. meiosis. Students arrange the cards from a shuffled deck of the stages of mitosis and meiosis in the sequence of steps that occur during cell division by mitosis and another sequence of steps that occur during cell division by meiosis.
Mitosis, Meiosis and Fertilization Vocabulary Review Game
This game helps students to enjoy reviewing vocabulary related to mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. Each card in the deck has a target vocabulary word and two related taboo words that the student may not use as he/she gives clues so the other students in his/her small group can guess the target word. Many students have trouble learning the substantial new vocabulary required for biology, and this game lets students have fun while reinforcing their understanding of key terms.
Genetics -- Major Concepts and Learning Activities (revised 8/2012)
This overview summarizes important genetics concepts and provides links to suggested hands-on simulation and laboratory activities, discussion activities, and review games. These learning activities demonstrate how (1) understanding meiosis and fertilization provides the basis for understanding how genes are transmitted from parents to offspring and (2) a basic understanding of the roles of DNA and proteins provides the basis for understanding how genes influence phenotypic characteristics. The suggested activities help students to understand Punnett squares, pedigrees, dominant/recessive alleles, X-linked recessive alleles, incomplete dominance, co-dominance, independent assortment, pleiotropy, polygenic inheritance, test cross, and the interacting effects of genes and environment on phenotypic characteristics.
Soap Opera Genetics -- Genetics to Resolve Family Arguments (revised 8/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity contains five episodes that can be used to reinforce understanding of genetic principles and the relevance of genetics to everyday life. Each episode focuses on different fundamental genetics concepts, including Punnett squares, codominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked inheritance, test cross, polygenic inheritance and the interacting effects of genes and the environment on phenotypic characteristics,. You can use all five episodes or use just the specific episodes that help students to understand the specific topics you want to review.
This Genetic Condition Was Not Inherited
This discussion/worksheet activity guides students to think about how mutations and meiotic nondisjunction can result in genetic conditions that are not inherited (most cases of achondroplasia and Down syndrome, respectively).
Should states repeal their laws banning first cousin marriage? -- Effects of first cousin marriage on health risks for their children (revised 8/2012)
This minds-on discussion/worksheet activity challenges students to analyze which types of genetic conditions will be more common among children of first cousin marriage and to use evidence concerning the magnitude of observed health effects to evaluate whether laws banning first cousin marriage in 25 states should be repealed.
Genetics Web Search Activity
This web search activity provides instructions and recommended sources to investigate genetic conditions and diseases.
Genetics Vocabulary Review Game
This game helps students to enjoy reviewing vocabulary related to genetics. Each card in the deck has a target vocabulary word and two related taboo words that the student may not use as he/she gives clues so the other students in his/her small group can guess the target word. Many students have trouble learning the substantial new vocabulary required for biology, and this game lets students have fun while reinforcing their understanding of key terms.
Genetics Review Jeopardy Game
This game reviews genetics, with 25 questions of varying levels of difficulty.
Molecular Biology: Major Concepts and Learning Activities (new 10/2011)
This overview reviews key concepts and learning activities to help students understand how genes influence our traits by molecular processes. Topics covered include basic understanding of the important roles of proteins and DNA; DNA structure, function and replication; the molecular biology of how genes influence traits, including transcription and translation; and the molecular biology of mutations. To help students understand the relevance of these molecular processes, the suggested learning activities link alleles of specific genes to human characteristics such as albinism, sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy. Suggested activities include hands-on laboratory and simulation activities, web-based simulations, discussion activities and a vocabulary review game.
DNA (new 10/2011)
This discussion/worksheet activity can be used to introduce your students to DNA structure and replication or to review these topics. The first version of the Student Handout provides a review for students who are familiar with DNA structure and replication. The second version of the Student Handout includes explanatory material and can be used to introduce students to the double helix structure of DNA and the process of replication. You may want to use this discussion activity together with the extraction of DNA from green split peas using the instructions available at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/extraction/howto/ (see Teacher Notes available at http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/#dna for additional advice on procedures for the extraction).
From Gene to Polypeptide -- The Roles of the Base-Pairing Rules and the Genetic Code (new 10/2011)
The questions in this discussion/worksheet activity reinforce student understanding of the information flow from a gene to a polypeptide, with an emphasis on understanding the roles of the base-pairing rules and the genetic code chart.
The Molecular Biology of Mutations and Muscular Dystrophy (new 10/2011)
In this discussion/worksheet activity students explore the effects of different types of point mutations and deletion mutations and analyze the reasons why deletion mutations generally have more severe effects than point mutations. Students use their understanding of the molecular biology of mutations to analyze the genetic basis for the differences in severity of two types of muscular dystrophy.
Molecular Biology Vocabulary Review Game (new 10/2011)
This game helps students to enjoy reviewing vocabulary related to DNA and RNA structure and function, transcription and translation.
In these activities, as students learn about health-related topics, they also review and apply important aspects of basic biology (e.g. physiology, molecular, cellular and evolutionary biology in the sports drink, cancer and HIV activities). These health activities also engage students in important scientific practices, as recommended by A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas (available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13165 ).
Using Molecular and Evolutionary Biology to Understand HIV/AIDS and Treatment (new 8/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity introduces students to the biology of HIV infection and treatment, including the molecular biology of the HIV virus lifecycle and the importance of understanding molecular biology and natural selection for developing effective treatments. The questions in this activity challenge students to apply their understanding of basic molecular and cellular biology and natural selection and interpret the information presented in prose and diagrams in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of HIV/AIDS and treatment.
Understanding the Biology of Cancer (new 8/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity introduces students to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer, including the important contributions of mutations in genes that code for proteins involved in regulating the rate of cell division. The questions in this activity challenge students to interpret the information presented in prose, tables and diagrams and apply their knowledge of basic molecular and cellular biology in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of cancer, including the contributions of a variety of environmental exposures to increased risk for different types of cancer and the long lag between exposure to carcinogens and the diagnosis of cancer.
Carbohydrate Consumption, Athletic Performance and Health – Using Science Process Skills to Understand the Evidence (new 11/2012)
This discussion/worksheet activity is designed to develop students' understanding of the scientific process by having them design an experiment to test a hypothesis, compare their experimental design with the design of a research study that tested the same hypothesis, evaluate research evidence concerning two hypothesized effects of carbohydrate consumption, evaluate the pros and cons of experimental vs. observational research studies, and finally use what they have learned to revise a standard diagram of the scientific method to make it more accurate, complete and realistic.
Vitamins and Health – Why Experts Disagree (new 11/2012)
In this discussion/worksheet activity, research concerning the health effects of vitamin E is used as a case study to help students understand why different research studies may find seemingly opposite results. Students learn useful approaches for evaluating and synthesizing conflicting research results, with a major focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different types of studies (laboratory experiments, observational studies, and clinical trials). Students also learn that the results of any single study should be interpreted with caution, since results of similar studies vary (due to random variation and differences in specific study characteristics).
Should Athletes Drink Sports Drinks? When? Why? (new 10/2011)
These Teacher Notes present questions and information for a class discussion of when and how the consumption of sports drinks can be beneficial or harmful. This discussion provides the opportunity to review or teach some basic concepts related to mammalian temperature regulation, osmosis, cellular respiration, mammalian regulation of water and salt balance, and mammalian circulation. If your students are not familiar with basic aspects of all of these topics, you can introduce a topic briefly as part of the discussion or you can modify the questions or decrease amount of detail you include in the discussion.
Sexual Health and Reproduction
This activity provides questions and Web sites to guide student investigation of birth control methods, fetal development, risks of alcohol and smoking during pregnancy, changes during puberty, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Get the Lead Out
This board game reinforces learning about the sources and biological hazards of lead exposure.
If you have any comments or would like additional information, please contact Ingrid Waldron at email@example.com .
We appreciate past support for Jennifer Doherty from a School District of Philadelphia Mathematics and Science Partnerships sub-award and from an NSF GK-12 grant to the University of Pennsylvania.
Copyright, 2012 by Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Dr. Jennifer Doherty, and Dr. Lori Spindler, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania
Teachers are encouraged to copy and modify these activities for use in their teaching. | <urn:uuid:0f5ab893-787b-4f83-90fe-51ba46dd9d6a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/print/8627 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910621 | 3,990 | 4.21875 | 4 |
|Written by Paul McLalin|
Intro: Learn how to earn more money with your how-to articles! You will be throwing money away if you do not follow these tips and suggestions.
Step 1: Write as many articles as you can! You may run out of ideas but it never hurts to learn something new and they write about your own experience learning such a task. The more articles you publish, the more money you will earn.
Step 2: Other than writing a lot of articles, the biggest way to drive targeted traffic to your articles and make more money is to sign up and submit your articles to social bookmarking sites. There are many social bookmarking sites which are very popular. These sites rank really well in search engines and can help your articles gain some ground.
The most popular sites are folkd.com, reddit.com, delicious.com, jumptags, and furl.net. Simply visit those websites, sign up, and post a link to your article. You may have to enter a short description and add some keywords but it is well worth your time. Not submitting your articles to these sites is basically like throwing money away. You will almost always notice a difference in views within 24-48 hours.
To go even further you can submit your articles to even more social bookmarking sites, such as, propeller.com, socialogs.com, indianpad.com, google.com/bookmarks, technorati.com, blinklist.com, diigo.com, and wirefan.com. Now don’t stress yourself out trying to post every article to every single website out there but at least give it a try with some of the major bookmarking sites.
Step 3: Another good way to get your articles out there is to link to them from a social networking site or your blog. If you are a member of MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter, you should post links to your articles on your profile pages. This is a good way to get your friends and family interested in the articles you are writing. If you have a blog or know someone who does, try to get links to your articles on there. This will also help friends, family members, and readers of your blog find more of your material and in return earn you more money.
Step 4: Add pictures; articles with pictures are statistically proven to earn more money and get more views than articles without pictures.
Step 5: Write great articles. Articles should usually be between 400 and 600 words. Articles with more or less than that don’t receive as much attention. Grammar is also important. You will lose credibility with every grammatical error. If you write about a topic with mass appeal, your article will usually receive more views. Alternatively, if you write about a unique topic that hasn’t been written about very much, you may receive a bigger portion of that particular audience.
Step 6: Use keywords. Using the right keywords can help your articles rank better in search engines. If your article is about dieting or weight loss, then you should have the words diet or weight loss in your title, introduction, body, and tips and suggestions.
Step 7: Network on FireHow. Meet friends, leave comments, and rate there articles. They may, in return, leave comments and rate your articles. The more comments and ratings, the more popular your articles will be and the more money you will make.
Step 8: Become an expert in a particular section. For example, if you write a ton of quality articles in weight loss and a user has a weight loss question they may just start referring directly to your articles.
Tips: Don’t get discouraged. The more quality articles you write, the more money you will earn. Also, tt takes time for your articles to work their way up the rankings of search engines.
Warnings: Don’t stuff your article with too many keywords. This could actually have a negative effect on your articles. | <urn:uuid:db3035a1-23d0-46bd-ba1c-dd8ae831ba1a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.firehow.com/20090226142/how-to-earn-more-money-with-your-how-to-articles.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940821 | 831 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Fair elections require numerous medium- and long-term reforms: nonpartisan election administration, uniform standards, machines that let us use instant runoff and proportional voting methods, and a federally protected right to vote, to name a few.
American voters also face several immediate challenges:
- Will I have to wait in line for hours?
- Will my precinct run out of provisional ballots?
- Have I been unexpectedly wiped from the voter roll?
- Will this machine delete or change my vote?
- Can an accurate recount be conducted?
- Does this pollworker know what he or she is doing?
With respect to these immediate challenges, FairVote supports common-sense reforms like mandatory pollworker training, accessibility of equipment to public scrutiny, paper-based audit capacity and election transparency in general.
Here are some of our allies:
The Advancement Project addresses a bedrock racial justice issue: expanding the active electorate. Its work focuses on increasing democratic participation in low-income and minority communities by investigating obstacles to voter participation and providing mechanisms for removing those obstacles.
Its Voter Protection Program has a team of attorneys, on-the-ground Local Voter Protection Advocates, and communications specialists who can provide vital services, including legal analysis, advice, and trainings, to local voter protection coalitions and civic participation groups.
The core strategy
of its voter protection efforts is to expose problems early in the election
cycle, to address these difficulties prior to Election Day: developing
processes for verifying that applicants are indeed placed on the voting
rolls as well as means of investigating unsuccessful applications, seeking
to ensure that election officials establish fair and effective election
administration procedures (i.e. avoid purging practices appropriate
training for poll workers, allocation of resources to election precincts,
provisional ballots, etc.).
Campaign Legal Center -- http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org
The Campaign Legal Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works in the areas of campaign finance and elections, political communication and government ethics, offering analysis of these issues and representing the public interest in administrative, legislative and legal proceedings.
In the summer
of 2008, it launched the Voters' Rights Protection Project, to provide
generic drafts of potential court filings to individuals, organizations,
and political parties who must resort to the courts to protect the fundamental
rights of citizens to vote. The legal documents drafted by the Legal Center allow individuals, as
well as advocacy groups, political parties, and candidates to obtain
pre-election or Election Day relief for a host of problems, including
extension of polling hours, insufficient ballots, and prevention of
voter harassment or intimidation.
Election Protection -- www.866ourvote.org
Election Protection is the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, led by the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights under Law and representing more than 100 organizations (including major civil rights organizations such as the NAACP, Rock the Vote, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and the National Congress of American Indians). This coalition was formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process.
It will undertake an extremely comprehensive effort to empower voters to make sure their vote counts this November 4. Through its 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline (1-866-687-8683), website and dedicated team of legal experts and trained volunteers (more than 10,000), Election Protection helps all American voters, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting, offering live assistance, guidance, information and help. The live voter protection services are provided through Election Day for all 50 states. | <urn:uuid:30bc8de0-2fc6-455a-bfaa-59515010d67e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archive.fairvote.org/index.php?page=1889&mode=showallbig&offset=10 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.925117 | 745 | 2.125 | 2 |
Over-the-counter analgesics: a toxicology perspective.
The decision to use any analgesic is a balance of benefit and risk. In the case of analgesics, it is important to balance the therapeutic benefit against both the risk in therapeutic use and the risk (and ease of treatment) in overdose. Paracetamol in therapeutic dose carries little risk of adverse events. Less than 0.1% of the estimated 30 million paracetamol users in the United Kingdom attend hospital with a paracetamol overdose each year, and approximately 200 people die, most of whom presented late or did not receive the antidote, N-acetylcysteine, within 12 hours. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have greater adverse effects in therapeutic use than paracetamol but also have a lower incidence of severe features or death in overdose. There is no antidote available for NSAID poisoning. Aspirin carries both significant adverse effects in therapeutic dose and a substantial risk in overdose, for which there is no antidote. Its risk–benefit profile is probably the poorest of all analgesics currently available over-the-counter (OTC); this is reflected in current trends both in analgesic use and overdose figures. Although a number of options to reduce deaths from poisoning by OTC analgesics have been considered, few are practical, and all must take account of the public health benefits provided by these drugs. A perspective should be retained that the vast majority of the population in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Denmark derive therapeutic benefit from OTC analgesics and do not take them in overdose. The majority of those who do take overdoses come to little or no harm. Management of serious poisoning by paracetamol, aspirin, or NSAIDs remains a medical challenge.
This record is in the process of being updated. Please contact us for more information. | <urn:uuid:b25098fe-16f7-46b1-93bc-58d376873f28> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ro.uow.edu.au/medpapers/192/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924967 | 382 | 2.328125 | 2 |
On "Brother John"
Meta DuEwa Jones
Harper's poem "Brother John," is an exemplary model to use for a discussion of prosody in jazz poetry because it resonates on a structural, syntactical and lyrical level. "Brother John's" adept intra-linear shifts in syntax and phrase changes between stanzas draw on the power of repetitive iteration, what Aldon Nielsen would term "Black Chant " In addition, Harper playfully alters the extra-lexical marks in each verse in a manner that is only "audible" within a visual context. Thus, the poem brings together the motif of orality and textuality that I have been examining. Despite what its title might imply, "Brother John" is not a prototypical "Coltrane poem." The poem's content at first seems to have no ostensible connection to music in general or Coltrane' s sound in particular. The speaker in the opening stanza proclaims:
I'm a black man;
I'm black; I am
A black man; black
I'm a black man;
I'm a black man;
I'm a man; black
On one level, the statement is a simple one, comprised of merely five monosyllabic words. Yet the complexity of its utterance ties in Harper's variation in punctuation marks and word arrangement. For example, the first verse contains a generic noun modified by a plain adjective"Black man." Harper extends this description into a declarative sentence: "I'm a black man."1 Like Alexander, Harper manipulates a minimal number of words to achieve the maximum aesthetic effect. Unlike in Alexander's "John Col," however, the extra-lexical marks are more pertinent to the poems design than word count. A colon punctuates the ending of the first line; subsequent semicolons and em dashes are placed in an asymmetric pattern which helps create a syncopated cadence when reading each line aloud. Harper's irregular punctuation and word inversion reads as a poetic visualization of a particular improvising technique that Coltrane employed. To understand the source for Harper's structuring techniques, it helps to consider Coltrane's style of playing during the early to mid sixties, a period contemporaneous with Harper's composition of "Brother John." As Gridley explains, Coltrane "developed solos by repeating the same rhythm with different pitches, changing the notes without changing the rhythm, sometimes placing the same rhythm at different spots in the measure, occasionally inverting a phrase, as though peering at it from several different angles and sharing each view with the listener.2 Coltrane's improvisational method appears to directly correspond to Harper's punctuated word play. Instead of altering pitch, however, he alters words. He places a semicolon at different spots in the line, "occasionally inverting a phrase," to share with the reader different slants on the same phrase.
Comparing Harper's organizational scheme for "Brother John" to Coltrane's methodological approach for constructing an improvised solo befits Harper' s poetics. In an interview, Harper detailed the marked impact listening to Coltrane and other jazz musicians had on the development of his writing style. Because his influences "were more musical than poetic," he remarked that he was "writing in phrasing" while all his colleagues in a MFA program he participated in at the University of Iowa "were writing in rhyme and meter." This he claims, "gave me my own sense of lineation, the increments of stanzaic progression, and thematics as my own invention."3 Such "increments in stanzaic progression" are evident in "Brother John." Each successive stanza introduces new phrases and ideas (much like the introduction of a musical phrase) while still maintaining a rhythm that both resembles and builds upon the first stanza's cadence. Witness the displacement of the word "high" in the stanza embodying Bird, into "Miles high, another bird" below:
I am Bird
baddest night dreamer
on sax in the ornithology-world
I can fly--higher, high, higher
Miles, blue haze,
Miles high, another bird,
more Miles, mute,
Mute Miles, clean,
Miles, sweet Mute,
sweat Miles, black Miles;
I'm a black man;
I'm black; I am;
I'm a black man
The above lines depart from the initial stanza's refrain, "I'm a black man," then return to it againeach time in varied formsas a modification of "black Miles" and "black Trane." Repetition alliteration and slight variation create a multi-layered effect that is based on a basic word pattern established at the poem's beginning, Gridley's descriptions of Coltrane's developmental practice are pertinent to the poem's form and content He notes that "Coltrane also developed his solo improvisations in the logical manner he had learned from a famous book of practice patterns and compositional devices by Nicolas Slonimsky that demonstrates how to vary note choices in an enormous number of ways and still remain related to a fundamental chord or scale."4 Although the name of the musician changes from Miles Davis to Charlie Parker in the above stanzas to John Coltrane in the lines below, the structuring principlestatement, echo, restatement, extensionremains the same. Harper weaves the titles of specific Coltrane compositions and albums in the following stanza:
Trane, Coltrane; John coltrane;
it's tranetime; chase the Trane;
it's a slow dance;
it's the Trane
in Alabama; acknowledgment,
a love supreme,
it's black Trane; black;
I'm a black man; I'm black
I am, I'm a black man
The penultimate stanza in "Brother John" includes the lines from which the title of the poem is drawn:
Brother John, Brother John
plays no instrument;
he's a black man; black;
he's a black man; he is
Brother John; Brother John
Harper's use of irony in the poem, "Brother John" "plays no instrument" is key. He is probably obliquely alluding to Sonia Sanchez's "a/coltrane/poem" in which three lines refer to Coltrane's death with the query "are you sleeping/ are you sleeping/brother john?" Sanchez's repeated "are you sleeping" and Harper's "Brother John" refrain are also most likely intended to invoke the French musical round that children are taught to sing, "Frere Jacques, frere Jacques, dormez-vous?5 Hence the stanza's singular reference to Coltrane is questionable. It is the only stanza in the poem in which the "I'm a black man" chorus shifts from the first person singular to the third person singular pronoun"he's a black man" who "plays no instrument." Is Brother John without an instrument because he is not Coltrane, or because Coltrane is no longer alive? The question remains unresolved. Resolution occurs by the poem's end through its cyclical return to the opening stanza, modified by additional variation in punctuation and phrasing:
I'm a black man; I am;
black; I am; I'm a black
man; I am; I am;
I'm a black man;
I'm a black man;
I am; I'm a black man;
Like the intricate beginning-to-ending structure of Alexander's "John Col," Harper's final phrase "I am" circles back to join the poem's first line "Black man." It also, taken together, functions as another variation on "Brother John."
Of critical importance is the tone and language of the poem's speaker's recurrent, emphatic, phrasingI am a black man. Here, the limits of a strictly formalist analysis in an evaluation of Harper's poem become evident. "Brother John" is the first piece in Harper's collection of poems, Dear John Dear Coltrane, published in 1970, and echoes the masculinist slant of the Black Nationalist period during which it was written. Hazel Carbys critique of a dominant societal tendency to conceive of "African American society in terms of a perennial 'crisis' of black masculinity whose imagined solution is a proper affirmation of black male authority" aptly suits the tenor of the poem. At the same time, I would like to read Harper as potentially contesting monolithic constructions of black masculinity. To do so requires an appreciation of the historical context. For example, in a recent interview the novelist Samuel Delany recalls "breaking into libraries through the summer of 1968"just two years before Harper's "Brother John" was publishedand:
taking down the signs saying Negro Literature and replacing them with signs saying "black literature"the small "b" on "black" is a very significant letter, an attempt to ironize and de-transcendentalize the whole concept of race, to render it provisional and contingent, a significance that many young people today, white and black. who lackadaisically capitalize it, have lost track of."6
In Harper's poem, the phrase "Black man" is only capitalized at one point in the entire poemas the syntactical beginning of a phrase. Could it be that Harper's structural modifications and reiterations of "I'm black; I am," I'm a man; black / I amman; I am; I am;"7 are intended as ironic appraisals of codified concepts of race or gender? In this case, the alleged didacticism found in such phrases becomes, through Harper's skilled manipulation, audible and visual wordplay that is strikingly influenced by very specific developments within jazz improvisation. In other words, the textual elements of "Brother John" are just as compelling, when considered in the light of a tradition of jazz poetry, as its cultural ones.
1. One could argue that the contraction of I am to I'm abbreviates the phrase to four words.
2. Gridley, Jazz Styles 257-258. John Gilmore was Sun Ra's main saxophone soloist; the technique described here that Coltrane employed was also one of Gilmore's trademarks. Coltrane acknowledges Gilmore's influence on his compositional style during that period.
3. Michael Harper, Interview, "The Situation of American Writing 1999," American Literary History 11.2 (1999): 215-353.
4. Gridley, Jazz Styles, p 257-258.
5. I thank Fredrick J. Berry for pointing out this allusion.
6. Samuel Delany, Interview with Charles Rowell, Callaaloo 23.1 (2000) 250.
7. Michael Harper, Brother John." One can't ignore Harper's invocation and transformation of William Carlos Williams' "The Desert Music," which was read as the Phi Beta Kappa poem at Harvard two decades previously. Towards the end of "The Desert Music," Williams writes "I am a poet! I / am. I am. I am a poet." See Williams "The Desert Music," Pictures from Brueghel and Other Poems (New York: New Directions, 1962) 108-120.
Copyright © 2000 by Meta DuEwa Jones. Excerpted from a longer essay.
Return to Michael Harper | <urn:uuid:08b60680-b131-4f65-86ef-c05479dc01a2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/g_l/harper/brotherjohn.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92269 | 2,376 | 2.5 | 2 |
Neighborhood and environmental activists are celebrating as Chicago’s last two coal-fired electricity plants enter a three-month decommissioning phase. But the closings are leaving dozens of Midwest Generation workers without a job.
A proposal for Chicago to regulate exhaust from coal-fired power plants may be dying. But the bill’s sponsor, Ald. Joe Moore, 49th Ward, says it will come back to life soon.Moore’s legislation is stuck in a joint City Council committee chaired by Alds. | <urn:uuid:a0f13783-73ed-47a1-8c4e-7ab2bb9e1f40> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wbez.org/tags/edison-international | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935354 | 107 | 1.578125 | 2 |
The most common carpet beetles to be found attacking various fabrics of animal origin (eg, wool and leather) are the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor) and the variegated carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci).
As well as carpets, they can be found in woollen goods, fur, silk, upholstery and stuffed animals.
Infestation usually occurs in undisturbed areas, such as below items of heavy furniture or the edges of carpets. It is possible for the carpet beetles to attack synthetic carpets, particularly if they are heavily soiled with organic food debris or urine. Many synthetic and woollen carpets are now treated with insecticides at the manufacturing stage making them resistant to carpet beetle attacks.
The adult female beetle lays her eggs in dark undisturbed areas. The eggs hatch into reddy-brown coloured larvae or grubs covered with tufted hairs. It is this larval stage that causes the damage to fabrics, rugs, underfelts and carpets. When they are fully fed, the larvae change into an immobile pupal stage and after several weeks, turn into adult beetles. The adult beetles usually fly to exterior areas where they are often attracted to white flowers. The adult beetles cause no further damage but often infest homes by their presence in birds' nests or by being brought in on cut flowers.
In view of the varied routes into the house, and the many potential and inaccessible hiding places, control of these pests is often very difficult and may need a number of treatments.
Control is usually achieved by attention to thorough vacuuming of the infested areas followed by the application of residual insecticide spray to cracks and crevices. Treatment can be carried out professionally by the Bury Metro Pest Control Unit. | <urn:uuid:8459d2fd-bbdb-4fc3-8f6f-757fd5953ddf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2379 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967719 | 368 | 3.203125 | 3 |
You may have thought about weapons, defences, food and water, but what about the climate? The weather can affect the way in which you move, how you hunt and where you shelter. Knowing how to handle the changing seasons, erratic weather patterns and temperature differences can determine whether you live or die.
The type of apocalypse comes into play quite heavily here. If the world came to its end by a nuclear explosion then there’s radiation to think about. If zombies are staggering about then you need to take into account weaponry
Yes it can make you wet and cold but rain could be a lifesaver in many apocalyptic situations. Generally it’s going to be cleaner than other water sources. Catch it, purify it and drink it. Water purification plays a big part in survival; boiling water may not be enough to remove all the things that might make you sick. Start stocking up on water purification tablets now, they could come in very handy in the future.
If it’s zombies you’re facing then this could be everything you could’ve wished for. They’re dead; they don’t regulate their own body temperature. They’re going to get frozen into a snowdrift just as easily as a dead cat. Extreme weather like this could give you the chance to forage. It’s a pity we rarely get more than a few days of snow at a time here in the UK, and even then it’s never really that cold.
If you want to avoid the snow, and in most cases you would (it makes things slippery and it’s cold) then you should head to the coast. All that salty sea air does well to keep snow at bay, but watch out for the icy sea winds.
It’s likely that after a nuclear war a nuclear winter could set in. This would probably kill more people than the war itself. Essentially particles such as dust, dirt and smoke could settle in the Earth’s stratosphere and would cut us off from the heat and light of the sun.
It would be very cold, there would be very little rain and it would be difficult to see through the haze of smoke. The ozone could deplete greatly and, when the sun did manage to peak through all that dust and dirt, we’d be exposed to harmful UV rays.
Good clothing is essential. You’ll need clothes that will protect you from the cold but also clothes that cover your entire body, you do not want your skin to be exposed to the sun’s radiation. Keep those good sunglasses with you too; you’ll be needing them.
If you can get your hands on a gas mask then wear it. We’ve all heard about the dangers of smoke inhalation, think about radioactive smoke inhalation. Where there’s no gas mask available make sure to cover your nose and mouth with a thick fabric to reduce the amount of crap getting into your lungs.
The cold can slow us down and it’s important to know how to handle it. Layers are essential; keep your hands, feet and head covered too. If your clothes get wet make sure you have a spare set to wear while the others dry. Walking around in wet clothes, in the cold, leads to hypothermia.
Hypothermia is easily treatable if noticed early. If you are travelling with others then it’s good to know the signs. At first they’ll be shivering and their movements may be slower than normal. Soon their speech will start to slur. Ask them if they can stop shivering, if they can then it’s not serious. If they can’t then it’s moderate. In either scenario you need to get them warmed up. Carbohydrates, shelter and body warmth are the best ways to do this.
If the hypothermia is very severe then the person will stop shivering, will lose all coherency and will barely be able to move.
Firstly, it’s easier to smell the decaying bodies of the living dead in the heat. That’s probably the only upside.
Even if it’s so hot you don’t want to move you should refrain from shedding too many layers. Keep your arms and legs covered. There’s sunburn to worry about and it’s much easier to scrape yourself on the rusty scenery. Keeping yourself covered will also help to avoid heatstroke.
Try to avoid moving too much in the heat but if there is something you have to run from then do it, but make sure to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration in its mildest form can cause headaches and dizziness, all of which will slow you down.
If dehydration gets very severe then your blood pressure could drop, you could lose consciousness and you could have a seizure.
In short, you need to be prepared. It’s all good and well knowing exactly how you can kill an army of zombies but if the weather changes, and you can’t handle it, it could kill you just as quickly.
Jess Shanahan is a writer over at http://jetink.blogspot.com and is currently working on her second novel and a very special blog serial entitled Zombies in Norwich. You can find her on Twitter – @jetlbomb. | <urn:uuid:896a2691-88db-4376-a408-86d9e09c627e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://incaseofsurvival.com/climate-and-your-survival-guest-post-by-jess-shanahan/992 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957161 | 1,109 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Save the Planet Brigade! - Bank Street Bookstore
610 W. 112th St. - 212-678-1654
Morningside Heights, NY 10025
Description: Kids of all ages will save the planet the fun way, by participating in arts and crafts projects enriched by a world of books and led by bookstore staff and visiting artists. Endangered animals, climate change, recycling, the rain forest, environmental justice and pollution are among the topics we will explore in a series of free hands-on workshops designed for kids who care, and want to make a difference in the world. Students will have the chance to mail copies of their creations to government officials and decision-makers around the globe who need to learn what kids think about how grownups are doing at the all-important job of preserving their home planet. | <urn:uuid:a797c213-42d4-465d-aeb9-76062f40d6af> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nymetroparents.com/neweventinfoprint.cfm?id=127305 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929204 | 166 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Se desploma la construcción en EEUU. El nivel de CONFIANZA EL MáS BAJO DESDE FEBRERO DE 1991
Según la Asociación Nacional de Constructores de Viviendas (NAHB), la confianza de constructores sufrió una brusca caída en agosto.
En tanto, las ventas de casas nuevas han bajado aproximadamente en un 17 %
Cuando finalicen las obras que quedan en Spain, ¿qué pasará? Estoy seguro que el paro del sector no será nada alagüeño.
Recuerdo muchos telediarios que abrían con la noticia "la construcción es el motor de empleo".
"The Biggest Slump in US Housing in the Last 40 Years"…or 53 Years?
Nouriel Roubini | Aug 23, 2006
The Biggest Slump in US Housing in the Last 40 Years: These are not my views but those of the Toll Brothers, the famous luxury McMansions homebuilders, as CNN reported last week. Also, as reported by the WSJ today: In his 40 years as a home builder, Mr. Toll says, he has never seen a slump unfold like the current one. "I've never seen a downturn in housing without a downturn in employment or... some macroeconomic nasty condition that took housing down along with other elements of the economy," he says. "This time, you've got low unemployment, you've got job creation, you've got a stable stock market and relatively low interest rates.". This followed last week’s CNN headline: “Builder: Oversupply slump worst in 40 years. Toll Brothers slashes outlook on new homes as orders plunge and revenue misses forecasts” Indeed, yesterday’s sharply falling profit results from the Toll Brothers confirmed their view that this is the worst housing slump in decades. Similarly, Angelo Mozilo, the CEO of Countrywide – the country’s largest independent home mortgage lender - recently stated: "I've never seen a soft-landing in 53 years, so we have a ways to go before this levels out. I have to prepare the company for the worst that can happen." So, effectively the only debate now is whether housing conditions are the worst in the last 40 years or in the last 53 years. So much for the bullish soft-landing wishful thinking coming out of Wall Street these days….
Of course, the message from the Toll Brothers and Countrywide is like the proverbial canary in the mine that is reflective of an ongoing rout – calling it slowdown or slump is a misnomer by now – in the US housing market. Every possible indicator of the housing sector that has been coming out in the last few weeks – and I will discuss their details below - suggests that the housing market is in free fall. And today’s figures on existing home sales and unsold homes say it all; as Bloomberg concisely headlined this morning: U.S. Existing-Home Sales Tumble; Unsold Inventory Is Highest in a Decade
At this point there no doubt on whether the housing sector is contracting – real residential investment fell at the annualized rate of 6.4% in Q2. The first derivative of the housing market is clear and negative today and looking ahead for the next few quarters. There is not even a debate about the second derivative of the housing market as any estimate out there suggests that the housing sector will contract at a faster rate in Q3 and Q4 than in Q2. Some official estimates that I have seen suggest that real residential housing will contract at 10% - rather than the Q2 6.4% in the next two quarters. My own estimate – based on a reading of the coming data – is that, actually, the contraction is more likely to be of the order of 12-15% annualized rate in the next several quarters. So, the only remaining scary question is about the third derivative of the housing sector and at which point – in terms of quantities and prices – the housing market will bottom out.
I have also argued before that the effects of housing on US economic growth and the role of housing in tipping the US economy into a recession in early 2007 are more significant than the role that the tech sector bust in 2000 played in tipping the economy into a recession in 2001. There are three reasons:
The direct effect of the fall in residential investment in aggregate demand will be as high as the effects of the fall in real investment in the 2000-2001episode. Then, real investment fell by about 2% of GDP. This time around the fall in residential investment alone – let alone the role other components of real investment, such as software and equipment, that are already falling in Q2 – will be as large as residential investment could fall from the peak of about 6.2% of GDP (the highest level since the 1950s) to as low as 4% of GDP at the bottom in 2007.
The wealth effect of the tech bust was limited to the elite of folks who had stocks in the NASDAQ. The wealth effect of now falling housing prices – yes median prices are starting to fall at the national level - affects every home-owning household: the value of residential real estate has also increased to 48.5% of household wealth in 2006 from from 38.7% in 1996. Also, the link between housing wealth rising, increased home equity withdrawal (HEW) and consumption of durable and non durables is very significant (see RGE’s Christian Menegatti brief on this), much more than the effect of the tech bubbles of the 1990s. Last year, out of the $800 billion of HEW at least $150 or possibly $200 billion was spent on consumption and another good $100 billion plus went into residential investment (i.e. house capital improvements/expansions). It is enough for house price to flatten – as they already did recently – let alone start falling - as they are doing now since they are beginning to fall in major markets – for the wealth effect to disappear, the HEW dribble to low levels and for consumption to sharply fall. Note that this year there will be large increases in the borrowing costs for $1 trillion of ARM’s while this figure for 2007 will be $1.8 trillion. Thus, debt servicing costs for millions of homeowners will sharply increase this year and next.
The employment effects of housing are serious; up to 30% of the employment growth in the last three years was due directly and indirectly to housing. The direct effects are job lost in construction, building materials, real estate brokers and sales agents, and employees of the mortgage finance industry. The indirect effects imply that the role of housing is even larger than 30%. The housing boom led to a boom in consumer durables spending on home appliances and furniture. Indeed, in Q2 real consumption of such goods was already negative: as you have less new home built and purchased and less old homes refurbished and expanded, you get less purchases of home appliances and furniture. There are also other indirect effects of the housing bust on employment, even on the purchases of motor vehicles. Indeed, the current auto sector slump is not unrelated to the housing slump. As the Financial Times put recently, the sharp fall in the sales of Ford's pick-up trucks is related to the housing slump as such truck are widely purchased by real estate contractors. And indeed in Q2 real consumer durables (that include both cars, home appliances and furniture all related to housing) already fell, consistent with the view that we have now have a glut in the stock of consumer durables (durables consumption has a investment-like nature to it as such goods last for a long time). Thus, as housing sector slumps, the job and income and wage losses in housing will percolate throughout the economy.
How bad are the signals coming from the housing sector? As a recent news headline clearly put it: it is simply UGLY. Indeed, all the indicators from the housing sectors - including the latest housing starts and the homebuilders (NAHB) forward looking business conditions - indicate a housing sector that is literally in free fall. New home sales started to fall since the beginning of 2006 and in some regions they are down over 30% relative to a year ago. As Bloomberg summarized today the new housing data: “Sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. fell more than expected in July, resulting in the biggest supply of unsold homes in more than a decade, as higher mortgage rates discouraged would-be home buyers.. Purchases declined 4.1 percent last month to an annual rate of 6.33 million, the lowest since January 2004, from 6.6 million in June, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. Sales fell 11.2 percent compared with a year earlier.” Indeed, the number of unsold homes and the ratio of unsold homes to new home sales has therefore risen sharply to over 5.5 months of supply. Similarly the ratio of unsold homes to existing home sales has also sharply increased. These are clear indicator of a glut of unsold homes in the market. Housing starts are also sharply down elative to a year ago and expected to fall further over the next few quarters. Note also that, while overall mortgage applications are still up in the latest figures published today, due to sustained refinancing applications, applications for purchase applications have fallen 1.0% during the last week, this being fifth fall in the last six weeks. Moreover, there is a large amount of evidence that suggests increasing cancellation of initial mortgage applications, as the slump in the housing market and in the economy is now scaring households considering buying a home. Thus, the official data on purchase mortgage applications are very likely to exceed actual home sales.
More generally, note that when demand for housing initially falls relative to a glut of supply, the initial market response is not on price, as it is the case of financial market where prices adjust rapidly, but rather on the quantity of unsold homes and on how long unsold homes stay on the market. Housing prices, unlike financial assets, are sluggish. This market inventory adjustment eventually leads to lower prices once sellers realize that demand is low and that waiting is not going to help.
The housing market has thus followed so far the predicted various stages of adjustment to cycle driven by the initial housing bubble: initially a glut of supply of new homes as high prices (driven in part by speculative demand) led to high and excessive production of new homes; then a fall in demand as speculative high prices and rising rates made the purchases of housing less affordable to many; then, the ensuing inventory adjustment – an increase in unsold homes. Then, the reduction in the production of new homes – lower housing starts – as homebuilders with falling revenues and profits and lower expected demand finally reacted to the growing glut of unsold inventories. Indeed, the value of home builders’ shares on the NYSE has fallen by almost 50% relative to a year ago. Finally, we have now a price adjustment in two directions: a) an increase in rents as housing affordability fell since more and more households could not afford to pay the speculative prices of existing and new homes; this increase in rents is now correctly jacking up owner equivalent rent and increasing headline CPI inflation; b) the beginning of a fall in actual housing prices as the glut of unsold homes is now putting downward pressure on actual prices. (for more on recent indicators of the housing bust see the RGE Monitor cluster of readings on housing indicators)
The evidence on falling home prices is now becoming clearer. Since the end of World War II, there has never been a year on year fall in housing prices. There have been instead several quarters in which housing prices declined. Of course in some regions where there were housing busts prices declined for a while: in Texas during the housing bust of the mid 1980s that led to the S&L crisis; in California in the early 1990s following the recession in that state; in Boston in 1990. Those episodes were all associated with the housing bust that was related to the 1990-1991 recession So, you do not need a persistent year-on-year fall in median housing prices to have a housing bust; such bust can occur even if prices are flattening or falling in some regions, but not nationally. Moreover, such regional bust can be associated with national recession, as in the 1990-91 episode. So, the fact that the latest housing bubble was concentrated on the two coasts (North East all the way to Florida; and West Coast, especially California) does not mean that the coming housing bust in these regions will not have national macro effects. For one thing, the value of the housing stock in those two regions is close to 50% of the total housing stock given the bubble of recent years. Thus, a housing bust in the two coasts can and will have macro effects.
Indeed, today the National Association of Realtors reported today that the median price of an existing home rose only 0.9 percent in July from a year ago. So, housing prices are practically flat at the national level. Worse, relative to a year ago housing prices have already fallen in the North East (-2.1%), Mid-West (-0.6%) and the West (-0.3%). So, not only housing prices are falling in the bubbly two coast; they are also starting to fall in the Mid-West, the region where the conventional wisdom was that there was no housing bubble. The fact that home prices are falling in the Mid-West where prices did not skyrocket in the bubble years is a scary signal of how much the housing bust and glut in supply will lead to a sharp fall in housing prices in the quarters ahead with painful effects on the wealth, and thus consumption, of households. You can expect falling median housing prices, on a year-on-year basis, at the national level starting this month of August: indeed, today's figures on the glut of unsold homes - much larger than in the housing bust of the early 1990s - are only consistent with a highly likely actual fall in home prices in the months ahead and throughout most of 2007. Note also that, on an inflation adjusted basis, real home prices (relative to the CPI index) are already falling at a 4% plus rate.
Also, as noted by Dean Baker: "current house price indices are failing to pick up the full decline in prices because they miss the various concessions (seller paid closing costs, buyer-side realtor bonuses, and seller subsidized mortgages) that sellers often use to move their houses."
Even more ominously, futures markets now expect that house prices will fall during 2007. Following the lead and prodding of Robert Shiller – the maverick Yale professor who predicted the 2000 stock bust and is now predicting a housing bust - the Chicago Mercantile Exchange opened this spring a new futures market for house prices in ten U.S. cities. While this market is very new and still relatively illiquid, it is now predicting that U.S. house prices will fall in 2007 at the national average level, for the first time in over fifty years. The index of this futures’ market for the entire US is projecting a 5% price fall in 2007. And the futures contracts for individual cities show expected declines in housing prices even larger than 5% for Miami, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Boston, San Diego and Las Vegas.
The likely fall in median home prices in 2007 may actually turn out to be larger than the 5% priced in the futures markets. In fact, one of the peculiar features of the latest housing cycle has been the presence of a large housing bubble: prices were going up well above economic fundamentals because of the speculative demand coming from expectations of increased housing prices that were feeding further speculative demand: "condo flipping" is the popular term for this speculative demand. Now that the bubble is bursting the fall in prices will be sharper than the one implied by medium term fundamantals as the initial price increase was due to a bubble that is bursting and leading to a fall in speculative demand: with prices now falling homeowners and speculators have no incentive to buy new homes as they expect prices to be lower in the future. So, an expected price fall leads to fall in speculative and fundamental demand and triggers actual larger than otherwise fall in actual prices. The speculative excess of a price bubble will now bring the bust of this price bubble. While the effect will be slower than in asset markets where prices adjust instantaneously (due to the sluggish nature of housing prices and their slow adjustment to increased inventories) eventually this price adjustment will occur - as it is now - and it will be very persistent over time. So, you can expect falling housing prices throughout most of 2007.
So, the simple conclusion from the analysis above is that this is indeed the biggest housing slump in the last four or five decades: every housing indictor is in free fall, including now housing prices. By itself this slump is enough to trigger a US recession: its effects on real residential investment, wealth and consumption, and employment will be more severe than the tech bust that triggered the 2001 recession. And on top of the housing bust, US consumers are facing oil above $70, the delayed effects of rising Fed Fund and long term rates, falling real wages, negative savings, high debt ratios and higher and higher debt servicing ratios. This is the tipping point for the US consumer and the effects will be ugly. Expect the great recession of 2007 to be much nastier, deeper and more protracted than the 2001 recession.
And the housing bust is not going to be only a US phenomenon. As I will discuss in another blog, housing bubbles festered in many other economies including many European ones. Thus, the combination of high oil prices, delayed effects of rising interest rates and slump of housing that is now leading to a US recession is a phenomenon that is common to many other economies, including several European ones. So, expect the same deadly combinations of three ugly bears (slumping housing, high oil prices and rising interest rates) to hammer Goldilocks and sharply hurt Europe and other economies in the world.
|Cantabria: La construcción se desploma un trimestre más.||Fireman||Burbuja Inmobiliaria||2||26-jul-2009 23:25|
|La construcción de viviendas se desploma un 35,5% hasta febrero||lordfirefax||Burbuja Inmobiliaria||0||04-may-2009 22:47|
|La construcción de viviendas nuevas de EEUU se desploma en enero a niveles históricos||ladrilleitor||Burbuja Inmobiliaria||8||18-feb-2009 16:31|
|La construcción de pisos se desploma un 49% en los últimos 12 meses||AlMutamid||Burbuja Inmobiliaria||0||19-dic-2008 09:59|
|La construcción de nuevas viviendas se desploma un 74% en Baleares||teto4006||Burbuja Inmobiliaria||0||24-nov-2008 09:32| | <urn:uuid:082654e5-e119-4c6e-a694-d1275efee49e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.burbuja.info/inmobiliaria/burbuja-inmobiliaria/18823-se-desploma-construccion-eeuu.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944161 | 4,035 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Gas Station Workers Face Angry Customers
DALLAS — It’s a scene gas station workers say is becoming increasingly common and frightening: Customers angry over gas prices nearing $3 a gallon storm in and decide to take it out on the employees.
"They just yell and scream," said Selam Berhe, assistant manager at a Dallas Tetco station. "They think it’s only us that are high-priced."
Incidents of consumer anger and gas-station crime have made headlines across the country, including the killing of a gas station owner in Alabama last week by a driver attempting to steal $52 worth of gas.
Alvin Benefield, 42, surrendered Thursday and was being held on theft and manslaughter charges in the death of Husain "Tony" Caddi, police said.
Berhe recalled the particularly belligerent behavior of a man who ranted about the prices to everyone in the station.
"He walked in the store and said, ‘Do you work here? This is ridiculous,’" Berhe said. "He was telling each and every customer. I was like, I don’t make the prices."
Gas prices are about $2.56 in Texas, up from $1.80 at the same time last year.
Bruce Hutton, professor of marketing at the University of Denver, said the high prices could spark even more angst than the frustrating long lines during the 1970s energy crisis because the current situation is far less clear-cut.
The 1970s crisis sparked from obvious oil shortages. But today, despite growing inventories, numerous factors are combining to drive up prices _ refinery problems, growing demand from China and energy traders worried over capacity tightness.
Hutton, who has done extensive research on consumer decision-making and energy usage information, said there’s also a sense of entitlement among consumers today.
"In some respects, that makes it a whole lot more anxious or anxiety- producing," he said.
Rae Dougher, manager of energy market issues at the Washington-based American Petroleum Institute, said outbursts directed at employees are common.
"The higher the prices, I think, the more frustrated and angry consumers are becoming," Dougher said. "I think that they always suffer from consumers’ wrath."
She noted that, although gas prices are soaring, gas station owners are often suffering squeezed profits or even losing money _ and they still have to deal with irritated customers who blame them for high costs.
"I think it’s hard on a lot of the retail owners and workers to do business," Dougher said.
Bobby Poudel, who works at a Dallas Citgo station, said business has been undeniably less pleasant since prices started skyrocketing in June.
"A lot of people show their anger to me," said Poudel, 26. "Sometimes I’ve got to say, ‘That’s not me!’"
Berhe said she’s looking forward to lower prices, but in the meantime people at the gas station say they’ll just have to put up with some abuse.
"We just need to smile," said clerk Elizabeth Garza. "If someone tells you something, you have to smile and say, `Have a nice day.’" | <urn:uuid:1c5e1ff4-8d08-4500-b9b3-75badaedd12f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/221170/gas_station_workers_face_angry_customers/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973992 | 687 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Workshop on Education for Sustainable Development
20 November 2012 | News story
A daylong workshop on Education for Sustainable Development was organized by IUCN under its Balochistan Programme for Sustainable Development at the Elementary Girl’s College, Quetta on 21st November 2012.
It was attended by 120 participants including the students enrolled in the Bachelors of Education programmes, and Associate Diploma in Education, Senior Diploma Mistress from all parts of Balochistan along with faculty members of elementary colleges.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Mr.Irfan Ali Bakhtiari, who introduced IUCN’s work on “water issues and potential solutions in Balochistan” for the participants. He stressed on the need to conserve ground water and highlighted the threats to agricultural productivity, which in turn severely affects our food security. “Water scarcity in our region is falling by the year and if the current reserves dry up, we will have water for only 30 days. By 2025, we wont have any water left for consumption”, he added.
Mr. Bakhtari also informed the participants about the global water situation, and shared valuable information with them. He concluded his presentation by giving following solutions for tackling this global issue of water.
- GOAL 1: Promote water as a key part of sustainable national development.
- GOAL 2: Address critical development challenges.
- GOAL 3: Reinforce knowledge sharing and communications.
- GOAL 4: Build a more effective participation.
Mr. Zahoor Bazai, Director Trainings, University of Balochistan started his presentation with a Q & A approach. He talked about how we often perceive academic training into seeking monetary benefits by getting a job as opposed to seeking knowledge for sustainable development. He complained that we as nation have not played our role in environmental conservation, instead have often blamed the government and the non-governmental organizations. He added that it’s the man who has destroyed the earth to fulfill their needs but it’s the same man can fix these problems as well.
Chief Guest Mr. Nasir Shah, Deputy Secretary, Secondary Education, appreciated IUCN’s ESD programmes and requested IUCN to hold such trainings at the Boy’s Elementary Colleges as well. He thanked the administration of the Elementary Girls College, which had jointly organized the workshop with the technical and financial support of IUCN. He hoped that valuable information shared, will help the students as well as the teachers in enhancing their knowledge and understanding about water conservation.
For More Information:
Shakeela Naveed ,
Communication & ESD Officer
Balochistan Programme Office Marker Cottage,
Phone: + 92-81-2840450-2
Fax: + 92-81-2820706 | <urn:uuid:ab49b4e3-116a-4fee-8c61-6382d82afdd7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/all_news_by_region/news_from_asia/?11581/Workshop-on-Education-for-Sustainable-Development | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95335 | 578 | 2.375 | 2 |
Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for joining us today for a briefing on domestic violence in the OSCE region. The topic of today's briefing is one of first impression for the Helsinki Commission and is intended to shine a light on what is perhaps the most pervasive human rights abuse in the world.
In 1991 and again in 1999, the 55 States that participate in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) committed to address violence against women. Despite the long-standing commitments, to date the issue has not had a high profile in the work of the OSCE or, more importantly, in many of the OSCE countries themselves. In June of this year, the OSCE convened for the first time a one-day meeting in Vienna, Austria to raise among the national delegations awareness of the scope and severity of the problem of violence against women, including domestic violence, in the OSCE countries.
Domestic violence has been found to be a serious problem in every country where it has been studied, including many OSCE participating States. Research shows that women of all ages and of all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds are subject to domestic violence.
Statistics regarding the prevalence of domestic violence are staggering. According to the Department of Justice's National Violence Against Women Survey, published in July 2000:
Of the women who reported being raped and/or physically assaulted since the age of eighteen, three-quarters were victimized by a current or former husband, cohabiting partner, date or boyfriend.
Approximately 1.5 million women and nearly 835,000 men are raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.
Data from other researchers indicates that
Around the world, at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
In this country, on average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends every day.
In a national survey of more than 2,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.
In other OSCE countries the problem is just as bad or worse. In Russia, for example, the government's statistics reveal that 14,000 women died in one year (1997) due to domestic violence. In Hungary, non-governmental organizations estimate that 150 women die each year at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends and hundreds more women take their own lives in order to escape abusive relationships. As appalling as these statistics are, research in the United States and worldwide indicates that many, perhaps most, instances of domestic violence are never reported to legal authorities so the statistics may not even tell just how pervasive this problem is.
Domestic violence infringes upon an individual's rights to life, to security of person, and to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Despite the shocking statistics, and the obligation of governments to respond when an individual's human rights are under attack, individuals in many countries minimize the problem of domestic violence or even consider it a matter of private concern outside the purview of the legal system. Police routinely discourage women from making complaints against abusers, and abusers are rarely removed from their homes or jailed. The overwhelming response to domestic violence by the police, prosecutors and the courts is to urge women to reconcile with their abusers regardless of the potential danger this poses for the battered woman. In many countries, legal and social services for victims of domestic violence are lacking.
Last year I worked for the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act which addressed the barbaric practice of trafficking women and children into forced prostitution and slavery-like labor and which also re-authorized the Violence Against Women Act. Upon enactment last October, this law authorized the spending of more than $3.3 billion over five years to protect women from rape, assault, abuse and battery. The re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act will provide assistance for victims of assault and abuse, and it emphasizes and expands the federal government's commitment to helping victims rebuild their lives without fear of retribution and retaliation.
Unfortunately, in spite of these efforts domestic violence continues to be a persistent problem in the United States as it is in every single OSCE participating State. We are fortunate to have with us today three individuals with extensive experience and insight into this problem. Our panelists approach the issue from different perspectives and have focused on different countries, but each is working diligently to raise awareness about the problem of domestic violence and to awaken the consciences of government officials and private citizens alike to address this very real problem. | <urn:uuid:8b3ed8f6-55ff-441b-8546-708db85310f0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://csce.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContentRecords.ViewWitness&ContentRecord_id=199&ContentType=D&ContentRecordType=D&ParentType=B&CFID=9165044&CFTOKEN=78430451 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961734 | 924 | 2.734375 | 3 |
Although these Photoshop free tutorials are really aimed at more-advanced users, less experienced people should also find some useful information here.
Making Graphic Images
There are zillions of ways of giving images more punch in Photoshop.
Here are a few fairly simple ones to start with.
What is High Dynamic Range?
When a scene has tremendous contrast from deep shadows to highlights in bright sun, High Dynamic Range can save the day.
An introduction to Indexed Color
Indexed Color can be used in producing web images, which are smaller than JPEGs. It can also be used for unusual graphic effects.
Adjustment Layers give extra scope and flexibility.
With Adjustment Layers it is possible to make changes, go back to a file later and make further changes with no destruction effect on the image.
The adjustments only become permanent when the image is finally flattened.
The Extract Filter was the best way of selecting delicate subjects until Refine Mask came along.
For those without the latest versions of PS it is still a great function.
Apply Image is a powerful and little-used tool for blending images and channels.
Apply Image is a versatile and time-saving way to merge images, channels and alpha channels.
8 bit and 16 bit
Every digital capture and film has a dynamic range, which is a scale showing the difference between the lightest point and darkest point that that particular item can record. But what are 8 bit and 16 bit and which is better?
Vanishing Point provides retouching with perspective.
The Clone Stamp can be given perspective. Part of an image can be moved and given the perspective of its new location automatically. Objects can be reshaped to fit in with a different part of the image.
Retouch with perspective control using the Vanishing Point function.
There can be smoke without fire.
It can be created in Photoshop and controlled precisely for position and density.
Here's how to make smoke.
How to make fire and flames in Photoshop, with a technique that can be applied to any image.
Very often, there is a limit to what can be done while taking a photograph. A number of different photoshop retouching techniques were necessary with this image.
Basic animations can be created in Photoshop. They can be used for illustrations, rollovers or just for fun. | <urn:uuid:2ce2d7ff-c6bc-4a54-9a8a-ff9c05653f86> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.photoshop-tutorials-plus.com/photoshop-free-tutorials.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930517 | 478 | 2.296875 | 2 |
No matter who wins the Greek elections, they may not be able to help “Maria.” The 28-year-old Athenian sex worker is feeling the effects of austerity in a different way than most are. As business has slowed, she has had to drop her prices and take part-time work in a local brothel to help her provide for her aging mother and young son. She says her clientele has changed from what she said used to be businessmen to a much lower class. She describes her new customer as “not very nice.”
But Maria’s business has not taken a downturn because Greek men have less money to spend on sex. Rather, her once-steady trade has been the subject of intense scrutiny since late May, when Athens’s police and health workers started a sweeping crusade to force-test the city’s prostitutes for HIV and then broadcast the women’s names and pictures in a citywide media push they call a “warning campaign” to customers. The first woman to be “named and shamed” was a 22-year-old Russian sex worker who tested positive for HIV—more than 1,000 men called the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention the day after her picture appeared in newspapers and on billboards. Since then more than 20 prostitutes have been identified in the campaign, even as health authorities decry the ads as unethical.
“It’s a matter of privacy,” says Maria, who asked not to use her real name. “You can’t broadcast a person’s medical condition without their permission.”
The crackdown on sex workers is part of a panic campaign to try to curb the sharp spike in HIV infections across Greece. Since the end of 2010, HIV/AIDS infections have increased 15-fold, or 1,500 percent, says Nikos Dedes, the head of Positive Voice, a group for people who live with HIV. He blames the economic crisis gripping the country for the sudden resurgence of the disease.
“The political crisis in Greece is the result of a decades-old economic crises, not the other way around,” Dedes told The Daily Beast. “You can see its effects in the macrocosm of HIV infections.”
Dedes says austerity measures and what he calls a “decay in public health programs” have caused the shocking rise in the number of Greeks diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The majority of the new cases are addicts—many of them young gay men—who turn to prostitution to support a drug habit. Because Greece can no longer afford to fund proven programs like clean-needle exchanges and free testing, the spread of HIV has reached epidemic proportions.
“You can’t broadcast a person’s medical condition without their permission.”
“When a state does not make sure services are available that have been proven to be effective, then the responsibility rests on them,” Dedes says. “These are victims of the failure of the Greek state.”
As funds have dried up for public-health programs that kept the spread of HIV in check, Greek medical authorities have turned to increasingly more extreme measures to fend off a crisis. In May, Greek police arrested 16 sex workers who tested positive for HIV and accused them of knowingly spreading the infection. The alleged sex workers were remanded in custody for several days before Médecins Sans Frontières Greece intervened.
“You cannot protect public health by penalizing patients,” said MSFG director Reveka Papadopoulou. Most of the women who were arrested in the roundup didn’t know they were carriers of the disease because they didn’t have access to the public health care that would allow them to get tested.
Locking up patients in this way is inhumane, Papadopoulou says.
In April, Greek police mounted another raid that netted a group of illegal immigrants whom authorities had determined to be a public health risk. The immigrants languished in custody for almost two weeks before health tests could be carried out. Finally, those without HIV were allowed to go free, but the infected immigrants were repatriated to their countries of origin without being given treatment, a move that likely only served to spread the infection further.
The Greek elections may calm or ignite the euro zone, but Maria’s situation will be the same. No matter who wins, her country’s economic outlook will remain dire for the foreseeable future, meaning that public care will likely continue to decline and the health crisis will deepen. Dedes says that the risks faced by the country’s most vulnerable groups look bleak if public health isn’t made a priority in a new government.
“Political instability doesn’t help,” the activist says. “Bad governments have spent away the resources. What we need are good policies, not impulsive reactions to health problems like HIV. Otherwise this is just the beginning.” | <urn:uuid:4f2af04f-c7cd-48d9-a41b-67f6d47b401b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/17/prostitutes-are-scapegoated-as-hiv-panic-grips-athens.print.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965106 | 1,038 | 1.820313 | 2 |
In its October 1987 report, the Treadway Commission discussed a number of factors that cause fraudulent financial reporting and provided recommendations to assist companies and their advisors in avoiding fraud. The Treadway Commission focused in particular on “tone at the top.” As the Treadway Commission found:
The tone set by top management—the corporate environment or culture within which financial reporting occurs—is the most important factor contributing to the integrity of the financial reporting process. Notwithstanding an impressive set of written rules and procedures, if the tone set by management is lax, fraudulent financial reporting is more likely to occur.1
In the 22 years since the Treadway Commission issued its report, there have been many examples of companies that ignored the counsel of their auditors and attorneys, disregarded their own internal procedures, and proceeded to engage in inappropriate and unlawful conduct. In many of these examples, the answer to the question of why the company acted as it did can be found by analyzing the tone top management set for its employees.
The Treadway Commission also underlines this in COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework(COSO ERM), which is built around the concept of tone at the top.
What is tone at the top? It is the message, the attitude and the culture the board of directors disseminates throughout the organization. It is best described as the consistency among statements, assertions and explanations of the management and its actions. Tone at the top is seen by some as a part of and by others as equal to the internal control environment.
Tone at the top is not only complicated, but also almost invisible to an outside auditor. A baseline would be a valuable addition not only for financial auditors, but also for IT auditors (internal or external). However, to determine a baseline, one first needs to define the different aspects of tone at the top.
A baseline provides organizations with a starting point to begin improving their tone at the top. An enriched tone at the top can not only prevent fraud by a well-functioning internal control system, but can also have a positive impact on the financial results of an organization.2 Organizations with an effective corporate governance policy perform better than those that do not.3
COSO ERM is an important framework to use to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, and it represents an important issue on the agenda of senior executives and corporate boards in enterprises across industries and throughout the world.
When auditing or assessing the way IT controls are implemented, IT auditors traditionally work with baselines on IT systems and processes whereby the (hard) controls are worked out in detail. However, in these baselines, the human factors (soft controls) are missing. At the same time, when things go wrong, the result is a leakage of data or integrity of systems, and the human factor is sometimes to blame.
Enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks urge that the internal control environment and tone at the top be the starting point of every audit or risk assessment. This article expects that the tone and the human factor have been made more explicit, thus tone at the top should become part of IT through frameworks such as Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) and Val IT.
Two Schools of Thought
Tone at the top is based on two schools of thought in management literature: the corporate governance school and the management control systems (MCS) school. These schools of thought share three fundamental theories: the agency theory, the transaction cost economics theory and the stakeholder theory.
The agency theory views an organization as a “nexus of contracts.”4 Separation of ownership and control is essential for this theory. The agent (the manager) is in control of the organization; however, he or she does not own the organization, the organization is owned by the principal (stakeholders). Measures (e.g., corporate governance) need to be taken to ensure that the agent will strive to achieve the goals of the principal.
Transaction cost economics (TCE) is based on the concepts “bounded rationality” and “homo economicus”; a person chooses the best option based on the available information.5 TCE aims to explain how firms are formed. Firms are created to minimize transaction costs.6, 7 The domain of TCE has proven useful to explain management control structures.8 TCE has several consequences for MCS. The performance evaluation needs to be behavioral-based, with nonfinancial subjective measures.9 Output controls are low with TCE. Individual contributions to the organization (individual performance) are analyzed as contracts between the employer and the employee.10
The stakeholder theory is based on the belief that, besides shareholders, there are others with interest in the organization. Corporate governance should not only solve conflicts between management and shareholders but also between the organization and other stakeholders.
Tone at the top is a form of cultural controls in the MCS school. Cultural controls stimulate employees to monitor and stimulate each other’s behavior. Cultural controls rely on group pressure; if a person deviates from the group’s values, the group will put the person under pressure to convert him or her back to the dominant values. Cultural controls are usually translated in corporate governance codes. Corporate governance codes are mainly formulated to prevent/minimize fraudulent activities in organizations by means of internal control. Five methods of cultural controls, namely code of conduct, group rewards, transfers, physical and social controls, and tone at the top, have been identified.11 Tone at the top forms an important part of the corporate governance codes. Management behavior should coincide with the culture it tries to form; managers fulfill an example function. An important factor is having and emphasizing a whistleblower policy; if people observe fraudulent activities they can report them and be protected against possible reprisal measures.12
Sarbanes-Oxley and COSO
The aforementioned theories all conclude that an organization needs to have a corporate governance code to minimize transaction cost, manage stakeholder interest and, thereby, increase shareholder value. However, recent financial scandals (e.g., Enron) have led to the belief that a more formal approach is necessary. In the US, this led to the Sarbanes- Oxley Act. An important part of Sarbanes-Oxley is the “in control statement”—an internal control clause (sections 302 and 404). That is, the chief executive officer (CEO) and the chief financial officer (CFO) of a company need to state that they are “in control.” An organization is “in control” if it has a well-functioning internal control system. The Treadway Commission has therefore designed the COSO Internal Control Framework.
The first element of the COSO models (COSO Internal Control and COSO ERM) is the control or internal environment. The control or internal environment is mainly the risk appetite, the risk culture and tone at the top. The board carries out a risk philosophy and determines the risk appetite. The internal environment forms the basis for handling risks and control measures. The heart of every organization is its employees—their individual integrity, values, competence and work environment. Tone at the top is a critical influence on this.
Elements of Tone at the Top
COSO ERM uses the elements shown in figure 113 to describe tone at the top.
The COSO ERM framework is not the only framework describing the elements of tone at the top. Tone at the top is explained by some as a model consisting of three building blocks (see figure 2).14
Besides the aforementioned frameworks, there are also other opinions on tone at the top, and there has been research on the influence of tone at the top on internal audit activities. The variables with positive results were formal integrity, ethical values, management integrity in management style and opinions, the code of conduct/ ethics, and the risk awareness of management.15, 16 Research on corporate governance and internal control describes tone at the top as a part of the control environment of COSO.17 Tone at the top has also been characterized as the communication on what is right and what is wrong and how this is embedded in the organization.18
Management team members are example figures for the rest of the organization.19 Additionally, a whistleblower policy is a valuable part of tone at the top.20
Much qualitative or quantitative research has been conducted in regard to tone at the top. Senior auditors and professors from the four largest audit firms in The Netherlands were asked to form their opinion on it. The elements on which they formed consensus are the elements used in the baseline. Tone at the top remains a concept with many features and most of the elements were valued as important by the auditors. The elements that the auditors did not find important were prominently seen as results of tone at the top. These mainly came out of the COSO ERM framework.
Expert Views on Tone at the Top
The elements on which consensus was formed can be grouped into four cornerstones: management, culture, structure and communication (figure 3).
These can be defined as follows:
- Management—Management and the CEO need to show inspiring leadership, set the right example and focus on people skills. They also need to display integrity. Their risk awareness, actions and messages need to coincide with the dominant culture. It is also important for management to commit to competence. See figure 4.
- Communication—Top-down and bottom-up communication on right and wrong, symbols, rituals and assumptions need to be present in written, verbal, visual and digital communication. Additionally, code of conduct/ ethics and formal integrity are necessary. See figure 4.
- Culture—An independent and active risk culture is necessary for tone at the top to be successful. Also, employees need to be empowered to make the right decisions. The reward systems and the culture need to reward desired behavior and be compliant with the norms. In the event of something going wrong despite these cultural aspects, there needs to be a policy present to protect whistleblowers. See figure 4.
- Structure—The risk appetite should be linked to the strategy. The supervisory board needs to be independent, active and involved. Responsibilities need to be defined, and management needs to receive adequate information. All of the aforementioned aspects are part of the structure element of tone at the top. See figure 4.
Tone at the top can assist in averting fraud within an organization. It is, therefore, necessary to include it in the audit scope. It can also have a positive influence on the financial results of an organization. Management must set an example and there needs to be communication throughout the company, which should reward desirable behavior. These elements form the building blocks of this vital concept: tone at the top.
- Merchant, K. A.; Modern Management Control Systems, Prentice Hall, USA, 1998
- US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), “Commission Guidance Regarding Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” CFR PART 241, Release No. 33-8810, 34-55929, FR-77, File No. S7-24- 06, 2007, www.sec.gov/rules/interp/2007/33-8810.pdf
- Tabaksblat, M.; et al; De Nederlandse corporate governance code. Beginselen van deugdelijk ondernemingsbestuur en best practice bepalingen, Den Haag: Commissie Corporate Governance, 2003
1 Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), Report of the National Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting, October 1987
2 Verschoor, C.; “A Study of the Link Between a Corporation’s Financial Performance and Its Commitment to Ethics,” Journal of Business Ethics, October, vol. 17, no. 13, 1998, p. 1509-1516
5 Simon, H.; Models of Bounded Rationality, The MIT Press, USA, 1982
6 Coase, R.; “The Nature of the Firm,” Economica, vol. 4, 1937, p. 386-405
7 Williamson, O.; “Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance,” The Journal of Finance, vol. 43, no. 3., 1988, p. 567-591
8 Spekle, R.F.; “Explaining Management Control Structure Variety: A Transaction Cost Economics Perspective,” Accounting, Organizations and Society, vol. 26, 2001, p. 419-441
9 Verbeeten, International Controlling class, March 2006
10 Op cit, Spekle
11 Merchant, K.; W. Van der Stede; “Management Control Systems,” Financial Times, Prentice Hall, 2003
13 Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework, 2004
14 Swinkels, W.; “Tone at the Top,” Consistentie Tussen Worden En Daden Van Het Management, Deventer, Kluwer, 2003
15 Sarens, G.; I. De Beelde; “Internal Auditors’ Perception About Their Role in Risk Management: A Comparison Between US and Belgian Companies,” Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, 2006, p. 63-80
16 Sarens, G.; I. De Beelde; “Building a Research Model for Internal Auditing: Insights From Literature and Theory Specification Cases,” International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation, vol. 3, no. 4, 2006, p. 452-470
17 Kooijman, C.; Corporate Governance & Internal Control, “Een onderzoek naar de naleving van de interne beheersing gerelateerde best practice bepalingen van de code Tabaksblat,” Doctoraalscriptie, 2005
19 Op cit, Merchant and Van der Stede
Christine Bruinsma, MSC
is employed at Atos Consulting as an information risk management consultant. Bruinsma graduated from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and has master’s degrees in controlling and strategy.
Peter Wemmenhove, CISA, EMITA
as partner, is responsible for information risk management at Atos Consulting in The Netherlands. Wemmenhove graduated as executive master in finance and control, as executive master in IT auditing and as master in public management. Tone at the top and its impact for IT auditors is the subject of one of his current studies.
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Remittance must be made in US funds. | <urn:uuid:7d54b7e7-3b5e-4528-9036-55fcc0fa8510> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.isaca.org/Journal/Past-Issues/2009/Volume-3/Pages/Tone-at-the-Top-Is-Vital1.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924528 | 3,383 | 2.53125 | 3 |
|Bridge Name||Facility Carried / Feature Intersected||Location||Structure Type||Construction Date and Builder/Engineer|
Hope Memorial Bridge
|Lorain Avenue and Carnegie Avenue (OH-10) Over Cuyahoga River||Cleveland: Cuyahoga County, Ohio||Metal Cantilever 12 Panel Rivet-Connected Pratt Deck Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Metal Stringer (Multi-Beam), Fixed||1932 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown and Engineer/Design: Wilbur J. Watson and Associates|
|Rehabilitation Date||Main Span Length||Structure Length||Roadway Width||Main Spans||Approach Spans||NBI Number|
|2003||299 Feet (91.1 Meters)||3285 Feet (1001.3 Meters)||60 Feet (18.3 Meters)||15||5||1801503|
As with many long and complex bridges, the dimensions of the bridge (span numbers, length) vary depending on which source you use. Take the number for what they are worth. HAER reports the bridge is 4490 Feet with 2886 feet over the valley. Several other sources report 5856 feet. The National Bridge Inventory reports that the bridge is only 3285 feet. The longer lengths may reference dirt approaches that some experts might not qualify as part of the actual bridge.
Modern bridge design in the 21st century is generally utilitarian in method. The idea is to build the cheapest and simplest bridge to meet the specified needs as possible. The result is a simple structure with no decoration whatsoever. Sometimes however, modern engineers at the request of cities and their citizens, do try to design an "aesthetically pleasing" modern bridge. The general result of these attempts remains a simple, mundane bridge structure, but one that also has some sort of embellishments added, like an arrangement of bricks covering up the concrete, decorative lighting, etc. Because of this, these modern "aesthetic" bridges fall short in that these decorations are not coupled with a creative superstructure.
The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is different. It represents a period in time in which both the superstructure and additional decorations both have strong aesthetic qualities that combine to create one of the most visually pleasing bridges in northeastern Ohio. It is this union of creative superstructure and decorative embellishment that make the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge and many other historic bridges so much more visually pleasing than any modern replacement could hope to be.
The superstructure of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is a cantilever deck truss that follows the Pratt truss configuration. Viewed from under the bridge, the truss spans have the design of two separate truss bridges side by side connected by floor beams. The main spans range from 132 to 199 feet in length. Although it has never been used, the bridge features a lower deck below the one in use today. It was designed to handle two rapid tracks and two truck lanes. The pleasing arch shapes of the truss spans, along with the pleasing geometric complexity that the truss webs provides, combine to form a beautiful bridge superstructure. Further complexity is achieved through the built-up members and chords that include extensive v-lacing and lattice. V-lacing and lattice were utilitarian ways to assemble built-up beams, but are today distinguished as something that is more visually pleasing to view than the plain all-in-one rolled beams of today.
The decorative embellishments on the bridge include railings, piers, and the four Lords of Transportation, more commonly called the Guardians of Traffic. These stunning works of art are four large stone pylons, each of which include sculptures of two figures holding a vehicle. These vehicles range from a covered wagon to motorized trucks hauling industrial materials. The vehicles they hold showcase the progress in transportation and industrial development in the United States. The Guardians of Traffic were designed by Frank Walker and created by Henry Hering. Be sure to view the photo gallery for this bridge to see detailed photos of each beautifully rendered figure.
Between the attractive superstructure and the decorative supplements, it is no surprise that this bridge was recognized by the American Institute of Steel Construction as one of the most beautiful bridges of 1932.
In 1976 County Engineer Albert Porter wanted to widen the bridge and threatened to tear the figures down, asserting his opinion that they were ugly. Fortunately his opinion was not shared by everyone, and they were allowed to remain. This is even more fortunate, because today the bridge's original 60 foot width seems more than sufficient, given that some of the bridge's deck has now been dedicated to two relatively wide bike lanes. The bridge also serves four lanes of motorized traffic.
Today the bridge appears to be a treasured part of Cleveland's rich transportation heritage. It is a gateway into the city, and it has been well maintained. It was restored in the 1980s. Although the original stone railings were removed, the new concrete ones put in place were designed to look like the original railings. The National Bridge Inventory today gives this bridge a 97.1% Sufficiency rating, which is an incredible rating for a 1932 bridge that serves 13,350 cars a day (according to a 2004 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) survey). This bridge's stunning condition shows that old historic bridges do not have to be demolished, and that they can be restored and continue to serve traffic for many decades to come. Many historic bridges in this country are torn down when, like the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, they could be restored and continue to be a safe and functional crossing. The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge serves as a role model and example for other places to follow.
A group in Cleveland called Idea Box has proposed having the Guardians of Traffic lit up at night so that their beauty can be enjoyed regardless of time of day. A number of the abandoned railroad bridges in Cleveland have decorative lighting, and having the Guardians of Traffic lit up as well seems a logical continuation of this idea, which not only allow historic bridges in Cleveland to be enjoyed in the dark, but also help to raise awareness of the beauty and importance of these historic bridges to what makes Cleveland a special place and worth a visit.
Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory
The bridge carries a 4-lane arterial street over the valley from the Flats into downtown Cleveland in the area of the stadium and former industrial buildings. It is a gateway to the center of the city.
The main spans of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge consist of 14 cantilever deck trusses ranging in length from 132' to 299'. The bridge is double deck, but the lower deck designed for rapid transit was never used. The bridge has decorative sandstone architectural embellishments, including the eight figural pylons holding symbols of transportation development and evolution.
Summary of Significance
The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is NR-listed (1976). The bridge was rehabilitated without adverse effect in 2001.
As much public sculpture as a transportation facility, the bridge ranks as one of the finest aesthetic statements of the period in the state. It is an important landmark and gateway to downtown Cleveland. This and the Lorain Road Viaduct (1801325) are the most outstanding examples of their type in the state.
Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes
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© Copyright 2003-2013, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information. | <urn:uuid:b1c1cd17-c24e-41d6-90b8-156603ac5ec9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ohio/loraincarnegie/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940848 | 1,842 | 2.359375 | 2 |
I strongly believe that this is a skill they should teach in school (especially since school is a big source of stress for many). However, they don't and many people grow up without the knowledge or skills to effectively manage and identify the stress in their lives.
One of the most important (yet difficult) lessons we can learn is how to keep things in perspective. When something bad happens, or if things don't seem to be doing right, it's easy to fly off the handle, get angry, defensive, and even judgmental of others.
When learning how to manage stress, it's helpful to start by recognizing when you're about to be pushed past your tolerance point. Then, before that happens, take a step back and begin working on some stress management activities.
Another important component of managing stress is realizing that you have control over your reactions to the things that go on around you.
Stress is not caused by the events themselves. So recognizing that your beliefs about whatever is going on around you has the power to cause you stress or not. Tuning in to your belief system and your perceptions will help you recognize when you're having irrational thoughts that are causing you unnecessary stress.
If you can look within yourself to understand why you are experiencing stress, you can begin to eliminate and prevent some of your stress. In addition, having stress management strategies already in place will help you reduce the stress in your life once it occurs. | <urn:uuid:ec222dbb-15ea-4628-a9df-6828c531bac0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ourstressfullives.com/how-to-manage-stress.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972826 | 292 | 2.78125 | 3 |
A few years ago lets say 2-3 I started to look up in the sky more. Especially at night looking at the stars and the moon. Very peaceful and relaxing a feeling of wonder. I impressed myself recently when I looked in the sky last week and saw two what I thought were stars in the sky and I said to myself "Those are new" so I did a little Google search and supposedly Venus and Jupiter can be seen in the sky with Venus being the brighter star (because its closer) and Jupiter being more faint. Venus is higher in the sky and Jupiter is underneath it.
I had a similar experience. Whenever I exit a building, day or night, the first thing I do is look up . I'm always amazed by the sky's vastness and beauty. (I'm equally amazed that no one else ever seems to look up at it, even when they see me looking.)
One evening last week, when I exited the office building, I immediately noticed something unusual to me: two bright objects which were very close. I figured one was Venus, but wondered about the other one--and why I'd never seen this before.
Now recently for the first time this spring I have been looking at plant life more. Noticing the different colors. The yellows, purples, whites and so on. When I am walking and noticing the different colors I get a peaceful calming feeling.
My father and I built a large greenhouse when I was 13 (it kept me sane during middle school), so I developed an early appreciation of flowers and plants. Even these days, one of my guilt-free indulgences is buying a bunch of oriental lilies just budding so I can enjoy the blooming process.
But even with that, last week, after putting a bunch in water and going to bed, I awoke to such an extravagant explosion of blooms that I spontaneously "told" the lilies directly how beautiful they were! (I'd never spoken to a plant before
) The beauty was entrancing, and then the miracle I was beholding gripped me with such an awe:
That bunch of green branches--chopped off from their roots and shipped across the continent--was able to create
(forget "bloom") 6"-wide, vivid pink-and-crimsom-striped flowers that exuded an intoxicating fragrance . . . using nothing more than tap water and a little incandescent light!
Then I realized these lilies were illustrating what EE might be doing for us: enabling us to absorb finer substances from "nothing more than" air so our consciousness can bloom.
(This just reminded me of that scene in the movie version of "The Celestine Prophecy" where the cynical lead character finds himself cornered by mercenaries with the choice of getting shot or jumping off a cliff--and "lets go" of his attachment to this life and "sees" a whole new version of reality: every plant vividly radiates its life energy --and the mercenaries can't even see him when they arrive where he's standing!) | <urn:uuid:667cbe13-5e48-43c7-b240-a0575239ed56> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,27221.0/prev_next,prev.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9675 | 627 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Mondays, May 6 - June 10, 2013
7:30 - 9 pm
with Jeffrey Schneider
When everything is removed, taken away, seen through, then what? Does any basis for practice or awakening remain? Emptiness is a central concept in every school of Mahayana Buddhism. In this gathering we will clarify the teaching and investigate the ways it may play out in our lives. Although we will read and discuss the various doctrines of emptiness, the focus of the group will be on our own experience. We will use both group discussion and one to one dialogues as our primary tools. Requirements:
A working knowledge of Buddhist teachings, a commitment to attend every class and a willingness to participate actively. Class fees; five class meetings:
$75; $67 current SFZC members; $60 limited income. To Register:
Use the Ticket Table below. Or call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or local number 415.475.9362.
Jeffrey Schneider s a priest at Zen Center, where he has lived, worked and practiced since 1978. He has taught and led retreats at a number of Buddhist centers, including ones in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina. The founder of the Zen Center recovery programs, he is currently the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator. | <urn:uuid:593da2ee-9f82-443e-b033-4ef1dee94fcc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sfzc.org/cc/display.asp?catid=2,6,96&pageid=3717&mode=c | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934992 | 269 | 1.71875 | 2 |
This volume covers Augustine's notes and commentaries on Psalms 1 through 29.Augustine's theme is the Church, less as an external institution than as the very focus and center of God and Christ. This volume is translated and annotated by Dame Scholastica Hebgin and Dame Felicitas Corrigan.
Customer Reviews for On the Psalms, Vol. 1 (Ancient Christian Writers)
This product has not yet been reviewed. Click here to continue to the product details page. | <urn:uuid:e20a74f4-2df5-46ba-a464-abc6c91d9a4e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://reviews.christianbook.com/2016/9101041/paulist-press-on-the-psalms-vol-1-ancient-christian-writers-reviews/reviews.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954818 | 100 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Monday, January 25, 2010
I finally found Spanish class that speaks the same language I do. And by that, I mean that there's a teacher speaking Spanish and a student 'answering' in English. My version of Spanish (or Castellano) is a half-in, half-out sort of deal. I'm not willing to commit to speaking completely in this god-forsaken language but I'll throw out what I know to complete a sentence...as in "Gimme another glass of cerveza, por favor."
So, when Bueno, entonces asked me to review their language videos I was delighted to see someone with a similar attitude struggling along! Honestly, it is helpful and I am learning but mostly it just makes me feel good about myself to know that I'm not the only loser in Argentina (no offense, David). Plus, Jimena speaks so articulately that I feel like maybe I do understand Spanish when I watch these videos.
To find the series helpful, I think you do need somewhat of a background in Spanish. My background is having started Spanish classes several times at a variety of institutions. (I can't tell you how well I know the vocabulary for school supplies.) Going through the first week of classes, I've been reminded of some of the basics and now we're pilling stuff on top. Useful stuff, like 'Don't bust my balls' and 'I'm useless.' I was hoping that I could just watch and remember most of the new phrases - and I did for some, like the proper time to use 'dale' - but by the third lesson I started taking notes. It provides an opportunity for learning alongside a little sarcasm (the best medicine). And I'm learning all kinds of inappropriate vocabulary and phrases that I wouldn't be able to ask my Spanish tutor about (without blushing). I also love that David doesn't hold back with his frustrations about Spanish - ahhh, thank you, it IS a sexist language!
Anyway, as I said, I've watched a week's worth of Bueno, entonces... - 6 classes. I've been having trouble finding time to watch an entire 35-40 minute episode every day so it may take me a little longer but I think a little extra time is great to actually practice using what I learn. The real test will be to see if I get a better handle on the past tenses from these videos.
I'm really excited to finish the series and it's nice to have some control over learning (meaning I can wear pjs and I don't have to go to class and be nice if I'm in a bad mood, etc). A lot of people seem to like it for their iPods and I would definitely have watched it while on the subway in NYC but I'm afraid I'll get mugged if I try to do something like that in public here. I just watch in the comfort (and safety) of my home - usually while eating breakfast or ice cream.
Bueno, entonces... also has a Spanish grammar blog and teaches daily Spanish phrases on Facebook.
Friday, January 15, 2010
I debated what to call these for a while. 'Everything But the Kitchen Sink Brownies'? Too long. 'If It Ain't Broke Brownies'? Confusing. 'Turtle Brownies'? Eh. 'Dulce de Leche Swirl Brownies'? Not descriptive enough. In the end it does't matter. They're superb. Not to mention they're the lovechild of Joy the Baker's Old School Fudge Brownies mixed with a bit of inspiration from David Lebovitz's Dulce de Leche Brownie recipe.
I thought about just making the entire DL recipe but I'm so addicted to Joy's batter that I figured 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' (hence the name consideration). Typically, I'll make these brownies with walnuts and chocolate chunks and they're divine. But I've been meaning to toss in some readily available, always in abundance dulce de leche. And so I did. Heaven help me.
- 1 1/3 c. flour
- 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/4 t. salt
- 150 g. butter
- 3/4 c. cocoa powder
- 2 T. strong coffee
- 1 2/3 c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 t. vanilla extract
- 3/4 c. chopped walnuts
- 1/4 c. chocolate chips or chunks
- 200 g. (or 1 c.) dulce de leche
Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil - I used a glass baking dish is closer to 8x12 inches. Grease foil.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt - set aside. Combine butter and cocoa powder in a double boiler, add coffee and stir to melt ingredients - set aside to cool slightly. Whisk together eggs and sugar, add vanilla. Slowly add chocolate mixture to sugar mixture. Add flour mixture. Fold in the nuts.
Pour half of the batter into the baking pan. Add half of the dulce de leche in dollops - drag a knife through to swirl. Add the other half of the brownie batter and repeat with the rest of the dulce de leche. Sprinkle on the chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes if using a glass baking dish - or until a knife inserted comes out without crumbs (don't be fooled by clinging dulce de leche, though). 'Too Much of a Good Thing Brownies'? As if. These are already gone.
Monday, January 4, 2010
I've spent my entire life picking raisins out of cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, scones, pies. You name it, I've picked a raisin out of it. It's not that I detest raisins entirely, not at all. In fact, I've always enjoyed a box of Sunmaid raisins straight from the refrigerator and you'll find me mixing Raisinetes with my popcorn at the movies. But if it's been baked, plumped or heated - keep it at a reasonable distance - I've taken out a restraining order against it.
And so I'm making a traditional raisin dessert and leaving out the raisins - no need for me to pick them out of my own cooking. My apologies to any religious or ethnic groups that this offends. Yes, I'm a food globalizer.
In truth, there are a million varieties of rugelach (rugalach?) so I'm not really committing any new offenses to this amazing pastry. Still, making this clearly sacred cookie was an obvious reminder that I'm sooo not one of God's chosen people. I burned my thumb making the messiest, most unattractive rugelach I've ever seen.
I wanted to make both the apricot and the chocolate ruglelach found here. Only to realize that this recipe might be some sort of trap - for one thing 16 x 4 does not equal 50. I thought perhaps it was an honest mistake and decided to cut each circle into 12 pieces instead of 16. But the 1/2 inch thickness was way off. I googled the original author of the recipe Joan Nathan and found the correct instructions here.
I tried the apricot first; after seeing the mess that it turned out to be I looked up instructions on YouTube.
So it seems that the filling should really be spread in a ring and that one cup of jelly is quite excessive. (At this point, I remembered that episode of Sex and the City where Charlotte had to beg to be Jewish three times to prove her dedication.)
The dough was tricky to work with, being so sticky, and required that I roll it out between sheets of wax paper, then refrigerate for 15 minutes before removing paper, then adding filling and trying to roll-up, but if it got too sticky again in the few moments that it was out, I had to refrigerate again in order to roll without breaking the dough.
In the end, it was delicious and surprisingly edible. I changed the fillings a bit, as reflected below. I used mini chocolate chips but will only use dark chocolate in the future - probably without the sugar. Also, when she says to immediately remove from the baking sheet and place on a wire rack she isn't kidding. Don't think to yourself - ah, my wire rack doesn't really fit these things, I'll put parchment paper over it so they don't fall through. You'll be picking paper off of your cookies for half an hour.
- 8 ounces cream cheese (available at Jumbo)
- 227 g. or 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup apricot jam, slightly warmed
- 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup shaved bittersweet or dark chocolate, or mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup sugar
- dash of cinnamon
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
Combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, salt, lemon juice and vanilla in food processor. Pulse a few times before adding flour then pulse until soft dough is formed. (I used chunks of cool butter to make a flaky crust, some recipes instruct to cream the cheese and butter together--do whatever works for you). Place dough in bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Divide into 4 balls and roll out between sheets of wax paper into a 9 inch circle. (This is where I had to refrigerate the dough again for about 15 minutes).
Spoon jam onto the rolled-out dough (steering clear of the edges and middle). Combine the rest of the ingredients and sprinkle on top of jam. Slice dough into 12 wedges. Roll up each wedge, curved end first toward the point. You're suppose to bend the ends in like a croissant but mine weren't wide enough.
Combine ingredients and spread on top of dough. Brushing the dough with a little melted butter first might not be a bad idea. Slice the circle of dough into 12 wedges and roll up each toward the point.
Brush the top of each rolled rugelach with the egg wash and sprinkle with a little sugar. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place rugelach about one inch apart and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. It's a good idea to rotate the pan half way through baking. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool immediately. Rolled-up dough can be frozen and baked later.
Luckily, it was delicious so I'll definitely try again - after buying an oven mit. I'm not giving up! | <urn:uuid:fedbd759-1266-44ab-949c-92ebda37c347> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://adomesticdisturbance.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946334 | 2,274 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Gabar Singh Negi was born in Manjood village, Uttarakhand, in Northern India. He was 21 years old and a Rifleman in the 2/39th Garhwal Rifles when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 10th March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France. His bravery led to his death.
Here is his regimental badge as sadly we have no picture of him.
"During an attack on the German position, Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi was one of a bayonet party with bombs who entered their main trench, and was the first man to go round each traverse, driving back the enemy until they were eventually forced to surrender. He was killed during this engagement."
His name is recorded on the Neuve Chapelle Memorial - as Gobar Sing Negi
The Gabar Singh Negi fair is organised annually in Chamba (Tehri) in his memory.
In 1971, the Garhwal Regiment adopted the Fair, to give it the much-needed boost. A memorial was constructed and with the inclusion of army traditions in the ceremonies, the Gabar Negi fair started attracting villagers from far and near to pay their homage to this brave soldier.
Every year, on April 20th /21st (depending on the Hindu calendar), the area around the Negi Memorial in Chamba comes alive with many kiosks being set up. This is the only fair of its kind in the state.
The other feature of the fair is the recruitment rally conducted by the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre. "The villagers, specially the youths, attend this fair because of the recruitment rally," states Kunwar Prasoon, writer.
"The saga of Negi's bravery continues to inspire the youth from this part of the world to join the Army."
Kunwar Prasoon, Writer | <urn:uuid:b6ad9813-7cfd-42d3-ab17-ebaf4d4838a5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cwgc.org/foreverindia/military-honours/gabar-singh-negi.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985163 | 383 | 2.453125 | 2 |
Monday, January 7th 2013, 2:57 AM EST
Bloomberg.com: Southern China will be hit by a new cold front this week, extending the country’s chilliest winter in 28 years, the country’s weather agency said.
Temperatures in Southern provinces including Guangdong will dip to as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) on Jan. 11 and 12, the China Meteorological Administration said in a statement yesterday. Provinces including Guizhou and Hunan may experience snowstorms, it said.
The cold weather will prove challenging as the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday approaches, with icy rain and snow disrupting transportation, power supplies and electricity networks, the agency said.
Snow, ice and fog have caused havoc on the nation’s roads and at train stations and airports, according to reports from the Xinhua News Agency and China Daily.
Two people died and 770,000 people have been affected by record-low temperatures and snow in Inner Mongolia in northern China, Xinhua said yesterday, citing the local government. More than 260,000 people are in need of emergency aid and about 180,000 head of livestock have died, according to the report....click bloomberg.com link for more
Updated below with UK Daily Mail link
Article continues below this advert:
Trapped in an icy prison: 1,000 ships stranded in frozen ocean as China is gripped by extreme cold snap
- by Sam Webb, UK Daily Mail
Temperatures in China have plunged to their lowest in almost three decades, cold enough to freeze coastal waters and trap 1,000 ships in ice, official media said at the weekend.
Since late November the country has shivered at an average of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees colder than the previous average, and the chilliest in 28 years, state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday, citing the China Meteorological Administration.
Bitter cold has even frozen the sea in Laizhou Bay on the coast of Shandong province in the east, stranding nearly 1,000 ships, the China Daily newspaper reported
Zheng Dong, chief meteorologist at the Yantai Marine Environment Monitoring Center under the State Oceanic Administration, told the paper that the area under ice in Laizhou Bay was 291 square km this week.
Transport around the country has been severely disrupted.
Over 140 flights from the state capital airport in central Hunan province were delayed, while heavy snowfall forced the closure of some sections of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway, the China Daily said.....click UK Daily Mail link for more
ClimateRealists.com Needs You
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June 28, 2007
Sharm summit talks expose the devil in the details
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert all expressed hope for a renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace process now that Abbas has set up a moderate, Fatah-led government without Hamas.
The subtext was clear: A vibrant Israeli-Palestinian peace process could help stop the terror-filled, Iranian-backed power that Hamas represents -- and which all four leaders fear -- from spreading.
But although they agreed on the general direction and even on some of the specifics, there were major differences on a number of key issues.
Mubarak, for example, spoke of the urgent need for Fatah and Hamas to reconcile.
The Palestinians, he said, needed to speak with a single, united voice. But a new Fatah-Hamas deal is precisely what Olmert does not want to see.
He fears the return of Hamas would undermine any chance for a genuine Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. And he is worried that Abbas may be pressured into striking a new deal with Hamas.
More significant, whereas Mubarak, Abdullah and Abbas all want to see accelerated talks on a final Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, Olmert has his doubts. He sees the split between Gaza and the West Bank as making the conflict easier to manage but more difficult to resolve.
Olmert favors a more careful, step-by-step approach that gradually would create conditions for a final settlement rather than making a gigantic leap toward a peace accord that would likely fail.
In the summit's concluding news conference, Mubarak, Abdullah and Abbas all urged quick movement toward a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, side by side, at peace. Abbas proposed setting a clear timetable for negotiations and insisted that all the core issues, including borders, refugees, Jerusalem and water, were soluble.
The new Palestinian government under former finance minister Salam Fayyad and the international community's lifting of its economic boycott on the Palestinians created genuine opportunities for peace, Abbas said.
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, added that the establishment of a Palestinian state was now the most urgent issue on Abbas' agenda.
Many Israeli analysts, however, doubt whether Israel and the Palestinians are yet in a position to cut a final peace deal. They argue that Olmert would not be able to satisfy Palestinian demands on borders, refugees and Jerusalem, and Abbas will be hard pressed to keep a lid on terror in the West Bank where he is in control, let alone in Gaza, where he is not.
Olmert, therefore, seems to favor a slower, interim approach to take steps to improve the quality of life on the West Bank, create a model Palestinian polity and then build toward a final-status agreement.
But the Palestinians want final-status talks to start now. Nimmer Hamad, one of Abbas' top advisers, told Israel Radio that it was time Olmert recognized Abbas as a genuine peace partner.
Hamad said Abbas would disarm all terror groups, including Fatah's own Al-Aksa battalions, to create conditions for peace talks. If there is no "political horizon," he warned, extremism will grow.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are sympathetic to that position. They agree that Israel and the Palestinians should negotiate a final-status agreement even if it cannot be implemented for some time.
American and Israeli diplomats call it a "shelf agreement," ready to be taken down and implemented as soon conditions allow. Such an agreement would be a strong incentive for Palestinians to get their act together, they say.
Olmert, however, is adamantly opposed to cutting such a deal. He argues that a deferred agreement would only invite pressure on Israel to make further concessions so it can be implemented.
Given the readiness on the Arab side to go for a final peace deal, and the fact that a true political horizon for the Palestinians would be the best way to strengthen Abbas and the moderate cause, the international community may press for it.
If as expected, the diplomatic Quartet of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations appoints outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair as its special Middle East envoy, he may well focus on getting this shelf agreement.
In the meantime, Olmert intends to go ahead with confidence-building measures.
At the summit he did what no Israeli prime minister has done before in such strong terms: He delivered an impassioned recognition of Palestinian suffering.
"We are not indifferent to your suffering, and we are ready to take steps to bring it to an end," he declared.
Olmert went on to announce that he intends to release 250 Fatah prisoners as a goodwill gesture.
The Israeli leader is also considering a number of steps to improve the quality of Palestinian life in the West Bank. These include releasing more than $500 million in Palestinian tax money in installments, on the condition that none of it reaches terrorists; easing movement by lifting roadblocks, although the Israeli army and Shin Bet warn this could invite a new wave of suicide bombings; and renewing economic and trade ties.
Olmert said he intended to meet Abbas at least once every two weeks to take the new process forward.
"We will work with this government which recognizes Israel, accepts previous agreements and rejects violence" to "create political opportunities and a better life," he said.
Olmert's policy toward the Hamas regime in Gaza will be the opposite. While Israel will allow the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, it will do all it can to isolate the Hamas government.
Already this seems to be having an effect. On the first anniversary of his abduction, the captors of Gilad Shalit released an audio tape in which the kidnapped Israeli soldier urges the government to do a deal to secure his release.
Pundits see the release of the tape, the first sign of life from Shalit since his capture, as evidence that Hamas, ignored even by some Arab countries, is seeking ways to get back into the game.
Now, as Olmert and Abbas make progress, the question is: Will Hamas be ready to actually effect Shalit's release to alleviate its growing isolation? | <urn:uuid:fc07a541-62f1-40c8-9912-fafda296f484> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jewishjournal.com/world/article/sharm_summit_talks_expose_the_devil_in_the_details_20070629 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954585 | 1,298 | 1.664063 | 2 |
Our Rabbi, Maran Yeshua is Jewish. This obvious reality has too often been obscured by both Christian and Jewish attitudes polarized by prejudice, hatred, and fear.
There is a growing number of Jewish people who, like Rabbi Lichtenstein, Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri, have been prompted, for one reason or another, to investigate seriously what the Good News actually contains. This writer is among them. We have come to recognize through careful investigation that the Good News is something different than we had first supposed.
First of all, we have discovered that its authorship and cultural background are Jewish. The beginning scenes of the Good News are centered in the land of Israel, at the time of the Second Temple. Even as the focus widens from the original setting, the action takes place primarily among Jewish communities in the Diaspora. The Good News writers, with perhaps the exception of Luke but very likely a convert, are all Jews. The early Emmisaries and followers of our Rabbi Yeshua were also Jewish.
Mashiach (Messiah) a Jewish idea. Actually the idea of a Mashiach begins in the Torah and the Tanach, the Hebrew Scriptures. The Christian Messiah does not exist (is not a Gentile idea at all), and the Jewish Messiah is exclusively Jewish.We believe that our Rabbi Maran Yeshua who came for both the Jew and the non Jew but within a Jewish context to be understood properly. We believe that Christianity has not future, and is a sin to believe in a gentilized messiah.
We see nothing in the Good News that is non-Jewish or anti-Jewish. It is to the contrary, woven with the warp and woof of Jewish hope and prophetic promise. If one can accept the revelation of Moses and the prophets with utter seriousness, there should be nothing really strange in the Good News, it is simply Jewish, it is a family discussion / story. | <urn:uuid:b28af228-a1bd-4d10-ba2b-5c9803929b48> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://bethaderech.com/jewish-message/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964071 | 392 | 2.078125 | 2 |
| ||Definition:|| |
The most famous computer that never was. pdp-10 computers running the tops-10 operating system were labelled "DECsystem-10" as a way of differentiating them from the pdp-11. Later on, those systems running tops-20 were labelled "DECSYSTEM-20" (the block capitals being the result of a lawsuit brought against DEC by Singer, which once made a computer called "system-10"), but contrary to popular lore there was never a "PDP-20"; the only difference between a 10 and a 20 was the operating system and the colour of the paint. Most (but not all) machines sold to run tops-10 were painted "Basil Blue", whereas most TOPS-20 machines were painted "Chinese Red" (often mistakenly called orange). | <urn:uuid:302e09dd-ad74-4b67-b449-c3fcb42a36cf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hyperdictionary.com/computing/pdp-20 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983305 | 168 | 2.796875 | 3 |
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Never mind Kate and William's wedding - the big announcement at the end of 2010 was that the 1911 Census is coming to Ancestry.co.uk. Perhaps the most exciting part of this news is that the records will be available to all our members, at no extra cost. This month, we've put the first part of the Census online, and we have important information about the rest of the records.
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25-27 February sees the return of the biggest family history event in the calendar. So, we thought we'd give you more details of the tasty treats you can expect.
We were amazed at the popularity of the Ancestry Academy 12 months ago. The good news is, we've planned five different workshops this time, all hosted by our family history experts and packed with hints and tips to help you uncover your family's best-hidden secrets.
For those of you who are new to family history, we'll walk you through the basics - from creating your family tree to pinpointing relatives in census, birth, marriage and death records.
If you're ready to delve a bit deeper, we'll explain how you can combine parish, military, immigration and other more advanced records to piece together your ancestors' lives. Then, our third talk will look into worldwide records, from American censuses to Australian passenger lists.
We'll also have a very special workshop from celebrated actor, social history expert and friend of Ancestry.co.uk, Tony Robinson. Tony will celebrate our launch of the 1911 Census by examining what Britain was like at the time, and what kind of lives your ancestors led.
Plus, computer experts MyHistory will provide top tips on using our award-winning Family Tree Maker® software - and introduce the new features in the 2011 version.
All these workshops are completely free, and there's no need to book in advance - just come along and grab a seat. To make sure you don't miss out, check our free guide. As well as a workshop timetable and a handy map of the show, this is packed with suggestions to help you make the most of your time.
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We're well on our way to getting these Appointment Books transcribed, but we'd love to make these fascinating records available to everybody as soon as possible. So, we'd love it if as many of you as possible could join the effort. Not only will you be helping to preserve an important set of records for future generations, but you'll be working alongside like-minded family historians to make it happen.
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The Card Catalogue is designed to help you pinpoint which collections your family members are likely to appear in, before carrying out a search. It can be a huge time-saver, helping you find relatives within certain types of documents, in a specific region, during a given period in history.
The screen's split into two areas - a list of collections on the right, with categories including types of records, places and dates on the left. When you select what you want on the left, the list on the right is narrowed down. If you're looking for something specific, simply type in the Title and Keyword boxes.
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2) Next click 'United Kingdom', and then under Filter by Collection choose 'Birth, Baptism and Christening'. This will get rid of all the collections devoted solely to marriages and burials.
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I understand that by submitting stories or other information, I grant Ancestry.com Operations Inc. a perpetual license to distribute or republish my contributions at its discretion, with credit to me as the submitter. I release Ancestry.com Operations Inc., its agents and assigns, from any obligation to make payment hereunder and from any liability incurred in connection with the use of the text or materials submitted. Ancestry.com Operations Inc. may edit my contribution for content, length, and/or clarity. I warrant that I am at least 18 years of age.I accept | <urn:uuid:c6d1fe2a-75d6-4af4-90bd-3e1d6d88d108> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ancestry.co.uk/updatedJan2011ess | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95818 | 2,022 | 1.609375 | 2 |
CARDWELL, MO (KAIT) - In addition to math, reading, and writing, a Missouri legislator is proposing school districts arm first graders with gun education.
On Dec. 13, 2012, one day before the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, Republican Senator Dan Brown from Rolla filed Senate Bill 75, a measure that would require school districts and charter schools to annually teach the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program, or an equivalent program to first grade students.
The National Rifle Association developed the Eddie Eagle program.
According to the bill, "The purpose of the program would be to promote safety and protection of children and emphasize how students should respond if they encounter a firearm." Firearms are prohibited when the program is being taught, and school personnel are prohibited from publicly making "value judgements about firearms."
Southland Schools Superintendent Kim Campbell says the district is in the process of implementing several safeguards on campus that should be in place by the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, such as installing security cameras on campus and on school buses, installing "buzz-in" systems at both main offices and installing "newer, safer" doors on the buildings.
Supt. Campbell thinks the proposed bill would work well with the other precautionary measures in protecting the 350 elementary, middle and high school students who attend Southland Schools.
"From what I've read over Senate Bill 75, I'm in favor. I'm not sure if the training needs to start at first grade or maybe a little bit later, but one thing I would change as a superintendent, I would ask my board to allow us to train every year. The same training maybe up through eighth grade because repetition, I believe, is important."
Also included in the bill are requirements for teachers and school employees to participate in eight-hour armed intruder or active shooter training classes, and simulated active intruder and shooter response drills.
Supt. Campbell does not agree with critics who argue that teachers should be responsible for solely teaching.
"If you ask any teacher, any administrator, any educator, they're going to tell you that just goes with the territory. That doesn't concern us at all. We welcome the challenge," he said.
People who do not support the bill also believe introducing children to guns would only increase their interest in them.
Cardwell resident Roxy Harper, who thinks the bill is a good idea, said, "(Guns) are tucked away, they're hidden, they're locked like there's something wrong and forbidden with them, and the first thing a child is going to do is go up to something they don't know anything about and find out what it is all about. So, if they know what it's about, and they know how dangerous it actually is, and that it's not a toy, it's not a game, it's not like you see on TV, it'd be a lot less people getting hurt and shot."
Sen. Brown discussed the proposed bill with the Senate chamber's General Laws Committee Tuesday. No one publicly opposed the bill, and the Committee did not vote on it.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:24 GMT
For two years, the Channel 3 Eyewitness News I-Team has been following a New Britain woman who has filed dozens of lawsuits. She's sued everyone from Connecticut Light & Power and World Wrestling Entertainment,More >
For two years, the Channel 3 Eyewitness News I-Team has been following a New Britain woman who has filed dozens of lawsuits. More >
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:37 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:37:09 GMT
BJ's Wholesale Club in West Hartford will be selling gas at $2.50 a gallon on Thursday as Americans get ready for the Memorial Day weekend.More than 34 million people traveled by car over the MemorialMore >
BJ's Wholesale Club in West Hartford will sell gas at $2.50 a gallon on Thursday as Americans get ready for the Memorial Day weekend.More >
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:13 GMT
State police said investigators found a 14 inch butcher knife under the pillow of a 4-month-old baby during a drug arrest at an apartment in Danielson Wednesday morning.The state police Quality of LifeMore >
State police said investigators found a 14-inch butcher knife under the pillow of a 4-month-old baby during a drug arrest at an apartment in Danielson Wednesday morning.More >
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:53 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:53:17 GMT
A massive, 11-year study of brain cancer at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is coming to an end with what could be definitive information about fatal occupational illnesses at Connecticut plants.TheMore >
A massive, 11-year study of brain cancer at jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is coming to an end with what could be definitive information about fatal occupational illnesses at Connecticut plants.More >
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:55:34 GMT
Firefighters still remain on the scene after a large fire ripped through a multi-family home in the Taftville section of Norwich. The fire broke out in the home on Norwich Avenue around midnight Thursday.More >
Firefighters still remain on the scene after a large fire ripped through a multi-family home in the Taftville section of Norwich.More >
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:08 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:08:06 GMT
Happy Saturday, Rain is on its way – as expected – but it will not hamper the entire weekend. Early this morning, there will be low clouds, fog and drizzle in many parts of Connecticut. This will haveMore >
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:51:58 GMT
Vice-President Joe Biden is known for gaffes, and he did not disappoint during his visit to Connecticut Wednesday. Biden had come to Connecticut to be the keynote speaker at the U.S. Coast Guard AcademyMore >
Vice-President Joe Biden is known for gaffes, and he did not disappoint during his visit to Connecticut Wednesday.More >
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:49:30 GMT
Seven Metro-North railroad workers injured in last week's collision on the commuter line have hired a lawyer to pursue damages. The Hearst Connecticut Media Group reports the engineers of the two trainsMore >
Seven Metro-North railroad workers injured in last week's collision on the commuter line have hired a lawyer to pursue damages.More > | <urn:uuid:09bfa519-fd54-4b80-a834-25d1aae3810e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wfsb.com/story/20864927/bill-proposes-elementary-students-learn-about-guns | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95827 | 1,392 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Mehendi function is usually organized with the sangeet function. So, it has a festive feel to it with the women dancing and singing traditional songs on the mehendi ritual. The bride is dressed in light color clothes with light jewelry. According to the custom the bride must not step out of the house after the mehendi ritual until the wedding day. It is believed that the darker and deeper the henna stains the more the husband and the in-laws will love her bride. The ritual of mehendi signifies the strength and power of love in a marriage so it is regarded good omen for the would-be bride. It is said that the long the bride retains the mehendi, the more auspicious would be her future. | <urn:uuid:c12906a5-e1f8-4b91-a9bc-1326b507e34c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.4to40.com/mehndi_designs/trace.asp?p=Mehendi_Celebration&c=Hands_and_Arms&city=Delhi | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939139 | 153 | 1.625 | 2 |
Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
On 18 August 2004, he became the first Czech to reach 100 appearances in a scoreless draw against Greece in Prague. His international career has spanned the entire history of the Czech Republic team, as he earned his first cap in the Czech Republic's first match as a separate entity from the former Czechoslovakia, a 4-1 win over Turkey on 23 February 1994.
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details | <urn:uuid:d4e64a1d-bf9d-41fb-9000-b76139b6feae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects_encyclopedia/Karel_Poborsky | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960576 | 111 | 1.5625 | 2 |
The burying of time capsules may not be unique to the 20th Century (Comment, 18 February). During recent building work a time capsule in the form of a glass jar was discovered behind the foundation stone of Caterham School's Victorian swimming pool. The pool was opened in 1889 by the Lord Mayor of London and believed to be among the first covered heated pools owned by a school.
The glass jar was placed in such a way that it could only have been discovered by the removal of a foundation stone. Among the artefacts inside was an architect's drawing of the pool and a contemporary school badge.
The express intention of communicating with future generations may not seem so special when you consider examples other than time capsules for instance wills, portraits (painted or photographic), statues, or even gravestones. The idea of a permanent record of oneself or one's achievements ...
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content. | <urn:uuid:371db83c-19aa-4711-8cf3-bfa841d249ee> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14619717.100-for-the-record.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962994 | 199 | 2.8125 | 3 |
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U.S. Supreme Court Increasingly Favors Business, Study Says
The U.S. Supreme Court is more business-friendly today than it was 25 years ago, according to a study conducted by a group that advocates for environmental safeguards and civil rights.
The study by the Constitutionality Accountability Center in Washington takes issue with comments by Justice Stephen Breyer in a Bloomberg News interview earlier this month. Breyer said business groups aren’t doing any better than they have historically.
The group concluded that from 1981 to 1986 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce won less than half its cases at the Supreme Court, compared with about two-thirds over the past five years. Numbers compiled by the chamber show a more limited increase in the business trade group’s success rate.
“Justice Breyer’s flat wrong in suggesting that the chamber has always done well before the court,” said Doug Kendall, the Constitutionality Accountability Center’s president. “The Supreme Court’s modern pro-corporate tilt -- and particularly its sharp ideological split in favor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- are relatively new developments, traceable to the court’s current conservative majority.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s high court record in recent years has fueled contentions that the court harbors pro-business sympathies. The business lobby won at least a partial victory in 13 of the 16 cases in which it filed a brief during the court term that ended in June. Since the 1997-98 term, the group has won 74 percent of its cases, according its figures.
That success isn’t driven by favoritism, according to Robin Conrad, the head of the chamber’s litigation unit. She pointed to recent decisions giving workers more power to sue employers for illegal retaliation.
Much of the chamber’s recent success stems from concerns among the justices about “lawyer-driven litigation,” Conrad said. “I just don’t think that translates into pro-business, and I think Justice Breyer was correct when he rejected that notion,” she said.
Breyer said in the interview that he had done his own historical research and concluded that the modern-day court doesn’t rule in favor of companies any more frequently than it has in the past.
“Business groups have always done well, winning a little bit more than half,” he said.
The Constitutionality Accountability Center study concludes that isn’t the case, at least during the 1981-86 period. The group says the Chamber of Commerce won 15 of the 35 cases in which it participated during that time.
The Chamber of Commerce faulted the study for basing its conclusions on only a small fraction of the 800 cases resolved by the court during the five-year period.
“This is a perplexingly small sample size,” Conrad said. “To me this looks like a theory in search of evidence.”
The study, which will be released later today, was provided in advance to Bloomberg News.
Kendall said his group chose the 1981-86 period because it immediately preceded the appointment of Justice Antonin Scalia, now the longest-serving current member. The group based its figures on searches of legal databases, casebooks collecting Supreme Court rulings and briefs on file at the Library of Congress.
A separate Constitutionality Accountability Center study released earlier this year said that business issues often divide the justices ideologically, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito tending to side with companies.
The court divided on those lines in January in a 5-4 decision that overturned decades-old restrictions on corporate campaign spending. The same five were in the majority in a 5-3 decision in 2008 limiting shareholder suits against a company’s banks and business partners. Breyer didn’t take part in that case.
Other business issues don’t produce an ideological breakdown. Thomas and Scalia have rejected business calls for limits on punitive damages, saying the Constitution doesn’t provide any protection against large awards. Breyer supports some limits on damage awards.
To read this story in Bloomberg News, click here. | <urn:uuid:c205b7ad-3e30-424d-9ee2-28458f01656c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://theusconstitution.org/news/us-supreme-court-increasingly-favors-business-study-says | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958848 | 877 | 1.914063 | 2 |
A question that has spawned a great deal of rumination amongst students of South Asian politics is why democracy has failed to take root in Pakistan. At a general level, why has Pakistan suffered from periods of military rule -- under four different generals, three of whom were in power for close to a decade or more -- and why has its periods of democratic rule been marked with tenuousness and instability?
Before we can answer that question, it is first necessary to understand just what we mean by democracy. Within the political science literature on democracy and democratization, there remains a significant divide between those who favor minimalist definitions of democracy and those that argue for a more holistic conception of the term. The former tend to equate democratic rule with the holding of free and fair elections in which populations have a real choice of candidates, and an ability to either directly or indirectly vote for their rulers. The second group thinks of this as much too limiting; it is concerned not just with the ways in which a government comes to power, but also with the ways in a government exercises its power. For them, the mere holding of elections is not enough to qualify a country as government. It must, instead, be liberal in nature -- guarantee freedoms of speech, press and association, for instance.
While these definitional debates are useful, they can also be unwieldy and ultimately lose the forest for the trees. At bottom, a democratic system of government should connote limits to power. In other words, it entails checks and balances; governments and people in power must be held back from excesses not by their own goodwill or strength of character, but by institutions and rules which are enforced. Where exactly those red lines are drawn differs from system to system, but reasonable people can safely distinguish between countries where legitimate checks exist and those where they exist in name only.
If one accepts the definition I have laid out for democracy -- that it speaks to limits to power -- then it becomes clear that the military is far from the only actor that should be held culpable for Pakistan's democratic deficit. Pakistan's civil society, especially its political parties, have aided in Pakistan's tortured relationship with democracy.
The military in Pakistan is a fair but easy target. Its position within Pakistani society and politics has been well-described and detailed; I will limit myself to the most obvious and patently true claims here. First, it secured for itself a position of guardian-of-the-state by amplifying both the (very real) military threat India posed in the formative years of statehood, as well as its ability to adequately deal with that threat -- for all its bluster about one Muslim being the equal of ten Hindus in combat, the Pakistani military has never actually beaten India's in a war. Second, it has entrenched itself in the political and social life of the state with housing cooperatives, business ventures, academic appointments and other areas where the military, as an institution, simply does not belong. Third and most obviously, it has taken it upon itself to remove elected leaders from office any time those elected leaders either pose a threat to the institutional interests of the military, or cross the circumscribed bounds of appropriate conduct for politicians -- bounds drawn, quite naturally, by the military itself.
For these and other reasons, many analyses of Pakistan's failure to become a truly democratic state start and end with the military. It has been the most obvious impediment to representative government, and as such affords an easy target.
It would be remiss, however, to neglect to mention other responsible parties for Pakistan's democratic deficit. Uninformed and Manichean views often treat Pakistan's political parties as Davids taking on Goliath, unable to change the course of politics only because the military stands in its way. Such views are heavily misguided; Pakistan's political parties, with some exceptions, are as interested in democracy as a system of government as the military itself.
First, Pakistani mainstream political parties are highly personalist -- they exist less as instruments of democratic spirit than objects to be owned and molded by chiefs and party heads. The Pakistan People's Party, almost universally regarded as the country's biggest party, is an apt example. Formed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, it has never been headed by someone not related to the former Prime Minister -- when Bhutto was hanged in 1979, the party was transferred to his wife, and then his daughter, who in turn was assassinated in 2007, upon which the party was handed to her husband and then nineteen year-old son. The MQM, an ethnic-based party in urban Sindh, is more democratic in its inner workings but still considers the word of its exiled leader Altaf Hussain as quite literally the word of God. In fact, it requires party-members to sign the following oath, one which appears truly bizarre to outsiders:
I,... believing that Allah is here and watching over me, swearing by His book and my mother, take oath that I shall remain loyal to the MQM and Altaf Hussain for my whole life. I will not take part in any conspiracy, planning or action against MQM or Altaf Hussain and I will not maintain any link with anyone who is involved in any of the acts mentioned above. I swear by my mother that if any conspiracy against MQM or Altaf Hussain or any act harmful to them come into my knowledge, I shall immediately inform Altaf Hussain or other main leaders, even if the conspirator be my brother, sister, mother, father, any relative or friend...I swear that I will keep every secret of my party and regard it more precious than my life. I swear that I shall accept Altaf Hussain's decision as final in any matter and obey all his decisions. If I disobey any of his decisions, I must be regarded as a traitor. I swear that I have and I will have blind trust in party leader Altaf Hussain...May God help me to remain firm and loyal to the MQM.
Few mainstream Pakistani political parties hold internal elections -- the Jamaat-e-Islami is one notable exception -- and most are identifiable by a personality more so than an agenda. This, then, is the first problem: when loyalty to personalities consumes political parties, it becomes hard to reconcile the contradiction between ostensible demands for democracy on the one hand, and unquestioned and unbridled internal power on the other. It is a strange experience to hear Kings and Queens talk about democracy, even if they are Kings and Queens of parties rather than countries.
The second point to be made about political parties is that all too often, they have been willing to make Faustian bargains with military rulers or their associates in the domestic intelligence communities, all for their self-interest and short-term access to power. Nawaz Sharif, the man who today speaks most vociferously and stridently in favor of democracy, began his political career as a protege (and pawn) of Pakistan's military-intelligence apparatus, and helped destabilize Benazir Bhutto's first term in power in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Benazir herself was remarkably open to deals with autocrats, as long as she was guaranteed a fair sum of power in return. The MQM, as well as various religious parties, have all in past helped prop up military rule. In short, Pakistani political parties talk a good game about democracy, right up to the point where they can gain from not doing so; it takes very little arm-twisting for them to sacrifice principles for power.
Third, Pakistani political parties behave in highly undemocratic ways when in power. Recall our definition of democracy: a system of government with an involved set of checks and balances, and limits on power. In term after term, Pakistan's civilian leaders have attempted to dismantle any limits on power that may exist, and have attempted to centralize power in the executive. This is a truism applicable especially to those civilians elected in the post-1971 era, and especially to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. The former made viable political competition in the country difficult at best, moved against trade unions (despite purportedly representing a left-of-center party) and other civil society organizations, clamped down on the press, and was perhaps the most megalomaniacal leader Pakistan has ever had (which is really saying something). Nawaz Sharif meanwhile, that champion of an independent judiciary, had his party's cadres storm the Supreme Court to obviate the apex court hearing a case against him in 1997. He also attempted to declare himself Ameer-ul-Momineen (leader of the faithful), which would have left him with de facto autocratic powers. Even today, President Asif Zardari has dragged his feet on a campaign promise to repeal laws that allow the executive to dissolve parliament at his discretion; it is unclear what factors, other than a desire for greater power, could be responsible for the delay.
In conjunction, these three factors -- the highly personalist and loyalty-based political processes within parties, the proclivity to cut deals with military governments for short-term gain, and undemocratic behavior even from nominal democrats in power -- have meant that Pakistan's military has had an able partner in its destruction of democratic institutions. Very few parties can claim to have not played a role in this destruction at some time or another. Political parties in Pakistan have become adept at using the word "democracy" as a stick to beat the authoritarian government du jour, and have used it as an instrument to paint themselves as guarantors of a liberal and democratic order, if only given the chance by Western backers (Benazir Bhutto, with her Harvard and Oxford education, turned lobbying and schmoozing in Washington, New York and London into an art-form).
The country's much-celebrated lawyers movement cannot escape these characterizations. Acknowledged both at home and abroad as a brave and peaceful movement for the rule of law that ultimately brought an end to Pervez Musharraf's tenure as Pakistan's leader, the lawyer's movement has shown an ugly side in recent weeks. For one thing, the leader of the movement, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, has shown that he too cannot respect institutional boundaries, and demonstrated an alarming tendency to meddle in political affairs that are neither his nor his court's concern.
Moreover, lawyers have been involved in acts of violence recently, hardly serving as exemplars of the rule of law for which their putatively fought for over two years. In incidents widely reported in the Pakistani media recently, they physically assaulted both journalists and police. While it would be unfair to paint with broad brushes and implicate the entire movement because of the actions of a few, cynical observers of Pakistani politics have not been disabused of the notion that the lawyers movement was nothing more than a segment of society acting out to secure its parochial interests (the judiciary and the lawyers), seized upon by opportunistic parties and stakeholders (the PML-N, Imran Khan) as a vehicle to launch an anti-regime movement. While its ends were noble in the sense that they called for an end to military dictatorship, one must be careful to not impute the lawyers with pure and snow-white motives. By their recent actions, the lawyers and the judiciary -- or at least some elements of it -- have shown that the spirit of democracy, limits to power and the rule of law are tactical tools, not non-negotiable ends. In this, they are hardly alone in Pakistan's civil society. | <urn:uuid:215da451-e5c0-4522-a5dd-a5f2e29ee53c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fiverupees.blogspot.com/2009/08/roots-of-pakistans-democratic-deficit.html?showComment=1250919533628 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976997 | 2,371 | 2.78125 | 3 |
|Weras Ganga Storm Water Drainage & Environment Improvement Project|
Weras Ganga basin plays an important role as a center of economic and social activity and provision of housing for the people of Colombo Metropolitan region. Some part of this basin are centers of industrial and commercial activities and other sections have been characterized mainly as residential areas and the potential for residential development is high due to urban sprawl Phenomena from Colombo and migration from other areas of Sri Lanka. The area surrounding Weras Ganga provides a water front environment and is a popular area for recreational activities as well as residential development. As there is no proper drainage system is available this basin has been subjected to heavy flood during most of the time of the year. Therefore urgent necessity of proper drainage system has been identified and Weras Ganga basin storm water drainage & environment improvement project was initiated. Implementation of this project promotes sustainable development activities and enhances environment improvement which will promote tourism industry mainly with the protection of Attidiya Bird Sanctuary and Bolgoda canal. Project activities has been divided in to two stages as phase I & phase II. Phase I contain the development of Nugegoda Rattanapitiya Ela, Boralesgamuwa North & South Canals, Maha Ela, Dredging of Weras Ganga and improvement of drainage system of Bolgoda marsh.
The approval of cabinet of Ministers was granted on 24.02.2010 under a Memorandum No. 2010/CP/11 for this project. MOU has been signed with China Machinery Equipment Corporation (CMEC) & Ministry of Defence on 22nd September 2011 and the conceptual drawings prepared by SLLRDC has been submitted to CMEC on 07th August 2011 for detail designs and expected to complete the detail design in January 2012.
Phase I has been scheduled to commence within the 1st quarter of year 2012 and the project cost is Rs.8,000Mn. It is schedule to obtain Rs.6,800Mn as foreign funds and the balance Rs. 1,200Mn will be funded by the Government of Sri Lanka Construction period of phase I is about 36 months. | <urn:uuid:1c186a3a-fb42-4bf8-9754-d64bace866dc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.landreclamation.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=321%3Aweras-ganga-storm-water-drainage-a-environment-improvement-project&catid=64%3Aspecial-notices&Itemid=104&lang=en | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962093 | 439 | 1.90625 | 2 |
Last spring, on a research vessel cruising through the North Sea, Swiss scientists examined tiny vials of bacteria mixed with seawater for hints of fluorescent light. By analyzing how brightly the bacteria glowed, and with which colors, they were able to diagnose and characterize the early aftermath of an oil spill.
“We were actually very happy that we could do this, and that it turned out so well,” says Jan Van der Meer, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland. He announced his team’s results last week at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting in Dublin.
Living biosensors like these bacteria, which are engineered to glow a particular color in response to a given chemical, have graced petri dishes in research laboratories for decades. But it is only recently that they are being put to practical use, as scientists adapt and deploy them to test for environmental contaminants. Sensor bacteria give faster and cheaper–if somewhat less precise–results than traditional chemical tests do, and they may prove increasingly important in detecting pollutants in seawater, groundwater, and foodstuffs.
In preparation for their research expedition, Van der Meer and his team created three different strains of bacteria, each tailored to sense a particular kind of toxic chemical that leeches into seawater from spilled oil. They began with different strains of bacteria that naturally feast upon these chemicals, each releasing specialized enzymes when they come in contact with their chemical of choice. By hooking up the gene for a fluorescent or bioluminescent protein to the cellular machinery that makes those enzymes, the scientists effectively created a living light switch: whenever the chemical was present, the bacteria would glow.
For each class of toxic chemical, Van der Meer used a different color protein, so that he could easily determine which chemicals were present based on the wavelength of emitted light. And whenever possible, he transferred the entire switch mechanism into another strain of bacteria more suited to a highly controlled lab life than its exotic, oil-eating cousins.
The research team, working in concert with several other European labs, obtained permission from the Dutch government to create a small, artificial oil spill in the waters of the North Sea. They sampled seawater at various time points after the spill, using a luminometer to measure whether sensor bacteria added to each sample had detected the corresponding chemical. Unlike traditional chemical analyses, which can take weeks and require large, expensive instruments, the biosensor test could be performed on site in a matter of minutes.
“Analytical methods can potentially take a long time and a lot of processing,” says Ruth Richardson, a bioenvironmental engineer at Cornell University. “It certainly isn’t something you can do remotely.”
Van der Meer adds that bacterial sensing, which is inexpensive compared with chemical methods, could be particularly useful for routine monitoring. “The extreme simplicity of this is that the heart of the sensor is the bacterial cell, and that the cell is a multiplying entity,” says Van der Meer. “It’s extremely simple to reproduce them, and then you have enough for thousands of tests.” | <urn:uuid:2bf2889e-68fd-441f-96c4-8d33961054e9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.technologyreview.com/news/410834/detecting-pollution-with-living-biosensors/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956736 | 649 | 3.90625 | 4 |
Democrats spent the first century of this country’s existence refusing to treat black people like human beings, and the second refusing to treat them like adults.
After fighting the Civil War to continue enslaving black people and then subjecting newly freed black Americans to vicious, humiliating Jim Crow laws and Ku Klux Klan violence, Democrats set about frantically rewriting their own ugly history.
Step 1: Switch “Democrat” to “Southerner”;
Step 2: Switch “Southerner” to “conservative Democrat”;
Step 3: Switch “conservative Democrat” to “conservative.”
Contrary to liberal folklore, the Democratic segregationists were not all Southern – and they were certainly not conservative. They were dyed-in-the-wool liberal Democrats on all the litmus-test issues of their day.
All but one remained liberal Democrats until the day they died. That’s the only one you’ve ever heard of: Strom Thurmond.
As soon as abortion is relegated to the same trash heap of history as slavery has been, liberals will be rewriting history to make Democrats the pro-lifers and Republicans the pro-choicers. That’s precisely what they’ve done with the history of race in America.
In addition to lying in the history books, liberals lied on their personal resumes. Suddenly, every liberal remembered being beaten up by a 300-pound Southern sheriff during the civil rights movement.
Among the ones who have been caught falsely gassing about their civil rights heroism are Bob Beckel, Carl Bernstein and Joseph Ellis. (Some days, it seems as if there are more liberals pretending to have been Freedom Riders than pretending to be Cherokees!)
In the 1950s and ’60s, Democrats were running segregationists for vice president, slapping Orval Faubus on the back and praising George Wallace voters for their “integrity.” (That was Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in the New York Times.)
But the moment the real civil rights struggle was over, liberals decided to become black America’s most self-important defenders.
Of course, once we got the Democrats to stop discriminating against blacks, there was no one else doing it. So liberals developed a rich fantasy life in which they played Atticus Finch and some poor white cop from Brooklyn would be designated Lester Maddox (racist Democrat, endorsed by Jimmy Carter).
White journalists who didn’t know any actual black people (other than Grady the maid) became junior G-men searching for racists under every bed, requiring a steady stream of deeply pompous editorials.
You will never see anything so brave as a liberal fighting nonexistent enemies.
Liberals drove the entire country crazy with their endless battles against imaginary racists, to make up for their having been AWOL during the real fight over civil rights.
Throughout this period, every black-on-white crime became a re-enactment of “To Kill a Mockingbird”; every cop who shot a black perp was Bull Connor; and every alleged racist incident was instantly presumed true, no matter how preposterous.
When it turned out the hate crime was a hoax, the cop was being mugged and the black kid was guilty, the whole story would just quietly disappear from the news, as if the media were reading a bedtime story to a child, whispering the ending and tiptoeing out of the room.
Then came the O.J. verdict.
Millions of Americans watched as a mostly black jury acquitted an obviously guilty black celebrity and saw black America cheer the verdict. The sight of black law students whooping and applauding O.J.’s acquittal had the same emotional impact as watching Palestinians celebrate the 9/11 attack.
Overnight, the white guilt bank – once thought “too big to fail” – was shut down. Henceforth, instead of producing stuttering embarrassment, liberal moral intimidation on race produced only eye-rolling. With that, America became a much healthier country, especially for black people.
Without nonsense claims of racist “code words” to stop them, Republicans were finally able to implement long-sought reforms on crime and welfare. The unqualified success of Rudy Giuliani’s crime policies in New York saved tens of thousands of black lives. Welfare reform was such a stunning success that Bill Clinton claimed credit for it.
Blacks had won the final civil rights battle: The right to be treated like adults. Even liberals ceased their oohing and ahhing over every little thing any black person did.
But the post-O.J. paradise came to a crashing halt with the appearance of Barack Obama.
Obama allowed liberals to return to accusing Americans of being racists and get the most liberal president America has ever seen at the same time.
The only firm evidence that there are any actual racists left in America is the fact that so many whites voted for Obama as some sort of racial penance.
More white people voted for Obama in 2008 than had voted for any Democratic presidential candidate in nearly 40 years.
They must have felt guilty about something. Not harboring any racist impulses, I was free to vote Republican.
Now that Obama is up for re-election, liberals are back to their old tricks. A nation with more child pornographers than racists – a nation that’s already elected a (half) black president once – is suddenly said to be bristling with racists again!
My new book, out this week, “Mugged: Racial Demagoguery From the Seventies to Obama,” reminds us that nothing good has ever come of Americans capitulating to liberals’ racial bullying, especially not for black people. Never. Don’t make the same mistake again, America. | <urn:uuid:f4cc035b-670c-46bc-b306-5205ffa6af92> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/liberals-cant-break-200-year-racism-habit/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963661 | 1,209 | 2.125 | 2 |
The South African government concluded its second round of bidding to develop renewable energy projects the first week of March. While final results have yet to be disclosed, Standard Bank Group (SBK), the largest lender on the African continent, agreed to provide financing for 31 renewable energy projects worth as much as 19 billion South African rand (SAR) (~$2.5 billion). This adds to the SAR8.2 billion ($1.08 billion) it agreed to finance in a first round of bidding, which took place last November, according to a Bloomberg News report.
A total of 79 bids were received in the second round of renewable energy project bidding. The Dept. of Energy expects to finish evaluating them on May 11. Standard Bank South Africa agreed to provide senior debt underwriting wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a total generating capacity of 1,454 MW, SBK’s head of power finance Alastair Campbell told Bloomberg News. The second round was more competitive than the first, squeezing everyone’s margins, which bodes well for electricity consumers in South Africa, he added.
“The second bidding window has resulted in a lot of bidders being aggressive in the pricing of their bids. We expect to see those bidders that secure preferred bidder status, coming in materially below the tariff caps that were set,” Campbell was quoted as saying in BusinessDay South Africa.
South Africa’s Drive for Independent Renewable Power Drive
The South African government’s Independent Power Producers (IPP) Procurement Program is the centerpiece of its drive to stimulate renewable energy and environmentally sustainable economic development and jobs growth in South Africa as per its national Integrated Resource Plan, which was enacted by the South African Parliament this past summer.
The 20-year Integrated Resource Plan calls for 42% (~17,800 MW) of South Africa’s electricity supply to come from renewable sources by 2030 and be developed in a way that contributes constructively towards socio-economic and environmentally sustainable growth. In submitting proposals during a planned five rounds of IPP project bidding, developers are “required to bid on tariff and identified socio-economic development objectives” of the South African Dept. of Energy.
The SA Dept. of Energy received more than 270 renewable energy project development bids in the IPP program’s first round, under which the government expects the first 3,725 MW of renewable energy capacity to be built by 2016. Between $10 billion-$12 billion is expected to be invested in the first round projects.
Contracts for an initial 28 renewable energy projects with a capacity of 1,416 MW were awarded in the first round of IPP bidding, the results of which were announced at the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conference in Durban last December. Accepted were bids to develop onshore wind (1,850 MW), solar photovoltaic (PV) (1,450 MW), concentrating solar power (CSP) (200 MW), biomass (12.5 MW), biogas (12.5 MW), landfill gas (25 MW), small hydro (75 MW) and other small projects of less than 5 MW (100 MW), according to a report from Creamer Media’s Engineering News. The projects are required to close financing by June.
Job Creation and Diversifying South Africa’s Energy Sector
Looking to liberalize and diversify its power industry, state-owned utility Eskom, which supplies some 95% of the nation’s electricity, has been limited to participating in the IPP program as a buyer and to making grid interconnections. Preferred bidders selected by the SA Dept. of Energy in November need to conclude a power purchase agreement with Eskom, as well as a grid interconnection agreement with them or a municipality, as well as sign an implementation agreement with the department.
South African electricity prices have trebled in the last four years as Eskom, which generates more than 90% of its electricity from thermal coal plants, has raised prices and has been forced to shut down and ration electricity supply persistently in recent years.
The South African government is looking to the IRP and IPP program to address another chronic domestic issue besides the high and rising cost of fossil fuel energy: job creation. The SA government increased the percentage of local content required to develop renewable energy projects following the second round of IPP program bidding.
The amount of local content “was a major factor in the evaluation of the [second round] bids,” SBK’s head of power and infrastructure advisory Ntlai Mosiah, told BusinessDay. “The challenge that most of our developers have is that when they become operational … they are creating social upliftment and jobs in the area,” he said.
Spain’s Abengoa won contracts to develop two CSP projects in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. Abengoa will employ solar tower technology at the 50-MW Khi Solar One plant and solar parabolic trough technology at the 100 MW KaXu Solar plant. Abengoa projects that some 1,400 construction jobs and around 70 permanent, full-time, local jobs will be created as a result.
Source: Clean Technica | <urn:uuid:1c1876d6-3b94-44e0-8ea9-be4b8a4a6ac7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://energyjobblog.com/2012/03/19/south-africa-aims-for-green-jobs/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955576 | 1,086 | 1.664063 | 2 |
War activity west of the Appalachian Mountains in 1861 was confined chiefly to the States of Kentucky and Missouri. Toward the end of the year when loyalty, or at least the neutrality, of the governments of these border States seemed assured, the Federals began making plans for the invasion of the South by way of the western rivers and railroads. Each side began to maneuver for strategic positions. The Confederate General, Leonidas Polk, believing that the Southern States were about to be invaded through Kentucky, moved up quickly from his position at Union City, Tenn., and seized Columbus, Ky., the northern terminus of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, recently appointed commander of the Federal troops in and around Cairo, Ill., had made preparations to occupy that important river port and railway center on the following day. Thwarted at Columbus, Grant retaliated by taking Paducah, Ky., located at the junction of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers.
It now became apparent to the Confederate high command in Richmond that a strong line would have to be established along the northwestern border of the Confederacy before the Union armies had time to occupy more of the strategic points. They believed that the task could be performed more effectively if all troops in that theater of operation were placed under one commander. Accordingly, Confederate President Jefferson Davis sent Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston to the West with the imposing title of "General Commanding the Western Department of the Army of the Confederate States of America."
Arriving in Nashville on September 14, 1861, General Johnston studied his difficult assignment. The line he was supposed to occupy extended from the mountains of eastern Tennessee westward across the Mississippi to the Kansas boundary. Only two points on the proposed line were then in Confederate hands: Columbus, which he considered the natural key to the Confederate defense of the Mississippi, and Cumberland Gap, Ky., which he had previously ordered Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer to occupy.
One of Johnston's first official acts upon arriving at Nashville was to order Gen. Simon B. Buckner to secure Bowling Green, Ky., one of the most important railroad centers south of the Ohio. He also ordered garrisons to the incomplete works at Fort Henry, on the Tennessee, and Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, hoping to prevent a Union advance up either of these natural highways. A Federal offensive up the Tennessee or the Cumberland would endanger the important railroad and industrial center of Nashville, Tenn.
Since the outbreak of the war, Nashville had been converted into a huge arsenal and depot of supplies. Large quantities of food, clothing, and munitions had been collected and stored in its warehouses. Its factories were turning out percussion caps, sabers, muskets, saddles, harness knapsacks, cannon, and rifled pieces. Its looms were turning out thousands of yards of gray cloth which were being made into uniforms for the soldiers. The loss of this city would be an irreparable blow to the Confederacy.
While General Johnston was establishing his positions, the Federals were rapidly organizing their forces preparatory to an attack upon the Confederate line. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, from headquarters in St. Louis, was strengthening his positions at Cairo, Ill., and Paducah, Ky. At the same time, he was making ready a large number of river steamers so that his troops could be moved by water to almost any point along his front. From headquarters in Louisville, Gen. Don Carlos Buell, commander of the Department of the Ohio, reinforced his line so that Johnston had to keep his main force at Bowling Green, Ky., to guard the important railroads which penetrated Middle and West Tennessee.
Various plans for an attack upon the Confederate line were considered by the Federals. General Halleck, commander of the Department of the Missouri, believed that it would take an army of not less than 60,000 men, under one commander, to break the well-established line. He, therefore, asked that General Buell's army be transferred to him, or at least placed under his command.
Before a union of the two departments could be effected, General Grant asked for, and received, permission to attack the line at Fort Henry. A combined land and naval attack by Grant's troops and the gunboat fleet of Commodore Andrew H. Foote resulted in the surrender of Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, and the capture of Fort Donelson, with about 12,000 prisoners, on the 16th. The loss of these forts broke Johnston's line at its center and compelled him to evacuate Bowling Green and Columbus, permitting western Kentucky to fall into Union hands. To prevent encirclement, he was also forced to withdraw from Nashville, abandon Middle and West Tennessee, and seek a new line on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
Following the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, Grant incurred the displeasure of General Halleck by sending a division of troops into Buell's department at Clarksville. Halleck's indignation increased when he learned that Grant had gone to Nashville for consultation with Buell. Halleck directed the withdrawal of the division from Clarksville suspended Grant from command, and ordered him to Fort Henry to await orders.
The army under Grant's successor, Gen. Charles F. Smith, moved up the Tennessee toward the heart of the Confederacy, with the intention of rendezvousing at Savannah, Tenn., on the east side of the river. Gen. William T. Sherman was sent forward on the so-called Yellow Creek Expedition for the purpose of destroying railroad communications to the west of Corinth, Miss., the objective of the campaign. High water made Sherman's mission a failure, and he was compelled to return. He reported to General Smith that a more convenient place for the assembling of his army was at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., 9 miles above Savannah, and on the west side of the river, from which direct roads led to Corinth. General Smith, therefore, instructed him to disembark his division and that of Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut at Pittsburg Landing, in positions far enough back to afford room for the other divisions of the army to encamp near the river.
In obedience to this order, Sherman encamped his division along a ridge on either side of Shiloh Church, almost 3 miles from Pittsburg Landing, with General Hurlbut's division about a mile to his rear. Within a few days, Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss' division took position on Sherman's left, while Gen. John A. MeClernand and Gen. W. H. L. Wallace formed their divisions between Sherman and the river. The 3d Division, commanded by Gen. Lew Wallace, was stationed at Crump's Landing, about 4 miles downstream from the main encampment. Thus, by April 5, 1862, there were in the five divisions of the Army of the Tennessee at Pittsburg Landing 39,830 officers and men present for duty and 7,564 at nearby Crump's Landing.
While this concentration of troops was in progress, General Smith received a leg injury which became so serious that he had to give up his command. General Grant was restored to duty and sent to Savannah with orders to concentrate troops and supplies, but to bring on no general engagement until a union could be made with Buell's army, and Halleck had arrived to assume personal command of the combined forces.
General Johnston, in the meantime was concentrating all available forces at Corinth, Miss., on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. After this had been accomplished, he resolved to take the offensive and attack Grant's army at Pittsburg Landing, hoping to defeat that army before it could be reinforced by General Buell. Hearing that Buell was nearing Savannah, Johnston determined to attack at once and accordingly on the 3d of April issued the order for the forward movement. He expected to give battle at daylight on April 5th, but heavy rains and bad roads made progress so slow that the last of his columns did not reach the field until late afternoon. It was then decided that the attack should be postponed until daylight the next morning. Johnston's army, 43,968 strong, went into bivouac in order of battle within less than 2 miles of the Federal camps. The Confederate forces were formed in three lines. Gen. W. J. Hardee's corps and one of Gen. Braxton Bragg's brigades were in the first line, the remainder of Bragg's corps in the second line, and Generals Leonidas Polk's and J. C. Breckinridge's corps in the third line.
During the night of April 5th the two hostile armies were encamped within a short distance of each other: the Confederates poised, ready to attack, while the unsuspecting Union army went about its normal camp routine, making no preparations for the defense of its position. On Saturday, a few hours before the battle, Sherman wrote Grant: "I have no doubt that nothing will occur to-day more than some picket firing," and that he did not "apprehend anything like an attack" on his position. The same day, after Sherman's report from the front, Grant, who was at Savannah, telegraphed Halleck: "I have scarcely the faintest idea of an attack (general one) being made upon us, but will be prepared should such a thing take place." | <urn:uuid:ed9ada3f-d295-4b1c-a842-1aa655d59521> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/hh/10/hh10b.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978526 | 1,923 | 3.796875 | 4 |
Marnitz is situated about 40 kms south of the Groblersbrug border post. This makes it an ideal venue for an early morning border crossing into Botswana. The Marnitz area has some of the largest Boabab trees in the world.
Boabab trees are some of the most imposing and long-lived trees in South Africa. Some specimens have been dated to over two thousand years old. Old Boababs can create their own distinct ecosystems. Elephants browse the leaves and strip the bark, while birds and baboons feast on the fruit.
Accommodation in the Marnitz area is in the form of self catering cottages. Visitors are advised to stock up because the town of Marnitz does not have any big stores.
Facilities in the Marnitz area include access to the internet, jacuzzi, onsite hunting, fully equipped kitchens, satellite TV and a wheelchair friendly enviroment.
Activities in the Marnitz area include access to the entertainment area, equipped with pool tables and dart boards. Visitors can also enjoy guided game drives and access to the Buffalo breeding area. | <urn:uuid:d1eb1a46-c3cd-4d4d-825e-742366ffa5ed> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wheretostay.co.za/information/np/b/marnitz | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929569 | 236 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is a rising GOP star.(Photo: Charlie Neibergall, AP)
CNN -- Senator Marco Rubio's response to President Obama's State of the Union address has gone viral.
But it's not because of what he said.
Instead, it's because of the sip he took from a bottle of water.
And lots of people are weighing in on his beverage choice-- including the D-C Water and Sewage Authority.
It released a statement saying that, in a blind taste test, most people thought tap water tasted better than the bottled stuff.
That, or they couldn't tell the difference.
The water company added that a thousand gallons of tap water costs about 10 dollars... while the same amount of bottled water would run you about a thousand dollars.
The agency says next time, Rubio should consider quenching his thirst with "reliable, affordable tap water." | <urn:uuid:199b37b8-fbab-4363-b1ea-35546417e019> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/health/article/297982/23/Rubio-From-gulp-to-gain | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96893 | 190 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Federal austerity could hit the region's economy hard
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Washington region rose above all other metropolitan areas in 2010 when it came to economic progress. Bolstered by federal hiring and a boost in procurement, the region recorded the nation's highest net number of jobs gained during a 12-month period as the year came to a close.
But economists are concerned that the momentum may now be threatened as the region's major industry -- the federal government -- prepares to face the budget ax. Many in Congress have expressed an interest in slowing federal spending in order to bring the $1 trillion or so deficit in line.
Welcome to the era of government austerity.
The last time the federal government went down this path, in 1995, the region felt the pain. During a two-year period, the federal workforce in the Washington area shrank by 32,000 with cuts at NASA, Agriculture, Transportation and numerous other agencies. Federal contracts were canceled. The government scrapped construction projects in the area. The after-shocks reverberated throughout the region's economy. Consumer confidence plummeted, driving down retail sales and exacerbating a depressed housing market. Declining federal aid and local tax revenues prompted several jurisdictions, including Prince George's County, to lay off employees to help close their budget gaps.
This time, the private sector in metropolitan Washington is more diverse. But federal spending and procurement still represent about one-third of the region's $443 billion economy. Some forecasts suggest that the growth of federal spending and procurement could plunge to 1 percent or below in 2011 from an average of about 8 percent annually during the past several years. That could hurt even if the local economy benefits from improvements this year in the U.S. economy.
"The days of Washington being the leader in terms of job growth and economic strength are really over," said Steven Cochrane, managing director of Moody's Analytics. Experts say federal spending reductions could cut in half the number of new jobs created in the area to 40,000 from 80,000. "I think there's no way that [the pace of job growth] could be kept up any longer, particularly now that the federal government is undergoing pretty strict scrutiny" of the budget.
In a report submitted to President Obama late last year, the National Commission on Fiscal Reform recommended that the government put all discretionary spending -- including defense and domestic programs -- on the table for review. The report calls for a freeze in discretionary spending in fiscal 2011, followed by "serious belt-tightening" in fiscal 2012 and "substantial moderate cuts" in 2013.
Commission members also are pressing the administration to consider "restructuring" the federal workforce, resizing it based on the government's needs.
Though it likely will be months before firm plans in Congress materialize, experts already are beginning to assess the collateral damage of a deficit-reduction effort on the area's economy. Here's a look at how the sectors potentially could be affected this year by federal spending reductions and other economic factors:
With numerous new initiatives, the government not long ago was planning to hire about 600,000 employees over the next few years -- as many as 120,000 of them in the Washington region, according to the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, which is helping agencies with recruitment.
Now the organization is projecting that the government likely will reduce those numbers by up to 10 percent. | <urn:uuid:75845eaa-ba66-49e5-aceb-4fc4dcb832c0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/30/AR2010123003296.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953489 | 688 | 1.734375 | 2 |
MOSCOW, January 15 (RIA Novosti) - The first Western helicopter to be built under license in Russia successfully performed its maiden flight last month, its maker HeliVert announced on Tuesday.
The first Russian-built AW139 was rolled out at the Helivert assembly plant on December 18, 2012 to perform ground testing, and began its test program with a first lift-off and controlled hover next day.
“The new helicopter remained in the air for 37 minutes and completed the scheduled tests approved by Russia’s aviation authorities,” said HeliVert, a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland.
A second HeliVert-built AW139 is expected to be in operation by February 2013.
AgustaWestland and Russian Helicopters signed a preliminary agreement to launch the production of AW139 helicopters in Russia at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2008. Final agreements on the establishment of HeliVert joint venture were signed in the summer of 2011.
The production of AW139 helicopters at the HeliVert JV at Tomlino outside Moscow began in 2012. The venture is expected to assemble up to 15-20 helicopters annually.
“The plant is intended to meet the growing demand for the AW139 in the Russian market for civil aircraft as well as the CIS market in general,” HeliVert said.
“Combining a streamlined fuselage, the latest avionic equipment, a spacious cabin and low acoustic signature, the AW139 sets new standard in the market. The AW139 has maximum cruise speed of 306 km/h, maximum range in excess of 927 km, maximum flight time of five hours and outstanding performance,” HeliVert added.
The AW139 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. The maximum take-off weight is 6,400 kg. The helicopter is configured for one or two pilots and can carry up to 15 passengers or 6-8 passengers in VIP/corporate transport configuration.
The Russian government has already ordered three of the helicopters for security duties by an unspecified agency, AgustaWestland said last July.
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The formation of the Russian Popular Front (RPF) could be a positive development in Russian politics. While it is clear that Russia still lacks a full-fledged multiparty system, the fact is that such systems are in crisis elsewhere in the world. Traditional political parties are growing increasingly inadequate and outmoded. Their time has passed. | <urn:uuid:c7ac6385-5ec1-4259-9682-83e54796065e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.rian.ru/business/20130115/178787114.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942775 | 574 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Plant binder reduces Ecophon’s environmental impact
Saint-Gobain Ecophon, the leading manufacturer of acoustic ceilings and wall panels, has developed a new revolutionary binding technology to further reduce the environmental impact of its recycled glass wool acoustic ceiling systems.
In an industry first, Ecophon is replacing the use of traditional formo-phenolic binder with 3RD Technology, a renewable plant-based binding agent which is formaldehyde-free and more energy efficient to use. The new binder uses hydrolysed starch, commonly found in wheat, as the base material.
Using 3RD Technology to manufacture its products will also help to lower the use of petroleum-based processes and Ecophon estimates this could save around 14,000 barrels of crude oil per year.
Andrea Harman, Project and Technical Services Team Manager, explains: “Ecophon is committed to environmentally responsible product development and the continuous improvement of its production processes. Our ceilings and wall panels are made from more than 70% recycled glass wool. This, combined with a binder made from natural renewable resources and an improvement to our manufacturing and recycling processes, is a significant step towards achieving complete sustainability.”
Ecophon Focus A and E and Master A and E are now being made using 3RD Technology and Ecophon aims to introduce the binder to all of its products. | <urn:uuid:df9d9a92-5cda-4e13-8523-1bc78f2f6740> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/specification/product-anatomy/plant-binder-reduces-ecophons-environmental-impact/8613740.article | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942793 | 277 | 2.015625 | 2 |
Every Saturday afternoon, over six million young people in Nepal — 20 per cent of the country’s population and a whopping 50 per cent of its target audience — tune their radio dials to Saathi Sanga Manka Kura (SSMK) or Chatting with my Best Friend.
Developed in response to a surge in HIV infections among youth in high risk groups in Nepal (from 2 per cent in 1995 to nearly 50 per cent in 1998 among injecting drug users) and to surveys showing relatively low levels of knowledge about AIDS among young people (especially females), the radio programme engages listeners in discussions with its charismatic hosts — the “best friends” — about how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Young people are also given tips to negotiate relationships, continue their education and explore career opportunities. “In Nepal it is hard to talk openly about sex and love,” said one Nepali youth in a letter to the show. “But in Saathi Sanga Manka Kura there are no taboos." Episodes are presented in an entertaining manner, through lively discussions and short, hard-hitting dramas, interspersed with popular music — and aim to break the silence surrounding the physiological and emotional changes accompanying puberty and adolescence.
“In Nepal it is hard to talk openly about sex and love,” said one Nepali youth in a letter to the show. “But in Saathi Sanga Manka Kura there are no taboos. Here young Nepalis learn how to take care of themselves and each other.” The show receives some 1,200 to 1,400 letters per month; every one of them is answered, and four or five are carefully selected to address in each broadcast.
A thorough understanding of the audience has been a key to the success of SSMK and it came by way of two years of research, planning and training carried out by UNICEF Nepal. The process started with the 1999 launch of a Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice and Skills (KAPS) survey of a representative sample of 1,400 Nepali teenagers throughout the country. Findings indicated that Nepali youth had little or no access to reliable life skills information and there were few people with whom they could speak openly about their feelings and problems.
The show is researched, presented and run by a team of Nepali producers between the ages of 21 and 28 years and aims to be non-judgmental — seeking less to “solve the problems” of Nepalese youth and more to motivate them to analyze their own situations and choose the right solution for themselves.
|© UNICEF/NEP00959/ Bogati|
|The team of young producers from the award-winning ‘Saathi Sanga Manka Koora’ radio programme of Equal Access Nepal.|
Unlike television (which is expensive and limited in reach in this mountainous nation) and print (which requires literacy), radio has been an appropriate choice as a communication vehicle: it is convenient, trusted and low-cost. Broadcast over Radio Nepal, the Equal Access Satellite Channel and over 30 FM radio stations throughout the country, SSMK is able to reach rural areas, an important factor given that earlier efforts reached youth only in urban areas, particularly the capital, Kathmandu.
Another innovation is that SSMK’s on air programming is accompanied and reinforced by a growing grassroots network of over 1,000 self-organized “listening clubs” scattered throughout the country. The clubs, which emerged ten months after the show first went on the air, discuss the issues raised in the programme and initiate activities to build awareness and life skills. In Palpa district, for example, the listeners’ club formed a partnership with the local health centre, and organized a three-day workshop to educate adolescents about sexual and reproductive health. Another listeners’ club partnered with a local school to organize discussions on gender and caste discrimination.
To ensure the show’s long-term sustainability, a partnership was formed with Equal Access Nepal, a local NGO, two years after the SSMK’s inception. Since its launch, SSMK has doubled in length to one hour weekly, spawned a spin-off show focusing on careers, and spurred other media initiatives, including a quarterly magazine and a monthly regional youth magazine. Inspired by SSMK’s success in Nepal, similar projects have been launched in Cambodia and Laos.
Even as Nepal undergoes a substantial political transition, SSMK has become a trusted voice of hope for youth in a critical time, and a model of good practice for the field of communication for development.
2008 Award for best radio programme
‘Saathi Sanga Manka Koora’ wins the 2008 International Children's Day for Broadcasting
An interview with Cai Cai, Life Skills and HIV/AIDS Consultant, UNICEF Nepal
HIV and AIDS in Nepal
Nepal radio programme breaks sexual taboos and provides advice on HIV/AIDS
The Nepal country office reports the latest HIV Statistics. | <urn:uuid:c892b2ad-8355-4bb3-b0b6-a270ccbb7849> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.unicef.org/french/cbsc/index_44205.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947725 | 1,035 | 2.15625 | 2 |
Super Microbes Create Better Ethanol
E. coli bacteria grown in a lab.
Ethanol is often touted as a promising alternative fuel, but this "biofuel" packs less energy than gasoline.
Now scientists are genetically engineering microbes that can crank out higher-energy biofuels.
Ethanol, more commonly known as drinking or grain alcohol, is increasingly finding its way into gas tanks. Unlike fossil fuels, which are limited resources, biofuels such as ethanol can get renewably brewed from biological material such as sugar.
However, ethanol's energy content is just two-thirds that of gasoline by volume. In addition, ethanol can corrode metal and plastic, damaging car parts and gas pumps.
Scientists are trying to develop new ways to synthesize better alcohols. These "higher alcohols" also are not corrosive like ethanol is, explained UCLA biotechnologist and chemical engineer James Liao.
Although microbes often produce copious amounts of ethanol during fermentation, germs do not naturally generate significant volumes of higher alcohols. Now UCLA researchers have genetically engineered a strain of E. coli — a bacterium commonly found in human guts — to produce several higher alcohols from sugar.
The chemicals E. coli normally employs to make amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) can also be used to construct higher alcohols. Liao and his colleagues plugged in genes that synthesized higher alcohols from these molecules.
The researchers will detail their findings in the Jan. 3 issue of the journal Nature.
Since the chemicals used to make amino acids are universal to life on Earth, Liao suggested this technique could be implemented across a variety of organisms. For instance, if this process was employed with microbes that break down cellulose — the main ingredient of wood — "they can then convert cellulose to higher alcohols directly," he told LiveScience. If photosynthetic germs that absorb carbon dioxide from the air were used instead, "these organisms can then convert carbon dioxide to biofuels with the help of sunlight."
The researchers are working with Pasadena, Calif.-based biofuels startup company Gevo to commercialize technology that produces biofuels from sugar. Liao expects they could use E. coli to start making the higher alcohol isobutanol from sugar within the next two to three years.
"It will take longer for industrial production of biofuels from other raw materials," Liao said.
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MORE FROM LiveScience.com | <urn:uuid:3f23ae2d-e5b1-4ddc-b0db-449e4d7bc855> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.livescience.com/4788-super-microbes-create-ethanol.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943763 | 532 | 3.703125 | 4 |
18.10.11 I am only updating the published papers section of this web-page. I don't have time to update the content!
The phenomena of spontaneous ignition due to internal heating in bulk solids such as coal, grain, hay, wool wastes etc. can be described by thermal explosion theory as developed by Semenov and Frank-Kamenetskii (Frank-Kamenetskii, 1969; Bowes, 1984). In such models heat release is usually represented by a single Arrhenius reaction and combustion is initiated when heat-loss is unable to balance heat generation by the internal heating of the bulk material. However in industrial processes involving large volumes of bulk organic materials there are two sources of heat-generation: a low-temperature process involving the growth and respiration of micro-organisms, such as aerobic mould-fungi and bacteria, and a high-temperature process due to oxidation of cellulosic materials. We are investigating simple models to predict the thermal behaviour of cellulosic materials in the presence of micro-organisms (biomass) undergoing exothermic reactions.
Examples of processes where biological heating is important include the use of large scale composting operations as a significant biorecycle process (Rynk, 2000), the storage of industrial waste fuel, such as municipal solid waste (Hogland et al, 1996), and landfill sites. In these systems, self-heating due to biological activity is an inherent consequence of the process and normally a goal, e.g. in composting (Brinton et al, 1995). Elevated temperature of the order 70-90C may be found within a few months or even a few days (Hogland et al (1996)). Municipal solid waste may not seem an obvious source of combustible materials, however in one set of experiments approximately 85% of industrial waste was deemed to be combustible (Hogland et al, 1996).
Although it has been recognised for over twenty years that
"biological heating may be an indispensable prelude to
(Bowes, 1984:page 373),
very little information is available regarding the mechanism of fires
when biological self-heating is involved. An understanding of this
phenomenon is crucial as fires (most likely due to biological
self-heating) are common at landfills worldwide
Furthermore, spontaneous combustion may be the most frequent cause of
fires at compost facilities
In additional to the industrial process mentioned previously it has long been suspected that the initiation of haystack fires is due to biological heating under the influence of water content or air humidity, which then lifts the temperature to be sufficiently high to trigger significant oxidation of cellulose material and consequently leading to fire. So far, however, only the influence of oxidative processes has been considered.
We model the heat release rate due to biological activity as a function which exhibits two types of behaviour: over the temperature range 0<= T<= a it is a monotonic increasing function of temperature whereas for T>= a it is a monotone decreasing function of temperature. This function is given by
(1) k(T) = A1exp[-E1/(R*T)]/ (1+A2exp[-E2/(R*T)].
This formula encapsulates that activation and inactivation processes occur over different temperature ranges. At low temperatures the metabolic activity of the biomass increases with increasing temperature as enzyme activity raises. These processes are governed by the growth parameters A1 and E1. However, for sufficiently high temperatures the essential cell proteins which are heat sensitive start to denature leading to cell death. These processes are represented by the biomass deactivation parameters A2 and E2. To ensure that the heat release due to biological activity has a global maximum with respect to temperature, the activation energy for the inhibition process must be larger than the activation energy for the biomass growth, i.e. E2 > E1.
can be derived theoretically by assuming that the biomass
growth rate is determined by a rate limiting step in which there is an
equilibrium between activated and unactivated forms of the biomass
(Roels, 1983, Chapters 7.5.2 and 9.5).
From this, thermodynamic, perspective the term
A2exp[-E2/RT] represents the temperature
dependence of the equilibrium constant whilst the expression
A1exp[-E1/RT] is the maximum forward
rate of reaction in the rate limiting step.
Roels (1983, page 253) notes that
``Although this model is based on a highly simplified image of the complexity
of the growth process, it can be considered an efficient tool to model
the temperature dependence of the maximum rate of growth''.
Equation (1) has been used to model the maximum specific biomass growth rate in the aerobic biodegradation of the organic fraction of municipal waste (Liwarska-Bizukojc et al, 2001). It has also been used in a number of models for solid-state fermentation processes (Khanahmadi et al, 2004; Mitchell and von Meien, 2000; von Meien and Mitchell, 2002; von Meien et al, 2004).
In practice there is not a unique microbe reasonable for heat generation in a compost pile, but rather many different species which thrive over a sequence of overlapping temperature intervals (Kubler, 1987). The temperature varying active biomass concentration temperature is implicitly incorporated into the model through the chosen functionality for the biological heat release rate.
24.08.11. I have stopped updating this part of the web-page. Too many other things to do!
Analysed a model for self-heating in compost piles (Nelson et al 2003), based upon Semenov's theory for thermal explosions. This showed that the interaction between energy released from the biological and chemical reaction can lead to one of three types of behaviour: negligible temperature increase; an elevated temperature increase without ignition; and ignition of cellulosic materials. The elevated, but non-ignition, temperature branch is the feature of practical interest in facilities such as industrial compost facilities and municipal tips. Mathematically, this branch is generated by a Quartic Fold. The three solution branches is reminiscent of smouldering combustion.
Another interpretation of our results is that it is possible for the heat released by biological activity to raise the local temperature sufficiently high that ignition of the cellulosic material occurs. Thus a situation which is judged subcritical, i.e. safe, based on classical thermal explosion theory may be supercritical. This has implications for safety!
Since the system investigated was described by a single (but non-linear), first-order ordinary differential equation, with few parameters, it is possible to thoroughly investigate the generic steady-state behaviour of the system when parameters are varied using singularity theory.
This paper was awarded a `John A Brodie Medal: Certificate of Merit' for being one of the top six papers published in the 9th Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineers Congress (2002) in practical application of chemical engineering. They were over 900 papers presented at the congress.
The Frank-Kamenetskii variables were used and the pre-exponential approximation was made. The model equations then only contain three parameters and it is possible to thoroughly investigate the generic behaviour of the model. For both 1-d slab and 2-d rectangular slab geometries we showed that there are two generic steady-state diagrams, including one in which the temperature-response curve is the standard S-shape curve familiar from combustion problems. Thus biological self-heating can cause elevated temperature raises due to jumps in the steady temperature.
This was problem was used to test a recently developed semi-analytical technique. For the 2-d problem a four-term expansion is found to give highly accurate results - the error of the semi-analytical solution is much smaller than the error due to uncertainty in parameter values. We conclude that the semi-analytical technique is a very promising method for the investigation of bifurcations in spatially distributed systems.
Made a preliminary numerical investigation into a spatially dependent model containing biological and chemical activity based upon thermal explosion theory (Sidhu et al 2006, 2007a). The assumptions of the model include the following.
Steady-state analysis shows that there are three stable branches and two unstable branches. Two of the stable branches correspond to `low temperature' solutions. The lowest of these represents a state of negligible heat-reaction which is undesirable in applications. The higher of the `low-temperature' branches is an elevated temperature branch, which is the feature of interest in industrial composting facilities and municipal tips. There is also a much higher temperature branch which represents flaming combustion within the heap. Transitions between the stable solution branches are defined by limit-points. The system moves from the negligible heat-reaction branch to the elevated temperature branch as the width of the compost pile is increased through a value corresponding to a low temperature limit point (LLP). A corresponding transition from the elevated temperature branch to the negligible reaction branch occurs as the width is decreased through an extinction limit point (ELP). The transition from the elevated temperature branch to the flaming combustion branch is associated with a high temperature ignition limit point (HLP). (There is also an extinction limit point on the flaming combustion branch, but this has little practical significance).
The region in which the (desirable) elevated solution branch is possible narrows as the ratio of the height to total length of the compost pile increases. At a critical value of the ratio there is a double limit-point bifurcation (at which the width at which the ELP and HLP occur are identical). For values of the ratio greater than the critical value increasing the width of the compost pile through the value at the LLP sees the temperature profile in the compost heap evolving not to the elevated temperature branch but straight to the flaming combustion branch. Similar behaviour was observed in the spatially uniform Semenov model analysed by Nelson et al (2003).
Our results suggest that composting performance can be improved by insulating the lower boundary.
Made a preliminary numerical investigation into a spatially dependent model containing biological and chemical activity that extended the model based upon thermal explosion theory (#2 above) to include consumption of oxygen (Sidhu et al 2007b). The model assumptions are essentially as stated for the thermal explosion model (#2 above). We compared the bifurcation behaviour in models that included and excluded oxygen in both one- and two-dimensional geometries.
The following modifications were made to the model.
We found that the models without/with oxygen consumption predicted very similar values for the low temperature limit point (LLP) and the extinction limit point (ELP). The model predictions were in good agreement upto the critical value of the compost length that defines the high temperature ignition limit point (HLP) in the model without oxygen. Recall from (#2) above that in the model without oxygen the HLP represents a transition point at which flaming combustion occurs within the pile. The HLP was not found in simulations of the oxidation model. Above the length corresponding to the HLP bifurcation in the thermal explosion model the temperature of the oxidation model increased very slowly. These scenario could change if there is a steady supply of oxygen through the pile.
|Dr. E. Balakrishnan.||2000-2007|
|Professor X. Dong Chen||2000-Present|
|T. Luangwilai (PhD student)||2008-Present|
|Dr H.S. Sidhu||2005-Present|
|Professor G.C. Wake||2000-2007|
This paper was awarded a `John A Brodie Medal: Certificate of Merit' for being one of the top six papers published in the 9th Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineers Congress (2002) in practical application of chemical engineering. They were over 900 papers provided to the congress. The award is given annually by the Chairman of College of Chemical Engineers, The Institution of Engineers of Australia.
The propensity of coal to undergo self-heating and spontaneous combustion is a major problem wherever coal is being mined, stored or transported, posing problems for both coal producers and users. Accordingly it has been the subject of extensive fundamental and practical research for well over a hundred years.
A succinct overview of the issues relating to the spontaneous combustion of coal and coal mine fires was provided by Banerjee (1985). Carras and Young emphasised the causes of self-heating, described mathematical models for modelling self-heating and assessed the limitations of industrial test methods. Recently Babrauskas [pages 719--724] has provided an overview of the ignition of coal, with a particular interesting description of the historical development of the subject towards the end of the 19th century. Our understanding of the chemical reactions that occur during the low-temperature oxidation of coal was reviewed by Wang et al (2003).
Experimental work covering the period 1996-2005 was reviewed by Nelson & Chen. The introduction of this article appears in the following paragraphs.
In this article we review experimental work covering the period 1996-2005. We start in section 1.1 by outlining the economic and environmental consequences of unwanted coal fires and the threat that these fires pose to human life. In section 1.2 we describe the phenomenon that is frequently the reason for coal fires: spontaneous combustion. The connection between spontaneous combustion and coal fires has motivated the ongoing stream of publications relating to the spontaneous combustion of coals.
Although the emphasis of this paper is experimental work, it will be useful to have an understanding of some of the issues involved in modelling the spontaneous combustion of coal. These are covered in section 2. In particular, in section 2.2 we discuss the simplest theory for the spontaneous combustion of bulk materials subject to self-heating; namely the model developed by Frank-Kamenetskii (1969). This allows some elementary insights into the factors governing spontaneous combustion and provides the basis for an experimental method, the hot-storage test, discussed in section 16, to determine kinetic parameters. These parameters are required as inputs for any mathematical model of the self-heating process. In section 3 we review some issues dealing with the kinetics of the oxidation of coal at low temperatures.
In sections 4-9 we discuss the spontaneous combustion of coal in various environments. In sections 4 and 5 we consider spontaneous combustion in the context of `natural' coal fires and coal mine fires respectively. By a `natural' coal fire we mean a fire in a coal seam that is not being worked in a coal mine. The distinction between these two categories is very fine, but in view of the extra issues associated with coal mine fires, such as means of detecting self-heatings at an early stage and suppression of combustion, we think that it is useful. Fires in abandoned coal mines are discussed in section 4.1. In section 6 we consider the spontaneous combustion hazard posed by accumulating layers of coal dust. In sections 7 & 8 we discuss hazards associated with stockpiles of coal. Section 7 deals with stockpiles of `fresh' coal, such as are found at power generators. Section 8 deals with stockpiles of the coal waste produced in mining operations. In section 9 we discuss the risk of spontaneous combustion when coal is transported.
In section 10 we discuss various properties of coal that influence its propensity to spontaneous combustion. The inherent moisture content of a coal and the humidity of the air are two properties that exert a strong influence over self-heating in a coal. There are discussed in section 11. Low-rank coals contain large amounts of water, which must be removed to make their use economic. However, as discussed in section 11, very dry coals have a high propensity to spontaneous combustion. Thus low rank coals must be treated to both decrease their water content and their propensity to self-heating. This is the topic of section 12.
In sections 13-18 we consider experimental techniques for investigating propensity to spontaneous combustion. We start in section 13 by outlining the various experimental procedures that exist for this task. In sections 14-18 we consider some of the more important methods: adiabatic methods, in section 14, the crossing point temperature, in section 15, the hot storage test, in section 16, the heat release rate method, in section 17, and the transient method, in section 18.
We draw our review to an end in section 19. In appendix 1 we define abbreviations used in this review and the nomenclature used in equations. In appendix 2 we provide a list of published parameter values for coals, including kinetic values. We hope that this collection of data will be useful in future modelling studies. | <urn:uuid:e3c68a06-9de7-4b55-b889-4089130ffa65> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.uow.edu.au/~mnelson/research.dir/compost.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92748 | 3,441 | 2.921875 | 3 |
So it’s not just investors who are guilty of moving in a herd-like fashion.
Financial journalists use the same verbs and nouns with greater frequency as stock markets overheat but display more variety in their phraseology after the bubble bursts, a study by Irish computer scientists has shown.
Trawling through nearly 18,000 on-line news articles that mention the Dow Jones, FTSE and Nikkei stock indices between 2006 and 2010, Aaron Gerow of Trinity College Dublin and Mark Keane of University College Dublin found that the language used by the writers had become more similar in the run-up to the global financial crisis.
“Meaningful regularities” in language employed before the crash showed “progressively greater agreement” in “positive perceptions of the market”.
Financial commentaries from The Financial Times, the New York Times and the BBC as well as news wire services such as Reuters, for instance, deployed increasingly similar noun-phrases as the market overheated, possibly reflecting a “narrowing of reporting to a relatively smaller number of key events/companies.” | <urn:uuid:f33856b4-d57e-44fa-9ff5-c408b5851b92> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/tag/stocks/page/5/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950861 | 233 | 1.898438 | 2 |
Today is Joe Cain Day
A Brief Story of Joe Cain
The civil war had halted all revelry. Joseph Stillwell Cain was a store clerk in Mobile, Alabama in 1865, who had noticed how much the war had mentally worn down the populace. He, like most of his fellow Mobilians, were still under Union occupation, but the mental war between the ex-confederate soldiers and union authorities still raged and was taking a toll. During the occupation several edicts had come down from Union leaders in an effort to totally break the the will of the the Mobilians. To make matters worse, finding themselves "men without a country" following the end of the Civil War, members of any branch of the Confederate forces were forced to sign "Amnesty oaths", to restore their citizenship rights.
After all, these were the people and soldiers that kept Union forces at bay, even after the battle and fall of Mobile Bay to the Union Navy in 1864. During the "bread riot of 1863, and the Union blockade which substantially reduced the trade in Mobile for the duration of the war, its people endured. Disruption of foreign trade persisted after the war, as Union occupying forces, which took the city of Mobile in April 1865, closed the port to foreign trade until late in August 1865.
Joe Cain knew however, that to openly voice any opposition to the occupation of Mobile by the Union troops would be viewed technically, as treason. The mental drain, however, had to be stopped, and the spirit and pride of the Mobilians has to be restored.
It was against this back drop that Cain, in 1866, decided the best way to accomplish this renaissance of the spirit, was to revitalize the Kraft parade, the celebration of Mardi Gras in Mobile, which had been halted during the conflict. One night, he led a group of revelers in a parade through the city, using a "borrowed" coal wagon and dressed in improvised costumes depicting a Chickasaw Indian chief from the local Wragg Swamp, he called himself Chief Slacabamorinico. The significance of choosing this character was a backhanded insult to the Union forces as the Chickasaw, had never surrendered during the civil war. He mocked the union military that controlled Mobile at the time.
This celebration gave the Mobilians a much needed boost, when the Union leadership learning of the, "one horse stunt" were furious at the man, but couldn't touch him because he had voiced no opposition.
In 1867, Cain reappeared, this time with a group of confederate soldiers, who were also musicians, calling themselves the Lost Cause Minstrels (and they paraded until 1879).
The parade continued to give Mobile back it's spirit and pride and allowed the city to hold its collective head up, and continue to progress and to some degree, move on.
Joe Cain is currently buried at Church Street Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama.
The Joe Cain Procession was started in 1967 by a local folk singer, historian, writer named Julian Rayford. He wanted to bring recognition to the man who revived Mardi Gras activities in Mobile. Julian Rayford dressed as Chief Slacabamorinico in his coal wagon. Cain's Merry Widows follow, a mysterious group of women in black, throwing black roses and Mardi Gras beads. The number of participating groups has grown over the years, now at 32 (a limit set by the Mobile Police Dept.). Julian Rayford also petitioned for Joe Caine and his wife's body to be moved from Bayou La Batre to the Church Street Graveyard in downtown Mobile, which has been closed to new burials since 1898. Julian Rayford died in 1980, and his body was buried right next to Joe Cain's. After the Joe Cain Procession, Cain's Merry Widows partake in a Mardi Gras funeral at the grave site of Joe Cain. Weeping, dancing and tossing beads in memory of Joe Cain.
Cain's Merry Widows
The widows will mourn in 2010 for the 36th year. These ladies toss moon pies, beads, and black roses to the procession revelers. The Merry Widows now ride in the procession in a mock trolley car.
Thousands of spectators gather in the old graveyard, listen to Mobile's Excelsior Band, and marvel as Cain is memorialized by Mobilians dancing atop his grave. When the ceremony begins in the graveyard, several veiled women dressed in mourning robes, know as Cain's Merry Widows, cry aloud and lament his loss to the world. Joe Cain Day remains one of the most popular events of Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration, and its public parade is seen by many Mobilians as a response to the stiffness of the traditional mystic societies.
So, before, during and after the parade, what do we enjoy eating and munching on to soak up the day's libations? Normally I make a big ol' pot of red beans to top off a big ol' bowl of rice and a few links of sausage for each guest. Today, however, I am working on the Queen's Luncheon set for tomorrow. I have in place at home a little of everything ~ onion dip and a shrimp & crab spread to go with crackers, a platter of cold cuts with ham, turkey, roast beef and various cheeses, homemade pimento cheese and my chicken salad for sandwiches. The chicken salad is one we enjoy all year, especially during the summer at the beach. Today, it will go great on crackers or between slices of plain ol' white sandwich bread. Enjoy!
Drick’s Chicken Salad
1 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup chopped bread & butter pickles
2 to 4 hard boiled eggs -grated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans or almond slivers -optional
Keep your chicken salad simple. Remember, it's chicken salad. The other ingredients are incorporated with the chicken to moisten, add crunch and create a southern flavor I grew up eating. | <urn:uuid:75e43063-648c-4f55-aac0-58a39aca5b36> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dricksramblingcafe.blogspot.com/2010/02/joe-cain.html?pfstyle=wp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971257 | 1,263 | 2.984375 | 3 |
A self-proclaimed "animal geek" is about to embark on a journey to help endangered elephants in Thailand.
Long-time Howick resident Samantha Boston, 25, has loved animals for as long as she can remember.
So much so that she is literally dedicating her life to helping the creatures that "can't help themselves".
Miss Boston worked as a zoo-keeper at Auckland Zoo while studying towards her veterinary nurse degree.
When she completed her studies she did a voluntary internship at a Wolf Sanctuary in Oregon, United States.
"I fed and cleaned the 10 arctic wolves and provided them with enrichment to keep them busy. Some of them hated people because they were from illegal pet trade backgrounds or had been abused."
At the wolf sanctuary Miss Boston helped run tours, educate tourists and teach them that wolves are not creatures to be feared.
Miss Boston's next adventure begins in May when she will travel to Thailand to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary. She says there are 200 elephants working on the streets of Bangkok.
"Half of the elephants - wild or not - go through an ordeal when they're taken from their mums. It's called ‘phajaan' which literally translates to ‘crush'. It's a week of torture where their spirits are crushed to teach them to obey humans."
Miss Boston says it feels good knowing she's doing something to help animals.
Next year she heads to Borneo to work with orangutans.
"I have a blog set up and I would love people to follow what I'm doing. My work can sometimes be quite isolated but knowing people are reading my blog makes me feel less lonely."
- © Fairfax NZ News | <urn:uuid:a3a0740f-c157-4412-aa1d-3893726d5855> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/eastern-courier/8211726/Animal-geek-on-mission-to-help-elephants | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974365 | 347 | 1.828125 | 2 |
A designation that more colleges in Connecticut -- and across the nation -- should strive for is that of "military friendly" as awarded by G.I. Jobs, a national trade publication.
Fourteen higher education institutions in Connecticut are among the 1,739 nationwide that are on the list of colleges and universities that are making the entry process smoother for returning veterans.
And if any subset of our society deserves a little effort and consideration, it is the men and women coming off active duty, many of them coming back now from the war zone of Afghanistan.
With an economy still ailing, jobs for veterans are not abundant.
Officials, Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal notably among them, have devised programs to train returning veterans and steer them toward employment.
For those veterans, though, that want to continue their education, whether it's beginning or resuming college, similar help should be available.
There is, of course, the G.I. Bill which the fathers and grandfathers of this generation of veterans used to go to school, and now there is also the Post 9/11 Yellow Ribbon Program that offers educational benefits.
The colleges on the G.I. Jobs list are institutions that recognize a veteran brings different concerns -- not to mention talents and abilities -- than the traditional incoming freshman.
By at least one estimate, of the 250,000 to 400,000 veterans now leaving the military every year, 25 percent will go to college within the next two years.
We should be proud of the fact that in Connecticut, tuition costs at public colleges and universities are waived for returning veterans.
The University of New Haven was named two years running as one of the nation's top "military friendly" schools. Just as an example, the school has dedicated staff and support services for veterans and it created a Veterans Success Center.
But it's not just the physical plant and the dedicated personnel that puts the school in the upper ranks of "military friendly" institutions, says Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs, it's also the school's recruitment practices, veteran graduation and employment rates, and the positive feedback from veteran students.
For the people who have put their lives in jeopardy so the rest of us can go about our lives, smoothing their path toward higher education is a meaningful way to say "thank you." | <urn:uuid:a1848335-f447-44ba-aea3-ef5b27745587> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Military-friendly-a-worthy-goal-4033804.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955026 | 473 | 1.703125 | 2 |
Six figures is pretty steep, even for a Mac. (Getty Images)
I expect a Macbook to put quite a dent in my wallet. IPads and iPods are also always a chunk of change.
But $160,000 for an Apple product? Would they like my firstborn child, too?
This isn’t the new price for a Macbook Air. Apple Insider reports that Christie’s, the famous London auction house, is selling the Apple I, one of Apple’s first personal computers according to the Huffington Post.
The computer set to be auctioned is number 82 out of the 200, and is estimated by Christie’s to be valued from $161,600 — $242,400.
The New York Times reports that the Apple I was built by Steve Jobs and fellow Apple founder Steve Wozniak in 1976, sold for $666.66. According to the Times, the price adjusted for inflation would today be $2,560. Only 200 Apple I’s were produced and sold before becoming obsolete by Apple’s next computer, the Apple II.
The Apple I’s features will come as a bit of a culture shock for millenials: an Apple 1 motherboard, eight kilobytes of random access memory, three capacitors and a cassette board connector.
According to Geekosystem, “the original Apple I has the sort of specs that we associate with deficient calculators today — 8 KB of RAM, a MOS 6502 microprocessor with clock speeds between 1 and 2 MHz — but was nevertheless a feat of engineering for its day.”
Certainly the Holy Grail of collectors items for rabid Apple fans, the Apple I is only a motherboard, requiring users to provide their own monitor and keyboard.
Oh, how far we have come. | <urn:uuid:2e3d3dfc-5a80-45c9-8504-70581f161b72> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blog.seattlepi.com/hottopics/2010/11/12/apple-computer-priced-at-six-figures/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938096 | 377 | 2.015625 | 2 |
Good Talking, Good Listening
Obesity and Unhealthy Eating
Your child’s plump little legs may have been cute when he or she was a baby, but, as your child grows, holding onto “baby fat” can signal real problems ahead. Since the 1970s, the number of overweight and obese children of all ages has sharply increased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), weight status is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI):
- Children are overweight if their BMI is above the 85th percentile
(but below the 95th) for children of the same age and sex.
- Children are obese if their BMI is at or above the 95th percentile for
children of the same age and sex.
The increase in overweight and obese children from ages 2 to 5 has more than doubled in the past 20 years, which has serious short-term and long-term consequences. Serious health implications include increased risk for disorders such as hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Obesity that lasts into adolescence also puts children at risk for bullying and a poor self-image, both of which can lead to substance abuse. Healthy eating habits established early on can protect our children physically and emotionally all the way into adulthood
Why Are Our Children Obese?
Several changes in the way we live contribute to childhood obesity. Children’s physical activity has markedly decreased, and their more sedentary activities, such as watching TV and playing video and computer games, have increased. We also eat food prepared away from home much more often, and many restaurants serve increasingly larger portions of food (See Building Blocks’ “Portion Distortion”).
When we eat food that is high in fat and sugar and do not engage in physical activity, we are taking in more energy than we are putting out. Our bodies then store all that extra energy as fat. Children who eat large portions of food or eat foods high in calories may not be taking in the nutritional value needed for healthy growth. Many of these foods (and beverages) are convenient or easy to find, and children think of them as “fun.” But a diet of foods high in fat, salt, and/or sugar content has significant health risks that can begin at a very young age.
How Does Unhealthy Food Affect Our Children?
- Fats: Unhealthy food contains saturated fats, which affect heart health. The usual suspects: cheeseburgers, french fries, and junk food (i.e., potato chips).
- Sugar: Increased sugar intake can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. The usual suspects: candy, soft drinks, and even some fruit juices.
- Salt: Too much salt raises blood pressure, which in turn affects heart health. The usual suspects: cheeseburgers, french fries, and potato chips.
A steady diet of unhealthy food increases a child’s caloric intake while it decreases nutritional intake. Children who eat a lot of junk foods are not eating enough fruits and vegetables and not drinking enough milk, which are all necessary for a healthy diet. And, says CDC, obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults and, therefore, more at risk for associated adult health problems. Obesity can lead to a host of other medical problems as well as feelings of social isolation.
- "Childhood Overweight and Obesity," from CDC, gives an overall view of the problem of childhood overweight and obesity in the United States, including severe health risks.
- "Childhood Obesity," from the Mayo Clinic, explores the causes, risk factors, and complications resulting from childhood obesity, with tips on prevention and coping with and supporting your child’s move toward healthy eating.
- "Childhood Obesity," from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, offers a detailed discussion of the change in childhood eating habits and activity levels and the impact on children’s health. | <urn:uuid:848f8153-751a-4457-9112-a1e8f56e5e11> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/Family/talkingListening/childhood_obesity.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957735 | 815 | 3.765625 | 4 |
There is a divergence in the use of digital audio data compression and bit-rate reduction technologies. On the one hand, there are the proponents of higher compression ratios using psychoacoustic techniques to squeeze stereo audio over cellular and POTS lines using compression ratios approaching 20:1. On the other hand, there are the proponents of traditional PCM replacement technology using modest compression rate Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) technologies.
But why settle for 16-bit PCM quality when the recording/professional market has moved on to 24-bit technology? If recorded audio is the starting point, and if so much care is being taken at source to ensure the best possible quality, then why accept any audio process that lessens the creative results of artists? So what can bit-compression do to help the process?
Figure 1. The projected continual rise in broadband E1/T1 chips sales and links in coming years. Courtesy of Infineon Technologies. Click here to see an enlarged diagram.
Let’s do the math: Assume we have a Pro Tools file of a 20-minute stereo spot sampled at 48kHz and employing 24-bit PCM. This means it will take at least 180 minutes to transmit the file over a 256Kb/s link. If we instead use advanced compression technologies with 24-bit word resolution to deliver the same file, time can be saved. Typically, these advanced compression solutions are almost lossless in terms of audio quality and can deliver the same 20-minute spot in 45 minutes (same assumptions apply) with all the original content and quality.
If we have access to a 512Kb/s ADSL link, delivery time is further reduced to almost real time of 23 minutes. In high-end applications, bits are not a consideration when compared to attributes such as quality, end-to-end delay and delivery times. Compression technology is changing. Studio and broadcast professionals are no longer limited to links using high compression ratios, but rather can choose from a selection of different technologies that better match the desired function.
If recording engineers, as an example, need to get approval for their creative work from a remote site, sacrificing the creativity of their work on a poor quality audio link isn’t a good choice. Broadcasters, on the other hand, are focused more on limiting listener fatigue and retaining listenership.
The best way to avoid the dreaded tune out factor is to make sure the listening experience is enjoyable. This doesn’t just mean compiling a great play list or employing famous talent. It also means paying careful attention to the audio transmission chain, both inside and outside the studio.
Compression algorithms are not about boastful compression ratios but are intended for the delivery of high-quality content in its original form. Figure 1 below, from chip manufacturer Infineon Technologies, shows the projected continual rise in broadband E1/T1 chips sales and links in coming years. This presumably will lead to cheaper high bit-rate synchronous and IP networks, which in turn may lessen the need for high compression ratios. The result will be a wider selection of delivery link options, often through less expensive channels. So what are some of today’s goals? First, 24-bit PCM sampling at 48kHz with low delay is key. This requires moving from 14-bit commanding-based technologies.
Second, ISDN costs, which used to be a determining factor in compression ratio selection, can still result in poor quality audio because of the use of highly compressed MP3 signals. However, as link costs are reduced, broadcasters no longer have to make such negative compromises. IP connectivity can provide a low-cost communications infrastructure, but still has the problem of delay. This is particularly relevant with live broadcasts, where delays cannot exceed 20ms. Therefore, it makes sense to combine higher quality 24-bit audio with low delay (sub 10ms) with the low-cost IP + E1/T1 infrastructure.
Noel McKenna is the managing director for APT. | <urn:uuid:35e9dfed-673e-4cf6-9e53-7001cb8f84bc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://broadcastengineering.com/digitalhandbook/audio-compression-2004 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922737 | 824 | 2.15625 | 2 |
Coal states want to create an energy transmission superhighway straight to East Coast power markets, effectively locking the eastern seaboard into dirty, coal-fired power for generations. Attorney and Coal Program Director Abigail Dillen describes how Earthjustice was able to successfully put the brakes on the coal companies’ plans, at least temporarily.
Why are coal companies interested in the East Coast power market?
Power companies are claiming that new power lines need to be built from coal plants in the Ohio River Valley to supply what they claim are unmet power needs on the east coast. One of these lines, the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH), would transport energy from coal country in West Virginia up through Virginia and Maryland and ultimately into New Jersey and New York.
What’s really driving this and other proposed lines is not a power gap but rather a lucrative eastern energy market. Generators get paid for the electricity that they sell at a marginal price, which is the price of the most expensive electricity that’s used at any given time. On the east coast, more expensive natural gas is on the margin.
So if you’re a Midwest coal plant shipping power out east, you’ll get paid more than if you sent your power to Ohio or West Virginia where your competitors are also coal plants selling artificially cheap coal power. This is a major economic incentive for the utilities with big coal portfolios to develop west-to-east transmission lines.
But importing more coal power is exactly what many eastern states are trying not to do. Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and the New England states are all participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) with the goal of cutting carbon emissions from electricity generation. Importing lots of coal-fired power completely undercuts this effort.
Today, the Northeast is one of the few regions in the country that’s not terribly dependent on coal-fired power, and it would be in everyone’s interest to keep it that way.
How was Earthjustice able to successfully challenge the PATH line the first time around?
We were able to convince a hearing examiner in Virginia that it was worth considering whether the PATH line was really needed given the successes we are having with energy efficiency and other conservation programs.
If a company wants to build a new transmission line, it generally has to go to the state utility commission and prove the new line is genuinely needed. Otherwise, ratepayers will be paying for projects that don’t really help them. In this case, the PATH developers— subsidiaries of American Electric Power and Allegheny Energy, two of the dirtiest power producers in the country—said the line was absolutely needed in 2014 to maintain electric reliability, or in other words, to keep the lights on. We presented expert testimony that said, basically, “Take a good look at all of these programs that are reducing our need for electricity, and you’ll see that this $2 billion-project won’t be needed for many more years into the future, if ever, because we just don’t need all of this power from the West.” The hearing examiner ordered the companies to do the analysis our expert was suggesting, and their new analyses showed that we were right. The companies had to concede the project was not needed in 2014, and they withdrew their application.
This was a great result for us. It proved how much of a difference these energy efficiency and other clean energy programs are making. And it stalled this project at a crucial time. Now AEP and Allegheny are applying once again for state approvals to build the PATH line, but our arguments against it have gotten even better. Another utility has come up with much less intrusive, lower cost solution that we expect can address any genuine reliability issues for years to come without costing ratepayers $2 billion and without bringing lots of new coal-fired power to the east coast.
How is Earthjustice working to influence future transmission line planning?
The PATH case is a great example demonstrating why planners need to account for lower-cost options to meet demand. We want this kind of planning to happen everywhere. Following our case, the biggest grid operator in the country, PJM Interconnection, is now moving toward a better planning model that accounts for non-transmission alternatives including energy efficiency and conservation programs. We also have some very progressive Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposals pending right now, so we want to seize this opportunity to get grid operators all across the country to be embracing clean energy solutions more proactively.
We’re encouraging the (FERC) to start requiring all transmission planners to account for the policies and regulations that are going to drive the evolution of the grid over the next couple of decades—we’re talking about efficiency standards and also renewable portfolio standards that will require large-scale integration of wind, solar and other renewable generation into the electric system. We’re also talking about important air, water and waste regulations that are going to force some of our least efficient, dirtiest power plants to make long overdue retirements. The generation mix is going to change, and we are finding new ways to meet our energy needs. We need to invest in a grid that lets us phase out old dirty generators and maximize clean new solutions as quickly as possible. To make that investment we have to do some smart planning.
We have a progressive FERC and we are defending its authority to implement needed reforms in the strongest way possible. After years of litigation by Earthjustice lawyers, EPA is poised to issue several regulations that will clean up the power sector and give clean energy the competitive advantage it deserves. And with cases like PATH, we are gaining some terrific practical insights into the way grid planning ought to work. If we are able to stop PATH and other lines like it, we will be able to measure that victory in terms of millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided. If our broader national efforts are successful, we and our allies will be hastening a desperately needed transition into a more sustainable energy future. | <urn:uuid:6ff1f9c9-895c-49fa-9a80-ac5ddd863cdc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://earthjustice.org/print/features/ourwork/stopping-coal-in-its-tracks-qa-with-earthjustice-attorney-abbie-dillen | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956176 | 1,243 | 2.609375 | 3 |
How the Rich Are Grabbing Bigger and Bigger Slices of Pie
What happens when nations cut taxes for their richest citizens?
Economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez, two of the world’s most respected authorities on the incomes of rich people, have a straightforward answer: In nations that slash tax rates on high incomes, the rich significantly increase their share of national income.
Here in the United States, for instance, the tax rate on income over $400,000 has dropped by half, from 70 to 35 percent, since the 1970s. Over that same span, the households that comprise the “1 percent” have over doubled their share of the national income, to 20 percent.
In many European nations and Japan, by contrast, tax rates on the rich didn’t fall as fast or as far. And rich people’s slice of the income pie increased “only modestly,” note Piketty and Saez in a new analysis they co-authored with researcher Stefanie Stantcheva.
This phenomenon doesn’t trouble conservatives. High taxes on rich people, they claim, do terrible economic damage by discouraging the entrepreneurship that makes economies strong. Lower taxes on the rich, this argument continues, encourage entrepreneurs, who invest and create jobs when lower taxes let them keep more of the income they take in.
Yes, conservatives freely admit, the rich can and do amass plenty of money in a low-tax environment. They’ll even increase their share of national income. But the rest of us shouldn’t worry. Thanks to the rich, right-wingers argue,
we all benefit from a bigger and better economy.
Piketty and his colleagues put these claims to the test. If the conservative argument reflected reality, they point out, nations that sharply cut tax rates on the rich should experience much higher economic growth rates than nations that don’t.
In fact, the three economists note, reality tells no such story. Nations that have “made large cuts in top tax rates, such as the United Kingdom or the United States,” they explain, “have not grown significantly faster than countries that did not, such as Germany or Denmark.”
So what’s going on in countries where the rich all of sudden face substantially smaller tax bills?
In countries that go soft on taxing the rich, top business executives don’t suddenly — and magically — become more entrepreneurial, more “productive.” Instead, they suddenly find themselves with a huge incentive to game the system, to squeeze out of their enterprises every bit of personal profit their power enables.
The more these executives can squeeze, the more they can keep. The result? The 1 percent in nations that cut taxes on high incomes proceed, as Piketty and his fellow authors put it, to “grab at the expense of the remaining 99 percent.”
Millions of us know this grabbing first-hand. We’ve seen corporate execs routinely outsource and downsize, slash wages and attack pensions, cheat consumers and fix prices.
How can we start discouraging these sorts of behaviors? Piketty and his fellow analysts have a suggestion: raise taxes on America’s highest-income bracket. Raise them as high as 83 percent.
This suggestion, the three scholars acknowledge, may right now seem politically “unthinkable.” But back between the 1940s and the 1970s, they remind us, the notion that we ought to raise taxes on the rich to reduce the incentive for outrageous behavior rated as our conventional wisdom.
In those years, policymakers — and the public at large — felt strongly that pay increases for the wealthiest Americans reflected “mostly greed or other socially wasteful activities rather than productive work effort.”
Is this mid-20th century perception about pay at the top now about to make a comeback? Piketty and friends certainly think so. Let’s hope they have that one right, too.
Sam Pizzigati is an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington DC, editor of the journal Too Much and author of The Rich Don’t Always Win, Seven Stories Press, New York, forthcoming 2012.
This column is distributed by OtherWords. | <urn:uuid:45c2fe9e-f5d9-4e92-9c5e-d9814ec5bac0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/08/07/how-the-rich-are-grabbing-bigger-and-bigger-slices-of-pie/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948483 | 889 | 2.328125 | 2 |
August 02, 2010
The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Science and Engineering Research program provides funding aid to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying in all areas of science and engineering. Awards for the Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Science and Engineering Research program vary in amount up to $1,000. Recipients of a Sigma XI Grants-in-Aid are able to use the funds for travel research or supplies.
The USI Presidential Scholarship is for Indiana high school seniors who are ranked first or second in their class. Recipients will receive an award that covers the full cost of tuition and housing as well as a stipend for books and board. Students applying for the USI Presidential Scholarship must have an SAT score of at least 1200 (Math and Verbal) or an ACT score of 27 or higher. | <urn:uuid:a068d592-4f66-4413-bf9b-e8aa914ddd4f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/2561-honors-scholarships?page=4 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954586 | 169 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Two Loris rescued from wildlife smugglers in Delhi airportby Kartick Satyanarayan
Chosen as Picture of the Week
In India, lorises are listed under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and given protection against hunting, trade or any other use. Conservationists have been campaigning for years to stop the trade of Loris in the exotic pet industry.
Two Loris – small, nocturnal primates endangered by global illegal poaching – were rescued from the Delhi airport on September 9, 2012. They were being smuggled in the underwear of two men!
“Our Wildlife helpline received a call about two loris confiscated by Delhi International Airport CISF security personnel. When the animals reached us, they were quite traumatized from having been stuffed into socks and then strapped to the smuggler’s underpants as he tried to sneak them past customs in Delhi airport onto a dubai flight. We suspect these may be Pygmy Loris from Cambodia or Southeast Asia, which are threatened species as per the IUCN Red List. It is shocking to see the risk wildlife criminals take to smuggle endangered wildlife. The animals have now been handed over to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) for legal and court procedures,” says Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder, Wildlife SOS. As the Loris are nocturnal, special provisions were made for them. The Wildlife SOS team fed them fruit and captured live insects- at night.
Paradoxically, loris are the traded in the illegal/exotic pet industry as they are considered the cutest animals on earth. Conservationists have been campaigning for years to stop the trade of Loris in the exotic pet industry. Poisonous and capable of biting, the Loris are ‘domesticated’ only after their teeth are forcibly removed. In terms of ecology, very little is known about them, as they are considered one of the least studied primates in the world.
In India, lorises are listed under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and given protection against hunting, trade or any other use. | <urn:uuid:7d682332-9f36-48eb-8b14-6b651e6a9152> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.conservationindia.org/gallery/two-loris-rescued-from-wildlife-smugglers-in-delhi-airport | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968201 | 441 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Another Tack: Batman and the Iron Dome
Rare are the violent clashes from which all sides emerge positively cheery.
Batman Photo: Courtesy
Rare are the violent clashes from which all sides emerge positively cheery. But
the latest exchange of fire with Gaza was just such an atypical conflict. When
the smoke cleared, both combatants came away upbeat and sure their respective
enemy was taught a painful lesson.
We are near-giddy with gladness over
the technological wonders of our Iron Dome anti-missile missiles, while the
Gazans are hoarse with victory whoops because they managed to fire off as many
rockets as they did. We effusively congratulate ourselves because no major
catastrophes were wrought on our side of the border. Nevertheless, the Gazans
know that had we truly won, they wouldn’t be left standing and able to spark
another conflagration at another time.
What does all the sound and fury
signify in real terms? Most likely that no lessons at all were taught, that no
one was punished and that in all probability we once more critically misread the
signs. It’s as if somewhere along the line we’ve managed to lose sight of what
constitutes triumph in our peculiar immediate environment. According to
Mideastern conventions, the absence of incontrovertibly humiliating vanquishment
denotes a degree of victory.
This local logic mustn’t be dismissed out of
In the Gazan view our aim should have been to entirely disable them
from striking again. Since we didn’t accomplish this, they won and we lost. To
underscore their contentions they made sure to fire the last salvo – after the
ceasefire for which they ironically begged. Thus they had the apparent last
word, imparting the impression that they were capable of pummeling us more, if
only they wanted to.
It almost doesn’t matter that we reject this
interpretation of reality. If they consider themselves undefeated, then for all
intents and purposes they indeed weren’t defeated.
Likewise, it’s hardly
relevant that we never launched a wide-ranging campaign to crush all Gazan
capacity for belligerence. In Gazan eyes if we could crush them, we would have.
The very fact that we didn’t set out to do so attests to weakness on our part
and to a deterrent strength on theirs.
However, Gazans too misread the
situation. It’s not that we’re too weak to take them on, but that we’re scared
of winning. This is something that they plainly can’t get their heads around.
Nobody in the Mideast can comprehend cerebral convolutions like
Lamentably, Israel has turned itself into the unhappy real-life
equivalent of the unnerved athletes in yesteryear’s uniquely effective episode
of TV’s animated Batman series. Aptly entitled “Fear of Victory,” this classic
features the recurrent villain Scarecrow, who slips star sportsmen an
adrenalin-activated fear-toxin. As they gear themselves up for competition, they
get scared of winning. Scarecrow then bets against them, sure that, despite
these champions’ legendary abilities and proven experience, they cannot
Fear has come to dominate Israel’s zeitgeist ever since Oslo –
perhaps itself born of the fear to defend our interests, if need be, in defiance
of a world that keeps turning against us. Our two relatively recent
largest-scale confrontations –The Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead-
illustrate the fiascos which fear-engendered inhibition produces.
campaigns, Israel patently hadn’t achieved much of anything. Israel (under Ehud
Olmert’s lead) demonstrated impressive firepower but failure of will to follow
through successfully enough to inflict instantly recognizable defeat on the
enemy and amend the bad situation which forced us into the battlefield to begin
Things look abysmal even without factoring in the merciless
diplomatic trashing and disastrous image-tarnishing to which Israel was
When the deafening din died down, the enemy survived upright
and ready to fight another day.
We didn’t eradicate or even significantly
reduce its rocket arsenals.
THE SAME was the outcome of this month’s
hostilities in the South. Though battered and bruised, Gazans were the ones who
strove to dictate terms and impose their will on Israel and not vice
For a whole host of sad reasons, we’re intimidated about going the
whole hog and actually trying to rout our adversaries. They’re not blind to the
paradox that the more hi-tech, scientifically advanced and
militarily-sophisticated Israel becomes, the weaker its resolve. In the
psychological combat zone, the Arabs make mincemeat of us –time and
And so, while Iron Dome may have saved lives in the short haul, in
essence it epitomizes our trepidations of a showdown. Reliance upon defensive
measures –no matter how cutting-edge- encapsulates hesitation to fight. This
hesitation deepens precisely because Iron Dome is undeniably the stunning
technological feat it’s reputed to be.
It makes the dithering tolerable
The inevitable can be postponed if in the meanwhile
Iron Dome neutralizes most rockets fired at Israeli civilians and luck spares us
in the remaining instances.
If Israelis as far north as Gedera stay under
cover, our forces can avoid actual contact with the enemy. Taking Gaza on by
remote control isn’t only more sanitized; it’s less risky. The downside is that
jihadists of whichever affiliation across the Green Line are emboldened, while
we grow increasingly leery of the real battlefield.
Content as we are
with the Iron Dome, the most a defensive posture can achieve is a return to the
status quo ante. It means that for a given duration the bigger and more distant
urban targets inside Israel will enjoy conditional respites from Gaza’s
launching pads, whereas the areas adjacent to the border will continue to be
subjected to daily doses of mortar attacks and occasional Kassam rockets
–unremitting terror which we euphemistically dub a “trickle.”
“normal” state of affairs to which we incredibly acquiesce and to which the
international community remains chillingly indifferent.
It’s nothing new.
It was so when the Iron Dome was still in the realm of science fiction. Then too
we sought a variety of defensive cure-alls. Among them were concrete cubes.
These were all the rage right after we disengaged from Gaza.
folly breeds peril and Ashkelon, which pre-disengagement was out of Kassam
range, had been rendered vulnerable thanks to the ruthless uprooting of
settlements at the edge of the northern Gaza Strip (nobody then dared predict
the rocketing of Beersheba, Ashdod, Yavne or Kiryat Gat).
Gaza-perimeter settlements were set up to deliberately form physical barriers
between the Strip and Ashkelon’s outskirts which contain some of Israel’s most
sensitive targets (among them the Rutenberg Power Station, the Eilat-Ashkelon
pipeline, huge fuel storage facilities, a major desalination plant and plenty
But the infallible autocrats who sold us the disengagement bill of
goods threw that logic to the wind, as they did the logic of holding onto the
Philadelphi Corridor to prevent the arming of Gaza to its carnivorous teeth. The
antidote came in the shape of prefab fortifications of assorted
Concrete desks, for example, were the product of deadpan earnest
IDF innovative brainstorming.
These were proposed as a safety feature for
un-reinforced classrooms. Pupils were directed to cower underneath the novel
constructions whenever Gazans unleashed tokens of their appreciation for
Israel’s unilateral withdrawal.
This wasn’t all. In anticipation of the
very tangible benefits of disengagement, our civil-defense experts promoted a
project to install large concrete cubes all around Sderot streets to offer the
citizenry shelter in case Gazans failed to interpret our conciliatory overtures
as we intended. The local citizenry was instructed to run to these unsightly
structures and hide within them whenever they heard rockets coming.
hindsight, and in comparison to the Iron Dome’s astounding exploits, these
low-tech post-disengagements solutions seem primitive. But on closer examination
we must concede that their basic concept is identical to the Iron Dome –
i.e. passive protection.
And passive protection begets paralysis.
It’s not enough to express gratification that no rocket crashed into a
schoolyard full of kids. Despite the Iron Dome, schools were hit and only the
fact that their pupils were shielded at home prevented carnage.
the sporadic scenario. With each flare-up, life stops throughout Israel’s South.
Hardly anyone goes to work or school or any place else. A full third of the
country lingers in suspended animation for as long as Gaza decrees. This in
itself buoys Gazan morale.
Even the fact that they force us to reduce
available Iron Dome stockpiles should delight them.
They might not cause
casualties but they wreak economic havoc.
Yes, the syrupy slogan is that
no price is too high to save lives, which -considered strictly on the moral
plane- is indisputable. However, we need to keep in mind that it costs peanuts
to manufacture a Kassam and that Gaza’s arsenals boast untold thousands of these
crude versions of Nazi V-1 and V-2 rockets (all murderously indiscriminate). The
upgraded Katyushas called Grads are supplied gratis, compliments of
In contrast, each Iron Dome interception costs $100,000. Since Iron
Dome batteries cover a comparatively small area each, many more than now
deployed are needed. The missiles themselves take a long time to be produced and
there can never be enough of them to take down every contraption hoarded in
Adding to the complexity is the fact that many communities under
Kassam threat are too close to the border for sufficient warning time. The Iron
Dome system requires 15 seconds to identify an incoming Kassam. Yet these
projectiles can (and have in the past) slammed down after being airborne for
shorter intervals. The Iron Dome, furthermore, doesn’t offer protection against
With their own earthy good-sense commoners throughout Israel’s
South recognize that the best defense is offense and that good offense isn’t
shelling vacant lots, eliminating the odd miscreant, and generally trying not to
get IDF hands too dirty, so as not to offend sanctimonious European
They know that the only way to defend is to win and that
you win by breaking the enemy’s spirit and will to fight.
We’ve got to
conquer our fear of winning because neither Iron Dome nor Batman will rescue us
from the Scarecrow of our own making. | <urn:uuid:25b0aa90-15a6-4264-baf3-ec0933e304ae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=264041 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937813 | 2,422 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Here’s the latest press release from FTPLS, debunking the APR myth.
FTPLS Counters CRL Myth that Consumers Use APR to Choose Best Product
Payday Loan Advocacy group debunks myth that consumers use APR. Studies prove that consumers use a flat fee to choose credit products.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 23, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – June 23 – The Fairness to Payday Lenders Society has reviewed the The Center for Responsible Lending’s new brief, “APR Mattersâ€, and declares it yet another misleading tactic to limit consumer choice, and force borrowers into more expensive options affiliated with the CRL.
The document perpetuates myths about payday loans. State lawmakers and even voters have embraced payday loans – selecting the option based upon the fee charged, not on Annual Percentage Rate.
Contrary to the CRL’s claims, the typical payday borrower is not in debt long term, nor caught in a cycle of back-to-back transactions that end up costing several times more in interest than the original amount they borrowed. Even though the federal Truth-in-Lending Act requires that the interest rate charged on any type of credit be stated as an effective annual interest rate – even if the loan does not last a full year – borrowers do not use APR to comparison shop. More than one independent study has conclusively proven that customers choose short-term credit products based on the flat fee charged, just as they compare the prices of any other product.
“Telling policy makers that APR is the method by which consumers choose credit product is just another tactic the CRL uses to mislead. The CRL is nothing more than a front for the Self-Help Credit Union, an institution that collected billions in overdraft fees from its customers, and which wants to do the same thing to payday loan customers by getting payday loans outlawed,†said Jackson Strain, spokesman for the FTPLS.
“APR is a measure of the time value of money. If the CRL insists on using APR for transactions, then it should be consistent. The cost of a taxi from Raleigh-Durham airport to the CRL’s offices is 192,720%, and a $100 room at a hotel is 36,500%. It’s bad logic and simply a way to try to justify the kinds of lies the CRL has been repeatedly caught making.â€
The CRL’s repeated use of misleading and inaccurate studies has been documented several times. Dr. Thomas Lehman, Associate Professor of Economics at Indiana Wesleyan University, debunked the CRL’s “Race Matters†as suffering from sampling and ideological bias as well as flawed in its regression analysis. Other academics have repeatedly pointed out the CRL’s “studies†on minority usage of loans in Los Angeles suffer the same problems.
“The CRL wants Congress to ban payday lenders,” said Strain. “They are in direct competition with them, after all. And since the CRL insists on using a measuring system that customers never use, why not ask Congress to pass a law instituting the metric system?
The Fairness to Payday Lenders Society supports sensible consumer protection that allows consumers access to credit products they need, when they need them, without eliminating options. These lower-cost options are essential as we work to get our financial system and our economy back on track.
# # #
The Fairness to Payday Lenders Society supports sensible consumer protection that allows consumers access to credit products they need, when they need them, without eliminating options. | <urn:uuid:77c0accc-d06c-4ecb-9a68-2360b7bd9512> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bloggernews.net/121375 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933175 | 794 | 1.726563 | 2 |
Remark re current font and tagline quality: The reddish print is out of focus (fuzzy) and lacks solidity. Doesnt really convey solidity, stability. Maybe: solid white letters, slanted perhaps. Slanted letters give impression of motion (speed).VectorLinux
...speed, performance, stability
: we got your optimized fast linux right here
: here "performance" is a fancy word for "just works", "out of the box"
def. the fulfillment of a claim, promise, or request; implementationhttp://www.m-w.com/dictionary/performance
def. the execution or accomplishment of work, acts, feats, etc.
def. the manner in which or the efficiency with which something fulfills its intended purpose.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/performance
: based on Slackware, rock-solid reliability
Speed, Performance, and Stability are the three qualities most important to VectorLinux, probably in that order. And VectorLinux excels in these three qualities: It's fastest, it does everything out of the box well, and it's stable, unbreakable. Visitor is implicitly invited to try it and see for himself/herself.
Generally, VectorLinux has enjoyed friendly reviews written by partisans like Don Parris and Caitlyn Martin. The day may come when the reviewer is more impartial or even skeptical towards this distro. You can count on such a reviewer to comment the slogan in his screed. The tagline "speed, performance, stability" would challenge a reviewer to evaluate VL by these three criteria, in which case VL cant lose, cuz VL is superlative in all three.
Are there other characteristics which define
VectorLinux like those three? ...characteristics that make VL stand out in the crowded field of Linux distributions?
(IMHO "speed, performance, stability" looks better in lower case, not caps.) | <urn:uuid:5f2f8886-a617-425a-9232-7d028119289c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://forum.vectorlinux.com/index.php?topic=2811.msg16665 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924324 | 404 | 1.5625 | 2 |
ARA 105: Intermediate Arabic I
This course builds on skills gained in first-year Arabic. Students in Intermediate Arabic receive additional practice in speaking and listening and gain greater proficiency in reading and writing through the study of more complex grammar structures and the analysis of more sophisticated texts.
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There are no documents available for this class | <urn:uuid:e08fe3e7-c427-4cf6-add7-077bcc02bfaa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.chegg.com/courses/princeton/ARA/105 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911048 | 95 | 1.703125 | 2 |
I have a question about the oxygen sensor on my...
I have a question about the oxygen sensor on my 1981 Toyota Corolla. How does it work and what is its purpose?
TOM: That's a good question, John. The oxygen sensor is part of the emission control system.
RAY: Isn't that in Houston? Where NASA talks to the space ships?
TOM: That's "mission control," you knucklehead. "Emission control" is a system that monitors how your engine is running by analyzing the exhaust. It's kind of like what your doctor is doing when he or she gives you a little cup and asks you for a "sample."
RAY: The oxygen sensor sits in the exhaust system, just in front of the catalytic converter. And several times a second, it measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust.
TOM: What this tells you is whether the right amount of fuel and air is going into the cylinders. If there's too much oxygen in the exhaust, that means there's not enough fuel. And if there's too little oxygen left over, that means the mixture's too rich--that there's too much fuel.
RAY: On modern cars, the oxygen sensor is connected to the computer. And the computer instantaneously adjusts the fuel/air mixture to make sure it's always perfect. That improves fuel economy, cuts down on pollution, and most importantly, extends the life of the catalytic converter, which the manufacturer is obligated to warrant for 50,000 miles.
TOM: But your car is pre-computer, John. So instead of adjusting the mixture automatically, your oxygen sensor turns on a light on your dashboard. That signals you to take the car to your mechanic to have the mixture and sensor checked out. It's a little more cumbersome than having the computer do it several times a second, but that was as good as it got in 1981. | <urn:uuid:a47a3266-157d-4433-af07-94247c677ec4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cartalk.com/content/i-have-question-about-oxygen-sensor-my | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963643 | 393 | 2.75 | 3 |
23. What the Banner Said
"Did Father show it to you?" He lifted his face to hers, a sly twinkle in his eyes.
"No. I didn’t know your father very well, then. The war had just ended." She paused and let her gaze wander toward the shadow of the eastern mountains and her heartbeat quickened, but not in fear. She leaned back against the tree and sighed. "When I first saw your father, he was standing among a cluster of golden haired warriors, but I saw only him. He looked fair and handsome, just like you, but something was amiss; I had to look twice to realize what it was: his shoulders were always taut and rigid, and his smile vague, wistful. Then I learned that his Uncle had died and he had found himself King of the Eorlingas. How my heart grieved!"
"Why? Weren’t you happy for him?"
"I could not be happy, then. The memory of my cousin’s face as he realized he was Steward was written in my heart, and I recognized in Éomer’s eyes the same odd flicker, the same set of his mouth, the tightened jaw, the shoulders... he was not happy, Elfwine. He was afraid.
"Afraid?" He sat upright. "Why would he be afraid? To be King was his job!"
"Aye, for it was, and he knew it all to well. A job which he had never expected to have, a duty that he thought was too grand for him, a position that should have been filled by another..." She closed her eyes, and only realized she was gripping her son’s arm too tightly when she felt him shift in her hold. "The first time I came to Edoras, I came to King Théoden’s funeral. The Mark was sad, but the white horse on green stood firm as did your father, your aunt, your people. So many sacrifices were made for us to have what we do now! So many precious lives were lost! Your father knew and regretted it, but I think he must have seen the banner too, for after that day he was a different man. His smile brightened again."
He squared his shoulders and looked toward the flag in front of the hall. "So, the banner reminded him of his heritage?"
"It did. The banner told him that this was his destiny, and he understood."
"What about you, mama? What about your destiny?"
"The second time I came to Edoras, your father did show me the banner, and it spoke to me."
"What did it say?"
She smiled. "It said that my destiny was here, too."
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author. | <urn:uuid:27e90fa8-db3d-472d-a48c-c8b9c917e65b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://henneth-annun.net/challenge/chapter_view.cfm?ngid=97&stid=2223&spordinal=23 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.991297 | 719 | 1.898438 | 2 |
When we think of Ginger, likely its delicious culinary applications first come to mind… even its botanical name, Zingiber officinalis, alludes to the “zing” that Ginger carries!
If you’re one of many who suffer from heartburn, try a freshly brewed cup of soothing Ginger tea the next time painful acid reflux flares up. Or, try the tasty Ginger Gold syrup from Natural Wellbeing; it will help calm the digestive tract and relieve spasms that can end up causing the stomach contents to ‘back up’ into the esophagus.
Ginger is also wonderful for other intestinal problems such as gas, cramping, and, especially, nausea. It works extremely well for travel sickness (cars, boats) and for nausea during pregnancy.
Ginger’s pungent, warming properties increase the peripheral circulation, so it’s really great for warming up chilled hands and feet! Its benefits on the circulation also help to decrease pain and inflammation from arthritis, and may also provide a slight blood pressure-lowering effect.
Like its close cousin Turmeric – they’re in the same botanical family – Ginger is surely one of Nature’s greatest medicines! | <urn:uuid:47abbe6a-d1c6-4f10-858f-a285ae199437> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/blog/ginger-is-a-zinger | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.918924 | 253 | 2.265625 | 2 |
Previous abstract Next abstract
I discuss the current state of the Automated Plate Scanner (APS) program to obtain accurate astrometry from Palomar Oschin Schmidt plates. The principle plate materials being scanned by the APS (POSS~I, Luyten Red, POSS~II) all come from this one telescope. The transformation between plate and celestial coordinates is quite complicated near the edges of these plates. If it is intrinsic to the telescope, the astrometric methods we are developing for POSS I should be transferable to the Luyten and POSS II plates. The principle aim of this presentation is to foster further discussion amongst the various groups who are presently grappling with the peculiarities of Schmidt plate astrometry.
Tuesday program listing | <urn:uuid:c897a26f-72f0-4a3f-99ae-acb4e6173b66> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://aas.org/archives/BAAS/v26n2/aas184/abs/S3804.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902605 | 155 | 1.914063 | 2 |
For the first time in 2012, China became the top country of origin for tourists visiting Thailand. This influx of Chinese tourists has proved to be remarkable to the local economy. Thai business owners were quoted as saying “We’ve seen more Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai so far this year than we have over the past ten years combined,” and ”We’re lucky the Chinese have been bringing so much money. They’re great customers.” It is a boom.
Then, the Chinese sleeper hit “Lost in Thailand” (2012) was released last December and went on to become China’s top box-office champion. To date it has earned more over 200 million USD and has sold more tickets than James Cameron’s “Avatar” (2010). Using this popular Chinese travel destination as its inspiration, “Lost in Thailand” was shot on location in Chiang Mai and continued to spark interest among Chinese tourists.
According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents, “Lost in Thailand” could be responsible for increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand by as much as 10%. As such, the Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts that more than 1.5 million Chinese will visit Thailand by 2014 to help increase the total number of tourists to visit Thailand in 2013 to 24.5 million, up from 21 million last year.
However, as one trend becomes popular, it has given rise to another. The local Thai residents in Chiang Mai have gone online in droves to complain about the impolite and rude behavior of these Chinese tourists. Complaints include:
[Chinese tourists] tend to drive speedily on the wrong side of the road, and often go against traffic on one-way streets. Chinese tourists also often stop in the middle of busy intersections – just to argue among themselves about directions.Some hotel and guesthouse operators are turning them away because they say Chinese tourists often rent a room for two, but stay overnight in a group of four or five. They also deplore their tendencies to litter and hang their clothing on the balcony railing.
1. A tendency to not flush the toilet.
2. Flouting traffic laws when driving, riding a bicycle, or parking their car.
3. Being loud – even in five-star hotels.
4. Littering, spitting, queue-jumping.
5. Allowing children to defecate in public pools.
6. Terrible English-language skills that lead to difficulties in communication.
While many of these complaints aren’t new to expats familiar with China, it’s noteworthy to read that Thai people are complaining about Chinese being bad drivers with poor English skills. Yes, Thailand.
Some locals are optimistic that a progress in civility will eventually occur. Said one local tour operator, ”For now, we’re just happy to have their money. As far as courtesy goes… it will come in time.” As such, Sinopathic would like to help along this process in the one way it can: viral memes.
One of the things to result from the success of “Lost in Thailand” is in inspiring this popular Chinese meme: the cheerful, addictive smile of Wang Baoqiang is shown in a three-panel cartoon and captioned with accompanying text. To highlight the complaints of Thai locals fed up with rude and impolite behavior of Chinese tourists, here are our submissions: | <urn:uuid:77648f16-bf46-41e2-9d7d-060829d89348> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sinopathic.com/lost-in-thailand-becomes-lots-in-thailand-to-become-land-lost-to-thais/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960079 | 714 | 1.90625 | 2 |
From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia
Twinleaf or jeffersonia diphylla is a native North American wildflower named after Thomas Jefferson.
This perennial is a member of the Berberidaceae (Barberry) family, and it grows in rich, damp, open woods located in Southeastern Canada and New York, southward to Georgia and Alabama, and northwest to Iowa and Minnesota. The flowers are white, large, with 8 petals and are borne on stalks separate from the leaves. The leaves are ovate with a deep cleft from the top of the leaf and another from the base of the leaf, nearly dividing the leaf into two parts. Plant 8 to 10 inches in height.
On May 18, 1792, six men gathered in Philosophical Hall for the Friday meeting of the American Philosophical Society. Benjamin Smith Barton, professor of botany and natural history at the University of Pennsylvania, rose to read a letter he had written to a European botanist. In it he described an American wildflower, traced its short path through the scientific literature, and concluded that, as a genus "distinct" from any other, it was in need of a new name.
"I take the liberty," said Barton, "of making it known to the botanists by the name of J E F F E R S O N I A in honour of Thomas Jefferson, Esq. Secretary of State to the United-States." He added that his purpose was not to honor Jefferson's political character or his reputation for general science and literature. "My business was with his knowledge of natural history," he said. "In the various departments of this science, but especially in botany and in zoology, the information of this gentleman is equalled by that of few persons in the United-States."
The Society member honored in this act of scientific classification was absent--one would like to think because his mind was on zoology rather than botany. Earlier that day Jefferson had invited James Madison to his house to examine the difference between a "Northern hare" and a "common" one from the market, before they continued to Edmund Randolph's lodgings to dine.
But Jefferson's attendance at the meetings of the Philosophical Society had fallen off since the previous year, when he and Dr. Barton had collaborated energetically on investigations of the Hessian Fly. The Society's minutes record the presence of their vice-president at only two of the Friday meetings in 1792, a year filled with the "hateful labours" of office and the intensifying disputes of partisan politics.
In this spring of 1792 Jefferson was abused as well as honored for his interest in natural history. In April he had been the target of the first round fired in the partisan pamphlet wars. Massachusettensis (now thought to be British consul Sir John Temple), after attacking Jefferson as the intriguing "tool of a party," called for his "speedy retreat" to Monticello. There he could "range the fields of science, and the natural history of his country" without doing lasting harm to the nation. Jefferson's response was predictable: "However ardently my retirement to my own home and my own affairs, may be wished for by others as the author says, there is no one of them who feels the wish once where I do a thousand times."
His letters in this year are full of laments about being "shut up drudging within four walls" in Philadelphia and longing for the "tranquil" occupations of the fields and gardens at Monticello. And beyond Monticello was a whole unexplored continent to be studied--"What a feild have we at our doors to signalize ourselves in!" Having chosen the path of public leadership, Jefferson had to remain on the sidelines, cheering on American naturalists to their goal of revealing to the world the rich flora and fauna of the young nation.
Benjamin Smith Barton was perhaps Jefferson's greatest hope for leading the American team to eminence. The plant he had rescued from the wrong genus is what we know as twinleaf, a spring-blooming perennial of the woodlands of eastern North America. It entered scientific literature in 1753, when Linnaeus assigned it to the genus Podophyllum in his Species Plantarum. This work became our starting point for the naming of plants by introducing the binomial system which substituted two Latin names for the cumbersome Latin descriptions then current. Linnaeus likened his improvement to "putting the clapper in the bell" and sixty years later Jefferson was grateful. In 1814 he wrote that, "fortunately for science," Linnaeus had brought order out of chaos by providing a "universal language" for naming and classifying nature's productions.
Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his Notes on the State of Virginia. The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.
Soon Jeffersonia became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as Margaret Bayard Smith recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."
Passing through the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry in July, Barton saw "immense quantities" of twinleaf, past flowering, but could not find "even a single seed-vessel." He carried with him Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, which contained a highly charged account of the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers at this spot. Barton confided to his journal that what Jefferson called "one of the most stupendous scenes in nature" did not equal his expectations.
Barton arrived at the author's house in August, crossing the Rivanna River at the Shadwell ford and noting plentiful pawpaw trees, some castor-bean plants, and "a good deal" of horsemint. His fascinating journal then proves a major disappointment to future historians. "Monticello," written with a flourish and twice underlined, is followed by "Monticello is the beautiful seat of Mr. Jefferson," and not a word more--the rest of the page is blank. He elsewhere recorded his host's comments on the elevation of Monticello, its soil, and the scarcity of insects and insect-eating birds there (hummingbirds, however, were common). The President also shared his opinion that the counties along the eastern side of the Blue Ridge were the "healthiest" part of the United States. He had been told by an officer of the U.S. Army that this area produced "the largest men" among its recruits. Jefferson and Thomas Mann Randolph, Barton's former schoolmate at the University of Edinburgh, also contributed to the journal their comments on local plants, like honey locust, strawberry bush, and umbrella magnolia.
When Barton passed through Harper's Ferry again on his way north, he "sought in vain" for Jeffersonia, but found the scene far grander on a second inspection. The rocks were "indeed, stupendous," and had "an awful appearance." Perhaps Jefferson had responded to his initial disappointment with a story he had recently told another American botanist. When Samuel Latham Mitchill asked him for directions to the precise spot from which he had viewed the passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge, Jefferson replied that it was no longer there. During the Adams administration, a military expedition was mounted to blow up the projecting rock, "doubtless," as the shocked Mitchill wrote his wife, "with the intention of falsifying his account, and rendering it incredible by putting it out of the power of any subsequent traveller to behold the like from the same point of view. What shameful, what vandalic revenge is this!" Nevertheless, when Mitchill later visited the site, he too joined the many disappointed tourists whose expectations had been raised by Jefferson's description.
In 1803 Mitchill wrote that "botanists consider it an honor of the highest kind to be immortalized by having their names given to plants." The international code of botanical nomenclature made this distinction impossible for the good doctor. He cheerfully told his wife that Willdenow had wished to name a new plant after him but "was prevented by finding that the name had been bestowed already" (Linneaus had called patridgeberry Mitchella repens after John Mitchell of Virginia). Barton's honor came in the shape of an obscure plant of undistinguished appearance--Bartonia. And the rules of precedence prevented Jefferson from being immortalized twice.
John Brickell of Georgia tried in 1798 to apply the name Jeffersonia to the Carolina jessamine (now Gelsemium sempervirens), "in compliment" to the man "who, to his immense stores of other knowledge, has added the science of Botany."
By Jefferson's retirement from politics, Jeffersonia had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of Jeffersonia to give to Jefferson's daughter Martha, because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."
Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." Samuel Latham Mitchill had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of Paris, he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. Mitchill intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."
Jefferson, in reply, regretted that he could not "join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. He will invite also some amateurs in natural science in his neighborhood to fraternize on the same day with their brethren of New York by corresponding libations to the great apostle of Nature." It is not known who shared the libations at Poplar Forest on the twenty-fourth--the last day of Jefferson's last visit.
And until almost the last day of his life he tried to pass his enthusiasm for natural history on to a younger generation. He worked to ensure the inclusion of botany, one of "the most valuable sciences," in the curriculum of the University of Virginia. It was time for the young to pursue his former passions. In 1822 Jefferson wrote to the discoverer of a new mineral, Jeffersonite. Thanking him for "the honor done my name by the appellation given it," he concluded that although "age and a decayed memory" had weakened his attention to the natural sciences, "nothing can ever weaken my affection to them, and the pleasure with which I observe so many of my young countrymen pursuing them with an ardor and success equally honorable to themselves and our country."
- ↑ This article is based on Lucia Stanton, Twinleaf Article, 1992. | <urn:uuid:c898088f-2d5c-451c-bd74-11cfd42ae2da> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Twinleaf&oldid=5151 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97667 | 2,639 | 3.28125 | 3 |
Pirate Latitudes Summary
From one of the best-loved authors of all time comes an irresistible adventure of swashbuckling pirates in the New World, a classic story of treasure and betrayal.
The Caribbean, 1665. A remote colony of the English Crown, the island of Jamaica holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses.
In this steamy climate there's a living to be made, a living that can end swiftly by diseaseor by dagger. For Captain Charles Hunter, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking, and the law of the land rests with those ruthless enough to make it.
Word in port is that the galleon El Trinidad, fresh from New Spain, is awaiting repairs in a nearby harbor. Heavily fortified, the impregnable harbor is guarded by the bloodthirsty Cazalla, a favorite commander of the Spanish king himself. With backing from a powerful ally, Hunter assembles a crew of ruffians to infiltrate the enemy outpost and commandeer El Trinidad, along with its fortune in Spanish gold. The raid is as perilous as the bloodiest tales of island legend, and Hunter will lose more than one man before he even sets foot on foreign shores, where dense jungle and the firepower of Spanish infantry stand between him and the treasure....
Pirate Latitudes is Michael Crichton at his best: a rollicking adventure tale pulsing with relentless action, crackling atmosphere, and heart-pounding suspense. | <urn:uuid:f6fa5958-f25f-4b9e-bb24-b587734d8673> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/4477/pirate-latitudes | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931748 | 327 | 2.4375 | 2 |
The definition of what public art is has slowly evolved over the last two decades from large-scale sculptures to urban interventions in the public domain. Malcolm Rains, professor of Cultural Theory in the School of Architecture, Design and Environment at the University of Plymouth discusses in his book, Art, Space and the City: Public Art and Urban Futures, some of the implications of art in the public sphere. One dilemma he has observed is that cities and corporations have integrated public art as a strategy for urban regeneration. When this occurred public art fell between the realms of art and urban planning and debates on the role contemporary art and its contribution to the future of cities has been neglected. Because of the exploitative agendas of “beautification” by municipal governments and corporations, public art has become institutionalized and bureaucratized and the term (public art) has become ineffective in describing what it constitutes. Cities and corporations should be examining the role of art in public spaces and how might it contribute to the urban future instead of focusing on achieving more hospitable urban environments.
What is the function of art in the public sphere? The main concern for public art should be an engagement with the pubic realm and sculpture or installation practices that reflect what is happening presently. Public art should pose the question about the relationship between art, architecture, urban planning and the city. It should be seen as an enhancement of urban identity and social space and not just a decorative embellishment of the inner cities.
I am interested in public art that trespasses into the everyday world either by interrupting or co-opting the tropes of the city and urban geography. I want to be challenged and be introduced to a new way of looking at the city and how it might function differently by opening up new possibilities of perception.
The Elevated Bench is urban furniture with a view. the public benches are constructed at the top of spiral staircases that climb streetlight poles, providing a new perspective on the city streets.
21 Balançoires is an installation in the front of Université du Québec à Montréal’s Science Faculty. The installation is a giant collective instrument made of 21 musical swings; each swing in motion triggers different notes, all the swings together compose a piece, but some sounds only emerge from cooperation. The project stimulates ownership of the new space, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, and creating a place for playing and hanging out in the middle of the city centre. Musical interpretation by composer Radwan Ghazi-Moumneh.
Kim Beck presents three sculptures resembling the skeletal framework behind advertising billboards. These blank forms emulate the abounding indicators of the economic recession, such as empty storefronts and “For Sale” signs. Beck’s sculptures have the illusion of depth when viewed from the front, but as visitors move past them, the side views reveal that they are completely flat, cut from perspective drawings and built like theater props.
Non-Sign II is an installation by seattle based art collective lead pencil studio located at the canada-US border near vancouver. the sculpture is made from small stainless steel rods that are assembled together to create the negative space of a billboard. while most billboards draw attention away from the landscape non-sign II frames the landscape, focusing attention back on it. | <urn:uuid:df11654c-0bf6-46a4-a2b1-482599a874d0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://citymovement.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/public-art-andurban-interventions/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939487 | 672 | 2.1875 | 2 |
The changes observed after a week cause the oxygen content of arterial blood to increase significantly above values observed immediately upon arrival at altitude.
Following this adaptation of decreasing plasma volume is an increase in red cell mass. Through responses initiated by the body, reduced arterial oxygen pressure stimulates an increase in the total number of red blood cells.
For example, a healthy, high-altitude native may have a red blood cell count that is 50 percent greater than a native sea level dweller. These two adaptations to altitude have an effect that translates into a large increase in the blood's capacity to transport oxygen at rest and during exercise.
Speed and Power at Altitude
Having lots of red blood cells that flood the body with oxygen-carrying capability sounds great, right? People ought to be aerobic animals after they adapt to altitude.
But here's the bad news: When exposed to higher altitudes, it's nearly impossible for athletes to train at the same intensity as they were able to train while at sea level.
In other words, if you are a lowlander capable of averaging 20 mph for a 40 km time trial, at a heart rate of 175 beats per minute and a perceived exertion of 17 on the Borg Scale (breathing hard), your average speed (assuming a duplicate course profile) could be decreased by 5 to 10 percent for the same heart rate and perceived exertion when exposed to even moderate altitudes. This means your speed will decrease by 2 mph, which is quite a reduction.
What if people who already live at high altitude travel to sea level? Is there an automatic gain in speed? That's a good question, and there's no easy answer.
Since people living at a higher altitude are not able to train at the same intensity levels they would train at as lowlanders, they have not trained their bodies to perform at higher speeds. Unproven by science, perhaps the highlanders don't have the neuromuscular programming, in addition to the metabolic speeds, necessary to cycle fast at sea level.
How long is it before the benefits of high altitude disappear when that athlete travels to race at sea level? Estimates for an athlete to lose the maximum benefits of their native, high-altitude adaptations are in the six- to eight-week range.
Up NextIn Part II
we'll look at utilizing altitude to improve race performance. | <urn:uuid:28b0c10e-cafd-4602-97ee-fab7369215aa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Altitude_Training_for_Athletic_Success_Part_I.htm?page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951246 | 482 | 3.625 | 4 |
Healing foods of the Holy Bible
THE Holy Bible pointedly refers to dozens of healthful foods that you might want to consider adding to your diet as part of an overall wellness plan.
And here youíll find 10 of them as referenced in "Hertelís New Standard Bible" - an 82-year-old "classic" that was published in 1924 and has been passed down through my family for generations.
Hertelís New Standard contains a comprehensive dictionary that, as the editors themselves put it, "answers all questions pertaining to persons, places and things of the Scripture."
The dictionary is a rich source of information on foods of the Bible, many of which are recommended by modern nutritionists as good choices for those of us who are concerned with our health.
Donít forget: If you are seriously ill or think you might be, always consult a doctor before you try to diagnose or treat yourself.
1. Almonds. Almonds are a storehouse of nutrients, including magnesium, arginine and dietary fiber. True believers insist that just three raw almonds a day will keep sickness at bay.
2. Apples. An apple a day, as the saying goes, keeps the doctor away - and itís easy to see how they got that reputation. Apples are chock full of vitamins - vitamin C especially.
And apple "pectin" - the pulpy part of the fruit next to the peeling - is reputed to help flush environmental toxins from the body, lower cholesterol, help regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Barley. Believed to be mankind's oldest cultivated crop, barley is a rich source of calcium and iron and contains essential amino acids, bioflavonoids and enzymes.
4. Beans. Beans are a good source of low-fat protein and more vitamins and minerals than you can shake a stick at. If you are dieting, beans can help. Studies suggest that beans function as appetite suppressants, taking the edge off hunger pangs for four hours or more after you eat them.
5. Coriander. This spice is sometimes referred to as "the healer from heaven." New studies show that coriander can help reduce the inflammation associated with arthritic joints and it has long been used as an aid to digestion.
6. Figs. Figs have been used in the folk-treatment of constipation, scurvy, hemorrhoids, liver problems, cancers, boils, and also to increase energy, stamina and endurance.
7. Garlic. Garlic is widely used to fight infection, thin blood, reduce blood pressure, guard against heart disease and stimulate the immune system.
8. Honey. Honey kills bacteria, is a disinfectant, and is reputed to relieve symptoms of asthma. Itís an energy booster and - like morphine - it seems to reduce the perception of severe pain, an intriguing study has shown..
9. Olive Oil. Olive oil helps to prevent heart disease and high blood pressure, leading one researcher to call it: "Humanity's best health oil." It also is a rich source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that is reputed to protect against cancers, arthritis and diabetes. The oil is excellent for skin. Itís a mainstay of the heart-healthful "Mediterranean Diet."
10. Onion. The onion can lower elevated cholesterol levels, lower high blood pressure and even ease the sugar "spiking" that plagues diabetics when eaten in moderation.
Susan Ambrosino has written three books on healing herbs and foods, including The Astonishing Healing Power of Herbs (American Media) and 99 Folk Remedies (4-Page Media Inc.), from which this article was excerpted with permission.
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The Pickets are hallowed ground in the Houma trout-fishing world. If you fish out...
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Grumpy's is serving up your all time favorites in St Charles Parish, from Seafood to Sandwiches. Dine in or To-Go, phone orders welcome!
Superintendent steps down to get down - 721 views
Dr. Rodney Lafon boiled down his decision to announce his retirement last month to a simple factor. With 40 years accumulated in the school system he had come to a point in his career where he would make nearly the same yearly salary as a retiree as if he chose to continue working. | <urn:uuid:a3ca1192-16f3-49ea-8d0f-49b042077eaf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.heraldguide.com/details.php?id=1102 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945622 | 1,059 | 2.375 | 2 |
LETU Students to Serve Others During Spring Break Missions March 11-15
Tue, Mar 5 2013
Over 100 LeTourneau University students will serve in outreach ministries all across the country during the March 11-15 week of Spring Break.
“Part of our Christian faith is putting feet to our faith,” said LETU Chaplain Dr. Harold Carl. “Our students will be sharing the gospel, doing construction, working on airplanes and computers for mission organizations, helping the elderly – all ways they demonstrate their faith in Christ through their actions.”
LeTourneau Student Ministries is a student-run organization that promotes service opportunities for students in spring break missions and in community and campus ministry.
This year LETU students will participate in spring break mission trips that include:
Tri-Grace Ministries, Utah—students will engage in evangelical outreach as they share the light of Christ and reach across cultural borders in Utah.
Beach Reach on South Padre Island, Texas—students will provide a Christian witness to fellow college students with Beach Reach, as they serve free pancake breakfasts, provide safe rides for those who party all night, and share the Gospel with other students their age during spring break on South Padre Island.
MMS Aviation, Ohio—LETU aviation students will be directly involved in assisting with maintenance, modification, and repair of missionary aircraft.
JAARS, North Carolina —LETU aviation students will use their aviation skills to serve JAARS, a mission’s aviation center, by helping with the repair and maintenance of missionary aircraft.
The Master's Mission, North Carolina—students will spend the week doing general construction and learn how this missionary training facility works.
Colonia Outreach (Construction), Texas —students will serve with Buckner Ministries on construction and painting projects for residents in extreme poverty on the Texas border. Buckner has helped rural settlers move from spontaneously set up structures made from cardboard or canvas, to code approved, safe dwellings.
Colonia Outreach (Children's Ministry), Texas —students will partner with Buckner International to conduct a ministry outreach to children in the “colonias” by sharing the Gospel through story times, crafts and games.
LightSys Technology Services, Colorado Spring—students will use their computer and technology skills to work with this ministry by providing technical information technology support.
Dillingham Christian Youth Center, Alaska—students will work with local pastors in work projects during the daytime and spend their evenings in discipleship with teens at the Christian Youth Center. disciple junior high and high school students
LeTourneau University is an interdenominational Christ-centered university located in Longview, Texas, with undergraduate and graduate programs online and at education centers around the state. Academic majors include aviation, business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, engineering, health care administration, health science-nursing, human services, kinesiology, the liberal arts, the sciences and psychology. Claiming every workplace in every nation as their mission field, LeTourneau University graduates are professionals of ingenuity and Christ-like character who see life’s work as a holy calling with eternal impact. | <urn:uuid:31f4f275-4869-461c-8b51-c0090410ac77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://letu.edu/opencms/opencms/news/2013/SpringBreakMissions.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938308 | 658 | 1.65625 | 2 |
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|Energy savings at Trevira|
Following the introduction of an energy management system in July, polyester fibre manufacturer Trevira has been successful in gaining certification to DIN EN ISO 50001:2011.
“For years now saving energy has been of great importance to us,” says CEO Robert Gregan. “It has been an element of our management process, within the context of the environmental standard requirements. Now we have also integrated the demands of the international standard for energy management systems into our processes.”
Compared with cotton, Trevira says its fibre also takes the lead in ecological terms also in the manufacture of fibres and yarns – an eco-balance drawn up in 2011 shows better results for the polyester in 8 out of 11 categories.
Since the manufacture of man-made fibres is an energy-intensive process, it is necessary to establish specific methods to increase efficiency and energy management is now certified for the whole company.
Trevira is therefore in a position to continually exploit the potential resulting from improvements in processes or from technical progress, and increase the efficiency of energy it uses.
“Trevira has set itself the ambitious goal of once more cutting the specific input of energy by 10% of current values by 2020,” says Gregan. “Savings cannot be done for nothing, however, but require considerable effort and investment.”
A modification in production structure has provided shorter distances, and resulted in an improvement in energy requirements for logistics. In addition, roof surfaces at the Bobingen and Guben sites were placed at the disposal of operators of solar power systems. The Bobingen installation has been supplying the system with energy since 2011 – at peak times as much as 10% of the needs of the entire Bobingen industrial zone. The Guben site will go into operation shortly.
Copyright MCL Global 2013. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from ecotextile.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. | <urn:uuid:e017ea09-e2cb-4509-af2b-7c96bde790e7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sustainablenonwovens.net/index.php?Itemid=2&option=com_content&view=article&id=11493:trevbob&catid=124:news-free | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935715 | 477 | 1.515625 | 2 |
RSOI/Foal Eagle 2003
Foal Eagle 2003 began on March 3, 2003 and occured as tensions between the United States and North Korea continued to escalate. On the day before the exercise a US RC-135 aircraft was shadowed by four North Korean aircraft and was at one point painted by a fighters aircraft.
The exercise lasted until April 2 and took place at the same time RSOI which will begin on March 19 and ran through March 26.
North Korea announced in mid-February that if the exercises were to take place that the DPRK would withdraw from the Armistace that ended the Korean War.
Fort Riley announced on February 26, 2003 that soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment would deploy to the ROK to participate in Foal Eagle.
|Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list| | <urn:uuid:d9744a83-4872-4c3f-b87e-3ef33de5e75b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/rsoi-foal-eagle-2003.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986837 | 174 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Collective punishments are part of "negative" incentives that are used to reduce crime, military aggression, and other injurious acts. There is often a strong case for such collective punishment to deter harmful acts. Punishing the individuals or groups who commit these acts through police, armed forces, and the judiciary is the first line of defense against such socially harmful behavior. Sometimes, in addition, "positive" incentives are used to encourage the help of private enforcers. This is accomplished by offering payments to whistleblowers who report white collar crime, to spies who give information on the military intentions of potential enemies, and to individuals who provide information on wanted criminals or unsolved crimes.
In his discussion in favor of collective punishment, Posner uses the example of employers who may be held liable for injuries due to acts by their employees while performing their duties. Employer punishment is often appropriate for the reasons Posner gives. A less good example frequently discussed is the owners of bars who are penalized for automobile accidents or other injuries caused by persons who became drunk at their bars. Similarly, some states hold the hosts of parties partly responsible for any automobile accidents or other injuries caused by guests who had too much to drink at their parties.
I believe that collective responsibility in these drunk-driving examples and in many other situations is inappropriate because those being punished have little ability to deter the injurious behavior that is being discouraged. Can party hosts be expected to keep track of how much each of their guests has drunk, especially at large cocktail parties? That seems to me to an unwise use of negative incentives unless the goal is to discourage cocktail parties themselves. Otherwise, it is best to only punish the individuals who get drunk at parties and afterwards injure others. They are the ones who can best keep track of how much they drink.
It is easier for managers of bars than party hosts to keep track of the number of drinks ordered by different patrons. However, punishments to bar owners after serving more than say 4 drinks to patrons who later commit acts that injure others would give heavy drinkers an incentive to bar hop, and have their quota of 4 drinks at each of several bars. That might cut down the amount of heavy drinking since bar hoping is more costly than drinking at a single bar, but it also punishes heavy drinkers who take care not to drive afterwards or engage in different actions that cause injury to others. It surely would not make much sense to collectively punish the set of bars where patrons accumulate their excessive amount of drinking. So my conclusion is that in this case too the preferable policy is to only punish intoxicated persons who cause injuries to others, and not attempt collective punishment of bar owners.
To take a different example, parents should often be held responsible for harms to others caused by their younger children. Parents can discourage crimes and other anti-social acts of these children by the upbringing they provide, and also by the punishments they administer to children who engage in such acts. Since after a certain age, perhaps sixteen or eighteen, parents have much less control over children, parental responsibility for children's acts should diminish, and children's responsibility should increase as the children age.
At one time, children were responsible after the death of parents for any debts their parents left. Children were also punished for other anti-social behavior of their parents. This type of collective punishment has been eliminated by developed nations, presumably because children do not have the power typically to deter their parents from contracting debts or committing crimes. The only justification for such collective punishment of children in these cases would be that parents care about the children, and that caring parents would be less likely to enter into debts they cannot pay, or engage in anti-social acts, if children were held responsible for parental behavior. But such collective punishment to children would have little effect on selfish parents, and it would increase the suffering of their children who already are harmed by having selfish parents.
To take a different political example than the Lebanese one that Posner uses, should the German people have been held collectively responsible for the atrocities committed by Hitler and other Nazis? It was inevitable that many German people suffered from World War II, although bombing of Dresden and some other cities by the Allies was probably unnecessary. Collective punishment of leading Nazis was appropriate, as was the requirement that Germany pay reparations for property taken, for some of the damages caused by German occupations of various countries, and for the murder of millions of Jews, Poles, Russians, and other groups.
However, it would be more far-fetched to hold the German people responsible for the election of Hitler since he took steps to prevent the German people from voting him out of office. Moreover, people who voted for Hitler in the first place could not have easily anticipated the full dimensions of the horrors he would inflict on the world. | <urn:uuid:4fa3f76d-ec85-411e-bab6-29d60301e7de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/2006/07/on-collective-punishment-becker/comments/page/3/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.982994 | 961 | 2.9375 | 3 |
This week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged Congress to issue more H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The US needs "an immigration system that brings the best, brightest, and hardest workers to our shores," he said. His words echoed an editorial published last year by Bloomberg News headlined "Help The US Economy With Visas for the Best and Brightest."
Unfortunately, the phrase "best and brightest" has a slippery history. It's best known as the ironic title of journalist David Halberstam's book about the architects of the Vietnam war. And it applies in a similarly upside-down way to foreign tech workers, who, according to a study released yesterday by the Economic Policy Institute, demonstrate no more talent in important areas than similarly educated Americans, and in some cases may be less qualified.
The EPI study, written by University of California-Davis computer science professor Norman Matloff, compared American-born college graduates holding degrees in computer science and electrical engineering to their foreign-born counterparts. Controlling for age and education level, he found that the foreign-born workers filed fewer patent applications, attended less-selective American universities, and were less likely to work in research-and-development positions than the native-born workers. They were also no better than Americans in terms of dissertation awards or salaries.
There are, of course, reasons for this that have nothing to do with intelligence. More than 80 percent of H-1B visa holders are approved to be hired at wages below those paid to American workers for comparable positions, according to EPI. And because H-1B workers and green card applicants are locked into jobs with whatever employer sponsors their visa, they have less less leverage to push for raises and promotions. As Matloff puts it, "the worker becomes a de facto indentured servant."
Proponents of expanding the H-1B visa program like to argue that it'll help attract the next George Soros or Sergey Brin. And it might. But Matloff's analysis is the latest in a string of research to suggest that American CEOs really like something else about the program: the way it saves them money on labor. | <urn:uuid:33785d8d-147f-4e6a-9b99-d7ec18d6a57f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/02/h1b-visa-bloomberg-foreign-workers-smarter | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955938 | 444 | 1.96875 | 2 |
Making a loop in the wide turnaround, “End’a the line, fella.” the driver said to his lone passenger. Stopping, facing in the direction they had come from, “Rockaway Beach!” the rear door opened.
Standing, “Yeah, thanks.” Glancing at his watch, still thinking in civilian time, 3:43, he buttoned his coat, put his cap on, slipped the web belt of his sea bag over his shoulder and stepped down the two steps to the curb.
The cold wind hitting him, turning his collar up, he jammed the cap further onto his head.
Shutting the door, the driver put the bus into gear and drove away.
February 8, 1953 to March 19, 1954
U.S.C.G. Rockaway Lifeboat Station
He stood at the crest of an asphalt- and concrete grade that overlooked Brooklyn to the north, Long Island to the east and Far Rockaway to the west. Below, to the south, row upon row of white-capped waves furled out of the ocean, slammed onto the sand and rolled back into the dark green sea.
Except for the swarming sea gulls that hovered in the air and milled on the sand, the beach was vacant and, becoming lost in the mist in either direction, seemed to go on forever. The sharp cries of the gulls could be heard above the wind and crashing waves.
The wide street made a hairpin turn to the right, narrowed to two lanes, went down the incline, turned to the left, passed the station about a quarter mile below and went through the narrow, Rockaway peninsula for as far as Mitchell could see.
Dropping his sea bag to the curb, he put his gloves on, swung the bag onto his shoulder and started down the incline.
Still above it, he saw that three sides of the compound were fenced in six-foot-high chain link, and that the fourth side was open to the bay. There were three structures: a red brick, oblong, two-story building; a smaller red brick building; and a white, clapboard boat house.
Coming closer, he heard the whine of a high-powered marine engine and the sounds of men at work.
Opening the plate-glass door at the front of the two-story building, he stepped into an alcove entry. Directly across the wide hall was another alcove leading to the bay and work area. In the exact center of the bisecting hallways, in the high sheen, dark-blue linoleum floor, was the gray and blue Coast Guard emblem. To his right there was an up-going stairway. To his left was the closed door to an office and an open, small sliding glass window. Two men were in the office. At the far desk, wearing work blues, the younger man had the double red chevrons and crossed quills of a yeoman second class on the sleeve of his tunic. At the desk directly below the window, wearing sharply pressed khakis, the second man had the silver boatswains symbol on the point of one collar and the emblem of a warrant officer on the other.
As Mitchell approached the sliding window, both men looked up.
Letting his sea bag drop to the deck, “Hello,” nodding at the sailor, handing his orders through the window, “I’m to report in today, Sir.”
His eyebrows knotting over his dark-brown eyes—causing the young man to squirm under the man’s intense gaze—Warrant Officer Floyd Richard Ewing stared at the face framed within the window for seven full seconds before… Taking the envelope, turning away, opening it, removing the sheath of papers, he laid them on the desk and, “Holy shit, Mac!” he said. “Will you look at what they sent me!”
Standing loosely at ease, now bringing his head through the window, looking at his papers, Mitchell tried to see what might have caused the man to make that kind of an exclamation. “Uh, something wrong, Sir?”
Ignoring him, taking the papers, “Christ, Mac,” crossing the room, “just look at what they sent me for a fuckin’ replacement!” Slapping the papers on the Yeoman’s desk, Ewing pointed a stiffened finger to something on the top of the first sheet of paper.
McDonald glanced at the paper, then looked at Mitchell and, when their eyes touched, quickly averting his, “Yes, Sir.” he said to Ewing.
Smiling, his thin lips twitching, “I know what to do with his kind,” jabbing McDonald on the shoulder with his elbow, “don’t I, Mac?”
Answered with minimal enthusiasm, “Yes, Sir.”
“How do you pronounce your fuckin’ name, sailor?”
He’d only been there for about two minutes, certainly not long enough for this man to form any type of an opinion, to dislike him, yet he knew he did, but had no idea why. “Lipensky, Sir.”
“Well, Lipensky,” going back to his desk, “I’m Captain Ewing, and I’m the boss here!” His mouth twitching, “And you know what?”
Thinking the man was smiling, relaxing somewhat, “No, Sir.”
Hardening, his eyes made contact with Mitchell’s—who looked back a moment, then lowered his—“Your ass is grass,” Ewing said. “And I’m the fuckin’ lawnmower!” His stare stationary, turning his head slightly, speaking over his shoulder, “Who’s he go with, Mac?”
Looking at a clipboard, studying the roster, “210, Captain.”
“Who’s in 210?”
“Minnossa, Machinist Mate Three, Sir.”
“Minnossa and Lipensky, eh? Sounds like a fuckin’ vaudeville team.”
Looking at the chronometer on the wall, “1602… Looks like the Coast Guard can still get some work out of you before chow, Lipensky. Take your gear to 210, stow it and get into denims and report back to the bridge in five minutes.”
“Uh, the bridge?”
“Sir! Whenever you speak to me you say Sir or Captain! Here! You don’t understand English? This is the bridge!” Waving his hand. “Now get your ass in gear!”
“Yes, Sir… Uh,” pointing upward with his thumb, “210, Sir?”
“Yeah,” Ewing said facetiously, “seems like a pretty good bet that 210 would be on the second deck.”
Feeling a bit queasy in the stomach due to his reception at U.S.C.G. Rockaway Lifeboat Station, “Yes, Sir.” Hefting the sea bag onto his shoulder, he went up the one flight of stairs, turned right, then, noting the brass numbers on the doors, realizing that he was going in the wrong direction, turned back.
The second floor contained the enlisted men’s quarters with ten bedrooms on either side and one head at each end of the highly polished, blue and gray linoleum-floored hallway. The doors were open and Mitchell could see that nearly all the rooms were exactly alike: twin beds against the walls on either side of the room, with two three-drawer dressers and a window.
Room 210 was the last room on the north side of the building, in the corner, and this room had two windows: one overlooking the peninsula and the other facing the bay. As in the other rooms, the beds were tautly made with blue bedspreads with the Coast Guard emblem in their exact centers.
Ain’t too bad, he thought, real beds and… turning, he saw two closet doors, opened one, found it full of hanging clothes, government issue and civilian, closed it, opened the other and found it empty… my own closet, a great view and even cross ventilation.
Remembering Ewing’s order for him to be back in five minutes, dropping his sea bag, opening it, he rummaged till he found a pair of rolled jeans and a chambray shirt, then, digging deeper, felt for his work shoes. Kicking his dress shoes off, hanging his pea coat and uniform on wire hangers that had been left in the closet, he hurriedly dressed.
Glancing at his watch as he ran downstairs: 4:10. | <urn:uuid:4f538621-d3b8-4137-9146-7b67716a101c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewshortstory.asp?AuthorID=87241&id=51416 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97258 | 1,925 | 1.578125 | 2 |