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Team:ETH Zurich/lab/safety
Revision as of 22:56, 17 October 2014 by Eledieu (Talk | contribs)
iGEM ETH Zurich 2014
Medal Criteria
Data page
Gene Circuit and Parts
Used and Characterized Pre-Existing Parts
Our Favorite New Characterized Parts
Integrases
XOR Gate
Whole cell model
Parameters and Tools
Materials & Methods
Alginate Beads
Millifluidic Chip
Advisors and Instructors
Training Risks Safety Form
As part of our institution's guidelines, it is mandatory for every student to take the Safety Course organized by the department's Safety Committee. The course is held by Mr. Niels Buerckert, the biosafety officer at D-BSSE. In addition, all team members received the standard lab training from our supervisors.
The topics taught ranged from personal protection such as appropriate clothing when working in the lab, which includes wearing a lab coat, gloves, goggles, no contact lenses, long trousers and appropriate shoes, to general lab rules like no food and drinks (also no storage in lab fridges) and no smoking. Further topics included maintenance of a clean workspace, correct labeling and storage of chemicals and biological substances, and instructions on transportation of chemicals and solvents in the building (not in the passenger elevator but in the freight elevator and the usage of correct chemical container in a bucket).
We were also instructed to take extra measures when working with flammable substances (especially ethanol) and people with long hair were instructed to tie their hair back when working with a flame. We also received detailed instructions on handling substances with known dangers such as acids, bases, methanol, ethidium bromide, ethers, or ethanol, and the use of safety tools such as eye shower and fume hoods were introduced.
Furthermore we were instructed how to react in case of emergencies such as fire or accidents. We discussed different scenarios and correct behavior. Important phone numbers and contact persons were introduced. We learnt how to treat people with minor injuries such as cuts or burns. The importance of seeing a physician after an incident was emphasized.
Towards the end of the lecture, a detailed explanation for the correct liquid and solid waste disposal was given. To enrich the lecture photographic examples of bad lab safety were shown and in an active process the mistakes were elaborated and improvements suggested.
You can find out more about ETH safety guidelines in this file.
Risks of our project
Risks to the safety and health of team members, or other people working in the lab
According to the WHO bio-safety manuscript and the applicable national rules, the organisms used by our team belong to the category of Risk Level 1. Organisms of this level are considered as unlikely to cause human or animal disease.
Since all strains used and all those which are intended to be used in the future are harmless in terms of pathogenicity and toxicity, these organisms or biological parts do not raise major safety concerns. The work in the wet-lab is carried out in a S1 laboratory with conventional safety standards. Regular safety precautions such as wearing gloves, glasses and a lab coat to protect us are implemented. No bacteria are released into the environment and all material contaminated with bacteria was autoclaved at 120 degrees Celsius and 1 bar overpressure. All chemicals used for the project were collected and disposed separately.
Risks to the safety and health of the general public and the environment
All experiments involving live bacteria were conducted in an environment designed to contain bacteria. Therefore, there is no direct contact with the environment outside the laboratory and therefore, together with the fact that the involved bacteria are of biosafety level 1, our project provides no remarkable risk to the general public. Since all team members are following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), we are working on a good basis to prevent the unintended release and spread of bacterial cultures. Safety measures like autoclaving and protective equipment will mitigate the risks to the environment.
Measures to reduce the risks mentioned above
To avoid misuse by unauthorized people our lab is always locked when the last person leaves. No stranger can enter the building and the lab, since only authorized persons can enter our campus. Biological waste is autoclaved regularly. As we are appropriately dressed in the laboratory with lab coat (not taken outside of the laboratory) no potential harmful organisms can escape to the environment in this way. For additional personal protection everyone washes his or her hands before leaving the lab.
The risk of our project for the environment, public and also the people working in the laboratory has already been minimized when choosing the organism. As the E. coli strains used by the team belong to Risk level 1 organism no harm for human, animals and environment is to be expected.
Future Risks and risk-reducing features
The way our project is planned we do not intend any industrial, therapeutic, diagnostic or medicinal purposes or applications and so the organisms will be restricted to laboratory environments only. Moreover we see our project as a beginning or foundation and advancement will take time. Therefore it is difficult to envision scenarios where severe dangers are encountered in the foreseeable future. A possible scenario in the distant future could be that someone modifies our methods and biobricks and usea them with organisms/genes that pose greater risks than the system established here. As the team has only used standard molecular biological methods and protocols that can be conducted in any laboratory fulfilling at least safety level 1 we see no new risks to personal, environmental and public safety arising from our project becoming more popular.
The system is designed in a manner that it will be necessary to have a BSL-1 lab environment that confers to safety measures. In case our project would grow into a popular product and be used outside of a BSL-1 lab, we would include a kill-switch in our system to avoid their spreading of the microorganisms outside of the controlled laboratory environment.
Link to our safety form
Please follow this link to get to our safety form.
We thank our sponsors:
Retrieved from "http://2014.igem.org/Team:ETH_Zurich/lab/safety"
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Vereiste Elementen
Productie documenten
Vereisten voor de kortfilm
Vereisten voor de kortfilm How It Works
These rules apply to each participating group/production team.
The 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project Organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to the beginning of the Official Time Period.
Below are the Filmmaking Rules. Be sure to also read the official Competitiereglement.
Nieuw bij het 48?
A. Times
The 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project (SCIFI-HORROR) will occur in cities around the world on different weekends throughout the year.
The 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project will occur between a Friday 7pm local time and the following Sunday 7pm local time. This is the Official Time Period. (Days of the competition may vary in some countries.)
The participating group/team must complete its film/video work in time to deliver it to a location to be announced, on Sunday by 7:30pm.
Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition. All films received on Sunday (on-time and late) will be screened.
B. Creative Process
All creativity must take place during the Official Time Period (January 10-12). Any creative work in advance of the competition weekend is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
Rehearsing
Costume/Set Design
Outputting to tape or other media
Writing the script--may begin when official email is received on January 3.
C. Preparation
The only work to begin prior to the Official Time Period is:
Organizing Crew
Organizing Cast
Securing Equipment
Scouting/Securing Locations
D. Footage
All footage must be shot within the Official Time Period of the project.
Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the Official Time Period.
No stock footage or footage shot or created at another time may be used unless the footage is part of a post-production effect or on a background monitor, i.e., a television, as long as the team has rights to the stock footage and the stock footage is placed over or under footage that is shot within the Official Time Period. Allowable stock footage includes bullets, fires, explosions, chromakeyed backgrounds, etc., but stock footage of people or other performers is not allowed.
Pre-made sequences or compositions that are available to all via purchase or download are permitted if a majority of frames contain content (e.g., text or images) created within the Official Time Period. The pre-made portion of the sequence may not include people or other performers.
Still photographs are permitted, provided that the team has the rights to them. The photos do not need to be created during the Official Time Period; however, stills created outside of the Official Time Period may not be used in sequence to create the illusion of motion.
Permissible stock footage, permissible pre-made sequences, and still photographs must all be accompanied by a Materials Release demonstrating that the team has rights to use them.
Are stock footage and photos allowed?
Is animation allowed?
May we include our logo that was made before the filmmaking weekend?
What about special effects? What's allowed?
E. Kickoff Event
Each participating team must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project.
At the event, each group must submit a complete Team Leader's Agreement, signed by its team leader. A team may not participate without submitting this agreement.
Each group will choose the genre of its film in a random drawing.
F. Required Elements
Each participating group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a genre, a character, a prop and/or a line of dialogue.
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The required Character must be seen on-screen and it must be clear--either directly shown or by context--who the required character is. The Character name does not have to be said out loud or written on-screen.
The required Prop must be seen on-screen. A picture of the required prop is also allowed.
The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation.
To qualify as an Official Entry, each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements within the official time limit and prior to the credits.
G. Volunteers
All cast and crew must be volunteers.
Who are the filmmakers?
H. Animal Safety
Animal safety, like cast and crew safety, is an important part of 48 Hour Filmmaking. Films that result in the death or mutilation of an animal may be disqualified.
I. Cameras
Any type of video or film camera may be used. There is no limit to the number of cameras.
J. Music Rights
Participating groups are encouraged to work with a composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. It is permissible for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; however the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film and must provide releases for all music used. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them. Note: Song parodies (i.e., use of identifiable pre-existing compositions with new or altered lyrics or music) may not be included in the film without a signed release from the composition's rights holder. This rule applies without regard to whether the song parody arguably constitutes "fair use" under US or international copyright law.
K. Total Running Time
The finished film must be a minimum of 4 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 7 minutes in duration—not including end credits. In other words, the official running time begins after the required 48HFP slates and ends prior to the end credits. The required slates and the end credits do not count towards the minimum time of 4 minutes. The film story may not be longer than 7 minutes. SCIFI-HORROR reserves the right to shorten any film that exceeds the maximum length for screening purposes.
Are we allowed to have footage under our closing credits?
How long are the films?
L. Credits
Pre-film Required Slates
Before the finished film begins, the media should have...
5 seconds of black
A title card with: team name, title, genre, city, and date
The official 48HFP animated opening -OR- a title card with: This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project 2020. www.48hourfilm.com/scifi-horror
Your film follows this.
After the 2 seconds of black, some films start with opening credits. These are not encouraged, but if you use them, opening credits are considered to be part of the film, and therefore count against the seven minute maximum. Additionally, if your film has opening credits other than simply the film's title (for example, the names of directors, actors, etc.), you must include one of the following:
the text YOUR TEAM NAME presents immediately followed by a 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project or
the text a 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project immediately following the title of your film
Note: a 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project may be entirely lowercase (i.e., a 48 hour film science fiction horror project).
End Credits
Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. The 60 seconds is considered additional to the length of the film, as stated above. (That is, a film may be 7 minutes long, with an additional 60 seconds of credits, for a total running time of 8 minutes.) SCIFI-HORROR reserves the right to shorten any end credits that exceed the maximum length for screening purposes.
The end credits must include the words: This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project. www.48hourfilm.com/scifi-horror
Slates And Credits After The Competition
For any future screenings, online or otherwise, films should retain the pre-film title card that says: This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project 2020. www.48hourfilm.com/scifi-horror.
Animated Slate
Are credits in the beginning permissible?
Does the maximum length of the film include credits?
M. Required Media Formats
For complete submission requirements, check your city webpage. If your film does not conform to the submission requirements in your city, it may be disqualified. Also, if your film cannot be viewed on 48HFP equipment, it may be disqualified.
Unless otherwise instructed on your City webpage of the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project website, your film must be submitted on one of the following media:
(preferred) a self-contained SD Quicktime file with no proprietary codecs on either: a data DVD -OR- a USB flash drive
playable DVD
Have any of the movies been shot on film?
My file doesn't fit on my flash drive. What do I do?
Should we shoot in HD? Should we shoot in widescreen? Should we use surround sound?
N. Submission Notes
We recommend that each team submit two copies of the final film.
We recommend that you make sound levels relatively even throughout your film. (If your film has uneven sound or sound that peaks, it may be modified to protect the playback equipment.)
Projection specs vary from theater to theater and are beyond the control of the 48HFP. If your film is very dark, it may be difficult to see in your theater.
All films received on the evening of the deadline (on-time and late) will be screened, presuming they meet the eligiblity requirements.
O. Production Documents
Each team must secure releases for talent, crew, music and locations (and any other applicable releases), which must be turned in to the project organizers with the finished film/video. The film/video will not be screened before the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project Organizers receive the signed releases.
Release forms can be found on the 48HFP website.
Certification Statement
P. Certification Statement
The Entrant must submit a Certification Statement with his/her completed Entry, certifying adherence to all Official Rules.
Q. Eligibility
To be eligible for the Project, Entries must be the original work of the Entrant; must not infringe third-party's rights; must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent); must not contain obscene or pornographic material; may not contain defamatory statements about any person, company, organization or entity; may not invade privacy or other rights of any person, company or entity; may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations; and may not contain any copyrighted elements (other than as owned by the Entrant and/or SCIFI-HORROR).
Entries containing prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by the SCIFI-HORROR, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate will be disqualified. SCIFI-HORROR reserves the right to make the final determination as to which Entries are eligible. SCIFI-HORROR reserves the right to refuse to screen a film or to make an announcement at the screening regarding the content of the film. SCIFI-HORROR reserves the right to alter a film in order to remove or delete offensive or defamatory content.
Submission Notes
R. No Pre-Screening Distribution
The Entrant should not distribute their entry/video in any way prior to it receiving its official 48HFP premiere screening. This includes uploading the video to any website or screening the film for groups of anyone other than the team. The Entrant is encouraged to make a trailer of their film and distribute that instead. This trailer should be no longer than 48 seconds.
S. Official Film Entry
To be certified as an Official Film Entry, each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project Organizers reserve the right to screen only certified Official Film Entries.
T. Entries Not Returned
No Entries (media or documents) will be returned.
U. Disqualification
48HFP and Project Parties may, in their sole discretion, disqualify Entries deemed to be inappropriate or otherwise non-compliant.
V. Official City Winner
All certified "Official Film Entries" are eligible to compete for the title of "Best Film" of the 48 Hour Film Science Fiction Horror Project in its city.
Is this a contest and will there be a "Best of" selection?
48HFP nieuwsbrief
Evenement data • Film Tips & Tricks Nieuws • Recente winnaars
Belangrijk bericht: Copycat Disclaimer • Privacy Policy
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Champions Of Women's Sport
Forces News
GB Police
Netball / England Netball celebrates record ticket sales
Source: Eliza Morgan
England Netball celebrates record ticket sales
Jennie Powell
Following the Vitality Netball World Cup which took place earlier this year in Liverpool, England Netball has recorded its fastest and highest grossing ticket sales to date across two of its upcoming competitions.
Since the Vitality Roses; England’s elite netball team, won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and journeyed to bronze at a home World Cup in July, netball has been thrust into the limelight and allowed England Netball to enjoy significant ticket revenue growth.
After the Vitality Netball World Cup came to an end, England Netball went on sale with a new international competition; the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, which runs from 19-26 January and will see the Vitality Roses face world champions New Zealand, South Africa and Jamaica across four days in Nottingham, Birmingham and then London.
To date, over 21,000 spectators are set to travel to the Nottingham and London venues on three days of the tournament, all of which have completely sold out. The only tickets that now remain are for the second day of the series in Birmingham on Wednesday 22 January, which will see England take on South Africa.
Excluding the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup which was hosted by a separate organisation, the Vitality Netball Nations Cup is the fastest and best-selling event in England Netball’s history. Over 65% of overall sales for the international series were made on the first day of tickets going on sale, which saw England Netball processing up to 85 transactions per minute.
Fans snapped up more tickets on the first day of sales for the Vitality Netball Nations Cup than for the whole January 2019 Netball Quad Series, which in total sold 11,500 tickets.
Jess Thirlby, Vitality Roses Head Coach, said: “It is wonderful to see the netball family and those with a new found interest in the sport getting behind the Vitality Roses. These incredible athletes inspired a nation when they claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games and when they stepped out to a sea of red and white in Liverpool during the Vitality Netball World Cup. Their ability to capture the hearts of the country is made clear by the phenomenal rate at which these tickets sold and the demand that there has been for them.
“I don’t think it’ll be long before Birmingham tickets are gone too for the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, despite it being a week night, as it’s going to be an incredibly exciting series with it being the first time the Roses have played on home soil since the World Cup. Netball fever is spreading, that is evident by the popularity of this upcoming series and the support the squad received during our most recent run out and impressive away victory against South Africa. I hope it continues as I can’t wait to see our fans out in force in 2020.”
Not only has England Netball experienced growth in ticket sales at an international level, but also when it comes to the Vitality Netball Superleague, with 95% of tickets having already sold for the Season Opener competition on 22 February at Arena Birmingham.
This is an increase of 53% sold last year for the event, which is set to see all 10 teams come head to head to kick start the season.
Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, said: “It is absolutely clear that success at an elite level drives growth across many aspects of the sport and it’s hugely reassuring to see the successes of the Vitality Roses now filtering down to positively impact our domestic ticket buying audiences within the Vitality Netball Superleague. To capitalise on this success we are focusing a lot of our efforts on supporting and growing the Vitality Netball Superleague, which sits just below the international level of the sport. We want this to be the best women’s league in the country and to get more people engaged with the competition.
“Seeing that almost all tickets for Season Opener have sold means we are on the right track and that netball in this country has never been in a better position. We’ve been working with our venues to ensure as many fans as possible can see elite netball in 2020, with an additional 10,000 tickets being made available to spectators across all of our upcoming events. Looking ahead to the future, we’re already in conversations to ensure that we can continue delivering a fantastic experience for spectators in some of the country’s largest and most prestigious indoor arenas.
“I am delighted with how popular both of our upcoming events have been and I can’t wait to see it continue to grow.”
Remaining tickets for the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in Birmingham and Season Opener can be purchased via the England Netball website.
Courtesy of England Netball
Tags: England, Netball
Salomon reflects on loss to Yeovil.
Rugby League Round Up 2 August 2015.
5:55 pm 02 Aug 2015
The Women’s Premier League kicks off on Sunday!.
Laura Heredia & Giorgio Malan win gold.
Better coverage will lead to increased fan base.
9:33 am 03 Mar 2016
Women’s Football Results : 11 October 2015.
10:00 am 12 Oct 2015
Be a volunteer at EuroHockey 2015.
Emily Scarratt back for Atlanta leg of Sevens World Series.
12:30 pm 08 Mar 2015
Great Britain U20 Women fall on first night to Israel.
7:20 pm 02 Jul 2015
England Netball launch Nets.
11:21 am 27 Sep 2014
Opta Stats – Barclays FA Women’s Super League – 19th January.
England Women Announce T20 WC Squad And Summer Fixtures.
England take on India & South Africa at Hove in 2020.
Wasps name team to take on Bristol Bears.
Harlequins Women name final team before international break.
England Women Sevens squad named for Hamilton.
Team GB’s first week at Lausanne 2020 comes to a.
Scholes called up to Superleague squad for Thunder’s title defence.
Rachael Fee progresses through Team Bath ranks to Superleague squad.
Medal flurry for Team GB on day six of Lausanne 2020.
Jennie Powell. 17 Dec 2019
J. 17 Dec 2019
Great overview feels like I was attending the match
Neil Anderson. 08 Nov 2019
So proud of my daughter Dannielle Anderson and wish the England team the best of luck.
Jennie Powell. 06 Sep 2019
Huge apologies for the delay in getting back to you, I’ve just phoned Dartford FC and the match will be pay on the day, it would appear that you can’t get advance tickets. Sorry it has taken so long.
Huge apologies for the delay in getting back to you, I've just phoned Dartford FC and the match will be pay on the day, it would appear that you can't get advance tickets. Sorry it has taken so long.
Julian Thompson. 03 Sep 2019
* Storm's top three batters (Capt Knight, Sharma and Priest) banked 144 runs vs Vipers' (Capt Beaumont, Wyatt and Bates) banked 132. * Vipers' top semi-final bowlers (Bates + Bell= 4-45) took no wickets in the final match (Bell + Bates = 0-83) * Full credit to Capt Beaumont to lead Vipers into the final, having hit rock-bottom last year by finishing last. * Full credit to Capt Knight for Storm winning the trophy for a second time (2/4). * Looking forward to next year, Capt Elwiss accepted my good wishes for her 'Hundred' team.
Julian Thompson. 27 Aug 2019
On Stars v Storm, 1) full credit should go to modest New Zealand star Rachel Priest (89) who was out, three runs short of a century partnership with Storm and England captain Heather Knight. Two years ago, Priest was the KSL leading run scorer. 2) Having banked her half-century, Knight (51) departed with the score on 164-3 during the nineteenth over. 3) Stars run chase never really got going when South Africa's entertaining pair Lizelle Lee and Dane v.Niekerk were both removed with only 18 runs on the board. 4) England pairing Natalie Sciver and Sarah Taylor (who'd earlier taken a knock keeping wicket to Sciver's bowling) added 44 runs for the third wicket. 5) Clearly Storm are hot favourites for Sunday.
Jennie Powell. 21 Aug 2019
Haven't forgotten you am awaiting responses from both Arsenal and London City Lionesses.
Trying to find a link for you - will be back in touch as soon as I can.
Maxine Jarvis. 20 Aug 2019
How do we get tickets for the arsenal london lioness game in dartford
Continuing Growth For East Leeds
England women cricketers finish summer on a high
cricket England football hockey Netball rugby Rugby League Sevens Superleague Team Bath
We are a small group of sports fans who would like to see a little more parity in sports reporting. England women’s teams have had some wonderful successes in the last years and yet they don’t get the recognition they deserve. We would like to begin to put that right by making them the focus of our website. You can get in touch with us from this page or via twitter
Women’s FA Cup Fourth Round Draw.
Arena’s Chapman-Edwards and Carr make Box Cup finals.
6:05 pm 18 Jun 2017
Arena Boxing Club compete at Haringey Box Cup.
4 The Love Of Sport
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David Tennant >
Richard II: Is David Tennant The Finest Actor in...
Richard II: Is David Tennant The Finest Actor in Britain?
By Michael West in Movies / TV / Theatre on 18 October 2013
Follow David Tennant
David Tennant has proven himself on stage and television.
Picture: David Tennant Nativity 2 World Premiere held at the Empire, Leicester Square - Arrivals. London, England - 13.11.12
David Tennant turned in one of the finest stage performances in decades with Hamlet five years ago, now he and Gregory Doran have joined forces again for a gripping account of Richard II at the Royal Shakespeare theatre, where it will play until transferring to the Barbican in November.
Richard II is the start of Gregory Doran's six-year plan to revitalize the famous Bard's works though he may have peaked earlier with this lucid performance.
"Tennant delivers the plaintive, self-pitying arias with a scathing irony for the most part, flecked by tiny surrenders to abject panic - as though he were at once sufferer and observer of the tragic process whereby, when the royal persona shatters, it exposes the naked, insecure person underneath," said The Independent.
"David Tennant, in a mesmerising performance that grows in power as Richard's authority declines, also reminds us that the Royal Shakespeare Company is an ensemble that paradoxically needs stars," explained the Guardian's veteran theatre critic Michael Billington.
"With his startled eyes and concentrated frown, Tennant is frail, pale and consistently interesting but the nervous energy he excels in is confined to quarters early on," wrote the Telegraph.
"From the moment of its announcement this has been one of the year's hottest tickets," wrote Henry Hitchings of the Standard, "Tennant does not disappoint. He delivers a vivid, intelligent performance, at least as mesmerising as the best of his TV work."
Tennant, many fans' favourite Doctor Who, has been quietly consistent for years though his adaptability is astonishing. Before Richard II, he put together an assured string of performances as the troubled DI Hardy in Broadchurch and has signed on for Fox's American adaptation.
Richard II is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until to 16 November and at the Barbican Theatre, London, from 9 December to 25 January. It will also broadcast live on 13 November to cinemas across the UK.
David Tennant Stars In Richard II
David Tennant doesn't want hot Christmas
David Tennant's baby spent six days in hospital last month
David Tennant is a dad of 5
David Tennant is super 'nervous' about launching Good Omens
David Tennant wants Good Omens forever
David Tennant struggled with Doctor Who fame
David Tennant to become a father again
David Tennant told son Ty to 'always be on time'
David Tennant shocked by meaning of aubergine emoji
David Tennant Almost Played Hannibal In Bryan Fuller's TV Series
David Tennant felt like Derek Acorah in Fireman Sam: Alien Alert
David Tennant joins Mary Queen of Scots
David Tennant To Return As Kilgrave In 'Jessica Jones' Season 2
David Tennant Says Jodie Whittaker's Gender Will Be "Irrelevant" When She Plays 'Doctor Who'
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Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! Movie Review
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Mr. Poppy, an immature classroom assistant at a St. Bernadette's Primary School, returns with ideas...
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Movie Review
Aardman returns to hand-crafted clay-mation for this riotous seafaring romp. The film is almost too...
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The Pirate Captain, although relentlessly optimistic, has never won the Pirate of the Year Award....
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How to Train Your Dragon Movie Review
A winning combination of vivid imagery, snappy writing and a strong narrative lifts this far...
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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “World Food Prize”
Global Ag Innovation Program Launched
Cindy Zimmerman October 18, 2019
During the World Food Prize activities this week in Des Moines, America’s Cultivation Corridor™ announced the launch of the Cultivo Global Ag Innovation Program™ for startup companies and entrepreneurs. The new program will bring international start-ups to Iowa for a 10-day immersion experience, training and networking. “Iowa producers feed and fuel the world, making us the perfect host for the …
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World Food Prize Winner Announced
The 2019 World Food Prize Laureate is Simon N. Groot of the Netherlands. Groot has played an important role in enhancing vegetable production for millions of smallholder farmers, affording consumers greater access to healthy diets in more than 60 countries. The announcement was made at a ceremony in the U.S. Department of State hosted and presided over by Secretary of …
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President of World Food Prize to Retire
Cindy Zimmerman March 27, 2019
Ambassador Kenneth Quinn will retire as president of the World Food Prize Foundation on January 3, 2020 after 20 years leading the organization. Quinn made the announcement earlier this week at the Hall of Laureates in Des Moines during a reception commemorating the 105th anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s birth. “Leading the World Food Prize and endeavoring to fulfill the …
World Food Prize
GAP Report Says Ag Productivity Growth Too Slow
The Global Harvest Initiative 2017 GAP report was released Wednesday at the World Food Prize symposium in Des Moines, and for the fourth straight year it shows that global agricultural productivity growth is not accelerating fast enough to sustainably feed the world in 2050. “If agricultural productivity growth continues to decline, there will be significant ramifications for the economic vitality …
AgWired Precision, Food, World Food Prize
Agribusiness News Briefs
Cindy Zimmerman June 29, 2017
Syngenta has announced its new ambition and priorities following the completion of the transaction with ChemChina. The company aims to profitably grow market share through organic growth and collaborations, and is considering targeted acquisitions with a focus on seeds. The goal is to strengthen Syngenta’s leadership position in crop protection and to become an ambitious number three in seeds. Agricultural …
Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Syngenta, World Food Prize
Vilsack Receives Norman Borlaug Medallion
At a special ceremony at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines last week, the World Food Prize Foundation honored the USDA and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Medallion. Ambassador Ken Quinn explained that the Borlaug Medallion, which was created to recognize institutions not eligible to receive the World Food Prize itself, …
USDA, World Food Prize
Bayer Exec Keynotes at #FoodPrize16
Liam Condon, head of Bayer’s CropScience Division, gave the breakfast keynote speech at the 2016 Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium in Des Moines on Friday, bringing the future of farming to the overall theme of the event this year “Let Food by Thy Medicine.” “Food needs to be nutritious, abundant in supply, safe and affordable,” said Condon. “We all need to …
Bayer, Food, World Food Prize
New NAS Prize For Food & Ag Research
Joanna Schroeder October 17, 2016
During the 2016 Borlaug Dialogue last week in Des Moines, Iowa, an announcement was made officially launching the first National Academy of Sciences (NAS) prize dedicated to food and agriculture research. The new NAS Prize in Food and Agricultural Sciences, endowed in perpetuity by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for …
Agribusiness, Food, Research, World Food Prize
Kevin Folta Awarded Borlaug CAST Communications Award
Lizzy Schultz October 14, 2016
Dr. Kevin Folta was recognized as the winner of the seventh Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA), and was honored with the award at a World Food Prize side event. Folta gave a memorable keynote address, titled “Unveiling Our Halo – Building Trust with a Concerned Consumer.” Volta serves as the Chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of …
Ag Group, Award, Communications, World Food Prize
2016 Wallace-Carver Fellows Announced
Lizzy Schultz July 20, 2016
Thirty seven students from across the country have been confirmed for the prestigious Wallace-Carver Fellowship. The fellowship, made possible with the support of The World Food Prize Foundation and The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offers exceptional college students the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned scientists and policymakers through paid summer internships at leading USDA research centers and offices across …
Ag Group, Agribusiness, Agriculture Education, Award, Internship, University, USDA, World Food Prize
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Arlington Heights Civic Association
Home of Thomas Jefferson Park and Community Center, Arlington County Fair, Columbia Pike Library, Alice West Fleet Elementary, Montessori Public School of Arlington, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, the Career Center, Arlington Tech, and Arlington Community High Schools
Letter to County Board regarding Jefferson outdoor space issues
2019 Meeting Schedule
Meetings alternate between
Alice West Fleet Elementary Library and the
Public Montessori School of Arlington Library.
Meetings start at 7:00 PM.
Please check the newsletter for details.
The Honorable Jay Fisette
Chairman, Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 300
Dear Mr. Fisette,
At its July 19, 2005 meeting, the Arlington Heights Civic Association unanimously passed two resolutions requesting County action on issues related to the public outdoor space at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The first resolution requested that the County install lights on the track at the north side of TJ's athletic field and extend those lights on the footbridge that crosses Arlington Blvd. At issue is the walking track which circles TJ’s athletic fields. There was a strong feeling from those who use the track that it is unsafe because of the poor lighting. One young female resident spoke of being accosted by men hanging out on that portion of the track and feeling extremely threatened. At times there has also been a great deal of broken glass back in that area. Many of our neighbors use this track both in the early morning and evening periods to get exercise and stay healthy, but many more are frightened away by the complete lack of lighting and the safety concerns that it causes. We therefore request that the county take action to add lighting to the track so that this public fitness resource can be taken advantage of by more residents.
The second resolution we unanimously passed requested that the County examine the health and environmental impact of the particulate matter of the bluestone soccer field at TJ on the users of the soccer field and the residents whose homes surround the soccer field. A resident who plays soccer almost daily on that field said that he has serious concerns over his health and what the particulate matter and dust of the bluestone might be doing to the health of the players on the field and the people who live around the field. Over all the residents around the field have consistently expressed concern about the serious problem with the current field because of excessive particular matter, dirt and dust that is being thrown or blown into the air. Particularly on dry, windy days you can see a dense cloud of dust at a great distance from the field. When near the field on such a day, the dust has a noticeable effect on breathing. We therefore request that the County study these effects and make necessary changes in order to correct or mitigate any negative health effects that this field causes.
Adam Croswell
President, Arlington Heights Civic Association
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Review: The Universe in a Mirror by Robert Zimmerman.
May 7, 2009 By David Dickinson 1 Comment
NASA is going back to visit and old friend, one more time.
As we gear up for the collective adventure of the final (?) shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), The Universe in a Mirror: the Saga of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Visionaries Who built It by Robert Zimmerman serves as a fine look back at the history of the storied telescope, as well as a peek at where we might be headed. The tale of how Hubble came to be traces its origins back to past the dawn of the space age. Although much press, both good and bad, has been written on Hubble, much of its origin has never been told. The tale the author weaves in Universe is a fascinating look into the politics of NASA and how the telescope evolved over the periods of successive administrations. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Astro Culture, Great Books of Science Tagged With: astromony, hubble, nasa, repair, robert zimmerman, sts-125, Telescope, the universe in a mirror
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Next to the Sun, the two brightest objects in the sky are the Moon and the planet Venus. In fact, when Venus is favorably placed next to the Moon, it might just be possible to spot the two in the daytime. Another intriguing effect known as earthshine or ashen light is also seen in the image on the night side of the Moon; this is caused by sunlight reflected back off of the Earth towards our only satellite.
A mosaic of three images taken during the total lunar eclipse of December 21st, 2010. The eclipse occurred the same day as the winter solstice. The curve and size of the Earth’s shadow is apparent in the image.
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London Porter in the 1850's
I collect so much material that I often forget to use some. Like this rather good chapter about beer in George Dodd's "Food of London". I was so surprised that I'd not used it that I checked the blog a couple of times. Just in case I'd written something and forgotten about it (that does happen). No. Unless my searching skills are shot, I've never mentioned the book, save as a source for some numbers.
Time to put that right with a series of posts. Starting with some general bumpf about the big London breweries. And a few numbers.
"The great brewing firms have become almost 'household words' in London. A few of the breweries are carried on by descendants of the same families which established them in the last century. The following table presents the trade of these great houses in a curious light: the trade of a brewer being measured by the quantity of malt used by him, the following were the quantities, in quarters, supplied to fifteen of the principal brewers in the metropolis in three different years, at intervals of ten years apart: —
qtrs qtrs qtrs
Barclay & Co. 97,198 106,345 115,542
Truman & Co. 50,724 88,132 105,022
Whitbread & Co. 49,713 51,842 51,800
Reid & Co. 43,380 47,980 56,640
Combe & Co. 34,684 36,460 43,282
Calvert & Co. 30,525 30,615 28,638
Meux & Co. 24,339 39,583 59,617
Hoare & Co. 24,102 29,450 35,000
Elliott & Co. 19,444 25,275 29,558
Taylor & Co. 21,845 37,300 15,870
Goding & Co. 16,307 14,631 13,064
Charrington & Co. 10,530 18,328 21,016
Courage & Co. 8,116 11,532 14,469
Thorne & Co. 1,445 20,846 22,022
Mann & Co. 1,302 11,654 24,030
"The food of London" by George Dodd, 1856, pages 462 - 463.
Multiply the number of quarters by four and you get something close to the number of barrels that represents. Alternatively, here some actual numbers in barrels:
Output (barrels) of large London breweries
Barclay & Co. 330,528 382,047 419,430
Whitbread & Co. 191,040 185,084 173,311
Truman & Co. 199,486 314,474 401,863
Reid & Co. 154,631 187,722 215,255
Mann & Co. 101,899
“The British Brewing Industry 1830-1980”. T R Gourvish & R G Wilson, 1994, pages 610-612
Whitbread brewing log, document LMA/4453/D/09/024
There's one thing those numbers show - the rise of London's Ale brewers. The top nine were all still Porter brewers, but Charrington and Mann, both Ale brewers, were starting to move up the rankings and overtake some of the second division Porter brewers like Courage. By the 1870's Mann had almost caught the third largest Porter brewer, Whitbread, who themselves trailed quite a way behind Barclay Perkins and Truman*.
"When it is considered that two of the great breweries consume more than a hundred thousand quarters of malt each in a year, it may well be conceived that the working operations must be on a gigantic scale. These two are Barclay and Perkins's in Southwark, and Truman and Hanbury's in Spitalfields. The malt, the water, the hops, the fuel, the vessels — all are vast. For instance, Barclay's premises cover an area of ten or twelve acres, and have a boundary nearly a third of a mile in circuit; they require a hundred thousand gallons of water per day ; they have twenty or thirty malt-bins, each as large as a moderately-sized house; they have a porter-brewing room or brewhouse very little smaller than Westminster Hall; they have five copper boilers, each of which will contain twelve thousand gallons of wort or malt extract; they require six or seven hundred tons of coals in a year; they have many thousand square feet of flooring, on which the beer is cooled ; they have several square wooden vessels for the fermenting process, each of which will contain fifteen hundred barrels of beer; there is a tank, for containing the beer before barrelling, that, when full, would float a large barge; there are nearly two hundred store vats, the average capacity of which is thirty thousand gallons, and of some of them more than a hundred thousand — a quantity that reduces the celebrated Heidelberg tun to insignificance; they have seventythousand butts and barrels and other vessels, wherein the beer and ale are conveyed from the establishment; and lastly, they have two hundred of the finest horses in the world, to drag the clumsy butts upon the clumsy drays through the streets of the metropolis — horses, draymen, butts, and drays, being worthy of each other. If the working details at Truman and Hanbury's, or at Reid's or Meux's, were similarly noticed, we should probably find some of the items still more extraordinary than those here given. Messrs. Truman are said to possess four vats that will contain 80,000 gallons each, and store-vats altogether for 3,500,000 gallons. The store in spring has even reached 4,000,000 gallons at one of these vast establishments."
London brewing was performed on a massive scale in the 1850's. But it's just when that scale was ceasing to be unique to London. Burton's largest - Burton and Allsopp - were rapidly approaching the size of the biggest the capital could offer. Neither would those massive Porter vats be around much longer. The mid-1850's is when Whitbread's output of Keeping Porter - the stuff - aged in vats - fell into steep decline. It dropped from 53 brews in 1851 to just 13 in 1859, or 30% of all Porter brewed to 6%**. They brewed their last Keeping Porter in 1870 and the Porter vats were ripped out.
"'Thirsty Soul,' and other writers to the editor of the 'Times,' maintained an animated controversy in 1853 concerning the price of London porter. Malt was plentiful and cheap, and yet the great brewers charged as highly for their beverages as in less favourable years. It was obviously a departure from the ordinary laws that regulate price; and there can be little doubt that it resulted from the enormous power possessed by about a dozen firms which monopolise the trade. The London masses will have London porter; the London porter is associated with the names of only a small number of brewers; and thus the brewers have a formidable hold on the beer-drinkers. It offers a curious example — analogous to that of the 'Times' itself — of the growth of a mighty power, something akin to monopoly in aspect, yet all the time open to the influence of Free Trade."
The big London breweries - whether Ale or Porter was their main trade - continued to dominate London pubs until the 1980's, when the Big Six - three of which (Whitbread, Watney and Courage) bore the names of London brewers - dissolved into mist
I was intrigued by this "Thirsty Soul". It seems he was a frequent writer of letters to the press in the 1850's. I've managed to unearth some in the newspaper archive. Doubtless I'll reproduce some of them soon.
* "The British Brewing Industry, 1830-1980" T. R. Gourvish & R.G. Wilson, pages 610-611.
** Whitbread brewing records held at the London Metropolitan Archives, document numbers LMA/4453/D/09/044 and LMA/4453/D/09/052.
Labels: 19th century, barclay perkins, Charrington, London, London Porter, Mann, Porter, Truman, Whitbread
Why I've been busy
You may have noticed that, over the last 3 months, my blog posts haven't been quite as expansive or frequent as usual. There's a good reason for that. I've been busy with something else.
I've not mentioned my other project because, well, I didn't want to be premature. Rather wait until it was done and dusted, in case it all went tits up. I know, I'm paranoid.
Now that the manuscript has been sent in and all the images are sorted out, I feel comfortable telling you about my proper book, The Homewbrewer's Guide to Vintage Beers, due out sometime this year.
It covers British beer styles 1800 to 1950. There's a history of each style, followed buy a series of historical recipes. I'm not sure how many recipes will make the final cut, but probably at least 50 or 60.
I almost forgot the tables. Plenty of those, too. You can't have a book without numbers.
I'll let you know more as the publication date approaches.
Labels: homebrewing, my books
Potato Broyhan again
This probably what you've really been waiting for: how to brew with whole potatoes.
The description of the brewing process isn't specific to Broyhan. It's a general description of how to brew with whole potatoes. The author suggests any type of beer can be made using this method. Who will be the first to brew a Potato IPA or Spud Stout, I wonder?
To brew 24 - 26 barrels of 100 Berlin quarts [2,748 - 2,977 litres] at a gravity of 1045 - 1050º
12 bushels [346 lbs] pale malt
12 bushels [445 lbs] good, mealy potatoes which haven't sprouted
0.5 pound Irish moss
The earth is washed off the potatoes by repeatedly pouring cold water over them.
The potatoes are mashed to a pulp using a potato rubbing machine.
While this is going on, bring 960 Berlin quarts [1099 litres] of water to the boil in the kettle.
As soon as the potatoes have been pulped, mix the 12 bushels of malt into a thick paste with 360 [412 litres] Berlin quarts of cold water.
The paste is thinned slowly with another 840 [962 litres] quarts of cold water and then left to stand for an hour.
Meanwhile add the finely pulped potatoes slowly to the boiling water, stirring constantly.
After half an hour all the pototoes should be in the water.
Boil the water for a further half hour, stirring all the time to avoid the potatoes burning on the bottom of the kettle, until it becomes a thin paste.
Transfer the malt mash and the potato paste as quickly as possible to the brew kettle, stirring all the time, and leave for an hour at a temperature of 50-55º.
Bring the whole of the mash to the boil and boil for 10 minutes.
Transfer the mash to the Zapfbottich, stirring with mashing paddles.
Draw off the wort, returning it to the top of the mash until it runs clear.
Transfer the clear wort to the kettle, add the Irish moss and boil until the wort breaks.
Sparge the grain bed with hot water to remove the last of the extract.
"Der Bier-Brauer als Meister in seinem Fache" by A.F. Zimmermann, 1842, pages 63-65 and 105-106.
I assume the rest of the process is the same as for the potato-starch syrup version. The first stage where the potatoes are boiled to a paste sounds a bit like a cereal mash.
I'm not sure where you'd get a potato rubbing machine from. A large hammer might be a substitute.
Please let me know how it turns out, if you give it a try. Though, with the lack of hops and all those potatoes, it looks more like a recipe for soup than beer.
We still aren't ausgebroyhand yet. There's still Nordhäuser Broyhan to go. A bit dull, though, that one. No potatoes of any type in it.
Labels: 19th century, beer recipes, Broyhan, German beer styles, German top-fermenting beer
Tetley Milds in 1878 (part two)
No, I hadn't forgotten about finishing this off. Just got a bit distracted. The last 10 days I've been doing something rather important. But more of that at a later date.
It's time to look at the grists of Tetley's Milds in 1878 and those of similar London beers. Not that its going to be very exciting. Grists were, in general, pretty dull before 1880 for everything except Porter and Stout. Just loads of pale malt and the occasional dash of sugar.
Right, let's try and drag at least something out of the grists. Tetley's really are dead simple: pale malt with some colour added to a couple. I assume that's some sort of caramel colouring. Whitbread's go one step further down the simplicity path and are 100% pale malt.
Truman's and Barclay Perkins' are a bit more complex, including sugar as well. 19% in Truman's case, 14% in Barclay's. It doesn't specify which sugar, but my guess would be No. 2 invert. Both brewers also used white malt. As the name implies, it's a very pale sort of pale malt.
As there was so little to be gleaned from that particular field of grain, let's move on to the hops. Which are much more fun. What's the first thing you notice? Every single beer contains foreign hops. In the case of Tetley, it's always Bavarian hops, along with hops from various British districts. Mostly Kent, but also Worcester and Hampshire.
Bavarian hops also turn up in a couple of the London beers. Before I forget, Bavarian usually means Spalt. And in all but one Truman Mild, there are American hops in every London beer. Interesting, that. The other Truman Mild also contains Poperinge, that is Belgian, hops. Brewers liked those because they were dead cheap. Not the best quality, but cheap. As this table confirms:
UK hop imports 1864
source lbs Value. Average price per cwt
Schleswig and Holstein 129,024 £5,472 £4 15 0
Hanover 79,184 £4,408 £6 4 8
Hamburg 981,456 £54,202 £6 3 8
Bremen 690,928 £33,141 £5 7 5
Holland 1,043,616 £60,155 £6 9 1
Belgium 1,611,568 £66,198 £4 12 0
France 1,132,208 £56,380 £5 11 3
United States 5,334,000 £267,364 £5 12 7
Other countries 47,600 £2,543 £5 19 8
totals 11,049,472 £549,863
Kentish Gazette - Tuesday 06 March 1866, page 3.
Isn't this your lucky day? Three tables. You can see that the average price was lowest for hops from Belgium. I'm not sure why hops from Holland were the most expensive. My guess is that they were German-grown hops being shipped through a Dutch port. Note that American hops were fairly expensive.
How does that compare with the price of British hops? Make that four tables. I just happen to have details of that, too. And for the same year.
Price of hops per cwt. at Borough Market May 1864
East Kents £7 0 to £9 0
Mid Kents £6 10 to £8 10
Weald of Kent £6 9 to £7 0
Sussex £5 10 to £6 6
1862's £3 0 to £4 0
Olds £1 5 to £2 0
Essex Standard - Wednesday 25 May 1864, page 4.
The best-quality East Kents cost almost double the price of Belgian hops.
Of course, as a relatively cheap beer, Mild used cheaper hops than Pale Ales. They tended to have a high proportion of Kent and Worcester hops.
What next? Why the 1880's, of course.
Tetley Mild grists in 1878
Date Year Beer OG FG ABV App. Atten-uation pale malt colour hops
7th Oct 1878 X 1044.3 1012.7 4.18 71.25% 100% Bavarian and Kent hops
4th Oct 1878 X1 1048.5 1011.1 4.95 77.14% 100% Bavarian and Kent hops
13th Dec 1878 X1 1048.5 1019.4 3.85 60.00% 100% Hampshire, Kent, Worcester and Bavarian
10th Dec 1878 X2 1056.8 1018.8 5.02 66.83% 100% 19 gallons Bavarian and Kent hops
9th Jan 1878 X2 1060.4 1015.5 5.94 74.31% 100% Bavarian and Kent hops
9th Oct 1878 X3 1069.3 1016.6 6.96 76.00% 100% Kent, Worcester and Bavarian
7th Oct 1878 XX 1073.1 1023.3 6.60 68.18% 100% Bavarian, Kent and Worcester hops
3rd Oct 1878 XX 1077.6 1017.7 7.92 77.14% 100% Bavarian, Kent and Worcester hops
Tetley brewing record held at the West Yorkshire Archive Service document number WYL756/25/ACC1903
London Mild grists 1875 - 1880
Date Year Brewer Beer OG FG ABV App. Atten-uation pale malt white malt sugar hops
16th Jul 1878 Whitbread X 1060.7 1015.8 5.94 73.97% 100.00% English and American hops
16th Jul 1878 Whitbread XL 1069.3 1018.3 6.74 73.60% 100.00% English and American hops
17th Jan 1876 Truman X Ale 1062.0 1013.9 6.38 77.68% 81.09% 18.91% English and Bavarian hops
31st Mar 1876 Truman 40/- Ale 1068.1 1012.5 7.37 81.71% 80.80% 19.20% English, Poperinge and Californian hops
31st Aug 1880 Barclay Perkins X 1060.7 1013.6 6.23 77.63% 85.99% 14.01% Mid Kent, American and Bavarian hops
14th Feb 1880 Barclay Perkins XX 1079.5 1024.1 7.33 69.69% 85.71% 14.29% Mid Kent and American hops
Whitbread brewing record held at the London Metropolitan Archives document number LMA/4453/D/01/044
Truman brewing record held at the London Metropolitan Archives document number B/THB/C/156
Barclay Perkins brewing record held at the London Metropolitan Archives document number ACC/2305/1/579
Labels: 19th century, American hops, Barcaly Perkins, hops, Leeds, London, London Ale, Mild, Mild Ale, Tetley's, Tetley's Mild, Truman, Whitbread, Yorkshire
Bollocky beer history
It's nothing new, fantasy parading as beer history. This article is worthy of the worst beer history bullshitters (I'll name no names).
It's to do with the origin of X to denote Mild Ale. Imagination and conjecture seem to have been used in place of research and reason in coming up with the various theories expounded below.
"TOWN AND COUNTY GOSSIP.
A few weeks back the "Daily Chronicle" made a reference to the sign of X which by long custom has become the mark universally employed by the brewers of this country to distinguish a certain popular type of ale. The suggestion was made that the sign originated among the monks of Burton, who are said to have marked their casks with the sign of the cross as an indication of the origin and superiority of their ales. Mr. Matthew J. Cannon, F.C.S., in the "Brewers' Gazette," rather inclined to doubt this theory. He says:—"It is doubtful whether the theory that the monks of Burton employed the Christian emblem to mark their barrels would prove entirely sound on analysis. We know that in early English times the true cross form and the crossed diagonals both did duty for the same letter. But among the monks, who, far from being illiterate, were expert in the art of writing, the transition from one form to the other is not satisfactorily explained. If we are led astray by mere similarity in form or corruption of sign, other explanations of the derivation of X could be I found with facility. In mediaeval times the citizens of London were much exercised regarding the quality their ales. What would be more natural the brewers of those days than that they should demonstrate the quality of their ales by marking their casks with a representation of Walworth's dagger, the chief device upon the civic shield. Although these explanations may be incorrect, they convey a hint that the sign of X originated in the Middle Ages. If the antiquarian pursued his studies with assiduity, it is not unlikely that he would discover the origin of the sign among the wealth of writings which describe the domestic life of the early civilised peoples of antiquity."
"The brewing of beer did not originate in Burton, it was brewed throughout the land early Saxon times; indeed, the brewing of barley wine ante-dates the Christian era. There was corn in Egypt, and beer too, for the office of brewmaster was an honoured position in the King's household. Even in remote Babylonia it is yet to be proved that barley wine was unknown, nay, may have graced the board at Belshazzar's feast. The brewery clerk of those days might have found it easy to make two crossed impressions of his stylus upon the clay tablets, which then did duty as an invoice, for every measure of beer delivered. Or, in later days, when cuneiform gave place to the pictorial, the head of an ox, the aleph, the alpha, or beginning, would be a fitting symbol. The letters A and X are so far apart to-day that it is a purely fanciful speculation to attempt to trace any resemblance between them. But accomplished palaeographists are able to trace the transition from one form to another even in the most unlike symbols. Herein is ample field for study by the scientific inquirer into the antiquity of the mysterious sign of X. But it is probable that with much learning he must be led astray. After all, the sign may be comparatively modern, having its origin some common-place practice in the cellar, simple marks placed upon the casks showing different stages of the beer before it was ready to send out. But whatever explanation may be offered as to its derivation, it will still remain a puzzle why this distinctive symbol has become the representative mark of mild ale."
Derby Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 28 May 1912, page 2.
Two things are quite important here:
- I've never found X's used for beer names before 1800;
- X was used for other types of beer than Mild in the 19th century.
I'm pretty sure that X wasn't used until several centuries after the last monks had been driven from Burton. And as to it originating in London in reference to a dagger on the city's coat of arms, well, that's such obvious rubbish, I won't waste any more words on it.
Unless, of course, Mr. Cannon is taking the piss. I'm tempted to believe that when he talks about it possibly originating in Babylon. Based on what evidence? That they had writing of some sort.
I'm quite shocked by the final sentences. Yes, he said the term might be of comparatively recent origin. But as to it being a mark showing how close the beer was to being ready, surely someone in the industry must have known better. Afterall, there were still beers called XX, XXX and XXXX when he wrote the piece. It's obvious that the X's are an indication of strength, not readiness.
What is the origin of X's? I don't know for certain, but I suspect it comes from the period before 1830 where there were two tax categories for beer, Table Beer and Strong Beer. I know that barrels of Table Beer had (on orders of the Excise) to be marked with a T. X seems to have been the mark for Strong Beer. It could possibly come from the rate of tax - 10 shillings per barrel - on Strong Beer. Or it could just be an easy mark to make with a piece of chalk.
As I keep telling you, nothing's new. Not even crap beer history.
Labels: 1900-1910, Mild, Mild Ale, X Ale
Potato Broyhan
By popular demand, here's the recipe for potato Broyhan. Or at least Broyhan using starch syrup derived from potatoes. You'll have to wait a little longer for the one brewed from raw potatoes.
Let's start off with the author's description of Broyhan:
"The Kingdom of Hannover and the province of Saxony have been famous since the days of old for an unhopped Weissbier, whose inventor called it after his own name of Broyhan and this name has stayed with the drink to our days.
Broyhan (sometimes also written Broihan) belongs to the pale, cooling, thirst-quenching, sweet-sourish tasting, non-intoxicating malt drinks. It is seldom clear, cannot be kept long, turns quickly sour in the summer . . . . ."
"Der Bier-Brauer als Meister in seinem Fache"by A.F. Zimmermann, 1842, page 91.
Interesting that he describes it as unhopped. That wasn't always true. There were some versions with a small amount of hops.
Here he discusses the grist:
"For brewing Broyhan are variously used one part wheat malt to two parts barley malt, the opposite proportions, equally in other breweries a third raw wheat and two thirds barley malt. In times when wheat is expensive, it is often left out and barley malt alone used, and in the present day, where starch syrup is available and cheap, this is also used along with barley malt and it produces a stable sweetness, which doesn't change so quickly, as does malt sugar, through fermentation into a wine flavour, so mostly replaces the wheat flavour. I've even succeeded in producing, using my own brewing process which I have demonstrated on pages 123 to 136, a wort from half raw potatoes and half barley malt from which Broyhan as well as other famous beers of extraordinary beauty and stability could be made and I will try in this treatise to give the necessary instructions to this purpose and thereby highlight a greater profit for the brewing industry."
"Der Bier-Brauer als Meister in seinem Fache" by A.F. Zimmermann, 1842, page 92.
Note that this is one of those Weissbiers that wasn't necessarily made from wheat. This is the older meaning of Weissbier, where it means a beer made from air-dried, pale-coloured malt.
Now for the recipe itself. The text doesn't specify which temperature scale is being used, but, based on the pitching temperature, it looks like celsius to me.
To brew 30 to 32 barrels (of 100 Berlin quarts) [3425 to 3664 litres] of Broyhan with a specific gravity of 1045 to 1050º from barley malt and starch syrup.
24 Berlin bushels of barley malt [+-690 kg]
220 Berlin pounds of yellow starch syrup [102 kg]
0.5 pound of Irish moss
Bring 720 Berlin quarts [824 litres] of water to the boil.
Let the water cool in the mash tun to 30º, then add the malt and stir well with brewing paddles.
While mashing, bring more water to boil in the kettle.
Once the mashing is completed slowly add 1680 Berlin quarts [1924 litres] of boiling water to the mash, mixing in well.
When this is complete, the mash should be 50 to 55º.
Transfer the entire mash to the kettle and bring to the boil.
Simmer for a few minutes then transfer back to the mash tun.
Leave to stand for half an hour then run off the wort into the mash kettle along with the potato syrup.
When the grain bed appears, add boiling water to cover it to a depth of 6 inches.
Continue to run off the wort and to cover the grain bed with 6 inches of water every time it appears.
When half the sparge water has been added this way, the remaining half can be added at once, taking care not to disturb the grain bed.
Boil until the wort breaks. Add the Irish moss to the boiling wort.
Quickly cool the wort in a shallow cooler.
Pitch the yeast at 15º in the summer, 17-18º in the winter.
Paraphrased from "Der Bier-Brauer als Meister in seinem Fache" by A.F. Zimmermann, 1842, pages 98 - 104.
That's quite a high gravity for Broyhan. It's another of the watery Northern German styles, that rarely poked its head above 2% ABV. It must be a Doppel-Broyhan.
I suppose that's a sort of simple decoction mash. It sounds fiddly to me.
Labels: 19th century, beer recipes, Broyhan, German beer styles, German top-fermenting beer, Weissbier
William Younger's Porter 1851 - 1869
I'm not sure why I've never examined William Younger's Porter closely. Because there are some odd things about it. Very odd things.
First, that they couldn't decide on the brewhouse name, calling it both P and BS. The latter name, presumably short for Brown Stout, would imply it was a Stout. Then why sometimes call it P? And in terms of gravity, it's definitely in Porter rather than Stout territory.
The level of attenuation is very patchy, varying from 57% to 73%. The top end is what I would have expected. In the 1850's and 1860's, London Porter was 70-75% attenuated.
In some ways these Porters are very unlike Younger's other beers. The boils - especially in the 1850's - were longer. Their other beers were boiled for 90 minutes at most. The difference wasn't as big in the 1860's, but was still there. The pitching temperature of the Porters was higher - other beers were pitched at 56-60º F, as was the maximum fermentation temperature, which for other styles didn't exceed 70º F. Unsurprisingly given the higher temperature, the fermentation was also shorter, by one to three days.
In the 1850's, the hopping levels were similar to in London: 2.75-3 lbs per barrel. By the 1860's, they'd fallen to about half the level in London, where the hopping rate had remained constant.
I've been saving the oddest until the last: the grists. The percentage of brown malt is very high in the examples from the 1850's. So high that they must have been using diastatic brown malt, something that I thought had disappeared before this date. The pale malt percentage was more normal-looking in the 1860's, but the percentage of amber malt is very high in some examples. Note that brown malt had been dropped by then.
Other than the single example that's just pale and black malt, none of the grists look like English ones. It's all very odd.
William Younger Porter 1851 - 1869
Year Beer OG FG ABV App. Atten-uation lbs hops/ qtr hops lb/brl boil time (hours) boil time (hours) Pitch temp max. fermen-tation temp length of fermen-tation (days) pale malt brown malt black malt amber malt
1851 BS 1057 1017 5.29 70.18% 21.75 3.08 2.25 64º 73º 3 + 2 42.92% 32.45% 24.63%
1851 BS 1060 1021 5.16 65.00% 25.26 2.93 2.5 64º 73º 3 + 2 26.08% 59.14% 14.78%
1851 BS 1063 1023 5.29 63.49% 7.50 0.91 2 64º 72º 3 + 1 30.60% 69.40%
1858 BS 1052 1022 3.97 57.69% 18.33 2.75 2 61º 72º 3 + 3 56.95% 14.35% 14.35% 14.35%
1868 Bg 1046 1020 3.44 56.52% 8.00 1.45 3 61º 69º 3 + 2 92.25% 7.75%
1869 BS 1041 1017 3.18 58.54% 7.69 1.18 2.5 3 61º 66º 2 + 3 45.26% 13.69% 41.06%
1869 P 1048 1018 3.97 62.50% 2.75 62º 67º 2 + 1 68.80% 10.40% 20.80%
William Younger brewing records held at the Scottish Brewing Archive, document numbers WY/6/1/2/5, WY/6/1/2/14 and WY/6/1/2/21.
Labels: 19th century, Edinburgh, London Porter, Porter, Scotland
Water Splash Tragedy (corrected)
Martyn Cornell pointed out that I dentified the wrong brewery as owning the Lord Nelson in Barnet. It should have been the Cannon Brewery, not Taylor Walker. Taylor Walker did buy the Cannon Brewery, but after 1929.
Here is the corrected version of the post.
No, not the tragedy of water splashing into your beer. A real tragedy, one invloving two deaths.
People come up with all sorts of excuses to get off a drunk driving charge. This one is particularly weird.
"WATER SPLASH TRAGEDY
MEN POISONED IN MOTOR CAR.
DRUNKENNESS CHARGE AGAINST DRIVER DISMISSED.
The recent water splash motor tragedy near Shenley, Hertfordshire, where two men were found dead in a motor car, had sequel at Barnet Police Court to-day, when the driver the car, Victor Alphonso Mercihant, a general dealer, of Barnet, appeared on remand charged with being drunk charge of the car.
A verdict of "Death from misadventure" was returned at the inquest last week on the two men — George Smith and William Soul — after Dr. G. B. Egerton had attributed death to heart failure following exposure accentuated by alcohol.
Lord Strafford was tho presiding magistrate to-day, and the Bench included two women. Merchant pleaded not guilty.
LESSON TO MOTOR DRIVERS.
Mr. Levy, prosecuting for the police, said that the culminating tragedy of this motoring and drinking expedition, ending as it did in the death of two men, should be a lesson to all drivers to abstain from alcohol. On November 16th, 2.45 p.m., Mr. J. Stirling, garage proprietor, was at the water splash on the Shenley and Arkley roads, and saw a car coming towards him. He put his hand up to stop it, but no notice was taken. The driver, after various manoeuvres, went into the water splash, and it seemed to nose dive into it. The men were all laughing and joking. When a police officer arrived later he shouted to those the car, but as there was no reply he waded into water. The men all appeared to be in a drunken state, were snoring loudly, and were fast asleep.
When Merchant awoke he said to the officer: "We can pull in here for sleep, can't we?" He got out of the car, tried to run away and fell. When taken to Shenley police-station the divisional surgeon certified that Merchant was recovering from the effects of drink.
He understood defence that would be put forward would be that these men died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and that Merchant was suffering from carbon monoxide. He was drank at 3 o'clock, and recovering from the effects of too much alcohol 6.20 p.m. In a statement he made at the police station Merchant said that he and his brother intended going on a fishing expedition, but it was pouring with rain, they remained the Arkley Hotel, where two old friends — the dead men — joined them. He had two bitters there. Then they went to the Lord Nelson, where they had some more drink.
"I paid for four pints of mild ale," the statement continued, "and another man paid for four more pints of beer. After a time we all commenced to play darts, and I had no further drinks, but I think my brother and the two other men had some more. At 2.30 p.m., all left the public-house together, and to my knowledge my mates were all quite sensible and sober.
"SEEN THEM DRINK GALLONS."
"At the water splash I saw a big car stuck in the water, and tried to pass it on the left. I left the road, and got up on the grass, which was all under water. My brother started the car several times, but the back wheels skidded. While I was endeavouring to drive the car out I collapsed over the wheel, and the next thing I remember was being pulled out of the car by a constable, who said, 'I have been trying to wake you up an hour ago.' So far as I can recollect both side windows in front of the car were open. In my opinion, my friends were not drunk when we left the Lord Nelson. As a matter fact. I have never seen them drunk, and have seen them drink gallons."
When the plans of the scene of tho accident were produced, Mr. Vyvyan Wells, for the defence, challenged their accuracy.
Mr. Weymann, the landlord of the Lord Nelson, said the men were all jolly and lively when they left his house. "They were quite sober, he added.
Mr. Levy's application to treat Weymann as a hostile witness was refused.
Professor J. S. Haldane, whose evidence for the defence was interposed, said that after reading the report of the inquest he communicated with the defence, and agreed to give evidence. He had read a statement concerning a test made by Dr. Walters, of Middlesex Hospital. "It absolutely conclusive," he said, "that these men died of carbon monoxide poisoning. There is not the smallest shadow of doubt on the subject."
Questioned on tho comparative effects of alcohol and carbon monoxide poisoning, he said: "I don't think I have ever been drunk, but I have been under the influence of carbon monoxide." (Laughter.)
Professor Leonard Hill, whose voluntary evidence was also interposed, agreed entirely with Professor Haldane.
The charge was dismissed.
Mr. Wells applied for costs, but these were not allowed."
Nottingham Evening Post - Wednesday 27 November 1929, page 9.
I'm not sure what to make of that. Did the men really die of carbon monoxide poisoning? It seems unlikely, given that the car windows were open and the engine wasn't running. Sounds like a pretty pathetic excuse to me.
Even based on what he admitted to drinking, the driver would have been over the limit today. Two pints and Bitter and two of Mild is a fair bit, especially when you consider beer was a bit stronger then. The Bitters were probably at least 4.5% ABV and the Milds 3.6% ABV.
The Lord Nelson and Arkley Arms both seem to still exist. Here's the Lord Nelson:
Do you see what's above the first floor windows? Two cannons. Isn't that interesting. It must have been a Cannon Brewery pub? I have details of their beers from the 1920's. Want to take a look? Sure you do.
Cannon Brewery beers 1924-1925
Year Beer Style Price size package OG FG ABV App. Atten-uation
1924 PA Pale Ale 7d pint draught 1044.5
1924 KK Strong Ale 8d pint draught 1051.3 1011.7 5.15 77.19%
1924 X Mild 6d pint draught 1038 1008.9 3.78 76.58%
1924 Stout Stout 8d pint draught 1047.1 1013.6 4.34 71.13%
1925 Stout Stout quart bottled 1047.2 1009.2 4.95 80.51%
1925 X Mild 6d pint draught 1039.8 1010.4 3.81 73.87%
1925 PA Pale Ale 7d pint draught 1045.2 1010.2 4.55 77.43%
Whitbread Gravity book held at the London Metropolitan Archives, document number LMA/4453/D/02/001
The Pale Ale would be their Bitter. So my guess of 4.5% ABV wasn't far out. Neither was my guess of 3.6% for Mild.
Labels: 1920s, Bitter, Cannon Brewery, Mild, Mild Ale
Porter in 18th-century Scotland
A New Pub
Water Splash Tragedy
London Porter in Leeds in the 1770's
Plantation News
Potato Beer
Tetley Milds in 1878
Home Brewed again
Home brewed beer and wine
Home Brewed (part two)
Imperial Stout and Imperial Mild
Grätzer guidelines update
Home Brewed
Yeast map
London Porter in Manchester in the 1780's
Let's brew Wednesday - 1967 Eldridge Pope Hardy Al...
Agricultural Statistics and London Porter
London Porter Breweries in the 1830's (part three)...
Beer sold on farm
Boston brewday
London Porter Breweries in the 1830's (part two)
London Porter Breweries in the 1830's (part one)
1941 home brewed Mild recipe
Unpalatable Nottingham beer
The question of harvest beer
Beer prices (again)
A publican's takings
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William Boyd's Solo is a success as it assigns James Bond a new mission
The author has stepped into Ian Fleming's shoes and taken 007 in a different and, dare I say it, better direction
theguardian.com, Wednesday 25 September 2013
William Boyd's new James Bond novel Solo is a brilliant imitation that’s occasionally superior to Ian Fleming's prototype. Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
William Boyd will be pleased to have the successful launch of Solo behind him. Few of 007's missions against those sinister mega crooks – Dr No, Goldfinger et al. – could be as fraught with jeopardy as the invitation to pick up the dangerous mantle of Ian Fleming. As in the best classical quests, the rewards are mouthwatering but the penalties for failure excruciating.
Consider the perils he faces: we know Bond was born in 1924, which would have him pushing 90. An agent on a Zimmer frame with a licence to kill? Not plausible. Contemporary writers need to put him back into his prime – but do that, and you encounter another set of snares.
Fleming and Bond are inextricably linked in ways – xenophobia, male chauvinism, a taste for sadomasochism – that may give the contemporary reader pause, while Bond's world – the late imperial Britain of the 1950s, rightly identified by many critics as an elegiac version of an England from Fleming's youth – is now at one with Nineveh and Tyre. It's defunct, caput, irrelevant and irretrievably lost.
And all that's before, stepping into Fleming's shoes, the sorcerer's apprentice tackles the cheap, thrilling, glitzy vanity mirror of Fleming's prose. Enough said.
So it's good to report that Boyd has immersed himself in the character, the author and his oeuvre and come up with an Afro-American adventure that's triumphantly the equal of the great Bond adventures, Casino Royale and From Russia, with Love. In Boyd's novel, Bond is dispatched to a fictional west African state to track down its warlord, the Scorpion, nearly dies, and then pursues a score-settling mission to the US where he reconnects with his old chum and CIA man, Felix Leiter. It's not the real thing – how could it be? – but, dare one say, a brilliant imitation that's occasionally superior to the prototype. For the moment, the predators in the shark/alligator pool can stop circling. Dr No, Goldfinger et al. have met their match. Boyd IS Bond.
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bigwesternflavor
Demo Sweat #15
I saw the very tail end of a Baby Robots show and was impressed enough to snare a CD; they do a better job than most of one-chord jamming "monorail rock" due to good command of sounds. Probably Portions & Fortunes is interesting, definitely worth a few listens, for its fun depth even in a low-budget context. The running water on the sound piece "Eva Mendez Rehab Stint" might be a cliché but it does remind of a certain kind of Austin rainfall, which gives it local character. Sadly Bobby Baker's ear for production and instrument tone choices doesn't extend to songwriting; the only two good proper songs on Portions are covers and they're not well-rendered ones at that. The "Some Kinda Love" here sounds like a random tribute to several Velvet Underground songs at once, and not coincidentally all ones that don't overemphasize instrumental acuity. Band support the whole way through is patchy, with the bass particularly suspect.
King of the Air, the nascent rock project of one Harrison Palmer, has the outward trappings of the sort of clueless no-fi projects I hate on frequently: dreadfully timed fake bass and drums, songs that force their few ideas several minutes past their natural stopping points, and vocals that to put it mildly are erratic in their relationship to pitch. But close examination (perhaps using headphones as his MySpace mildly suggests) reveals some genuine talent at work here: guitar parts though simple are intelligently employed and the vocal melodies, such as they are, have attractive rhythms and original lyrics. "Blindside" very deftly uses a hip-hop beat with guitar changes that give the verses, chorus, and bridge clear definition from one another even though the drums are a basic loop all the way through. Harrison needs more songwriting reps, and to save extended experimental arrangements until he has a band to contribute to them. "Outerplace" is a halfway decent three-minute modern rock song but it bleeds on for another minute and a half of nonsense. And the vocals need a ton of work. Marble-mouthed, they don't have much melodic variation -- and the melodies as written aren't what he's singing most of the time, either. He has a certain raspy resemblance to Will Johnson but not his skill in writing just so to suit his voice. Anna C. says most people just won't be able to listen past his bad singing.
I like the lead singer from The Sabotage Manual quite a bit. So does Anna: "Like James Hetfield, only more melodic," if James Hetfield were singing older-school pop-punk. The good voice, and a few flashy guitar links, are about all they've got going. The songs are way too four-on-the-floor to allow the bassist and the drummer anything but the most basic patterns and it's evident from his leads the guitarist is capable of much more nuanced writing. "Civil Disobedience" is a straight jack of Zep's "Heartbreaker." Daniel Whittington is a white guy with a beard who sings songs about gypsies. His music sounds exactly like you think it does. Whittington's generic, opaque lyrics and stiff delivery reminded my roommate Kalyn of William Shatner. Rudimentary "here's G, here's C, here's D" songwriting and pedestrian rhythms ("Simple" is indeed so, exactly as simple as "Knockin' on Heaven's Door") are not sufficient source material; the backing musicians carry no blame for these recordings' general crappiness.
The most interesting thing about Jacob Shelton that I know so far is that his screen name (so to speak) on bandcamp is Rad Wolf. Now, that would be an excellent name for a band. I think I would be excited to hear the music of a group called Rad Wolf. However, Shelton's album Stay Home bears his own name on the cover. Perhaps he should consider removing it. It's a deathly ponderous collection of drib-drabbing piano notes and circular guitar half-parts that doesn't have a single interesting melody. The average song on the collection makes its point some one-fourth or so through its running length. And a couple tracks are five or six minutes! I try to listen to every scrap that people send me, within reason, but this qualifies as wasting my time. Already I have spent more time thinking about this music than Shelton did making it. Anna agrees: "This isn't really music." Kalyn postulated that perhaps he listened to Explosions in the Sky for a couple of weeks straight, got really excited, and thought he could quickly do the same thing alone on his four-track with no preparation whatsoever. There could be some fodder for remixes here (or maybe tones to be played during yoga) but the recording isn't particularly good and the sound of fingers scratching on guitar strings is loud and distracting.
The Daily Brothers' "Cocaine Blues" begins as just noise, tons and tons of senseless, un-arranged overdubs blaring over bad acoustic guitar playing. Then the deluge pulls back and a ridiculously primitive folk-parody pastiche emerges, about 60% of the words of which are "cocaine." It's awful beyond belief, but it also is so simple and obnoxious and annoying and kind of awesome that I am certain I will remember it more clearly and for longer than any of the other new music I listened to this week. Also, it's not a blues.
The monumentally terrible Rico's Gruv are. In fact this is music so dumb that only the musicians' steadfast belief that they are real blues makes it all interesting. The lyrics to "Come On Down" have a brutal lack of sense and style to them; so much so that you sort of feel sympathy. Hilarious, all unintentionally so, but still. I am trying not to share the ill will that many Austin musicians who don't play traditional styles bear towards those who do. There are great original musicians playing blues and country in Austin, and there are great experimental/electronic/performance art/mime bands (I'm sure) as well. There's a bit more of a built-in market for people playing familiar popular styles, even if they don't do it all that well. I find this curious, but I don't resent it. As far as Rico's Gruv are concerned... wow, this is just some terrible music. Imagine playing exactly the same song every time out, only at slightly different tempos. And seriously, check out those lyrics. I can't do them justice in a pullquote.
Rapper C.H.A.R.M. has many unlikable qualities -- his defensive, slur-heavy ad libs are a big turn-off, his bold insistence that he's seen it all at 25 is pretty ridiculous, and his repeated pleas to record labels to sign him are both craven and clueless (dude, it's 2010 -- what's a record label?). I respect that from his perspective he's representing a particular culture, that of the Rio Grande Valley, that doesn't exactly boast a lot of superstar voices. And that it's his personal stories he's telling in his typically violent ("My Beer Bottle Is a Weapon," "1, 2, 3 Better Run") and boastful ("Lyrical Miracle," "Letter to the Majors") rhymes. But despite varied flows and strong freestyle skills, he's not doing anything distinctive -- his beats are strictly early 90's Dre, downtempo, stripped-down melodies and tight snare hits, other than a Ruff Ryders nod on "1, 2, 3." C.H.A.R.M. could get away with the throwback style if he had any new perspective to bring to the game. Not so much. He'd better rep Texas if he didn't waste his original flows over beats that could be from anywhere. And like most musicians he would surely benefit from a broader array of listening (and reading) material.
Plebeian are the third band I have to call out today for too obvious a lift. "Chicago" is Radiohead's "2 + 2 = 5," and it's not particularly well-hidden. Their affection for Muse is also obvious (as it always is). But (and I'm little surprised to be saying this) they're a Muse-influenced band that doesn't totally suck. They know how to lay back at points, and Hunter Mischnick plays a lot with offbeats on the guitar, pleasant breaks from all the sincere rock urgency. As a writer Mischnick has commendable range but needs still to work on blending more than one flavor at once; the band's songs have a tendency to sound like someone's iTunes skipping. Bass and drums are consistently cool thanks largely to the songwriting, which gives them space to be so. The use of keyboards and electronics is also varied from a light touch (tiny bits of anachronistic sounds, a la Soul Coughing) to full-on dance tracks ("Tonight Our True Story" uses sequenced instruments and speech samples intelligently and effectively). "Relumination" goes full-out pop and would almost pull it off, were it not for lyrics not quite up to the increased focus the big melody throws on them. A lot of good ideas, none fully realized; I'm pleased the band is back as an active concern after some time off.
Posted by Western Homes at 4:32 PM
Western Homes
Share. The. Rock.
I moved from Colorado to Austin with Anna C. a little over a year ago. For a while I tried to get "into" the Austin music scene by being brutally honest about everything, which won me some respect but not a lot of friends. The blog was all about me, really, and that's the worst thing anything related to music can become. Recently I've realized that local music is all about having an awesome time with people you care for, so I'm retired from withering criticism. If you send me your band's CD, I'll still listen to it. I'm also available to write band bios. My e-mail address remains westernhms@gmail.com. Facebook. Twitter. Last.fm.
Amplified Heat
Blue Kabuki
Bubbleface
Ditch the Fest Fest
The Eastern Sea
Follow That Bird!
For Hours and Ours
FreshMillions
The Gary
A Giant Dog
Good Lazy System
J. Wesley Haynes Trio
Hidden Ritual
La Snacks
paperthreat
Pataphysics
Nathan Payne
Red Leaves
Ringo Deathstarr
The Sour Notes
STEREO IS A LIE
We'll Go Machete
Bee Sting Sessions
The Boxing Lesson
The Cocker Spaniels
Leatherbag
Love at 20
Pete Minda
Magic Hero vs. Rock People
Monument to No One
Mostly Dead
Quiet Company
Rich Restaino & The Obits
Ukemi
Watch Out for Rockets
Invincible Czars
The Midgetmen
Nick Nack
Soundfounder
World Racketeering Squad
Austin Music Columns
Free Week 2011 IV
Free Week 2011 III
Free Week 2011 II
Free Week 2011 I
Recording News: September
Demo Sweat #9
Austin Free Week
Experimental Music
Twitter / bigwestern
Listmaking
Weeks in Shows
Rhinovirus!
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Outside Mullingar, by John Patrick Shanley. Directed by Karen Allen. Reviewed by J. Peter Bergman.
"The fruit still looks good when the worm goes to work."
When two generations of contentious Irish families come together for a funeral you can depend on this fact: realities, seen from four points of view, are bound to clash and provoke some curious interactions. They may not be funny, but they will be amusing. In John Patrick Shanley's un-romantic comedy, Outside Mullingar, currently on stage at the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, MA this theory is made reality nightly.
James McMenamin and Shannon Marie Sullivan; photo: Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware
In Shanley's play Rosemary Muldoon and her neighbor Anthony Reilly have been fighting ever since he pushed her over when she was six years old. She has taken a strip of his family's land and forced an uncomfortable entry into their home and for thirty-six years they've been at it. His father, Tony, doesn't approve of his son's choices in life and plans to cut him out of his natural inheritance. Her mother dislikes Rosemary's attitudes but supports her difficult stance on the neighbor-boy's meanness. At least that is how things seem when Aiofe Muldoon accepts a drink after her husband's funeral from their neighbors. But she won't drink from a Reilly glass because of a personal distaste.
But the generations pass and within an hour of stage time (a year in fact) both of the older generation have passed away leaving the very adult children to deal with the legacies of land and relationships. The play had a very limited Broadway run in 2014 and is making its way through regional theaters (It was seen at the Dorset Theatre Festival in 2015).
A Comedy of Many Errors
Jeffrey DeMunn as Tony, Deborah Hedwall as Aiofe Muldoon; photo: Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware
For the older generation things seem to be staying as they've always been with the exception of Tony's need to disinherit his unsatisfactory son. Jeffrey DeMunn delivers a dynamite performance as the old man whose health is fading and whose death will correct many of the errors of his relationship with the boy he has studiously avoided loving because of an inadvertent resemblance to his wife's father, a Kelly. DeMunn is charming even in his lack of affection for Anthony and in his night-before-death scene Tony warms into the man he should always have been. It is a most affecting scene to witness as Anthony tries to settle his score with his father while Tony attempts to override his objections to a younger man who has always disappointed him. Their resolution is nothing short of heart-warming and moving.
With an all too distinct Irish accent Deborah Hedwall delivers a strong picture of an aging Irishwoman, a perfect farmers wife, who believes she understands her difficult daughter and whether or not she does, she will support the girl's decisions unflaggingly. Hedwall seems so authentic I had difficulty understanding some of her lines, but midway through the first scene I became accustomed to her patterns and would attest to the fact that she gave a performance nothing short of the Abbey Theatre. She hasn't been given the advantage of a final scene such as DeMunn's which is a shame for it would have been fascinating to watch her way through the finalities her character deserves.
Shannon Marie Sullivan as Rosemary Muldoon; photo: Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware
As good as the older couple of actors are, the lengthy final scene is left to the younger actors. James McMenamin as Anthony has many secrets to reveal in a long, drawn out series of confessions which he plays with a naturalness that is beautiful to watch. Director Karen Allen has endowed this actor with the right to act less and "be" more and he has taken this in stride and plays his role with strength and beauty.
Shannon Marie Sullivan doubles him in reality-playing. She is simply divine in this role and as she softens we finally understand her take on things in the earlier scene with her mother and his father. Rosemary is a woman of conviction and Sullivan gives it her all. Brava!
Allen's direction is straightforward and honest and it works very well, her best work in this area yet. She is aided by a fascinating set designed by John McDermott, perfect costumes by Carissa Kelly and fine lighting design by Shawn Boyle. Come to think of it, perhaps this is the American Abbey Theatre Company. Even for Scott Killian, composer and sound designer, this is a comfortable crew to work with. And it's a good, good show.
Outside Mullingar plays at the Berkshire Theatre Group's Unicorn Theatre, 6 East Street, Stockbridge, MA through July 13. For information and tickets go to www.berkshiretheatregroup.org or call the box office at 413-997-4444.
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World-Sized Robot
The Internet of Things Will Be the World’s Biggest Robot.
Like many tech neologisms, I’ve often found “IOT” frustratingly vague. Schneier distills it down to its essence and paints a wonderful picture of how might apply to our lives in the very near future.
I suggest not watching Ex Machina too soon after reading his post.
Daring to Dream
The last time Northern Ireland qualified for a major football tournament, I looked like this.
It was 1986. As I sat in Windsor Park’s Railway Stand, watching a warm up game for the Mexico World Cup, I had no idea that the green and white rosette I wore would fall out of fashion faster than my beloved team would tumble down the FIFA world rankings throughout the next 30 years.
Since then, we’ve not come close. We’ve had to console ourselves with moral victories (one-off wins against England and Spain), whose points were ultimately worth nothing in our attempts to reach a World Cup or European Championships.
Away trips have been more about seeing a new European city, having a laugh and being an ambassador of sorts, rather than footballing success. To date, I’ve only witnesed a single victory on foreign soil.
These were games where even a single goal was something to be celebrated, regardless of the result. Even at home, a David Healy tap-in during a 4-1 defeat to Norway caused jubilation in the Kop stand – it was the first the team had scored in over 20 games.
Our ability to get behind the team and with typical Northern Irish humility, expect so little, yet remain so hopeful, is what’s kept us going.
That’s precisely what makes today seem so special, and so strange. At the end of an unnervingly consistent campaign, a win against Greece would send the Green and White Army to the European Championships for the first time in history.
That wee boy from the ‘86 Railway Stand ended up straying a bit further from home than he’d ever intended. If anybody needs him this afternoon, he’ll be in The Local, hopefully celebrating.
Now where in Minneapolis could I buy myself a new rosette? Perhaps it’s time they too made a comeback.
My Linux Rig
It’s an honour to feature on My Linux Rig this week.
Steven does such a great job curating these interviews. His site appeals not only to the Linux geek in me, but also to the part that’s just fascinated by the idea of computers as customizable, essential tools for getting things done.
Plastic Pitches
As a kid, I grew up dreaming of some day playing football at Wembley. I didn’t want fame or fortune, I just wanted to strut my stuff on what I knew was the best surface available. Making do with cul-de-sacs, parks and church halls, my one school trip to Wembley didn’t put me anywhere near the hallowed turf itself.
These days I have easy access to plastic pitches that young me would never have dreamed possible. My local New England Revolution produce an attractive, often successful style of passing football on FieldTurf.
It’s time to destigmatize plastic pitches.
Football Cheat Sheets
Behind every great football match is a great commentator, and in front of every commentator is a set of notes. BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes and NBC Sports’ Arlo White have some of the best—and most unique—in the business.
And Barnes’ notes in particular are strangely, incredibly beautiful. Well worth a look.
Communities Over Corporations
Dan Gillmor says he’s putting more trust in communities than corporations.
If too few people are willing to try, though, the default will win. And the defaults are Apple, Google and Microsoft.
I’ve been gradually moving away from Google in particular over the past year. My mail is now on Fastmail, my calendar on Outlook.com (I’m less convinced that Microsoft remain a “default”), whenever possible my OS is some flavour of Linux, and I love to build my own PCs. It’s not the easy path, but it’s definitely worthwile and rewarding.
Green and White Army
Proud of my new found status as the first to ever tweet the #gawa hashtag.
TRIVIA - @brianrainey was the first person to tweet the hashtag #gawa in March 2009 --> http://t.co/QpYYMVIHqN
— Our Wee Country (@ourweecountry) February 14, 2015
Hypercritical
International Master Jeremy Silman on how the perception of one of his best known chess books was altered in the age of strong chess computers:
Chess engines and databases weren’t around when I wrote that book (the same goes for the early editions of How to Reassess Your Chess), and I was using pen and paper, with a chess set on the table.
As a result, the Amateur’s Mind was filled with errors. And, of course, once chess engines were a dime a dozen, the know-it-alls not only gleefully pointed this out, they claimed the book was terrible due to those mistakes.
But, that’s completely wrong. The Amateur’s Mind is an exceptionally instructive book, and like all my work, it’s about concepts that will help most amateurs improve their chess understanding.
That potentially destructive urge to be “right” above all else, recently reared its head when a now infamous Harvard professor chose to relentlessly bully a small Chinese restaurant over a billing error.
A recent Wired article, “It’s Actually Smart to Be Mean Online”, attempts to explain:
… a psychologist at Central Michigan University, took a group of 117 students (about two-thirds female) and had them watch a short movie and write a review that they would then show to a partner. Gibson’s team told some of the reviewers to try to make their partner feel warmly toward them; others were told to try to appear smart. You guessed it: Those who were trying to seem brainy went significantly more negative than those trying to be endearing.
Why does this bias exist? No one really knows, though some theorists speculate it’s evolutionary. In the ancestral environment, focusing on bad news helped you survive.
So are all attempts to appear intelligent and nice doomed to failure? Against the odds, I’m determined to try!
As a Netrunner fan and general efficiency geek, I’ve never been too happy with the workflow whenever I’m reading some Netrunner forum, see a card name, copy that text, paste it in to netrunnerdb.com, see the card in a new tab … you get the idea.
Special order is a Firefox Addon that aims to simplify the process. After installing, just highlight a card name on any web page, watch the toolbar icon light up (blue for Corp, red for Runner) then click the button to see the card.
It’s an easy one-click install over at addons.mozilla.org.
Version 1.0 includes support for common acronyms (APP > AstroScript Pilot Program), synonyms (Andy > Andromeda), misspellings (Quandry > Quandary) and depluralization (Plascretes > Plascrete Carapace).
This is my mum’s “go to” cake. Easy and tasty.
8 oz self raising flower
8 oz soft butter
Have the butter soft; ideally left out overnight. Cream it together with the sugar then add the remaining ingredients and combine well without beating too much. Divide the mixture between 2 cake tins (8.5 x 8.5 or so). Bake in the oven at 180 ºC (350 fahrenheit) for approximately 25 minutes. Let the halves cool, then sandwich them together with jam (or fruit) and cream.
I'm Brian Rainey. Born and bred in Norn Iron, I somewhere along the way fell for a girl and ended up in Apple Valley, Minnesota. I work at Oracle and think robots are cool.
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Net Neutrality Big Focus of House Oversight Subcommittee Hearing, With Stark Partisanship
Casey Ryan
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2017 – The official topic of Tuesday’s House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing was reauthorization of the Federal Communications Commission, but the big focus was on net neutrality.
“The Commission’s decision in 2015 to reclassify the internet as a public utility was a power grab laced with the irony of suffocating the most innovative part of our economy with a 1930s era law,” said Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. “This gave new meaning to the term ‘progressive.’”
The regulation has slowed investment from internet providers by 5.6 percent, she said, asserting that it would also lead to rate regulation, she said.
Republicans versus Democrats on telecom
That was the Republican view. Democrats had a different take.
Since Ajit Pai became FCC Chairman during the first week of the Trump administration, the FCC agenda has been anti-small business and anti-consumer, said ranking member Michael Doyle, D-Pennsylvania.
He highlighted the 12.3 million comments in the net neutrality docket at the FCC. Even Netflix has said that eliminating the rules would pose a threat to its business, Doyle said.
This FCC path will hurt people, small businesses and innovative sectors of the economy, he said.
Ditto, added Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey. The FCC’s actions have ignored the needs of consumers, whereas an open internet allows small businesses to flourish.
“If the FCC moves ahead with its Net Neutrality plan, the consequences will be severe,” said Pallone. “Their plan will have a chilling influence on our democracy, cut away at our connections with each other and limit economic opportunities for the future.”
Doyle also said the Republicans surprised the Democrats with a reauthorization bill that will slash the FCC budget by $18 million.
Pai plugs robocall action and reauth bill
In his testimony at the hearing, Pai said the FCC has been targeting robocalls. He also applauded the reauthorization bill, and said that the FCC has seen a negative impact from the 2015 net neutrality regulations put in place by the Obama-era FCC.
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn touted her recent travels to Ohio to talk with people facing poor connectivity. If the FCC can put small businesses and consumers first, then the FCC can really say it is serving the public interest, Clyburn said.
Contra Pai, Clyburn wants to preserve the 2015 rules. Without making use of Title II of the Communications Act – the provision governing common carriers –it will be hard for the FCC to put such policies into place. She added that $80 to $100 a month is too much for struggling Americans to pay for broadband service.
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly focused his remarks on removing what he characterized as obstacles by state and local governments blocking broadband, including broadband in rural areas.
How valuable are comments on net neutrality?
When asked about the 12.3 million comments on Net Neutrality, O’Rielly said many of the comments are empty of any value.
Although opposed to the rules put in place by former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, Pai said he did support a free and open internet. O’Rielly agreed.
Clyburn said she that small businesses shouldn’t have to worry about their websites being throttled. The rules need to be clear, and they won’t without Title II protections, she said.
Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-California, said she doesn’t see how Pai can say he supports net neutrality when he wants to unravel it. In other words, Pai’s statements on the subject are not credible, she said.
Full committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, announced a committee hearing titled “Ground Rules for the Internet Ecosystem” for September 7, at which Facebook, Alphabet, Amazon, Netflix, Comcast, AT&T and Verizon will testify.
It is time for everyone to share their opinions before Congress, Walden said.
On other matters, Pai said it is important for the U.S. to win the race to 5G wireless technology. He also highlighted FCC work on broadband mapping to accurately reflect broadband data coverage. Clyburn added that the challenge remains getting providers to provide the data necessary.
(Photo by Casey Ryan.)
Related Topics:Ajit PaiAlphabetAmazonAnna EshooAT&TComcastFacebookFrank Pallonegreg waldenmarsha blackburnMichael DoyleMignon ClyburnMike O'RiellyNetflixTitle IITom WheelerVerizon Communications
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Panelists at CES 2020 Disagree About Both the Problem and the Solution in Tackling Big Tech
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FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Announces Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Highlighting 25 Mbps Download Speed Requirement
House Democrats Grill Facebook Witness, Tech Officials on Social Media Disinformation
Wayne Caswell
As founding editor of Modern Health Talk, I submitted formal comments on FCC Docket 16-46 back in May 24, 2017. Here’s a subset…
Regarding ways to promote broadband adoption that is widely available, affordable, and at sufficient bandwidth, the FCC needs to foster competition and encourage public networks as an alternative to private monopoly. Realize that fiber-optic cabling, because of its nearly unlimited capacity, offers incumbent operators a natural monopoly. When faced with the high cost of building overlay networks, it’s nearly impossible for competitors to justify the investment unless they can quickly capture enough market share, but the incumbent can too easily throttle-up capacity, services and support. Many states have laws prohibiting broadband competition from public networks, including Texas, which prohibited public fiber in the late 1990s and then later tried, unsuccessfully, to extend that ban to public Wi-Fi. The FCC should champion legislative changes at the state and federal level to allow public alternatives when the free market fails to produce vibrant competition. (https://www.slideshare.net/waynecaswell/big-broadband-public-infrastructure-of-private-monopolies is a 2003 white paper I wrote on the role of public and private networks.)
Regarding Net Neutrality, I see a legitimate place for bandwidth throttling if it’s by class of service rather than to advantage one service provider over another. High-value medical applications such as remote sensor monitoring may have very low bandwidth needs but a life-or-death need for guaranteed delivery. On the other hand, the video streaming of movies needs very high bandwidth but offers relatively little value when you consider the $2 cost of a movie rental versus not getting that critical medical sensor alert. [The Net Neutrality and FCC oversight protections allowed in Title II guard against leveraging control of a network to gain competitive advantages in adjacent markets.]
Regarding Technology issues, I see significant market differences between fiber networks (natural monopolies) and wireless (vibrant competition), so the FCC should focus on market issues. An FCC success story is in the space of unlicensed RF spectrum, which promoted lots of industry innovation and lots of vibrant competition. Even competing industry standards (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, etc.) are evolving on their own to address compatibility issues. Other examples of wireless innovation include mesh networks, smart radios, and steerable antennas, each of which improves security and interference immunity.
Regarding bandwidth and future requirements, networks operators rarely invest in additional capacity until it’s needed, creating a chicken-v-egg dilemma. View my 2006 presentation on “BIG Broadband and Gigabit to the home” for examples of high-bandwidth apps that can’t even be created without the fast networks already in place. I developed the slides to promote gigabit networks when other network visionaries were still calling for a national broadband strategy of 100Mbps. Anyone who ever took Queuing Theory in college remembers the “turnpike effect,” where billions are spent on new highway infrastructure, but as soon as the highway opens it is already congested. (https://www.slideshare.net/waynecaswell/big-broadband-and-gigabittothehome-6726015)
Regarding non-technical issues, broadband-enabled healthcare services are easier to justify with a larger percentage of the population having access AND actually subscribing. That means it must be affordable, with enough perceived value, and sometimes with training and/or equipment provided to facilitate access.
Regarding future trends, just as computing devices keep getting exponentially smaller, large-scale systems like IBM Watson keep getting more powerful. I envision remote services that monitor dozens of data feeds – from sensors, microphones and HD cameras – and not just one. That will have a multiplying effect on bandwidth needs, but as I said before, these apps won’t be created unless an over-capacity of bandwidth is already in place.
Regarding regulatory barriers, many states have laws prohibiting broadband competition from public networks. This is problematic when market conditions don’t provide enough incentive for private network operators to deploy BB infrastructure. I’m an advocate of shared access to public infrastructure, including through public/private partnerships, and would like to see more encouragement of that approach.
Regarding the impact of cost, socioeconomic status, and digital literacy, here’s an example of how subscription fees from those with means can subsidize Internet access by those without. In 1997, Mayor Bill White and leaders from Rice University, the Houston Public Library and nonprofit TechnologyForAll (www.techforall.org) established a project to provide free or reduced-rate wireless Internet access in Houston’s low-income neighborhoods. Residents with a public library card who attend an orientation class can receive these services with fees subsidized by revenue from other subscribers. They can also receive free computer equipment to access those services. Watch this 3.5 minute TFA Overview video by founder Will Reed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxywQnH1UrQ.
Regarding concerns not yet discussed, the disruptive nature of Moore’s Law, the blending of science & technology, and broadband connection of digital medical devices in the hands of consumers offers immense potential. But it’s also a big threat to industry incumbents, so I must mention my top concern: the corrupting influence of big money in politics from the medical industrial complex. In his famous TIME Magazine report (www.mhealthtalk.com/why-high- medical-bills-are-killing-us/), Steven Brill describes this as hospitals, insurers, drug companies, testing companies, and equipment providers. These special interests spend considerably more on political lobbying than the military industrial complex, all to protect their $3.5 trillion/year revenue stream and the perverse profits they get from illness and injury. If Congress and regulators were able to promote disruptive business models and technologies like telehealth, enact universal healthcare legislation, and focus on wellness and prevention, we could bring our costs and outcomes in line with other advanced nations. In the process, we’d save over $1.5 trillion/year, but that would be a huge loss for incumbent healthcare executives and investors.
Wayne Caswell offers a rather unique perspective of digital health and broadband technologies, given this relevant background:
* Founding Editor of Modern Health Talk – writes about health policy, futures and technology, and comments regularly on related articles in the mainstream press.
* CAZITech Founder & Principle Consultant, serving the Digital/Connected/Smart Home and broadband industries with services that included strategy & tactical advice, education & workshops, and market & competitive analysis.
* Served on FCC Consumer Advisory Committee until forced to give up that volunteer position to take a new job at Dell, due to potential conflicts of interest.
* 30-year IBM career with hospital accounts before introducing the company to the smart home market.
* Represented IBM, and later Siemens, and served as Communications Chairman of the HomeRF Working Group, an early wireless industry standard that eventually lost its dominant position to Wi-Fi.
* Married to a registered nurse (now retired)
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POLITICAL BUZZ
PSU BUZZ
CORPORATE BUZZ
Chief Ministers News
www.BureaucracyBuzz.com
BureaucracyBuzz.com- Entered in 9th Year
Now www.Bureaucracybuzz.com has entered in its 10th year of Web Publications. Top Bureaucrats, Diplomats, PSUs Head and Govt. officials are visiting us frequently.
SAIL Chairman attacked by unknown assailants
Posted on : August 8, 2019 By Staff Reporter
CORPORATE BUZZ PSU BUZZ
The chairman and managing director Maharatna PSU Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Anil Kumar Chaudhary has been attacked by four assailants on the night of August 7, 2019. The incident occurred at 10.30 pm near HUDCO Place, August Kranti marg, while he was on his way back to his residence from office in the official car. “SAIL is deeply shocked and anguished while sharing the news of the murderous assault on the Company’s Chairman,” said a press statement issued by the PSU.
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is deeply shocked and anguished while sharing the news of murderous assault on the Company’s Chairman Shri Anil Kumar Chaudhary by four unknown assailants on the night of 7th August, 2019 near HUDCO Place, New Delhi while he was on his way back to his residence from office in his official car.
Shri Chaudhary was brutally attacked at around 10.30 pm when his car was intentionally hit by another car occupied by four people. As he and his driver came out of their car, one person from the other car caught the driver by his neck while the other three severely attacked Shri Chaudhary with iron rods on his head, neck, knees and legs. The assailants were also armed with knives. The driver was left unharmed.
Fortunately, the Police Motorcycle Patrol arrived at the site and managed to nab 2 persons. Shri Chaudhary was taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre for immediate medical treatment. He has since been discharged from the hospital.
A complaint to this effect has been registered at Hauz Khas Police Station, New Delhi. The police is investigating the attack from all possible angles.
PK GUPTA to be next CMD of NBCC Ltd
Petroleum Secy Kutty Given Additional Charge Of Secretary, Steel Ministry
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“DSLR Top Features” Survey Reveals Canon’s (and Others’) Challenges
by Hugh Brownstone February 26, 2015 3 Comments
We like asking Kickstarter entrepreneurs what kind of market research they do when planning new products, and that got us thinking about the process used by the big boys – and our own recent survey on DSLR top features.
Back in September we published the results of a survey in which we asked you – our planet5D readership – what features you want in your next DSLR video camera. While they were too late to change any of the camera manufacturers’ plans for cameras that have been released since then, it’s interesting to compare the results to what’s coming next, like, say, oh… a Canon C300 Mk II or Sony A7s Mk II – and why the Samsung NX1 has generated such buzz (like giving us what we actually wanted).
Top 5: Image Quality
# 1 on the list was higher dynamic range (13-14 stops or more), followed closely by internal 4K recording. Rounding out the top five were RAW video, global shutter, and better low light/ISO sensitivity.
Simply put, the top five most requested features revolve around image quality.
And right there, really, you have the choice we faced among three cameras: the Sony A7s; the Panasonic GH4; and the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K.
The A7s held the edge when it came to dynamic range and low light sensitivity, but gave up the internal 4K recording that has become the GH4’s calling card (yes, the Atomos Shogun finally shipped, and now the A7s can deliver on the promised external 4K recording).
Along with that internal 4K recording, adding RAW video and global shutter all but screamed “Blackmagic Production Camera 4K.”
By comparison, the Canon 5D Mk III had none of these top 5 features, except RAW – but only with the Magic Lantern hack.
To sum it up, by September 2014 new models from smaller players had already redefined our expectations, and Canon was in the hot seat.
It was not surprising, then, that when the 7D Mk II and C100 Mk II came out – the latter at a price of over $5,000 – many planet5D readers were less than thrilled.
Similarly, the just-announced 5Ds and 5Ds R are pointedly still photography tools, and thus have generated little more than raised eyebrows from many in the video-centric planet5D community. Where was the video-centric 5D Mark IV many planet5D readers hoped would put Canon back in the game?
As we’ve written here and here, we think the answer is pretty straightforward, but we’ll find out soon enough!
The 10 Next Most-Requested Features: After IQ, Convenience and Workflow
What showed up next?
10-bit color came in at # 6, followed by high frame rates (#7 and #9, actually, at 120fps and 240fps respectively in 1080p); video autofocus came in at #8; and peaking, built-in ND filter, XLR or improved audio inputs, clean HDMI out/full HD out, and no moiré rounded out the next 10.
Taken together, one could argue that this is a collection of features more typically found in a dedicated video camera like the Cinema EOS series, and after 10-bit color and high frame rates are about convenience and workflow in higher-end productions (though Panasonic made a valiant and very partial try with their YAGH interface unit to the GH4).
Put differently: the survey indicated that planet5D readers are concerned about image quality above all else and are willing to put up with complications and other tradeoffs to get it at a more affordable price point than the big, purpose built video cams.
To which we can only write: “I’m shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on here.” – Captain Renault, CASABLANCA
Taken altogether, the survey reinforces once again Canon’s challenge and opportunity: while Canon has resisted the higher frame rates that Sony long ago and Panasonic more recently embraced, nor as of this moment does it have the 4K that Sony and Panasonic do until you reach the newly and drastically price-reduced 1D C (matched to the FS7 at $7,999) and C500 ($15,999) — Canon definitely is pouring money and effort into auto-focus with its STM lens line.
And Canon's Cinema EOS line does have the built-in ND, XLR inputs, clean HDMI out they should (though not 10-bit until you get to the C500).
Which would be just fine if either the C100 Mk II, C300 (11,499) or the rumored C300 Mk II addressed the FIRST 5 requested features.
Canon needs to get the C300 Mk II right.
Everything else requested didn’t rise above single digits as a percentage of the total, and it’s fascinating – and, in hindsight obvious – that when only 5% of respondents requested a larger megapixel sensor that the 5Ds and 5Ds R elicited little enthusiasm among the broader readership.
But It Ain’t Just Canon’s Challenge
Sony will get a lot of attention if the A7s II (whenever it comes out) has internal 4K, and get a lot of kudos if 4K external recording is true 10-bit. They can't solve rolling shutter as long as they don’t use a global shutter, but wow, would they get a huge response. Then again, that would cut into FS7 sales, wouldn’t it?
Credit where credit’s due to Panasonic, which was the first manufacturer to really shake us up out of our complacency about what was possible. Still, they'd sell a pile more GH4s – call ‘em GH5’s? — if the sensor had the high ISO performance of the A7s (we recognize they are constrained by a smaller sensor). They could even charge more!
Samsung's NX1 has a bunch of us craning our necks so hard in your direction it hurts, but I suspect it’s an NX2 that can match Sony’s sensor performance that will turn neck craning to voting with our feet and wallets.
And while we’re just not going to ask for XLR inputs in small cameras, could somebody do something about micro-HDMI ports (as in: make them reliable)?
But Who Are the Camera Manufacturers Listening to?
So that’s our take on what you’re looking for and what implications this has on our favorite manufacturers. But as these companies’ strategies play out in the marketplace, sometimes you just have to wonder: who are they listening to?
We’ve seen more than one camera manufacturer appear to listen very closely to their customers and potential customers, and we’ve seen more than one camera manufacturer appear to listen more closely to their finance and accounting staff.
We know that both are important, but we also know that companies who give the market what the accountants suggest – rather than customers – usually end up as footnotes to history.
We’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the year unfolds.
(cover photo credit: snap from B&H)
William Sommerwerck
The idea of an electronic camera handling both stills and video makes perfect technical and economic sense — it doesn’t cost much to add video recording to a still camera.
But why has video recording become the sine qua non of a “good” DSLR? The answer (to me) is obvious — there are many serious videographers who want dual-function DSLRs to provide the features and image quality of video cameras costing much more.
The economic motivation can’t be argued. But it strikes me very much as the tail wagging the dog.
bwana4swahili
The A7S would be close to perfect if:
– the image stabilization of the A7 II was migrated
– the camera recorded 10bit 4K internally
– Sony keeps the price of the A7S II in line with the current A7S
I own both the A7R and A7S (and have converted both to full spectrum for astro / nightscape photography). Love them both for stills but I would like to capture 4K video w/o the extra expense of an external recorder. The low light performance of the A7S is amazing and the resolution is adequate for most shooting (and, of course, ideal for 4K video).
HughBrownstone
bwana4swahili Sounds about right to me!
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Posts by Category: Cancer RSS feed
Messenger RNA could serve as biomarker to detect early-stage ovarian cancer, study finds
By Electa Draper
PBS “Cancer: Emperor of All Maladies”
Original caption: A scientist labels each protein in the radio nucleotide sequence of human genes to create a unique DNA profile. — Image by © Dan McCoy – Rainbow/Science Faction/Corbis
Ovarian cancer, one of the most difficult to diagnose and treat, is especially lethal for that reason, but University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center researchers have found biomarkers they believe could be used to diagnose the disease at an early stage.
The researchers identified six Messenger RNA isoforms (bits of genetic material that have similar but not identical amino acid sequences and code for functionally similar proteins) that are produced by ovarian cancer cells — but not normal cells. Their presence could indicate early ovarian cancer, according to a study published the week of May 25 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
And several of the mRNA isoforms code for unique proteins that could be targeted with new therapeutic treatments.
“We were inspired by many studies aimed at using DNA to detect cancer,” said lead author Christian Barrett, bioinformatics expert and project scientist in the UC San Diego School of Medicine Institute for Genomic Medicine.
“But we wondered if we could instead develop an ovarian cancer detection test based on tumor-specific mRNA that has disseminated from cancer cells to the cervix and can be collected during a routine Pap test,” Barrett said in a press release May 25.
DNA, the blueprint for life, contains much more information than just the genes that code for proteins. In contrast, mRNAs, are complementary copies of just the genes. They carry the instructions for every protein that the cell will produce “from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where cellular machinery can read the recipe and build the corresponding proteins,” the press release said.
According to the study’s authors, the advantage of using cancer mRNA for diagnosis rather than DNA is “the sheer numbers” — a cancer cell might have just one to a few copies of a DNA mutation, but mRNA variants can occur in hundreds to thousands of copies in each cell.
The research team developed an algorithm to explore two large public genetic databases, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) program, both sponsored by the National Institutes of Health
TCGA is a catalog of RNA and DNA from 500 tumors including many types of cancer, and GTEx is a database of RNA and DNA from normal tissues. The researchers were able to analyze mRNA sequences from 296 ovarian cancers and 1,839 normal tissue samples.
The researchers found six mRNA isoform molecules that have the tumor specificity required for an early detection diagnostic of ovarian cancer.
“Our experimental findings were made in a laboratory and were performed on ovarian cancer cells from cell lines,” said study co-author Dr. Cheryl Saenz, clinical professor of reproductive medicine who specializes in treating gynecologic cancers. “Clinical trials will need to be conducted on women to confirm the presence of these markers in women that we know have cancer, as well as to document the absence of the markers in women that do not have ovarian cancer.”
The authors acknowledge limitations in their approach, including “technical limitations in detecting mRNA isoforms, a shortage of normal ovarian and fallopian tube control samples and the possibility that tumor cells that disseminate to the cervix may not genetically act the same as the primary tumor.”
Yet results are so promising the researchers recommend expanding their process for identifying tumor-specific mRNA isoforms to other tumor types.
Categories: Cancer, Medical research
Medicare proposes coverage of annual CT scan for people at high risk for lung cancer
This combination photo made from file images provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows two of nine cigarette warning labels from the FDA. A judge blocked the federal requirement that would have begun forcing U.S. tobacco companies to put large graphic images on their cigarette packages in 2012 to show the dangers of smoking and encouraging smokers to quit lighting up. (AP Photo/U.S. Food and Drug Administration, File)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this week announced a proposal to cover an annual low-dose CT scan for Medicare beneficiaries at high risk for developing lung cancer.
Medicare defines high-risk individuals as those 55 to 74 years of age with a smoking history of 30 pack years — either a pack a day for 30 years or 2 packs a day for 15 years and so on — and who are current smokers or have quit smoking less than 15 years ago.
Under the Affordable Care Act, effective preventive measures –as determined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — are included in the “essential health benefit” and are covered beginning Jan. 1 for those individuals who meet the screening criteria and are enrolled in state health marketplace plans, Medicaid-expansion programs and new private insurance plans.
“This proposal by Medicare will save lives, increasing the low survival rates associated with lung cancer, our nation’s leading cancer killer,” said American Lung Association chief executive Harold P. Wimmer.
Lung cancer causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths in America. It kills 150,000 people a year. The survival rate for lung cancer is lower than for any other common cancers, such as breast, colon and prostate.
“Studies have clearly shown that individuals at high risk for lung cancer should receive this low-dose CT scan every year because it can help catch lung cancer in the earliest stages,” said Dr. Peter Sachs, associate professor of radiology at the University of Colorado Hospital.
The hospital is now offering screening for early-stage lung cancer to high-risk patients referred by their physicians who have no personal history of lung cancer.
Medicare proposes requiring facilities performing CT scans to submit initial screen findings, follow-up and the patient’s ultimate health outcomes.
Radiologists serving Medicare patients must have significant experience in reading CT scans for possible lung cancer and the radiology imaging centers must have significant experience in advanced diagnostic imaging.
Many private insurance plans already pay for lung cancer screening.
Categories: Cancer, General Medicine, Health insurance
Risky behavior: Sunning kills
LITTLETON, CO – JUNE 10: Soaking up the sun at the swim beach at Chatfield State Park in Littleton. ( Photo by Helen H. ichardson/The Denver Post)
Americans can’t seem to take this seriously.
Even though there has been widespread education about sun safety, and skin cancer is mostly preventable, diagnoses and deaths continue to increase.
So much so, the Surgeon General recently outlined a national action plan to re-energize the fight against skin cancer.
Five million people are treated for skin cancer each year at a cost of $8 billion. Sun worshiping is a big public health problem.
So stop sunbathing. Use protection outdoors that include sunscreens, sunglasses and hats. Don’t use indoor tanning beds, the acting U.S. surgeon general, Adm. Boris Lushniak, warned in a report released in late July.
“The number of Americans who have had skin cancer at some point in the last three decades is estimated to be higher than the number for all other cancers combined, and skin cancer incidence rates have continued to increase in recent years,” the report states.
Lushniak cited a 200 percent jump in deadly melanoma cases since 1973. Melanoma is responsible for the most deaths of all skin cancers, he said, with nearly 9,000 people dying from it each year. About $3.3 billion of skin cancer treatment costs are attributable to melanoma.
He said state and local officials need to do more to help people shelter from the sun by providing more shade at parks and sporting events.
“The Call to Action focuses on reducing UV exposure, with an emphasis on addressing excessive, avoidable, or unnecessary UV exposures (such as prolonged sun exposure without adequate sun protection) and intentional exposure for the purpose of skin tanning (whether indoors using an artificial UV device or outdoors while sunbathing).”
Categories: Cancer, Consumer Health, General Medicine
Colorado again the leanest state in the U.S. — but it’s not all good news
Women who abuse stimulants lose gray matter, men don’t
HHS secretary, Colorado governor build arsenal to battle opioid, heroin abuse
Obese moms program offspring for obesity and metabolic disease
Drug targets overzealous immune response in brain to treat Parkinson’s disease
Dental X-ray tumor study seriously flawed -- or at least the coverage of it was — 522 comments
New Colorado Medicaid dental benefit for adults to begin April 2014 — 43 comments
'Obamacare' brilliantly explained — 35 comments
Colored contact lenses are a scary Halloween danger, FDA says — 34 comments
Obamacare opens to mixed consumer reviews; here's our guide to information — 33 comments
Electa Draper
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Electa Draper is the health writer for The Denver Post and has covered every news beat in a 22-year journalism career at three newspapers. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's in journalism.
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Jennifer Brown has worked at The Denver Post since 2005, covering education, the state legislature and health care.
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“an arsenal (tax $$$$$) to battle a personal responsibility … nice … its no wonder i stopped paying taxes 27 years ago”
— bgf
On HHS secretary, Colorado governor build arsenal to battle opioid, heroin abuse
“How could this happen? I thought Obama said each family was going to save $2,400 / year. Could he have lied?”
— GenePH
On Taxman forgiveth: Coloradans struggle with many delayed returns
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— Тетяна Дубина
On Colorado’s health insurance exchange explores doubling, tripling fees for insurance carriers
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