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Whatever activity you or your business undertakes, a large proportion of your business processes will create waste. Waste is defined as anything which does not add value to your product as it proceeds through its’ production, this applies whether your process is office based or in a warehouse or manufacturing environment.
An essential part of implementing Lean principles in an Office environment is acquiring the ability to recognise and reduce as much waste as possible within a process. Think about the simple process of invoicing customers and then think of how much waste can be identified if you started emailing all invoices instead of posting or faxing them. You would remove the need for the paper to print on, the ink to print it, the envelope to send it, The postage stamp to pay for the sending, the man hours to complete the invoice run and replace it all with just a few button clicks. Remember that waste can occur in any business process, whether it is a manufacturing or administration environment.
The return on investment in identifying the 7 wastes within any organisation can be significant.
Even though the 7 wastes were designed for manufacturing environments they apply in the office equally well:
• Transport – for example consider the movement of paperwork between employees. Minimize the amount of movement by arranging processes by person and keep things electronic whenever possible.
• Inventory – Too little inventory can lose sales, too much inventory can hide problems. Aim for a “Just in Time” (JIT) stock by maximising your Lean Office techniques to report on sales par levels and then base any stock re-order levels on correct and up to date information.
• Motion – Remove unnecessary motion from the office operations and improve the flow of the workplace. For example – conduct spaghetti diagram reviews – where do you place your office machinery – where do your workers move – optimize where possible
• Waiting – Minimise the customer waiting time and maximise “value add” time. Aim for a smooth flow with Lean Office Principles. For example consider again the invoice process – does your process have excess lead time as your documents wait for authorization?
• Overproduction – An obvious waste, always aim to meet exactly what the customer expects, just in time, to the correct quality standard. A common example is multiple versions of the same document – one to be posted, one for file, one for accounts etc – can this be minimized?
• Over Processing – Within an office environment, identify unnecessary steps within a process and ensure that basic administration tasks are not inefficient
• Defects – Reducing the number of processing mistakes will not only increase customer satisfaction but will also reduce picking errors and customer returns. There is no reason to have any processing errors.
Everything mentioned above is an unprofitable action which is the biggest threat to business success and viability, However it can be remedied by careful implementation of Lean Office Principles and Techniques.
Over recent years, many changes have driven organisations big and small to utilize lean in their organization – following the success in manufacturing many organizations have adopted the same principles in their office and administration areas – It is worth remembering that every process within your business has 2 options it can either create profit or it can create waste, I know which one I prefer.
- Why use lean principles and techniques in an office environment
- Implementing 5s in an office environment
- Takt Time in an office environment
- Lean Administration: The Benefits Of Lean In The Office
- The 5s Office – applying lean manufacturing techniques to your office environment |
From public finance to climate change, democracy looks to be in trouble. In many Western countries, political decisions are gridlocked while economic, social, and environmental imbalances accumulate. Our leaders juggle public opinion, private lobbies, and expert advice while trying to live within past promises and present legal obligations.
Mark Harrison, 15 January 2014
A theory of military dictatorships
Daron Acemoglu, Davide Ticchi , Andrea Vindigni, 16 June 2008
Throughout history, the military has been concerned with much more than national defense. In Imperial Rome, for instance, by the era of the mid Empire it had become customary for the military to influence the selection of the new Emperor.
- A tale of two depressions: What do the new data tell us? February 2010 updateEichengreen, O’Rourke
- Educated in America: College graduates and high school dropoutsHeckman, LaFontaine
- Eurozone breakup would trigger the mother of all financial crisesEichengreen
- Panic-driven austerity in the Eurozone and its implicationsDe Grauwe, Ji
- Debt, deleveraging, and the liquidity trap: A new modelKrugman |
Train Derailment in Lynchburg, Virginia Refocuses Attention on Minnesota Rail Safety
Updated: 04/30/2014 10:53 PM
Created: 04/30/2014 10:51 PM WDIO.com
By: Tim Sherno, KSTP-TV
A train carrying crude oil jumped its track and burst into flames near Lynchburg, Virginia on Wednesday. The accident is similar to a derailment near Casselton, North Dakota, last December focusing concerns on the transport of oil by rail.
Oil from the Bakken Fields in North Dakota has a lower flash-point and burns hotter than other oil, according to Dave Christianson, Senior Planner of Freight and Rail for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. He says the oil from the Bakken Fields contains more natural gas, "It's much more volatile and dangerous."
The oil passes through the Twin Cities Metro each day. "The train is usually about a mile and a half long, about 110 cars per train, each car is about 60 feet long and carries 100 tons of oil," Christianson says each day as many as 6 trains move through the area, and that number could grow. "By the best of our projections this crude traffic is going to increase in volume, possibly double by this time next year."
Christianson says the rail industry developed new safety standards for tanker cars. "Every car built since then, about 15 to 20,000 cars have been built to that new standard." Christianson says the Federal Government participated in developing those new standards, but didn't official require them. According to Christianson, the Federal Government may require its own standards, if those standards differ from the rail standards, the hope is that tanker cars built to the rail industry's standards will be able to remain in service.
According to Christianson, MnDOT doesn't have much authority over national rail lines, which fall under Federal regulation. "We do inspect the tracks in our state with out own track inspectors, and work with the rail roads on improving at-grade crossings and things of that sort. As much as we can do, we are doing."
Christianson says in light of the Casselton derailment, lawmakers in St.Paul are expected to increase safety measures at the state level, including work on at-grade crossings, especially in areas of greater concern, for example near schools.
With more trains expected, Christianson says MnDOT will work with railroad companies and the Federal Government, "We worry on a regular basis, a city with 3 million population, the Twin Cities Metro area, with 6 crew trains coming through, full, every day we have an on-going daily risk." |
This article was taken from the July issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
As Jane McGonigal sees it, "reality is broken" -- but "game designers can fix it". So she creates games that encourage players to pool resources in solving epic global challenges.
“There is no problem that doesn’t have some underlying need for more optimism, stamina, resilience and collaboration,” says the 32-year-old director of games R&D at Palo Alto’s Institute for the Future. “And games are, I believe, the best platform we have for providing that.”
Her latest, Evoke, is her most ambitious yet. Backed by the World Bank Institute, it’s a ten-week crash course in changing the world, targeting everything from food security to climate change. Every week players read about a future crisis and adopt a solution inspired by those used in Africa today.
One challenge has involved making a dirty power source more sustainable. Players upload a video or blog post to show what they’ve done, and fellow participants award "+1s" (points expressing players’ appreciation rather than competition) for, say, resourcefulness. "That provides intelligence about what people are good at – then players make teams to create real-world ventures with funding from the World Bank." A second season is due in 2011.
Other social problems McGonigal wants to tackle include obesity and depression. Yes, her games’ solutions are based on thorough research -- although sometimes they stem from first-hand experience. "I had a head injury this summer, which can promote depression and anxiety," she says. "There are things to help you get out of that, like setting goals. I want to help people via that, as an alternative to medication."
With altruistic gaming’s popularity on the rise (Evoke received 2,000 entries and ideas in its first 24 hours), McGonigal will launch a social network for like-minded people in August. "There are 500 million people on the planet who on average spend an hour a day playing games," she says. "The big challenge is convincing those gamers that games can fix, rather than escape, reality." www.avantgame.com |
Cord Blood Stem Cell: an upcoming life saver
Worldwide, there are about 2 billion people suffering from various types of
life threatening diseases such as
diabetes, osteopetrosis, rheumatoid
arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, heart
disease, immune system disorders, blood disorders; the list goes on.
Although a wide assortment of methods are used to treat and cure these serious
diseases, since the late 1980s, cord blood stem cells have increasingly been
used to effectively treat a number of life threatening diseases.
When a baby is born, his or her umbilical cord is filled with a small amount
of blood. This blood contains high numbers of special cells called stem cells.
If you choose, this blood can be stored. It will then be used in the future to
treat children or their family members with deadly diseases including Leukemia
and Lymphoma. Often, this blood can be used to treat children when a donor
cannot be found for a bone marrow transplant.
Put simply, the blood from your child's umbilical cord could save a human
life. Until recently, this blood with the potential to save lives was simply
discarded as medical waste.
An infant's cord blood could prove to be a life-saving
treatment option if that child is born with a congenital heart defect, or
later in life following a sudden and serious heart attack.
Why Cord Blood Stem Cells?
Cord blood stem cells offer several advantages over bone
marrow stem cells and embryonic stem cells, including:
Collection of cord blood stem cells poses no serious risks
to either the baby or the mother because it is collected after birth.
Unlike embryonic stem cells, umbilical cord blood is a
non-controversial source of stem cells.
With cord blood stem cells, the risk of viral infection is
There is a significantly reduced risk of graft vs. host
Cord blood stem cells not only occur in higher
concentration than bone marrow stem cells, but they also have a higher
capacity to replicate since they are harvested from the umbilical cord blood
when they are very young, and, due to preservation, they do not age, hence
their vitality is preserved.
While cord blood stem cell transplant therapy has many
advantages, its use is somewhat limited because of the difficulty in finding a
perfect match. Nevertheless, there are about 75 diseases that can be treated
through the use of cord blood stem cells. These diseases can be segregated into
congenital (present at birth) diseases and acquired diseases.
Cord Blood Stem Cell Types and Limitations
For the treatment of congenital diseases, the patient's own
cord blood cannot be used because the same disease also affects the stem cells
located there. In such cases, cord blood stem cells from a sibling or an
unrelated donor are used.
A cord blood stem cell transplant can be one of two types:
Autologous transplantation, where the patient's own cord
blood stem cells are used in treatment.
Allogeneic transplantation, where cord blood stem cells
coming from a sibling or an unrelated donor are used.
Typically, the selection of the transplantation therapy
depends upon several factors that differ from patient to patient.
What are the Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Used For?
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood can be used to treat a wide variety of
blood, bone, genetic, and immune system diseases in children, including:
Many are considered life-saving procedures. Some of these diseases, such as
Krabbe's Disease, were deadly before the development of stem cell transplants.
On rare occasions these procedures can be used to treat adults. The small amount
of stem cells collected from each cord allows for transplants mostly in
children. Research continues to increase the use of stem cells in adults and to
treat many other diseases.
Scientists are still examining cord blood stem cells and
perfecting how to use these stem cells in treatment. It is hoped and expected
that, in the future, cord blood stem cells will be used to treat many other
disorders, including Alzheimer's disease,
diabetes, heart disease, liver
disease, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease (a neurological illness), spinal cord injury and stroke.
What is Cord blood banking?
Cord blood banking means saving or storing the stem cells. To get these stem
cells, your doctor will draw blood from the umbilical cord at the time of your
baby's birth. This blood is
then dispatched to the company whose services you want to use. Here the stem
cell's are removed from the blood and stored particularly for the later use of
All expectant parents must take an educated decision as to what is proper for
them. Remember, storing your baby's cord blood stem cells provides you an
assurance to deal with future critical conditions. The charges and the
advantages it offers about your family's later health are just few of the points
that should be considered when deciding. For more information, |
World Bioenergy 2010
Green electricity from previously worthless wastewater
New technology with big potential will be presented at World Bioenergy in Jönköping, Sweden on 25–27 May. The new product is a container filled with technology which uses the heat from 55 °C water to generate electricity. The unit is called the Opcon Powerbox and was developed by the Swedish firm of Opcon.
The first commercial Opcon Powerbox was installed last year at two pulp mills in Sweden, StoraEnso’s mill at Skutskär and Munksjö’s Aspa mill. In operation, the technology more than delivers what its developer promises. “The mills generate electricity from wastewater and the process also helps to meet cooling needs,” explains Niklas Johansson, vice president Opcon. With the Opcon Powerbox, StoraEnso will produce more than 4 GWh of carbon dioxide-free electricity annually. Aspa Mill should be able to produce even more.
“We’re talking about as much electricity as from a wind power plant, but at a far lower investment cost,” Johansson says.
This is just the beginning of electricity generation with far greater potential. A pilot study has been done at a gas-fuelled, 105 MW power plant in Australia. With 12 Opcon Powerboxes installed, another 9 MW could be produced from the waste heat under current operating conditions.
The Opcon Powerbox is based on technology from Opcon’s subsidiary Svenska Rotor Maskiner, (developers of the screw compressor) and the Swedish firm of Ljungströms (air preheaters, etc.). The technology is fuel neutral and works with hot water or steam. The technology is highly interesting in combination with biofuel, because electricity generation that requires little investment makes green energy even more efficient and competitive.
In recent years Opcon has developed into a major Swedish player in the bioenergy field, with brands like Saxlund International and Svensk Rökgasenergi (SRE). The company is one of a number of manufacturers to present new technology at World Bioenergy 2010 in Jönköping, Sweden. As well as the trade fair, there will also be a world-class conference with field trips to nearby bioenergy facilities.
The Opcon Powerbox is a container filled with technology which transforms wastewater heat into electricity.
The forest industry produces huge amounts of hot wastewater which is not used profitably. StoraEnso in Skutskär, Sweden, is one of the first to transform this waste heat into green electricity. The technology will be presented at World Bioenergy 2010.
High resolution pictures at www.worldbioenergy.com. Please click on “For Media” and “Press releases”.
Source: Elmia AB |
1. What is Bone Densitometry?
A bone density test, also called densitometry or DEXA scan, is done to determine if a patient has, or is at risk of developing, osteoporosis. The test uses special X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The higher your mineral content, the denser your bones are, and the denser your bones are the less likely they are to break.
2. Why is it done?
A bone density test is done to determine if you have, or are at risk for developing, osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle, putting you at a greater risk for fractures. Generally osteoporosis is caused by a lack of calcium and other minerals in the bones. Although women are more often affected, men too can develop osteoporosis, and risk factors increase with age. It is recommended that women age 65 or older be screened for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can be treated and early detection provides the best possible outcome.
3. What are the risks?
The bone density test has very few risks as it involves a low dosage of radiation and no injections. However, you should not have a bone density test within seven days of having had any test involving nuclear medicine, barium or contrast.
4. How should I prepare?
No preparation is needed prior to having a bone density test.
5. What should I expect?
You will be asked to lay flat facing upwards on the X-ray table in a dimly lighted room while the machine scans your lower back and hips. You may be asked to adjust your clothing if it interferes with the X-ray. If for some reason the lower back or hips cannot be scanned, your forearm will be scanned instead. The exam generally takes around 15 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities following your exam.
6. Who interprets the results and how do I get them?
One of our radiologists will analyze your test and then report any findings to your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and recommend any further actions. |
That’s what President Obama promised in his 2009 Earth Day speech, delivered just two months after Congress passed the $800 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Obama pledged stimulus spending would “focus on unleashing a new, clean-energy economy that will begin to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, will cut our carbon pollution by about 80 percent by 2050, and create millions of new jobs.”
Govs. Ted Kulongoski and John Kitzhaber have both hyped the green economy, overseeing the spending of millions to create new jobs based on sustainability, conservation and renewable energy.
But this New Deal for our times has turned out to be the same old deal.
WW has examined reports on thousands of projects funded by federal stimulus money, analyses by state agencies responsible for tracking jobs, and independent studies that tried to figure out how many green jobs exist in the state.
The result? With tens of millions spent, Oregon can account for only a relative handful of “green” jobs created or saved. Training opportunities for these jobs are scarce. Agencies and companies that were supposed to report back on how many jobs they created haven’t done so, making reliable counts impossible.
When they talk about green jobs, Obama and Kitzhaber speak of careers in such cutting-edge fields as solar and wind energy, advanced fuel cells, and “green” chemistry.
But records show that the state has stretched its “green job” definition so broadly it includes such low-tech occupations as mowing lawns and shoveling manure. According to the Oregon Employment Department, the No. 1 “green job” in Oregon is “carpenter.” No. 2? Truck driver.
The state says a green job is any that works to “increase energy efficiency; produce renewable energy; prevent, reduce, or mitigate environmental degradation; clean up and restore the natural environment; [or] educate, consult, and provide other services that support the above.”
“The vast majority of green jobs are in existing occupations—they’re in jobs that have been around for decades,” says Gail Kiles Krumenauer, green jobs economist for the department.
Using this very broad definition, officials claim Oregon has more than 50,000 green jobs, composing some 4 percent of the state’s workforce.
A more realistic number comes from a recent Brookings Institution study of “clean economy” jobs around the country. The study says Oregon has 845 jobs in solar, wind and geothermal energy. (Oregon Employment Department figures show the state has lost 133,000 jobs since 2008.) The Brookings study, using a more restrictive definition than the state’s, placed the Portland metro area 15th in the nation, behind Denver and Albany, N.Y., for green jobs as a share of the local workforce.
The state claims that overall, more than 4,700 jobs have been created or saved thanks to $727 million spent on Oregon’s stimulus-funded projects—whether or not the money was supposed to create “green” jobs.
But that’s just an estimate. The companies and agencies who spent the money are supposed to be reporting how many jobs they’ve created or saved, but they aren’t doing that. As a result, records show, they have only officially claimed 911 jobs.
The number of jobs reported that directly relate to energy efficiency, renewables or sustainability is much smaller—about 400, based on WW’s analysis.
State experts can’t say how many green jobs have been produced as a result of the stimulus money. “The data you’re looking for might not exist yet,” says Cylvia Hayes, whose company, 3E Strategies, got a state contract paid for with stimulus money to come up with a green jobs plan for Oregon.
Using part of a $1.25 million stimulus grant, the Oregon Employment Department developed an “automated tool” that scours help-wanted ads for any openings that might be “green jobs.” The idea was to create a constantly updated online green jobs board.
The results are likely to disappoint anyone looking for work on wind turbines. One of the latest openings flagged by the online tool was “hog farm laborer” in Wheatland, Wyo., a seasonal job that pays $9.90 an hour. Duties include raising piglets, castrating animals, mixing feed and “flush[ing] hog wastes into holding pits.”
The more expansive the definition of green jobs, the more success officials can claim in meeting their goals. For example, a state-produced green jobs brochure—also paid for by stimulus money—promotes growing opportunities for landscapers and groundskeepers, whose responsibilities include “dig[ging] trenches, ditches, or holes with hand tools.” It’s hard to imagine that these are the “shovel-ready” projects Congress had in mind. |
How to Help Injured Players and Have Them Help You —
Responsible Sports Coaches and Parents Can Turn Adversity Into Character Building
Player injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of youth sports. However, like so many other aspects of sports, injuries provide “teachable moments.” These are opportunities for Responsible Coaches to use misfortune or adversity to teach a life lesson and cultivate character.
The single most important thing to address is the possibility that the injured player becomes depressed. With sports at the center of so many children’s lives, the absence can leave a void that can quickly fill with negativity. The physical and emotional energy previously brought to practice and games, now lacking an outlet, can turn to inward anger. It is not uncommon for children, especially adolescents, to define themselves by their sports and to therefore question their identity or self-worth when the sport is taken away. Responsible Sport Parents and Coaches together can partner to keep our youth players positive.
For Responsible Coaches, one of the keys to combating negativity is by keeping the player involved in the team. As long as the player contributes, he or she resists at least some of the negative feelings that accompany injury. In fact, a forced idleness is a great opportunity for a player to view the game differently than it appears in the midst of action. For example, the sidelines are an unparalleled place to recognize offensive patterns or defensive strategies. It may take long and repeated talks with injured players before they understand and accept the opportunity to learn this way. However, it is worth the investment, because it is healthy for the player and can turn him into a sideline asset. You, as coach, gain another set of eyes and another source of encouragement to the other players.
To cultivate the behavior you want from the injured player, you must assign specific tasks. Doing so:
- Demonstrates the sincerity of your statement that the player still can contribute
- Occupies his or her pent-up energy
- Can yield invaluable insight into your own team and your opponents.
Here are some specific tasks you might assign:
- Watching the clock to help coaches manage play-calling
- Studying teammates and opponents who play the same position as the injured player so he can identify techniques to try (or avoid!) after return from injury
- Assessing other positions they may want to consider playing when healthy
- Charting tendencies of a specific opponent and reporting to coaches at halftime or advising teammates between series
- Helping substitute players warm up and prepare to enter the game
- Encouraging players as they wait on the sidelines between series
- Keeping track of normally uncharted statistics, especially effort goals
Many of these tasks will have the injured player deliver good news to teammates, thus keeping them involved and strengthening bonds between players. Seeing the silver lining within the cloud of the injury will speed the injured player’s recovery, at least emotionally, and keep him or her as a positive force on your team.
For Responsible Sports Parents on the sideline, consider engaging your youth athlete in some of these very topics – asking them after the game what they thought of the opponent’s strategy or asking them how their team did against their effort goals. And yes, even though your child might not be playing due to his or her injury, Responsible Sports Parents can help reinforce the essential life lessons from sports by continuing to go to games and cheer for the team from the stands.
Has your athlete or your team struggled with motivating injured players this season? We’d love to hear from you. Write us at firstname.lastname@example.org
and let us know what your experiences have been! |
Presentation Summary : ecology Principles of Ecology Communities and Biomes Population Biology Biological Diversity What is Ecology ?? Define Ecology Abiotic factors Biotic factors Levels ...
Source : http://www.nebo.edu/learning_resources/ppt/6-12/ecology.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: SNR&E Last modified by: SNRE Created Date: 9/29/1999 2:41:12 PM Document presentation format: On-screen Show Company: University of Michigan
Source : http://css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/Ecology.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology Ecology Organisms – all living things Environment – everything that surrounds or affects an organism, living and nonliving, like light, heat, soil, water ...
Source : http://myhome.sunyocc.edu/~mcanincb/ENV101%20ppts/Intr.%20to%20EnvrTech%20Chap%204%20Ecology.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: Tracy Trimpe Last modified by: Tracy Trimpe Created Date: 8/22/2006 12:03:37 AM Document presentation format: Custom Other titles
Source : http://sciencespot.net/Media/pondwaterwebintro.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology Part 4. Populations Part 5. Communities Part 6. Biodiversity and Conservation What population do you think this is? So, what do you think is going to happen ...
Source : http://www.foothilltech.org/kcole/PPTs/Ecology2.ppt
Presentation Summary : ECOLOGY The study of living organisms in the natural environment How they interact with one another How the interact with their nonliving environment
Source : http://www.saburchill.com/IBbiology/chapters03/images/01ECOLOGY.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: don gill Last modified by: BCMS Created Date: 8/22/2003 2:07:21 AM Document presentation format: On-screen Show Company: Estée Lauder ...
Source : http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/middle/gill/powerpoints/Ecologynotes.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: What is ecology? Author: Cheryl Massengale Last modified by: cmassengale Created Date: 7/24/2006 1:55:10 AM Document presentation format: On-screen Show (4:3)
Source : http://biologyjunction.com/ecology%20introduction.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology for Kids List the types of biomes: Tundra Taiga Desert Tropical rain forest Temperate rain forest Grasslands Freshwater Saltwater Describe each biome Taiga ...
Source : http://www.makemegenius.com/download_file.php?fname=Ecology_for_Kids.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: Dennis Passovoy Last modified by: RRISD Created Date: 1/26/2003 12:06:00 AM Document presentation format: On-screen Show Other titles
Source : http://www.dellpassovoy.com/Ecology1.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology * * * * * * * * * * * * * Although several species may share a habitat they each have their own niche. A niche is a very narrow range where a species fits ...
Source : http://www.biologyjunction.com/ecology%20GOOD.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology The study of the interactions that take place among organisms and their environment Biosphere The part of Earth that supports life Top portion of Earth's ...
Source : http://www.philadelphia.edu.jo/courses/biology/Ecology.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology—the scientific study of interactions between different organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings
Source : http://www.ptbeach.com/cms/lib02/NJ01000839/Centricity/Domain/113/ap%20biology%20ppts/Ecology1%20ppt.pptx
Presentation Summary : Introduction: The Web of Life 1 Introduction: The Web of Life Outline Case Study: Deformity and Decline in Amphibian Populations Connections in Nature Ecology ...
Source : http://academic.regis.edu/ckleier/Ecology/Eco_Ch01.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology 18 Feb. 2014 Ecology-1.ppt * 18 Feb. 2014 Ecology-1.ppt * Diversity of Life Animal kingdom ~ 1,100,000 species Plant “ ~ 800,000 sp. Fungal ...
Source : http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~apennima/Principles/Ecology-1.ppt
Presentation Summary : Aim: How Can We Describe Ecology and the terms used in the unit. Do Now: Explain how Genetic engineering can help a person with diabetes.
Source : http://www.sewanhaka.k12.ny.us/cms/lib3/NY01001491/Centricity/Domain/2051/Ecology%207R.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: TMLDR_POARCH Last modified by: Ashley Janaulis Created Date: 3/5/2004 6:12:26 PM Document presentation format: On-screen Show (4:3)
Source : http://msjanaulis.weebly.com/uploads/2/4/3/2/2432202/ecology_intro.ppt
Presentation Summary : Workshop & Listening Session. January 13, 2014. NPDES General Permit. for Wastewater Discharges from. Water Treatment Plants. Purpose of meeting: Workshop: Brief ...
Source : http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/wtp/Presentation-JMM-20140109.pptx
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: e200500837 Last modified by: e200503451 Created Date: 8/26/2004 10:28:05 AM Document presentation format: On-screen Show (4:3)
Source : http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/wadewebworld/ecology/ecology_notes_s12_ppt
Presentation Summary : Biomes Biotic & Abiotic Factors Terrestrial Biomes Aquatic Biomes Biome Biome: a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant ...
Source : http://www.mrcroft.com/ecology/Biomes.ppt
Presentation Summary : Ecology Introduction and Biodiversity Standards: BI 6.a-Students know biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of ...
Source : http://www.simontechnology.org/ourpages/auto/2011/3/6/47829469/Introduction%20to%20Ecology%20and%20Biodiversity.ppt
Presentation Summary : Title: Ecology Author: e200500837 Last modified by: e199300445 Created Date: 8/26/2004 10:28:05 AM Document presentation format: On-screen Show (4:3)
Source : http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/melaniewalton/Ecology_Notes
Presentation Summary : Yr 12 Revision Ecology Revision 3 Community Patterns Species are not distributed randomly across a community. Their distribution forms patterns in a response to ...
Source : http://mrsdrysdalescience.wikispaces.com/file/view/Ecology+ppt..ppt |
Last night I made a program which deletes a file, I used kill and it worked. Today it keeps saying permission denied! I have tryed deleting the file and making a new one, I have changed from kill to fso.deletefile and it always says 'permission denied'.
i told you that I have tryed using kill and fso and I have tryed getting code off the net and everytime the error still pops up! Also it worked the day before!
I have just done a bit of testing and the program works if the file extension is '.txt' but not if the extension is anything else. I want the extension to be '.sto' and it used to work but now it won't let me delete anything unless it has the text extension!
is the program being used by a different user (with different permissions on folders).
Is the users folder on the network.
Could someone else have changed the permissions on the folder.
Are you the only person using this program. Does anyoneelse access you machine ?
Have you recompiled the exe ?
Things don't just stop working. Something else has changed.
And it's not the antivirus.
Something (regardless of what you think) has changed.
Either the application is no longer in the same location or
access permissions (domain user, network share,......) are stopping the program deleting.
no its the same user doing it.
nobody else changed the permissions (and I have checked anyway)
nobody has changed the permissions or anything else relating to the program.
i have tryed compiling the exe and just running from vb
Are you accessing the file somewhere else in the program first? It seems to be related to the program since you can manually delete it without permission denied problem.
Well, let's use windows to delete the file instead of VB then. Here's a win API you can call.
Declare Function DeleteFile Lib "kernel32.dll" Alias "DeleteFileA" (ByVal lpFileName As String) As Long
' Delete the file
Dim lReturnVal As Long ' return value, just for debugging purpose
Dim strUserFile as string
strUserFile = "users\" & strLoggedOn & ".sto"
lReturnVal = DeleteFile(strUserFile)
If lReturnVal = 1 Then Debug.Print "File deleted successfully." |
Are You OK? Program
The Are You OK? computer system was devised to make daily telephone checks on elderly or ill people who reside alone and have no one in the local area to check regularly on their welfare. The system calls subscribers daily (seven days a week) at a prescribed time. If the subscriber answers the call, the computer verifies that they are okay. If there is no answer, the computer logs that there is something wrong and issues an alert and the dispatcher takes the prescribed actions. The computer system is located in the Communications section where dispatchers monitor the system.
The program is sponsored by the Yuma Regional Medical Center, Hoppstetter's Office Supply and the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
Qualifications for Are You Ok?
- Must live in Yuma County.
- Must have a landline telephone (NOT a cell phone).
- Cannot have an answering machine hooked up or voice mail service of any kind.
- Must live alone (couples will be considered on a case by case basis).
- Determined to be medically qualified.
- Must have two keys to the home in possession of immediate neighbors or with a relative in close proximity and available in the mornings.
- Must sign a waiver allowing a Deputy Sheriff or volunteer to enter the home to check on occupant when computer is not answered on call.
- Must notify when he or she will not be home to answer the "Are you OK?" phone call.
NOTE: When a subscriber wishes to be permanently removed from the Are You Ok? computer system, they must sign a release from participation.
Are You OK? Field Interview Form (PDF Fill-In)
For more information, contact:
- Volunteer Coordinator - Sgt. Ryland Croutch
Tel: (928) 819-2212
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- SOLVE Volunteer Program - Don Bowen
Tel: (928) 819-2213
Hours: Tuesday or Thursday, 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. |
|Overview of Testing concepts|
While an overview of software testing in general is outside
the scope we can address in this document, here are some of the
concepts and background behind the Xalan testing effort.
- A quick glossary of Xalan testing terms:
- What is a test?
- The word 'test' is overused, and can refer to a number
of things. It can be an API test, which will usually be a Java
class that verifies the behavior of Xalan by calling it's API's.
It can be a stylesheet test, which is normally an .xsl stylesheet
file with a matching .xml data file, and often has an expected
output file with a .out extension.
- What kinds of tests does Xalan have?
- There are several different ways to categorize the
tests currently used in Xalan: API tests and testlets, specific tests
for detailed areas of the API in Xalan; Conformance Tests,
with stylesheets in the tests\conf directory that each test
conformance with a specific part of the XSLT spec, and are
run automatically by a test driver; performance tests, which
are a set of stylesheets specifically designed to show the
performance of a processor in various ways, that are run
automatically by a test driver; contributed tests, which are
stored in tests\contrib, where anyone is invited to submit their
own favorite stylesheets that we can use to test future Xalan
releases. There are also a few specific tests of extensions, as well
as a small but growing suite of individual Bugzilla bug regression tests.
We are working on better documentation and
structure for the tests.
- What is a test result?
- While most people view tests as having a simple boolean
pass/fail result, I've found it more useful to have a range of
results from our tests. Briefly, they include INCP or incomplete
tests; PASS tests, where everything went correctly; FAIL tests,
where something obviously didn't go correctly; ERRR tests, where
something failed in an unexpected way, and AMBG or ambiguous tests,
where the test appears to have completed but the output results
haven't been verified to be correct yet.
See a full description of test results.
- How are test results stored/displayed?
- Xalan tests all use
Loggers to store their results.
By default, most Reporters send output to a ConsoleLogger (so you
can see what's happening as the test runs) and to an XMLFileLogger
(which stores it's results on disk). The logFile input to a test
(generally on the command line or in a .properties file)
determines where it will produce it's MyTestResults.xml file, which
are the complete report of what the test did, as saved to disk by
it's XMLFileLogger. You can
then use viewResults.xsl
to pretty-print the results into a MyTestResults.html
file that you can view in your browser. We are working on other
stylesheets to output results in different formats.
- What are your file/test naming conventions?
- See the sections below for API test naming and
stylesheet file naming conventions.
Xalan tests will report one of several results, as detailed below.
Note that the framework automatically rolls-up the results for
any individual test file: a testCase's result is calculated from
any test points or
check*() calls within that testCase;
a testFile's result is calculated from the results of it's testCases.
- INCP/incomplete: all tests start out as incomplete. If a test never calls
check*() method (i.e. never officially verifies a test
point), then it's result will be incomplete. This is important for cases
where a test file begins running, and then causes some unexpected
error that exits the test.
Some other test harnesses will erroneously
report this test as passing, since it never actually reported that
anything failed. For Xalan, this may also be reported if a test
never calls the corresponding
- PASS: the test ran to completion and all test points verified correctly.
This is obviously a good thing. A test will only pass if it has at least one
test point that passes and has no other kinds of test points (i.e. fail,
ambiguous, or error).
- AMBG/ambiguous: the test ran to completion but at least one test point
could not verify it's data because it could not find the 'gold'
data to verify against. This test niether passes nor fails,
but exists somewhere in the middle.
The usual solution is to
manually compare the actual output the test produced and verify
that it is correct, and then check in the output as the 'gold'
or expected data. Then when you next run the test, it should pass.
A test is ambiguous if at least one test point is ambiguous, and
it has no fail or error test points; this means that a test with
both ambiguous and pass test points will roll-up to be ambiguous.
- FAIL: the test ran to completion but at least one test point
did not verify correctly. This is normally used for cases where
we attempt to validate a test point, but get the wrong answer:
for example if we call setData(3) then call getData and get a '2' back.
In most cases, a test should be able to continue normally after a FAIL
result, and the rest of the results should be valid.
A test will fail if at least one test point is fail, and
it has no error test points; thus a fail always takes precedence
over a pass or ambiguous result.
- ERRR/error: the test ran to completion but at least one test point
had an error or did not verify correctly. This is normally used for
cases where we attempt to validate a test point, but something unexpected
happens: for example if we call setData(3), and calling getData throws
Although the difference seems subtle, it can be a useful
diagnostic, since a test that reports an ERRR may not necessarily be able
to continue normally. In Xalan API tests, we often use this code if
some setup routines for a testCase fail, meaning that the rest of the
test case probably won't work properly.
A test will report an ERRR result if at least one test point is ERRR;
thus an ERRR result takes precedence over any other kind of result.
Note that calling
Reporter.logErrorMsg() will not cause
an error result, it will merely log out the message. You generally must
checkErr directly to cause an ERRR result.
In progress. Both the overall Java testing framework, the test drivers,
and the specific API tests have a number of design decisions detailed
in the javadoc
Naming conventions: obviously we follow basic Java coding
standards as well as some specific standards that apply to Xalan
or to testing in general. Comments appreciated.
- Some naming conventions currently used:
- As in 'ConformanceTest', 'PerformanceTest', etc.: a single,
automated test file designed to be run from the command line or
from a testing harness. This may be used in the future by
automated test discovery mechanisims.
- As in 'StylesheetTestlet', 'PerformanceTestlet', etc.: a single,
automated testlet designed to be run from the command line or
from a testing harness. Testlets are generally focused on one
or a very few test points, and usually are data-driven. A testlet
defines a single test case algorithim, and relies on the caller
(or *TestletDriver) to provide it with the data point(s) to use
in it's test, including gold comparison info.
- As in 'StylesheetDatalet': a single set of test data for
a Testlet to execute. Separating a specific set of data from the
testing algorithim to use with the data makes it easy to write
and run large sets of data-driven tests.
- As in 'TransformerAPITest', etc.: a single,
automated test file designed to be run from the command line or
from a testing harness, specifically providing test coverage of
a number of API's. Instead of performing the same kind of generic
processing/transformations to a whole directory tree of files, these
*APITests attempt to validate the API functionality itself: e.g. when
you call setFoo(1), you should expect that getFoo() will return 1.
- Files that are specific to some kind of XSL(T) and XML concepts in
general, but not necessarily specific to Xalan itself. I.e. these
files may generally need org.xml.sax.* or org.w3c.dom.* to compile, but
usually should not need org.apache.xalan.* to compile.
- Various testing implementations of common error handler,
URI resolver, and other classes. These generally do not implement
much functionality of the underlying classes, but simply log out
everything that happens to them to a Logger, for later analysis.
Thus we can hook a LoggingErrorHandler up to a Transformer, run a
stylesheet with known errors through it, and then go back and validate
that the Transformer logged the appropriate errors with this service.
- A simple static utility class with a few general-purpose
utility methods for testing.
Please: if you plan to submit Java API tests, use the existing framework |
on the Federal Reserve
If the Federal Reserve is not run by the Federal Government, then why is it called the “Federal” Reserve? Most people have no idea that the Federal Reserve is in fact owned and operated by private banks and individuals with a shit pot of money. We as a people hear the word federal and automatically think government when in fact this private bank was named this purposely to smoke screen what is really going on.
Why would it be called Federal Reserve if their is nothing Federal about it? Could be it be to purposely deceive people? When we hear the word federal we immediately think the government is involved? The Story goes back to the 1st Bank of America in 1863, in order to help finance the Civil War, a system of national banks was instituted by the National Currency Act. The banks each had the power to issue standardized national bank notes based on United States bonds held by the bank.
Today each Federal Reserve Bank is a separate corporation owned by commercial banks in its region. The stockholding commercial banks elect two thirds of each Bank’s nine member board of directors. The remaining three directors are appointed by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board regulates the Reserve Banks, but direct supervision and control of each Bank is left to its board of directors. The directors impliment by-laws regulating the manner Bank business, and appoint officers to implement and supervise daily Bank activities. These activities include collecting and clearing checks, making advances to private and commercial entities, holding reserves for member banks, discounting the notes of member banks, and buying and selling securities on the open market.
This sounds to me like a regular ass bank printing money and driving our economy into the shit hole for their own profit. Take a freeze frame to research some of this stuff; you may not be too happy with what you find. |
Gyoza! This is another recipe, and it’s really good! The pork filling includes a couple of very Japanese ingredients: wakame and miso.
I made the gyoza wrappers from the recipe in my Japanese cooking project book. This time I made it all in one day, and surprise, surprise, the dough was well behaved without long resting periods.
For 40 gyoza skins, use 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1/4 teaspoon salt), add up to 1 cup boiling water by spoonsful. Mix with chopsticks. The flour gets more and more lumpy looking, until you can form it into a ball. It will look quite primative, but wrap it in a damp cloth and let it pull itself together, resting for 1 hour.
Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic—less than 5 minutes: I usually knead it longer so it seems that is why I’ve needed to let the dough rest more! Roll it into a log about 1 1/4″ in diameter. Cut it into 4 pieces. Work with one section at a time, keeping the remainder covered with a damp cloth. In the picture, you can see I used plastic wrap, but cloth would have been better—condensation. Roll each disk: roll the slice into an oblong shape, turn 30°, roll again, turn 30° and roll. Ideally you’ll have a 2 1/4″ circle. Roll just the circumference of the dough to make the edges thinner. You want to make dumpling wrappers about 3″ in diameter, with the edges thinner than the centers. Dust each wrapper with flour and stack. The stack is higher in the center, where each skin is thicker.
Pork and Wakame Gyoza
from Washoku by Elizabeth Andoh
I doubled the original recipe here, because if I’m making gyoza, I’m going to make enough to make me happy. 40 dumplings
- 6 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
Mix the above ingredients together. Divide into individual serving bowls to accompany the gyoza.
For 12 ounces ground pork:
- 4″ piece of negi, or a small leek, or a bunch of green onions
- 3 large cabbage leaves (I used about 6 small leaves of savoy cabbage)
- 3″ piece of carrot
- 2 Tablespoons dried wakame
Cut the onion into large chunks. Coarsely chop the cabbage, including the stems. Slice the carrot. Put all of the vegetables into a food processor, and pulse until the mixture is finely minced. The wakame will absorb liquid from the vegetables.
Note: Next time, I’ll add the cabbage close to the end of the processing so it is not chopped so small. The pork needs to have some vegetable pieces to make it less dense.
- 2 Tablespoons sake
- 2 teaspoons dark miso
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Put the above into a deep bowl and mix well. Add the vegetables from the food processor. Mix. Add the pork and knead the mixture with your hands until well combined and sticky.
Form the filling into a ball, then divide it into quarters. Work with one portion at a time and keep the remainder in the fridge. Have ready a small bowl of cold water to seal the edges of the dumplings. Have a cookie sheet covered with a cotton cloth to place the finished dumplings on. For more details about shaping the dumplings and making those cool looking pleats click here.
Heat a skillet; when it’s hot add 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Arrange the gyoza around the pan without crowding. Cook the dumplings until the bottoms are browned golden, about 3 minutes. Pour about 1/4 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil into the pan, and slap the cover over the skillet. Lower the heat so the water just simmers. Steam the dumplings for about 5 minutes—cooking is finished when the skins become translucent and the pork is firm. Continue to cook until the pan is sizzling and the water evaporated. Serve 5 or 6 dumplings for an appetizer or side-dish, 10 to 12 for a main course. Be sure everyone has some dipping sauce.
|⇐ Previous Post||Next Post ⇒|
|Eggplant and Miso in a Wok||Gyoza: Pleating the Dumplings| |
It melts in your mouth like chocolate, says Ruth Anne T. Joiner, describing her favorite treat.
"The good stuff is real smooth," she adds. "It's just like a piece of candy."
Joiner is describing the delectable taste of dirt -- specifically, clay from the region around her home in Montezuma, Ga.
While most people would recoil at the thought of eating mud or clay, some medical experts say it may be beneficial, especially for pregnant women.
"Every time I get pregnant, I get a craving -- I have to eat it," says Joiner, 40, who has given birth to four healthy babies.
"If I could get just one little bitty piece, that would stop the craving," she says. "It has a fresh, natural-feeling taste, like the rain or something."
The habit of eating clay, mud or dirt is known as geophagy. Some experts lump it into the same category as pica, which is the abnormal urge to eat coins, paint, soap or other non-food items.
Cultures worldwide have practiced geophagy for centuries, from the ancient Greeks to Native Americans. In most places the habit is limited to women, especially women who are pregnant or of childbearing age.
The practice is common in sub-Saharan Africa, and many anthropologists believe geophagy was brought to the United States by African slaves. It is now most commonly found among African-American women in the rural South.
Though the practice is rarely if ever recommended by medical professionals, some nutritionists now admit the habit of eating clay may have some real health benefits.
"It is possible that the binding effect of clay would cause it to absorb toxins," said Dr. David L. Katz, nutrition expert at the Yale School of Medicine and a medical contributor for ABC News.
Clay's ability to absorb plant toxins is well documented. Jared Diamond, professor of geography and physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and author of "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" has written on clays that are especially good at binding with plant toxins.
Diamond notes that many traditional cultures cook food like potatoes, acorns and bread in clay as a way of protecting against the toxic alkaloids and tannic acids that would otherwise make these foods inedible.
Glycoalkaloids, for example, are commonly found in potatoes and can cause diarrhea, vomiting and neurological problems in humans. But when South American Indians eat these potatoes in combination with alkaloid-binding clays, the potatoes are safe to consume, according to Diamond.
Medical professionals studying geophagy are also considering whether the minerals in some clays are especially beneficial for pregnant women.
"Mineral supplements are a pretty new phenomenon," said Katz. "Mineral demand goes up substantially during pregnancy."
"Soil is nature's multi-mineral supply," he added, "and nature favors behaviors that lead to survival. It may simply be that women who had this craving were more likely to survive and pass on this tendency to their offspring."
Mineral content in clays vary from region to region, but many contain high levels of calcium, iron, copper and magnesium. These are essential minerals for the human diet but even more critical during pregnancy.
Erica Gibson-Staneland, an anthropologist at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., has found that geophagy is more often found in cultures that do not practice dairying. Dairy products like milk and cheese would provide important dietary calcium -- when these are absent, pregnant women may seek other sources.
"It's about women lacking nutrients or women in impoverished conditions who don't have access to health care, adapting," said Gibson-Staneland.
"In Africa, they eat the dirt from termite mounds," she added, noting that the dirt and clays from termite mounds are rich in minerals.
Because not all clays are created equal, women who eat clay are very particular about which clays they consume.
"Everywhere that geophagy has been recorded, it's passed down that there's a certain location where the dirt is tastier or they know it to be cleaner," Gibson-Staneland said.
Joiner, who has eaten clay for over 20 years, refuses to eat certain clays because they contain sand or have a gritty taste. "Make sure you get the real stuff," she advised. "Some people just go out locally and get it. The store's chalk is not as good. I could actually taste the difference."
And most women who practice geophagy get their clays from sources other than the first few inches of topsoil, which have the most biological activity -- and the most bacteria, parasites and other pathogens.
"It's mostly subsurface stuff and I think that's probably less likely to be a source of infection," said Gerald N. Callahan, immunologist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Callahan believes eating clay may be a way to build up the immune system during pregnancy. Citing what has been referred to as a "hygiene hypothesis," he noted that children raised in rural areas, especially on farms, have fewer allergies and autoimmune diseases than children raised in cities -- some researchers believe exposure to soil and other environmental impurities is the reason.
"It's possible that the [pregnant] woman would be strengthening her immune system at the same time she's going to turn antibodies to the child," said Callahan.
Another advantage to eating clay during pregnancy may be the calming effect it can have on the mother's gastrointestinal system, which can succumb to bouts of nausea and morning sickness.
Clays, especially white clays, are made of kaolin. Indeed, Rolaids, Maalox and other medicines recommended for nausea and stomach upset are filled with the same antacid compounds found in white kaolin clays.
Charles N. Maddox of Griffin, Ga., has for many years sold locally mined clay under the catchy brand name Down Home Georgia White Dirt. "It's just Kaopectate," Maddox said. "The old drunks, they used to get drunk and put it [clay] in water and drink it, then go to work. The old-timers and people in Louisiana and Mississippi -- they just love to eat that Mississippi mud."
Maddox's product, however, is not sold for human consumption, though he knows that some locals might be inclined to eat clay.
"We don't suggest that people eat it. We just bag it as a novelty," Maddox said.
Even avid fans of clay eating admit it can be a problem. There is a negative social stereotype associated with anyone who would consume dirt right out of the ground. Many of those familiar with the practice disdain "dirt-eaters" as poor, ignorant or malnourished.
"There's definitely a stigma," said Gibson-Staneland. "Cleanliness is next to godliness, so you don't want to be known as someone who puts dirt in their mouth."
And there may be medical problems associated with over-consumption of clay. Constipation is a common complaint among those who eat clay regularly, due to the same binding effect that makes it an effective anti-diarrhea remedy.
"It will make you constipated," Joiner admits.
For women who are concerned about vitamin and mineral deficiencies during pregnancy, Katz offers this advice: "Take a prenatal vitamin."
But those who have been eating clay all their lives are unlikely to stop, and now some experts are unlikely to encourage them to give up the habit.
Salt, notes Gibson-Staneland, is also a mineral, one that is found on almost every restaurant table in America.
"If most humans readily use water and salt," asks Gibson-Staneland, "why not utilize clay as a food source if it is beneficial?" |
Here is excellent info for anyone trying to decide if Now is better than Later to buy a home.
I might add: The more espensive the home you are considering, the more advantageous NOW is going to be...as to later when interest rates and prices are going to be higher.
THE QUESTION - TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY
Recently, a first-time home buyer asked "Is now the time to buy my first home?" Well, there is no simple answer to this complex question. Real estate professionals aren't necessarily the best equipped to predict future economic conditions. However, real estate professionals do monitor current trends as well as historical trends in local, regional, and national real estate markets.
NATIONAL TRENDS INDICATE THAT THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW
Presently, there are three key national trends which provide support for the position that now is the time to buy:
- Housing Affordability Index: The National Association of Home Builders recently released its Housing Opportunity Index which showed that 72.3% of all new and existing homes homes sold in the second quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000 using standard underwriting criteria. Compared to 2008, this represents a strong positive change from 55% in the second quarter of 2008 to 72.3% in the second quarter of 2008.
- Interest Rates: The average interest rate for a fixed 30 year loandipped below 5% in 2009 and is now at historic lows. Since 2000, interest rates have declined from over 8% to below 5%. In practical terms, this means that purchasers can afford more home for the same monthly payment. For example, a purchaser today who borrows $200,000 at a fixed 30 year interest rate of 5% would pay a monthly payment of $1073. In contrast, a purchaser who borrowed $200,0000 in 2000 at a fixed 30 year interest rate of 8% would have paid a monthly payment of $1467. Or stated differently, today's purchaser can obtain a $200,000 loan at the same monthly cost as what a purchaser in 2000 would have paid for $165,000 loan.
- National Median Prices: Since 2006, the national median priceshave declined. In 2009, national median prices appear to have stabilized with a slight increase in the second quarter of 2009. Now, there is no guarantee that prices will rise in 2010 and beyond. However, it does appear that prices have stabilized and may show a modest increase in 2010.
THE $8,000 FEDERAL FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT
The $8,000 federal tax credit for the purchase of new homes by first-time home buyer represents a unique opportunity. It is especially attractive for young professionals and recent graduates. Depending on the loan amount, the tax credit could be used to pay between 7 to 20 monthly loan payments for the typical first-time home buyer. Here are some examples:
- $75,000 Loan- Monthly Payment $403 - 20 Mortgage Payments
- $100,000 Loan - Monthly Payment $536 - 15 Mortgage Payments
- $150,000 Loan - Monthly Payment $806 - 10 Mortgage Payments
- $200,000 Loan - Monthly Payment $1073 - 7.5 Mortgage Payments
With favorable pricing, historically low interest rates, and the federal tax credit, I can only conclude that NOW is the time to buy for the average first-time home buyer.
INTERESTED IN PURCHASING YOUR FIRST HOME? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com to discover how easy it can be to purchase your first home. |
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Upper Midwest was feeling some unaccustomed heat on Monday, but folks in Oklahoma were having it even worse: In Oklahoma City, they're expecting a 28th day of triple-digit heat, and several roads across the state have buckled from the stress.Read the rest here.
Two lanes of a major interstate in downtown Oklahoma City were closed Monday morning after buckling on a bridge caused steel expansion joints to rise, damaging cars as they passed over.
The city, which is forecast to reach 103 degrees on Monday, is on pace to break its record for days at 100 or above — 50 set in 1980 — with triple-digit heat possible through September.
It's even worse in western Oklahoma, where temperatures at 110 or above have been common in recent weeks. In Enid, asphalt at a major intersection along U.S. Highway 412 buckled Saturday night from the intense heat.
The heat wave is set to press on this week, with high humidity adding to the misery.
Heat indexes are predicted to stay in the triple digits, and the oppressive temperatures are likely to spread to the East Coast later in the week. |
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 17, (MUP), 2007
Sir Norman Lethbridge Cowper (1896-1987), solicitor and army officer, was born on 15 September 1896 at Roseville, Sydney, second son of Australian-born parents Cecil Spencer de Grey Cowper, solicitor, and his wife Alice Mary, née Dodd. Descended from Governor Philip Gidley King, and from Rev. William and Sir Charles Cowper, Norman attended Chatswood Preparatory School and then Sydney Grammar School, where he was a prefect and won the Salting exhibition for 1915. At the University of Sydney (BA, 1918; LL B, 1923) he excelled at debating and won a Blue for hockey.
Rejected by the Australian Imperial Force, Cowper worked as a jackeroo on several outback stations to overcome the residual effects of rheumatic fever. He succeeded in enlisting on 17 June 1918 but was discharged, medically unfit, two months later. Returning to the university in March 1919, he was articled to his father (d.1919) then to Alfred Hemsley, partners in Allen, Allen & Hemsley. On 6 June 1923 he was admitted as a solicitor; he became a partner in Allens in 1924.
At St Mark’s Church of England, Darling Point, on 17 June 1925 Cowper married Dorothea Huntly (`Honey’), daughter of the poet Hugh McCrae; they lived at Wivenhoe, Wahroonga, for sixty-two years. Honey was one of Ethel Anderson’s `Turramurra Wall Painters’.
In the late 1920s Cowper joined the Wahroonga branch (president, 1930) of the National Party. In 1930 he was a delegate to the State and National conventions and a founder of the `1930’ Club. Next year he was elected to the council of the State branch of the party. He also joined the Old Guard. As a joint candidate for the United Australia Party, he stood unsuccessfully for the Federal seats of North Sydney (1931) and Wentworth (1940). In March 1932 he helped to draft the constitution of the UAP and in 1933-37 served on its standing committee on policy, chaired by (Sir) Bertram Stevens. A superb mimic, Cowper told `devastating anecdotes’ and belonged to Justice Bert Evatt’s lunch club.
Cowper and his wife visited Britain and the United States of America in 1935; he made many friends and business links, including the Dulles brothers, partners in the big New York legal firm Sullivan & Cromwell, which later sent work to Allens. Liberal-minded, he was outraged by the Commonwealth government’s treatment of Mrs Mabel Freer, who was alleged to have committed adultery with an Australian army officer serving in India. After she failed a dictation test in Italian, the minister for the interior, Thomas Paterson, refused her admission to Australia in December 1936. Cowper lodged a writ of habeas corpus on her behalf in the High Court of Australia. Justice Evatt dismissed the writ but made plain his disapproval of the minister’s executive decision. In June next year cabinet countermanded the minister’s action.
On 26 May 1939 Cowper was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Militia; he rose to major and carried out part-time duties. He transferred to the AIF in May 1941 and served with the Armoured Division at home. Joining the Australian Provost Corps (military police) in March 1942, he served as army provost marshal, New Guinea Force (September 1943-May 1944) and Northern Territory Force (July-November 1944). As a lieutenant colonel from 20 November he held the same position at Advanced Allied Land Forces Headquarters, Hollandia and Morotai (January-May 1945). Back in Sydney, with, according to John Wilkes, `a fund of stories about his experiences’, he was placed on the Reserve of Officers on 11 July 1945.
Abandoning his political ambitions, Cowper concentrated on rebuilding his career and rehabilitating Allen, Allen & Hemsley, which had suffered attrition of personnel and business. He discouraged nepotism, sought to recruit talent and tolerated no carelessness. Cowper wrote in clear, concise English and encouraged its use in the drafting of legal documents. His ability to reduce issues to non-threatening proportions enabled him to reassure his clients.
A specialist in commercial law, Cowper looked after the firm’s most important client, the Bank of New South Wales. In 1947 the Chifley government announced its intention to introduce legislation to nationalise the trading banks. Cowper immediately retained as many counsel as possible (to deprive the government of their advice) for the impending challenge in the High Court, and briefed (Sir) Garfield Barwick and (Sir) Frank Kitto. The case was won in 1947. The Cowpers spent nine months in London while the case was before the Privy Council, which eventually upheld the High Court’s decision.
Through professional connections Cowper was a director of many companies including Gilbert Lodge (Holdings) Ltd (chairman, 1950-79), Australian Fixed Trusts Pty Ltd, New Guinea Goldfields Ltd, Development Finance Corporation Ltd and Permaglass Ltd (chairman, 1969-77). Essentially `a man who believed in professional and public service’, he was a council-member (1940-41 and 1945-60), office-bearer, and president (1958-59) of the Incorporated Law Institute of New South Wales. From 1951 Cowper virtually ran Allens; he succeeded Arthur Allen as the senior partner in 1963. His important clients included Kaiser Walsh Perini Raymond, one of the consortiums that constructed the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme. When he retired on 30 June 1970 he had done much to modernise Allens.
Hoping to promote a more rational understanding of public questions, Cowper was a foundation director (1932-69) and chairman (1933-37) of the Australian Institute of Political Science. He contributed numerous papers to its summer schools in Canberra, chaired its conferences (notably on the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1958 and 1968), and wrote pamphlets, and articles and book reviews for the Australian Quarterly and the Sydney Morning Herald. A councillor of the State branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs in 1933-41 and intermittently thereafter, he was a delegate to its Commonwealth council (president 1949-50). From 1964 he served as chairman of the Council on New Guinea Affairs; in 1968 he attacked the government’s `equivocating policies’ on independence for the Territory.
Appointed CBE in 1958 and knighted in 1967, Cowper was president (1969-72) of the Australian Club and a member of the University Club. He remained a major influence behind the scenes in non-Labor politics. In 1959 he sat on the Richardson committee of inquiry into the salaries and allowances of members of the Commonwealth parliament; the committee’s recommendation for increased payments raised a storm of protest. On 29 October 1975, during the political crisis triggered by the Senate’s refusal of supply to the Whitlam government, Cowper wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald: for `a constitutional lawyer, it is the most interesting confrontation since Federation’. He believed that `the power of removal (the reserve power of the Crown) may be the only safeguard against the destruction of democracy’. The letter impressed the governor-general Sir John Kerr by its `acuity’.
As a young man Cowper had immersed himself in the Old Sydneians’ Union; from 1932 he was an elected trustee of Sydney Grammar School, serving as chairman in 1951-74. In the 1960s he advised the headmaster to allow students to protest against the Vietnam War while wearing school uniform. He maintained a close interest in legal education and training. In 1955-74 he was a member of the council of the Australian National University, Canberra.
Known for his ability to resolve disputes, Cowper joined the board of Angus & Robertson Ltd (chairman, 1960-70); he led the successful fight against a threatened takeover by Consolidated Press Ltd. In similar circumstances, he was appointed (1962) to the national committee and editorial board of the Australian Dictionary of Biography at a time when there were great differences over policy. He contributed articles to the ADB on George Allen and his son Sir George Wigram Allen, and on Georgiana and George Gordon McCrae. Although he produced no major book, all that Cowper wrote was elegant.
Even in his late seventies Cowper `was a vigorous and skilful tennis player’. Nevertheless, he preferred more scholarly pursuits. Bookshelves overflowed every room in the house. `His garden was a great passion & solace all of his life’. Its charm lay in the balance achieved between Honey’s philosophy of `letting plants grow into their natural shape’ and Norman’s `urge for order & discipline’. He confessed that his wife believed him to be `a murderer where trees and shrubs are concerned’. Distinguished looking, he was 5 ft 10 ins (178 cm) tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. He invariably wore a suit and smoked a pipe. With his confidence, impish humour and easy command, he frequently did and said the unexpected.
Sir Norman died on 9 September 1987 at Hornsby and was cremated. His wife and their three daughters survived him. Obituarists remarked on his `tremendous generosity of mind and spirit, the breadth of his vision, his appreciation of the place of both the traditional and the unconventional and his ability to communicate with people of all kinds’. June Mendoza’s portrait of Cowper is held by the Australian Club.
Martha Rutledge, 'Cowper, Sir Norman Lethbridge (1896–1987)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cowper-sir-norman-lethbridge-12361/text22209, published in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 26 July 2014.
This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 17, (MUP), 2007 |
I like to use my brother as an example: He got his degree in micro-biology, and he currently has a very respectable job selling computer software to large companies. It's honestly a bit too complicated for me to really understand, but it has nothing to do with biology. And yet, he does not regret his course of study and it is in fact that degree, among other things, which helped him to start his career in the computer software industry.
|This is the book my mom gave my brother|
when he graduated from junior college!
It's funny how things work out!
Lately I've been stressed out trying to deal with school while looking for jobs and internships to apply for. There have been moments when I wish my passion had been for science or business, or something practical like that. I even took the LSAT and almost applied to law school. But the mere thought of three years of nothing but law classes makes my stomach churn.
I have friends studying science and a brother in nursing school and they know exactly the type of job they want to apply for. I don't even know where to start. But just because I can't see where I'll be in six months, doesn't mean that I don't have a future. There are prospects out there, I just have to work a little bit harder to find them.
I read something the other day that said "minor in something that you love, major in something that will get your a job". I can't remember who said it, but I'm guessing it was either a bitter liberal arts major who struggled to find a decent job or some logical person who studied math but whose real passion was for film. On its face, this seems like good advice, but no matter what choose you will be studying it for four years. Don't major (or minor) in something that you don't like. You don't have to love it, but you should like it.
I will NEVER regret my choice to be an English major, no matter where I end up in twelve months or twelve years. I got to study what I loved for four years. I enjoyed every single English class I took and I loved my professors. That cannot be said for my general education courses. But I also do not regret minoring in pre-law, even if I never go to law school. And I wish I had taken a computer class and a marketing class.
My main piece of advice is to take a wide variety of classes that sound interesting to you during your first year or two of college. You will get a feel for what you love, what you never want anything to do with ever again, and what you might like to learn more about. It's OK if you end up taking a few courses that do not contribute directly to your degree, you will learn about what you want to do for the rest of your life and gain knowledge that could help you land a job in the future.
Also, remember that this choice will not dictate the rest of your life. It's far to stressful to decide on your whole future when you're 18, or even 21! Do what makes you happy and try new things, you never know what you are going to love. |
Back in 2008 I wrote a book review of Nim Chimpsky: The Chimp Who Would Be Human There are a number of stories in the Guardian concerning a documentary, based on the book, on the subject. First, Peter Singer reviews the film. Second, Carole Jahme interviews special effects artist Pauline Fowler. Finally, there is a picture gallery.
Note: The next addition of the Four Stone hearth will at This is Serious Monkey Business on February 2nd. Pleas get your submissions in!
That seems to be the way the press is portraying the video below. The video was released in conjunction with an article published in the American Journal of Primatology (the article can also be found here) Continue reading
I will be hosting the Four Stone Hearth on 1/05/11. Please send my your submissions! In the meantime, I am looking for hosts for dates in February and March. If you are interested in hosting drop me a line (my email address is on the “About” tab).
Current Biology has and interesting paper called Sex differences in chimpanzees’ use of sticks as play objects resemble those of children. The paper, by Kahlenberg and Wrangham, reports on male and female play with sticks. The study involved chimpanzees of the Kanyawara community at Kibale National Park in Uganda. Continue reading
I first became interested in the subject of yawning based on this NPR story. The idea that yawning is contagious is not a new idea. Of course, dogs do yawn in response to humans, as do primates. But do they yawn in response to a video?
Science Daily has an interesting item, Chimpanzees Develop ‘Specialized Tool Kits’ To Catch Army Ants, that discusses research into tool use in chimpanzee ant catching behavior.
The Discovery Channel website has an interesting story on chimpanzee tool kits :
For this latest study, however, Boesch and colleagues Josephine Head and Martha Robbins observed chimpanzees at Loango National Park on the coast of Gabon, Africa. They identified at least five different types of chimp-made honey extraction tools used in sequence.
The tools consist of pounders, enlargers, collectors, perforators and swabbers. Chimps, suspended in acrobatic positions on branches, might first pull out a thick stick pounder to break open beehive entrances. They then reach for another stick, the enlarger, to perforate and widen different honeybee hive compartments. Next comes the collector, used to dip or scoop out honey.
Different tools and methods are needed to obtain underground bee honey. The chimps wield a perforator to penetrate the ground, locate a honey chamber and dig into the soil. They then pull off strips of bark to “dip and spoon the honey out of the opened beehive.”
Obtaining honey from an underground hive isn’t easy. Aside from dealing with angry, stinging bees, the chimps must dig narrow sideways tunnels, maintain perfect aim and prevent soil from falling into, and ruining, their desired sweet reward.
Apparently, the study (being published in the Journal of Human Evolution) also compares chimp toolkits with those “stone age human techologies.”
(This post published via email)
Over at UD Denyse O’Leary is all twitterpated over this news story. The news item concerns a paper accepted for publication in the journal Advances in the Study of Behavior. The paper hasn’t been published yet, so we are dependent on MSNBC for details:
Lead author Jozsef Topal explained to Discovery News “that shared environment has led to the emergence of functionally shared behavioral features in dogs and humans and, in some cases, functionally analogous underlying cognitive skills.”
“In my view, pet dogs can be regarded in many respects as ‘preverbal infants in canine’s clothing,’” he said, adding that many dog-owner relationships mirror human parental bonds with children.
In one of many recent studies conducted by the team, Topal and his colleagues taught both a 16-month-old human child and mature dogs to repeat multiple demonstrated actions on verbal command — “Do it!,” shouted in Hungarian.
The idea that dogs might serve as models of human behavior is not a new idea. Dogs, like humans are highly social animals that evolved from other highly social animals. For example, one line of research looks at the ability of dogs and wolves to perceive and act on cues provided by humans (turns out wolves don’t pay that much attention to cues provided by humans).
Of course, other animal models have been suggested:
Paleopathology, for all practical purposes, is the study of the diseases and traumas that affect humans in the past. Necessarily, it is restricted to the study of the skeleton which severely limits the scope of what diseases can be studied. Even with that restriction a wide variety of questions can be addressed. We can, for example, ask how the change in lifestyle from hunter-gatherer to agriculturalist impacted human health. Or we can look at disease patterning in a given lifestyle. We can also look at whether disease and trauma differentially affect a given group such as young versus old or male versus female.
Since chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, understanding the diseases and traumas that impact the chimp skeleton might shed some light on human evolution. We can ask, for example, what selective factors impact chimpanzees It goes without saying that it would also be helpful to conservation biologists as well. There is a growing body of literature on the subject.
The recent chimp hissy fit thrown by the residents at UD reminded me of some videos I wanted to post…
They occasionally signed a few words to each other, although Byrne had often said that sign language was irrelevant to their relationship. From time to time Byrne believed that their discussions, however they communicated, verged on the philosophical. It was as if Nim was questioning Byrne, asking him over and over, “Why am I here? Why am I locked in this cage?” Byrne had thought seriously about the answer to that question. He concluded that Nim was not asking to escape but making a more poignant comment on the injustice of his captivity. – from Nim Chimpsky: The Chimp Who Would Be Human
I have been without DSL for the last couple of days – according to the repairman it is because squirrels and telephone wires do not mix. The problem was fixed earlier today. In catching up one of the posts I noticed was an excellent post, by Sheril Kirshenbaum, on keeping chimpanzees as pets (I hope this post means Sheril is feeling better). |
Report omits cancer chemical in Marines’ water
Press TV – February 18, 2010
The level of a cancer-causing chemical found in tap water at a military base in North Carolina was intentionally not reported, an AP review finds.
An environmental contractor deliberately did not report the level of the dangerously high levels of benzene at Camp Lejeune for a federal health review.
Benzene has been traced to massive leaks from fuel tanks at the base, according to recently disclosed studies.
For years, Marines who served at Camp Lejeune on the North Carolina coast have blamed their families’ cancers and other ailments on tap water tainted by dry cleaning solvents, and many accuse the military of covering it up.
A July 1984 report said benzene was found 380 parts per billion in the water supply. In 1991 another contractor warned the Navy of the health hazards posed by such levels of benzene.
By 1992 a third contractor, the Michael Baker Corp., released a draft report on the feasibility of fixing the overall problem. The citing of the 1984 level of 380 parts per billion changed to 38 parts per billion.
One sample from a series of tests conducted from June 2007 to August 2009 registered 3,490 parts per billion, according to a report from a fourth contractor.
Kyla Bennett, who spent 10 years as an enforcement officer for the Environmental Protection Agency before becoming an ecologist and environmental attorney, reviewed the different reports and said it was difficult to conclude innocent mistakes were made in the Baker Corp. documents.
“It is weird that it went from 380 to 38 and then it disappeared entirely,” she said. “It does support the contention that they did do it deliberately.”
David Higie, a spokesman for Baker Corp., declined to discuss the company’s reports or why its employees might have revised the benzene levels. He has referred questions to the military. |
Blood being darker in color usually means that there is less oxygen through the blood stream in your body. People who smoke often have less oxygen in their blood then people who do not.
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March 2013 - Wal-Mart has completed the installation of more than 4.5 megawatts (MW) of solar panels atop twelve Ohio stores. The project is expected to produce 6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year—approximately 10-15 percent of each store's power consumption. The systems are owned and operated by SolarCity, which will sell the electricity to Wal-Mart through a negotiated power purchase agreement. The new solar installations account for nearly a tenth of all the solar currently installed in Ohio. Currently, Wal-Mart has 240 renewable energy projects underway worldwide, including three recent solar installations completed in Kahului, Kailua-Kona, and Kapolei, Hawaii. The Hawaii installations each have a capacity of 311 kilowatts (kW) and are expected to individually produce 400,000 kWh annually.
News Release -
Walmart expands solar installations to Ohio
News Article -
Area Wal-Marts go solar
Additional Information -
Walmart Expands Solar Installations in Hawaii |
Early festivals put charge in tourism
TRAVERSE CITY Something had to be done to attract tourists to the Grand Traverse area, local resident and community leader Jay P. Smith declared in 1925.
Henry Ford had introduced a new automobile that allowed people to travel long distances with ease, and Hannah, Lay & Co. spurred a growing business atmosphere here, but tourism still lagged.
So Smith created the Blessing of the Blossoms festival.
For one day in May area residents and visitors traveled out to the Old Mission Peninsula to view fields of cherry blossoms from the vantage point of two towers, then flocked to a downtown parade that moved east on Front Street from Elmwood Avenue to Railroad Avenue.
"This was kind of a big deal, said Gary Kaberle, a former National Cherry Festival president. "People really liked this.
But Smith and his committee quickly realized that a May festival meant children weren't out of school and tourists were less likely to have time off work, so they moved the festival to July to coincide with the cherry harvest.
On July 19, 1928, an estimated 30,000 people lined Front Street to watch the first-annual Michigan Cherry Festival parade. Then-Gov. Fred W. Green, Mayor James T. Milliken and other area leaders attended and the day went off without a hitch, save for an afternoon downpour, reported a Record-Eagle article from the time.
"Rain sent the crowds scampering in the afternoon and it struck full force in the evening, but the Festival was too great a success for anyone to worry about such an annoyance. Eating places were filled as never before, and the people came into the stores and purchased not only trinkets but shoes and suits and washing machines.
Lifelong Traverse City resident Mel Gee was born a year before the 1928 parade, and lived just a short distance from the original parade route. He remembers the event's earliest days.
"The parades were lined up in front of our house on State Street, so I could sit out on our front porch and see quite a few of the floats. Then my dad and mother would always take me downtown and we would watch the parades down there; always a lot of fun, Gee said.
In the early years, Gee said, horses pulled most of the floats. Other things changed: In 1931 the Michigan Legislature renamed the festival the National Cherry Festival, and the event gradually expanded from one day to three, then five, six and eventually to the current eight-day format.
Other milestones include 1939, when the local cherry queen presented an 80-pound cherry pie to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the cancellation of the festival from 1942 through 1947, in part because of World War II.
Festival organizers have always tried to honor the festival's roots, but this year the show will go on without the traditional Heritage Day parade, due to financial constraints.
"The cost structure of putting on the parades and 87 events for free was getting too much to bear, said Tom Menzel, festival executive director. "We literally did not have enough money.
Of the three traditional parades, festival organizers decided the Heritage Parade was the most logical to cut, but some day they hope to bring it back.
"The real challenge is, to me, to try to sustain a historical venue, but to pay for it, Menzel said. |
|Pevzner, Igal - COBB-VANTRESS,INC|
|Ferro, Pamela - TX A&M UNIV|
Submitted to: Avian Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 16, 2003
Publication Date: October 20, 2003
Citation: Swaggerty, C.L., Pevzner, I.Y., Ferro, P.J., Crippen, T.L., Kogut, M.H. 2003. Association between in vitro heterophil function and the feathering gene in commercial broiler chickens. Avian Pathology. 32:483-488. Interpretive Summary: During the first week of life, baby chickens are susceptible to bacterial infections. Baby chicks have blood cells that can help them prevent these infections. These cells are called heterophils. The objective of this research was to compare heterophils from two different types of baby chicks and to see which chickens' heterophils were better able to kill bacteria. We showed that heterophils from baby chicks that developed feathers faster were better able to kill bacteria when compared to baby chicks whose feathers grew slower. These experiments are important to the commercial poultry breeders. We have shown that if they use chickens whose feathers grow quicker the baby chicks may be stronger and therefore more able to fight off infections early after the baby chicks hatch.
Technical Abstract: We recently showed that in vitro heterophil functional efficiency in commercial broiler chickens is genetically controlled and may be a sex-associated trait. To further characterize the genetic mechanism(s) of heterophil functional efficiency we wanted to determine if the feathering gene, present on the Z sex chromosome, contributes to heterophil functional efficiency. Heterophils from two pairs of broiler lines were evaluated; each pair contained a fast feather (FF) (lines A and X) and a slow feather (SF) flock (lines B and Y). On days 1 and 4 post-hatch, heterophils isolated from two sets of pure line broilers (A and B; X and Y) were evaluated for their ability to: (1) phagocytize Salmonella enteritidis (SE) and (2) exhibit bactericidal activity against SE. On days 1 and 4 post-hatch, heterophils isolated from the FF lines were statistically (p less than or equal to 0.02) more proficient at phagocytizing SE than heterophils from SF lines. Bactericidal activity was also statistically (p less than or equal to 0.02) greater on day 1 post-hatch in the heterophils isolated from FF lines compared to heterophils isolated from SF lines. These data indicate that the presence of the FF gene locus on the Z sex chromosome contributes to heterophil function and may contribute to the early innate immune competence of a flock. |
BANGALORE: Once a cluster of villages, it is now a concrete jungle with skyscrapers and traffic screeching on the roads. But the smileys are there: broad, new-laid roads lined with neat medians and streetlights — a welcome sight across Mahadevapura. With time, the villages of Gunjur, Varthur, Hagadur, Kadugodi and Hoody have transformed into major hubs of the new BBMP zone, barring a few interior locations.
THE PPP WAY
But change did not come overnight: much of it came about thanks to effective Public-Private Partnership, a majority of it triggered by the year-old Mahadevapura Agenda Task Force (MATF), inspired by the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF). The few success stories here serve as lessons on infrastructure to even the old BBMP areas.
MATF was started soon after the assembly elections in 2008. The agenda: to involve residents in local area planning and development. "The initial four or five meetings of MATF were organized to understand problems and issues, and solicit suggestions from the people, besides getting senior officials from various civic and development agencies such as BBMP, BDA, BWSSB, Bescom, revenue, PWD, education , health, Lake Authority, sports and library departments.
These consultations soon shaped up into a comprehensive development plan for the entire zone, which was further categorized into short, medium and long-term projects. Detailed project reports (DPRs) were prepared by civic and municipal agencies and government departments. Then, several meetings were held with civic agencies for allocation of funds,'' explains MATF convener R K Misra.
The good news:
most of the short-term projects are already complete. Almost all the inner city roads have been strengthened and asphalted, door-to-door garbage collection is implemented, trees have been planted all along the roads and almost all major roads have streetlights that function.
Include work on five major road corridors
Kundalahalli-Varthur Kodi-Hope Farm-Kadugodi (Whitefield Railway Stn., 8 km): The road stretch from Kundalahalli-Graphite India-Hoody Jn (5 km) is being developed into a model road. Tiled footpaths for these two 'zero-dust roads' is under progress, with cable ducts, bus bays and pedestrian crossings. These roads will soon be fitted with rain water harvesting pits at every 50 m in the roadside drain.
HAL-Marathalli-Kundalahalli : This road is part of the signal-free corridor, up to Vellara Junction via Air Force Command Hospital. BBMP tendering under progress, but halted due to model code of conduct.
Hope Farm-ITPB-KR Puram: Part of signal-free corridor up to Mehkri Circle via Ulsoor-Jayamahal . Again, BBMP tendering under progress, stopped due to model code of conduct.
Sarjapur Road from Iblur-Wipro HO-railway crossing: BBMP has estimated the work, funds are yet to be allocated.
Outer Ring Road - Iblur-KR Puram: Part of signal-free ORR project.
The Iblur flyover at Sarjapur Road junction is 50% complete. Another three flyovers between Iblur and KR Puram have also been tendered, and soil survey work is in progress. The BDA also plans to make this road 'dust-free' , laying interlocking blocks and planting shrubs on medians and footpaths.
Kadugodi Railway Over Bridge (RoB):
The crude stretch of unfinished RoB stands disconnected over Whitefield station at Kadugodi. This RoB is part of the east-side
access to Bengaluru International
Airport (BIA), proposed by the Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure Development (ABIDe). Ironically, almost 45 km of the road stretch starting from K a d u g o d i Whitefield railway station up to the airport , via Budhigiri and Devanahalli, is almost ready, but this bridge is incomplete even after four years. The latest reason is that the contractor has run away as Railways refused to pay the additional cost. However, officials say new tenders have been called and people hope work will begin in February . Meanwhile, commuters at this junction have to contend with chaos and an hour-long jam at the railway crossing, with goods trains shuttling to the FCI depot nearby.
ITPB/Industrial Park Zone:
The most important industrial, hi-tech zone of Bangalore , it has been completely neglected by KIADB. The are broken roads, no footpaths or streetlights.
Pedestrian woes at Marathalli junction :
Increasing traffic has left pedestrians with very little foot room on roads. Physically handicapped and senior citizens struggle to cross the road through speeding vehicles. "It's sad that the city has skywalks at places where people don't use them. Here, we need them badly, but nothing has been done,'' complains a pedestrian, who has seen this area worsen with the years. |
Twenty-five third- and fifth-graders from Eastern Elementary School participated in a Black History Month art project in conjunction with the Contemporary School for the Arts & Gallery Inc. after-school outreach artwork program.
The students designed a quilt showing how Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom. Art instructor Diane Hamilton was assisted by Ghafar Jame, Art Page, Gordon and Janet Bartels, Ron Lytle, Sandra Barry and Ken Wagner.
The students' presentation will be on display today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagerstown YMCA.
It also will be shown at the Contemporary Art Gallery, 4 W. Franklin St. in Hagerstown, through Feb. 14. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
From Feb. 15 to 28, the work will be on display at Washington County Free Library. |
TUCSON — Willie Odem signed up to go on a private whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon in February 1990 and right away knew it would be a while.
"When I got on a list, my number was 3,220. And it took me almost 10 years," said Odem, president of the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Assn. His trip came in September, and he and others think that's too long.
On Thursday, Odem's organization and environmentalists challenged allocations for rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a lawsuit targeting the National Park Service and the Interior Department.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, asks the court to reallocate the percentage of rafting permits to give private boaters a better chance of getting on the river.
Since 1980, private boaters have been allowed 32% of the user days for rafting through the canyon, while commercial rafting companies have been allowed 68%.
About 20,000 people take commercial rafting trips on the river each year.
The lawsuit also seeks a permanent injunction requiring the Park Service to resume work on a wilderness and river management plan for Grand Canyon National Park. Additionally, it seeks to reduce or eliminate use of motorized watercraft on the river.
In February, park Supt. Rob Arnberger stopped work on the plan, citing polarization among river user groups and interests, a lack of resources and a lack of congressional guidance on the issue.
Grand Canyon park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge said park officials had not seen the lawsuit and would not comment. |
Is it possible for a baby to start teething at nearly 3 weeks old? My little man is showing signs that his teeth look like they are going to come through soon. I didn't know if this may just be me being silly or if anyone here has actually had this happen to them? Any tips would be nice for a first time mummy.
It could be, as emilyjade said, some babies are born with teeth. Joe's been having teething symptoms since he was about 10 weeks old but we still don't have any teeth coming through.
Maybe contact your HV if you're worried.
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PORTLAND, Maine — The owner of several Wendy’s restaurants in Maine has agreed to pay more than $17,000 to settle claims that managers at one of its restaurants refused to hire people who weren’t U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Justice Department found that since 2009 a Wendy’s owned by Restwend LLC instituted a policy of hiring only U.S. citizens and rejecting those who were believed to be non-U.S. citizens. The Immigration and Nationality Act generally prohibits discrimination in hiring against authorized workers on the basis of citizenship status.
Under the terms of the settlement, Restwend has agreed to pay $14,500 in back pay, plus interest, to a victim of its policy, as well as $3,200 in civil penalties.
A Restwend official in Augusta wasn’t immediately available for comment. |
25 7 / 2014
"No writing is wasted. Did you know that sourdough from San Francisco is leavened partly by a bacteria called lactobacillus sanfrancisensis? It is native to the soil there, and does not do well elsewhere. But any kitchen can become an ecosystem. If you bake a lot, your kitchen will become a happy home to wild yeasts, and all your bread will taste better. Even a failed loaf is not wasted. Likewise, cheese makers wash the dairy floor with whey. Tomato gardeners compost with rotten tomatoes. No writing is wasted: the words you can’t put in your book can wash the floor, live in the soil, lurk around in the air. They will make the next words better."
23 7 / 2014
"Write to write. Write because you need to write. Write to settle the rage within you. Write with an internal purpose. Write about something or someone that means so much to you, that you don’t care what others think."
22 7 / 2014
Anonymous said: Can an antagonist be an illness (such as cancer, etc)?
Definitely! If a character is experiencing an internal or emotional struggle that prevents them from reaching their goals that can be the antagonist.
21 7 / 2014
"Humor is the easiest to achieve; the heart is always the toughest, because you can’t tell people to feel a certain way - they have to discover it for themselves." |
Controversy swirls again in the East China Sea as a Chinese naval captain locked his attack radar on a Japanese vessel, says Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.
Japan’s Defense Ministry made the announcement Tuesday, claiming such “painting” happened on January 30 and January 19. Onodera “warned that such actions increased the chances that any missteps in a dispute over the islands could veer into a larger confrontation,” according to the New York Times.
Would anyone be surprised to learn this occurred near the Diaoyu Islands?
The Chinese incursions are seen by Japanese political leaders and analysts as part of a new strategy to press Japan into officially acknowledging that a territorial dispute exists. They also say that by maintaining a nearly constant presence, China hopes to undermine Japan’s claims to be in sole control of the islands.
According to AOL Defense, the move was bullying, plain and simple.
“Pure intimidation” is how one of America’s most respected analysts of the Chinese military characterized the act of a Peoples Liberation Army Navy skipper who “painted” a Japanese naval ship with his fire control radar.
…Another top analyst, Dean Cheng at the Heritage Foundation, noted that the captain was unlikely to have taken the action on his own. “Something like this would have required the ship’s captain and political officer to agree, in all likelihood,” he writes.
Cheng compared the Chinese action (revealed yesterday by Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera) to buzzing another country’s fighter or bomber. It offers “Plausible deniability, no fingerprints (e.g., a bullet hole in a plane), but is also escalatory,” Cheng said in an email.
No one likes to see it, and no one respects it. Then again, when you’re fighting over rocks, is there any expectation for more than bush league tactics, urine-like water-cannon fire?
UPDATE, 2/8, 12:51 pm: China says it’s investigating. Via Reuters:
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday the government was investigating a complaint from Japan that a Chinese navy vessel aimed a type of radar normally used to aim weapons at a target at a Japanese navy ship in the East China Sea.
“The relevant Chinese departments are currently conducting an earnest, solemn investigation into these reports to verify them,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing. |
Pattern of the 2nd throughout scripture, love and hate
Good morning brothers and sisters. This morning, the Lord reminded me of a sermon my pastor preached some time ago on Esau and Jacob. It is very encouraging and I thought some of you may appreciate it. But first, a little background.
God has set a pattern in scripture that is amazing. Throughout the scriptures we see firsts and seconds. But the emphasis is on the second. For example:
1. It's not the first Adam, its the Second Adam
2. It's not the OT, it's the NT.
3. It wasn't Ishmael, it was Isaac.
4. Not King Saul, but King David.
5. Not Esau, but Jacob.
And on and on. Now, we have some interesting scriptures about Esau and Jacob to get into that are greatly encouraging. But a little more back ground on them first. Let's start with Amalek.
Amalek battled against Israel very early after they left Egypt. This was something that God did not like! As a result, he promised to wipe them out. This was the main reason he commanded Saul to kill them all.
8 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." 10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, " Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 15 Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner; 16 and he said, " The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation."
Now this passage brings up an interesting question. If God is going to wipe them out from memory under heave as he says in vs. 14 above, how is it that he will war with them from generation to generation?
Many commentators believe that Amalek is a type of the flesh for many reasons. 1. He is a descendant of Esau who sold his birthright because of a desire of the flesh. 2. Amalek was the very first battle that Israel had after getting released from Egypt. 3. The Lord was going to wipe them out and he was going to fight with them from generation to generation. IOW, while one generation may conquer their flesh, or one person may, the battle must be waged with each coming generation too. 4. The battle is not won through hard work, but rather through a miracle from God. Note too that we need help! As Moses got tired, he need friends to assist him. (As a side note, some commentators also see Esau as a type of the carnal nature.)
So we battle with Amalek until he is destroyed. I suggested above that Amalek was a descendant of Esau. Here's the scripture:
15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 16 chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah
Another side note, why is it that the flesh always rises up when we are tired and weary? The scripture confirms this is when it happens.
17 " Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 18 how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God.
Now fast forward to the New Testament!
10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." 13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."
Each of us has a dual nature. Both Esau and Jacob are within us just as they were within Rebekah, or within Isaac. We have the flesh and the spirit. The flesh is born first. But the promise is, that the younger (the spirit) will rule the older (the flesh)! Can I get an amen! And do you not hate your fleshly side? God hates Esau too! That part of us that builds for it's own self, that part of us that we war against, that would sell the birthright if it had it's way. This is the person that God hates! But wait, Jacob he loved! He loves your spirit! Ah yes! And we have a promise from God concerning our flesh, God will war against it and help you war against it until it is conquered. But the promise is more than that! He will do the same for your children that are saved, and for their children for thousands of generations. Every generation can have victory over Esau/Amalek.
Now back to Esau who was called Edom.
30 and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished." Therefore his name was called Edom.
Here are the verses from the OT that Paul was quoting out in Romans 9. It gives further light on the issue.
2 "I have loved you," says the Lord. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the Lord. "Yet I have loved Jacob; 3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness." 4 Though Edom says, "We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins"; thus says the Lord of hosts, "They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the Lord is indignant forever." 5 Your eyes will see this and you will say, " The Lord be magnified beyond the border of Israel!"
A funny thing about the flesh, it will want to rebuild! But the Lord promises to tear it down! Every thing we build up in the flesh, God will tear down.
I am thankful that God helps me against my all my enemies, including my own flesh.
Grace to you,
13 "But go and learn what this means: ' I DESIRE COMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." |
Polygamy and Scripture
A common complaint made by critics of Christianity is that polygamy seems to be allowed in the Bible, and/or many Biblical characters seemed to have had more than one wife. The homosexual activists are also jumping on this bandwagon as they seek to justify their lifestyle: “God is OK with polygamy, so why not homosexuality?” they ask.
Four short replies can be given at the outset to this line of thought. First, description does not equal prescription. Just because something is described in the Bible does not mean it is being prescribed. Plenty of activities are recorded in Scripture which we are of course not to emulate or congratulate. Simply having an activity recorded in the Bible does not necessarily mean it is to be engaged in by others.
Second, God in his grace often allowed fallen mankind – including his own people – to engage in activities and behaviours which he is not at all thrilled about. He often showed patience and forbearance as his own people moved away from their pagan roots into the fullness of what he had in mind for them.
Third, there are a number of texts which in no uncertain terms condemn polygamy and warn God’s people against it. Finally, the overall biblical record is clear on what God’s ideal is in regards to human sexuality. Marriage between one man and one woman for life has always been God’s intention, and it is against this backdrop that all discussions of sexuality should be seen.
But let’s look at all this in more detail. God’s intentions at creation have to be seen as paramount here. It is quite clear that what God intended for Adam and Eve is the divine template for marriage and sexuality. In my new book Strained Relations I put it this way:
“As De Young puts it, ‘the creation of humans as male and female (Genesis 1) and the heterosexual union that constitutes marriage (Genesis 2) lie at the basis of the rest of Scripture and its comments about sexuality and marriage.’
“God’s intention for human sexuality is made clear in the early chapters of Genesis. John Stott says three fundamental truths emerge from the creation account of Genesis 1 and 2: 1) the human need for companionship; 2) the divine provision to meet this human need; and 3) the resulting institution of marriage.
“Gen. 2:24 makes it clear that one man and one woman only can constitute a marriage bond: ‘Thus Scripture defines the marriage God instituted in terms of heterosexual monogamy. It is the union of one man with one woman, which must be publicly acknowledged (the leaving of parents), permanently sealed (he will “cleave to his wife”), and physically consummated (“one flesh”). And Scripture envisages no other kind of marriage or sexual intercourse, for God provided no alternative.’
“As one Old Testament scholar says, ‘Without question 2:24 serves as the bedrock for Hebrew understanding of the centrality of the nuclear family for the survival of society. Monogamous heterosexual marriage was always viewed as the divine norm from the outset of creation’.”
In his book, God, Marriage and Family, Andreas Kostenberger rightly says, “the Creator’s design is simple and clear; one woman for one man. This is the law of marriage established at Creation.” Thus “polygamy was never normative among the followers of Israel’s God”.
He continues, “While it is evident, then, that some very important individuals (both reportedly godly and ungodly) in the history of Israel engaged in polygamy, the Old Testament clearly communicates that the practice of having multiple wives was a departure from God’s plan for marriage.
“This is conveyed not only in Scripture verses that seem univocally to prohibit polygamy (cf. Deut. 17:17; Lev. 18:18), but also from the sin and general disorder that polygamy produced in the lives of those who engaged in the practice.”
Or as Old Testament scholar Richard Davidson puts it in his magisterial Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament, when we examine the patriarchal narratives where examples of plural marriages are found, “the narrator presents each account in such a way as to underscore a theology of disapproval. The record of these polygamous relationships bristles with discord, rivalry, heartache, and even rebellion, revealing the motivations and/or disastrous consequences that invariably accompanied such departures from God’s Edenic ideal.”
He goes on to state that of the 3000 men mentioned in the OT record, only 33 are involved in polygamy, and “invariably the divinely inspired narrators include their tacit condemnation of these practices. Contrary to other ANE legislation, Mosaic legislation condemns all polygamy, both for the people and (at least implicitly) for the king.”
While God at times may show some grace to the polygamist along the way, “the prohibitions in Lev.18 – including polygamy – are presented as universal law, applicable to all humanity (transcultural) for all time (transtemporal), upholding the order of creation.”
And obviously the New Testament also enjoins monogamous relationships only. As Norman Geisler summarises, “Our Lord reaffirmed God’s original intention by citing this passage (Matt. 19:4) and noting that God created one ‘male and [one] female’ and joined them in marriage. The NT stresses that ‘Each man [should] have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband’ (1 Cor. 7:2). Likewise, Paul insisted that a church leader should be ‘the husband of one wife’ (1 Tim. 3:2, 12). Indeed, monogamous marriage is a prefiguration of the relation between Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:31-32).”
He continues, “Polygamy was never established by God for any people under any circumstances. In fact, the Bible reveals that God severely punished those who practiced it. . . . God never commanded polygamy – like divorce, He only permitted it because of the hardness of their hearts (Deut. 24:1; Matt. 19:8).”
So those who want to try to pick holes in Scripture, or want to justify their sinful sexual lifestyles by appealing to polygamy in the Bible had better find a new approach. They are obviously pushing a dead horse here, and their theological revisionism will get them nowhere.
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See Part 1, "More Story, Less Sabermetrics"
The old mysteries were visible in baseball's earliest names, numbers and practices, and it has seemed to me in recent years that to understand the action on the field, most of which we have elected to measure, we might profit from peeling back the layers of complexity and examining, with the same intensity we may devote to stats, some of the game's most fundamental terms.
Base and ball and home and run, for example, and such odd linguistic vestiges as box and score, and the blatant misnomers pitch and diamond. As all Americans came from somewhere else, so did these names, from other games and times and places.
When baseball began it was primarily a game for runners and fielders rather than batsmen; the pitcher (who ceased to “pitch” by 1872 as the underarm toss began its inexorable drift toward overhand throwing) was an insignificant feeder of balls delivered for the batter's convenience.
The game of baseball took its name from its hallmark feature: safe havens where a runner could not be put out by a ball thrown at his person, as was the custom in baseball prior to 1845 or so. The base symbolized a bay or harbor and was a feature of ancient board games such as Pacheesi (we know it as Parcheesi thanks to Parker Brothers) long before it came into field games; the circuit of the base paths evoked the Return Myth of Odysseus and others.
Originally “base” was a running game (absent bat and ball, those time-honored symbols of the male and female principles) that was well known when cricket was young. Spenser, in his “Faerie Queen,” alluded to it as follows: “So ran they all as they had been at bace, They being chased that did others chace.” The innovation of baseball was to combine the running of that old game with the batting of “cat” games and the fielding of cricket.
Baseball has never been played on a diamond, which would have two acute angles and two obtuse ones; in fact it has been played in a circular pattern on a square that was turned on point.
“Town Ball” games were played on irregular pentagonal schemes, with four bases plus a striker's point, but the circular course of the base paths was evidenced in the original name for what came to be known as the Massachusetts Game: round ball. (The name did not refer gratuitously to the shape of the ball.)
What about that evocative name “Home”? Well, Ulysses returned home to Ithaca to complete his earthly circuit. The rest of us go to our eternal reward, returning to Our Maker, as I believe is indicated by baseball's home. Some national variants of the game of Hop Scotch are illustrative. In England and America the end space is termed Home; in Germany it is called Paradise; in Austria it is the Temple.
In France, too, the end space is Paradise or, with echoes for our national game, the Elysian Fields.
Tomorrow: How numbers have shaped baseball on the field.
John Thorn's new book, Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret History of the Early Game,debunks the myth of Abner Doubleday inventing baseball in Cooperstown and traces the game's real roots in the 18th century. You can buy it at Amazon. |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - View original article
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013)|
The climate of Alaska is determined by average temperatures and precipitation received statewide over many years. The extratropical storm track runs along the Aleutian Island chain, across the Alaska Peninsula, and along the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska which exposes these parts of the state to a large majority of the storms crossing the North Pacific. Onshore flow into the various mountain chains across the state leads to significant spatial variability in precipitation, with snowfall constituting a bulk of the annual precipitation each year. The climate in Juneau and the southeast panhandle is a mid-latitude oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) in the southern sections and a sub Arctic oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) in the northern parts. The climate in Southcentral Alaska is a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) due to its short, cool summers. The climate of the interior of Alaska is best described as extreme and is the best example of a true subarctic climate, as the highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska have both occurred in the interior. The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is an Arctic climate (Köppen ET) with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers.
The climate in Juneau and the southeast panhandle is best described as "a cooler version of Seattle." It is a mid-latitude oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) in the southern sections and a sub Arctic oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) in the northern parts. On an annual basis, this is both the wettest and warmest part of Alaska with milder temperatures in the winter and high precipitation throughout the year. This is also the only region in Alaska in which the average daytime high temperature is above freezing during the winter months.
The climate in south central Alaska, with Anchorage as a typical city, is mild by Alaskan standards. This is due in large part to its proximity to the coast. While it does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, it does get more snow, although days tend to be clearer here. It is a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) due to its short, cool summers. There are frequent, strong southeast winds known as the Knik wind in the vicinity of Palmer, especially in the winter months.
The climate of Western Alaska is determined largely by the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. It is a subarctic oceanic climate in the southwest and a continental subarctic climate farther north. The temperature is somewhat moderate considering how far north the area is. This area has a tremendous amount of variety, especially when considering precipitation. The northern side of the Seward Peninsula is technically a desert with less than of precipitation annually, while some locations between Dillingham and Bethel average around 2540mm of precipitation.
The climate of the interior of Alaska is best described as extreme and is the best example of a true subarctic climate. Some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in Alaska occur around the area near Fairbanks. The summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s °F (near 34 °C), while in the winter, the temperature can fall below −60 °F (−51.1 °C).
The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is what would be expected for an area north of the Arctic Circle. It is an Arctic climate (Köppen ET) with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. Even in July, the average low temperature is barely above freezing in Barrow, at 34 °F (1.1 °C).
The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska are both in the Interior. The highest is 100 °F (37.8 °C) in Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915. The lowest Alaska temperature is −80 °F (−62.2 °C) in Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971, 1°F (0.55°C) above the lowest temperature recorded in continental North America (in Snag, Yukon, Canada). Alaska also holds the extreme US record low temperatures for every month except July and August.
|Climate data for Alaska|
|Record high °F (°C)||62|
|Record low °F (°C)||−80|
Juneau averages over 50 inches (1,270 mm) of precipitation a year, while other areas in southeast Alaska receive over 275 inches (6,990 mm). South central Alaska does not get nearly as much rain as the southeast of Alaska, though it does get more snow. On average, Anchorage receives 16 inches (406 mm) of precipitation a year, with around 75 inches (1,905 mm) of snow. The northern coast of the Gulf of Alaska receives up to 150 inches (3,800 mm) of precipitation annually. Across western sections of the state, the northern side of the Seward Peninsula is a desert with less than 10 inches (250 mm) of precipitation annually, while some locations between Dillingham and Bethel average around 100 inches (2,540 mm) of precipitation. Inland, often less than 10 inches (250 mm) falls a year, but what precipitation falls during the winter tends to stay throughout the season. La Niña events lead to drier than normal conditions, while El Niño events do not have a correlation towards dry or wet conditions. Precipitation increases by 10 to 40 percent when the Pacific decadal oscillation is positive. |
If you’re supporting a friend or family member who is undergoing cancer treatment, you may not think of yourself as a “caregiver.” It’s a role that can be very rewarding, but also challenging and stressful. You may find yourself juggling an incredible range of duties above and beyond what you regularly do at home and at work. From driving your loved one to appointments, to discussing medical issues with health care professionals, to making dinner every night, you may find that you’re taking care of nearly everything – except yourself. But your loved one’s well-being depends on you, so it’s …
Imagine being 22 and having your two biggest fears come true: You have cancer, and your treatment may leave you unable to have children in the future. While you’re still coming to terms with the diagnosis, you now have to make some major life decisions. Do you want to freeze your eggs? Or should you choose a sperm donor and freeze fertilized eggs instead? Don’t forget to consider your husband’s feelings — even though he isn’t even in your life yet.
Sunscreen shouldn’t be packed away just because it’s winter. Your skin can be exposed to harmful rays all year long. So before you hit the slopes, build a snowman, or head off to a tropical beach, take time to protect yourself, say skin cancer specialists at Dana-Farber. According to the American Cancer Society, snow, ice, and water can all reflect the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn, which in turn increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Some experts say winter sports enthusiasts face just as much risk of getting sunburn as summer sunbathers.
Recent concerns about availability and authenticity of certain drugs have generated news headlines worldwide and raised anxiety levels for some cancer patients and their families. Sylvia Bartel, RPh, MHP, Dana-Farber’s vice president of Pharmacy, says that although the cause of the two problems is unrelated, it underscores the need for continuous and careful monitoring and management of the Institute’s medications.
Look closely at some of the steel beams that support Dana-Farber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care and you’ll see the names of patients spray-painted in bright colors by ironworkers during the building’s construction. These beams frame the building, but patients and families have lent far more than their names to the facility’s creation. Their guidance underpins almost every aspect of the Yawkey Center. From the healing garden to the layout of exam rooms to the parking garage, the imprint of our patients and families is felt across the Institute. Here, Janet Porter, PhD, chief operating officer, recalls in her own …
On International Childhood Cancer Day, it’s important to remember that global support, research, and treatment are vital to ensuring that children in developing countries have the same chance at survival as their peers in the U.S. Physicians such as Dr. Leslie Lehmann from Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center travel all over the world to deliver expert, curative care to young patients with cancer. Here is her story. Rwanda is a tiny country in central Africa with much beauty but few resources. The genocide in 1994 that killed nearly a million people also devastated the health care system. Many people …
Two husband and wife teams set a date every two weeks to do something special together. Not dinner and a movie, or a romantic night on the town: Barbara and Arthur Miller and Geri and John Ryan come in to Dana-Farber’s Kraft Family Blood Donor Center every two weeks to donate life-saving platelets. Platelets are the clotting agents of the blood and are critical for helping cancer patients return to health. Here’s their story.
By Lawrence Shulman, MD Dana-Farber, with our partners Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, offers patients highly advanced treatments in modern facilities. Our patients also benefit from an excellent staff, clinical research, and extensive resources, and many of them survive cancer to live long and healthy lives. Is it fair, then, that cancer remains a death sentence elsewhere in the world? In Rwanda, for example, a country of 10 million people, cancer care has been completely unavailable to almost all patients. They die of cancers that could have been cured in Boston.
Treatment with three relatively new “targeted” cancer drugs has been linked to a slightly elevated chance of fatal side effects, according to a new analysis led by scientists at Dana-Farber. The study looked at three drugs: sorafenib (Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), and pazopanib (Votrient). Sorafenib is approved to treat kidney and liver cancer, sunitinib to treat kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and pazopanib to treat kidney cancer. Dr. Toni Choueiri, the lead author of the study, says that patients should be aware of the risks and speak with their doctor.
As we recognize World Cancer Day today, it’s important to remember that one-third of cancer deaths worldwide are tied to lifestyle and diet, making them largely preventable. Dr. Judy Garber, director of Dana-Farber’s Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention, provides some perspective, and highlights some of the steps individuals can take to reduce their cancer risk. |
Kelli Ellis, an interior designer turned TV celebrity, is an expert in design psychology. She wrote the book Do I Look Skinny in This House? after years of consulting with clients. She was nominated as Remarkable Woman of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2010 and has received numerous awards for being a leading authority in design.
The Intuit Small Business Blog recently spoke with Ellis (pictured) about the importance of office design and how to implement design psychology into any workspace, whether you’re based at home or in a commercial building.
ISBB: In your book, you talk about the three F’s: function, flow, and feel. How do they relate to designing an office space?
Ellis: The three F’s are key components in the design of any room or space. All three elements must be present in order for the space to be productive.
Function — Does the user of the space have the ability to complete all necessary tasks in the space? Are all the intended uses of the room easily achieved? We all know if a room doesn’t really do the things we hoped it would, the room isn’t being used properly.
Flow — Can the user of the space move easily from one part of the space to another with ease? Are all the “nerve centers” of the space easily accessible? If your desk blocks the path to the printer, you might avoid going there. Or maybe your guests have to scoot sideways to sit in the guest chair, so they would rather meet with someone else. In both cases, you have a flow issue!
Feel — Does the user want to be in that space? Does the space feel comfortable to be in and complete necessary tasks? Spaces that make us internally cringe will not be motivating!
Think about a room in your home that does not get used in the way it should because it lacks the three F’s. Now, think about how you feel every time you walk past the room and see it. Not feeling happy about that room, right? In fact, you might as well subtract that square footage from your home because it is not serving you.
What common mistakes do people make when it comes to design?
Clients don’t realize their personal effects and design choices speak volumes about them and their mindset, priorities, and organization. A little personalization is great. It makes you feel at home and comfortable in the space. However, your crazy Cabo photos, poker chips, vodka collection, and signed pinup photos need to be removed! (Yes, that was real-life client of mine.)
I had another client who dealt with her clients via Skype. Her very successful business saw a drop in retention, and she couldn’t figure out why. I knew instantly, as I jumped on a Skype call with her and saw the wall of voodoo and tribal masks on the wall behind her.
She had recently done very extensive travel and collected some very beautiful masks. She thought the look was “worldly” and would say something about her knowledge. To the contrary, they were very daunting and distracting. Because she faced away from the masks, she never realized how disorganized, cluttered, and crowded her office looked. After some reorganization, her business spiked again.
Lesson: Be sure your office space is saying what you want it to say about you.
What advice can you offer small-business owners and entrepreneurs when it comes to designing their spaces?
Be sure you surround yourself with a neutral, calming color. Color psychology is very real and important, and it will affect your ability to stay in the space for any length of time.
Also, a window that looks out to nature is ideal. If that’s not an option, add plants and flowers to your office. According to a Texas A&M study, productivity, innovation, and creative problem-solving improve when flowers and plants are in the workplace.
We know how wonderful it is when we feel invited into a space. Achieving that feeling in your office will help you improve your work, business, and relationships. |
An analysis of voter choices correlated to social position suggested that the Pirates strongest constituencies are amongst workers and the unemployed, where they took 14% and 15% of the vote respectively. Interestingly the two parties most likely to lose votes to the PP were the Greens and the FDP (liberals), but the basic lesson of this research is the capacity of the PP so far to gather voters from across the ideological spectrum.
In Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW), with the German Pirate Party winning an estimated 7.8% of the vote, what does it mean for the copyright debate? An analysis by Alan Toner:
“In response to the electoral emergence of the PP the debate around copyright in Germany has restarted in earnest. On Thursday the weekly newspaper Die Zeit published a letter titled “We are the Creators” where they condemned the ‘profane theft’ of intellectual property – characterised as a ‘great achievement of bourgeois freedom against the dependency of feudalism’ – defended the role of the publishers and other intermediaries commercially exploiting copyrights, and decried those who would use the net as an excuse for ‘stinginess and malice’. The coordinator of the letter campaign is himself not a ‘creator’ but rather a literary agent, suggesting a simple, albeit cynical, explanation for the vehement justification of the publisher’s function. In any case more than 3000 ‘creators’ signed up to the cause.
How such generalised reprimand of the public will be digested amongst the hoi polloi remains to be seen. History may have created a class of authors and publishers with the coming of bourgeois society, but it might be that in the digital era the masses have decided that they themselves are creators, and that the time for a further alteration of property and power relations has arrived …
For the moment however the talk is not of a revolution in property rights, but rather copyright reform: ‘We are the Citizens‘. Likewise the PP’s current copyright policy is distinctly moderate:
shorten the term of protection from the (current) life of the author plus seventy years to life plus ten;
terminate all transfers to an intermediary for exploitation after 25 years, returning the rights to the author;
make any licensing assignment valid for those media known at the time
stop prosecuting/pursuit of filesharers on the basis that it is merely reflects the current industry’s incapacity to satisfy demand.
Henceforth the policies of all political parties as regards the internet and communications will be a matter of public scrutiny, and irrespective of how one may feel about the Pirates in a more general sense, for this at least we have them to thank. Effectively they have attached a cost to coziness between political parties and the vested interests who would seek to have the net regulated for their profit. Last autumn members of the CDU were still floating proposals for a local version of the Hadopi/3 Strikes regime, but in the light of the election results, and the scale of the protests against ACTA, such a proposal is now clearly toxic and can be excluded.
While the political strategies of the copyright lobby find themselves blocked, the situation in the courts remains a concern. In April, for example, the regional court in Hamburg found in favour of the German rightsholders organisation GEMA, imposed a form of secondary liability (Störerhaftung) on Google for works posted on Youtube without authorisation. The court required that they institute measures in addition their existing content-id system to keep works off the site, specifically a word filter which would block other versions of songs for which GEMA hold the rights, and that GEMA are not obliged to use content-id as a means of controlling infringing uses. The continuing failure of GEMA and Google to reach an agreement on royalties means that pop music available on the platform elsewhere in the world remains blocked on the German site. Other authorised services such as Hulu and Netflix are not available either.” |
Sprat Locket Patch Lift The Latch.
Johnny Shall Have A New Bonnet
The other reads:
Hark! Jack Was Diddlty Dumpty
To Market To Buy A Plum Cake
The former is accompanied by a drawing of a three-headed creature (turkey, pig and cockerel?) which mimics the style of Edward Lear’s animal grotesques. The letters ABC are stencilled across it – a reference to Cobbing’s recently published ‘ABC In Sound’. The latter is accompanied by a drawing of a rouge-cheeked boy wearing green cap, shorts, sandals and a blue T-shirt.
These cut-ups are composites of eight rhymes: ‘Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark’, ‘Little Jack Horner’, ‘Diddlty Diddlty Dumpty’, ‘We’re All Jolly Boys’, ‘To Market to Market to Buy a Plum Cake’, ‘Lucy Locket Lost her Pocket’, ‘Cross Patch Draw the Latch’ and ‘Johnny Shall Have a New Bonnet’. Syd took these rhymes from Kate Greenaway’s illustrated Mother Goose anthology, where they comprise eight of the first twelve rhymes in the book.
The first edition of Greenaway’s pocket book was published in 1881 and contained fifty-four pages of colour chromolithograph illustrations and rhymes. It ran into numerous reprints. Many households of Syd’s generation would have had one of the many Mother Goose anthologies that had been in circulation since folklorists began collecting nursery rhymes during the Victorian era. These rhymes, frequently dark and macabre in tone, and the lavish illustrations that accompanied them, burned their way into many a young child’s imagination. Nursery rhymes in general, and the Mother Goose rhymes in particular, were integral to Syd’s development as a songwriter. His use of them in the Fart Enjoy booklet gives us the first indication of the centrality of childhood motifs to his work, and they would become a common thematic thread in his lyrics for Pink Floyd. The way they are utilised in Fart Enjoy suggests that Syd, transforming whatever materials he had at his disposal and working, as Andrew Rawlinson put it, ‘in the immediate context’, was now beginning to develop a highly inventive approach to language to match the sophisticated touch and technique of his painting. There was nothing rigorous or methodical about it. Syd simply used whatever was available, in this instance a pocket book of nursery rhymes, and deconstructed it.
[Chapman, Rob. A Very Irregular Head: The Life of Syd Barrett. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2010. 63-65. Google Books.]
‘You’ve gotta look at Cambridge really; you’ve gotta look at Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, more than the lifestyle thing,’ says Pete Brown of Syd’s influences. ‘Maybe it’s inspired by people like Rimbaud and Verlaine and people like that, but I think the English fringe thing is more to do with it, always has been. Language, lateral thinking, looking at the weirdness of British existence, looking at rural or semi-rural peculiarities.’
No account of Syd Barrett’s creative blossoming can take place without examining these earliest and most enduring influences. The lives and works of Edward Lear (1812-88), Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll (1832-98), Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) and Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) form a thematic framework within which Syd’s initial flowering as a songwriter can be contextualized and understood. The songs that were overtly influenced by Belloc, Grahame et al. only constitute a very small body of his oeuvre but these are the songs for which he is best known and on which his reputation as a songwriter largely rests.
‘The English Robin and Puck and Goodfellow thing. The slightly whimsical faery quality that he had,’ notes Emily Young. ‘It’s from the English folk tradition, but not the English workingman one. You’re not quite sure if he will appear or disappear. More of the Irish and Celtic and less of the Germanic. Something of “the trees have secrets”. I think he was absolutely in touch with that.’
As Emily Young suggests, Syd was very precise in his absorption of childhood literature. There is nothing of the Germanic or Norse tradition, no Hans Christian Andersen, no Aesop, no Brothers Grimm and, despite what some have suggested, little or no Tolkien either. He draws very directly upon Belloc, Grahame, Lear and Carroll, and little else but the merest hint of C.S. Lewis and the found material he plundered from a few nursery rhyme pocket-books.
Edward Lear created a fascinating nonsensical cosmogony of human, animal and plant life, populated by such creatures as the Jumblies, the Quangle Wangle, the Pelican Chorus, the Akond of Swat and, perhaps most famously, the Dong with the Luminous Nose. He wrote nonsense botany, nonsense recipes, nonsense limericks and nonsense songs and constructed an entire nonsense alphabet.
John Lennon was clearly the pop world’s most obvious descendant of Lear. The characters that populate his books John Lennon in His Own Write (1964) and A Spaniard in the Works (1965), such as Eric Hearble, Treasure Ivan, the Wumberlog and Mr Boris Morris, as well as the language that describes them and the sketches that accompany them, are highly reminiscent of Lear. Although the influence was never as overt in Syd’s work (his influences rarely were), he exhibited the same sense of playful absurdity.
Syd’s letters to Libby crackle with the same kind of offbeat wit and invention that characterised much of Lear’s own correspondence. Often Syd is undeniably juvenile ― e.g. a drawing of a limbless man sunbathing is accompanied with the caption ‘Don’t disturb him, he’s quite armless’ ― but then so is much of Lear’s work. Documenting his travels through the Scottish Highlands with his friend Phipps Hornby in 1841 Lear drew a series of bizarre illustrations depicting the two men cramming huge game birds into their knee-high boots (‘P & L being hurried insert the remains of their lunch in their boots’) and Lear being comically poked in the eye by a brush-wielding child (‘L ― on ascending the cabin stairs ― nearly loses his eye by the abrupt and injudicious promission of a new broom in the hands of a misguided infant’). Syd sent Libby illustrations depicting, among other things, a stick man carrying a huge sausage above his head (‘sausage thief running’) being pursued by another stick man (‘copper ― whistle note (G#)’). Another drawing, captioned ‘ A retch [sic] goes to school with his paints in a box while all sleep and are not bothered’, is pure modern-day Lear in its lyrical inventiveness.
Syd even walked like a Lear illustration. As biographer Vivien Noakes noted, many of Lear’s drawings were suffused with ‘a sense of movement ―the arms are flung spontaneously back like bird’s in flight and the legs stride out or stand poised expectantly on tip-toe as if they are going to be spun round like a child’s top’.
Like Lear, Syd would populate his lyrics with imagery drawn from botany, zoology and nature. Lear and Carroll influenced the clarity of his lyrics too, and, of course, a key chapter in Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, where Rate and Mole embark upon a mystic odyssey downriver and encounter the great god Pan, provided the title of the first Pink Floyd LP. Interestingly enough, Grahame only wrote the ‘Piper’ and ‘Wayfarers All’ chapters in the book almost as an afterthought, in order to give the book its mystic dimension. Coincidentally Syd only named Pink Floyd’s debut LP at the last minute. The album’s working title right up until July 1967 was Projection. |
BUILD A BETTER BODY WITH BROCCOLI!!
Broccoli won’t not be the most well known vegetable around, but rather it’s surely a standout amongst the most nutritious. Considered a superfood for its dietary quality and ailment battling properties, broccoli is high in fiber, cancer prevention agents, B vitamins, vitamins A, C, K, and the mineral iron, all of which are crucial for a sound eating routine. All the more as of late, broccoli has likewise been applauded for its capacity to battle osteoarthritis.
Generally perceived as a tumor contender, broccoli’s wellbeing advantages stem all through the body. Here are more key broccoli benefits that ought to win it a spot at the highest point of your shopping list.
Some of the many advantages are:-
•Enhances bone health
•Helps in slowing osteoarthritis
•Is anti cancerous
•Helps with Depression
•Helps fight vision loss |
This topic came about when I discovered that the Osborne Collection had an edition–actually, a few editions–of Lily’s Latin Grammar (1542). I was introduced to this book through a fellow Classics student I bumped into on the subway. He was studying something assiduously and when I asked what he was reading, he said that he was in the midst of memorizing this very text. He told me a bit about it, and that I could find it online. I was pretty excited. But after we parted, I clean forgot the title and the website, and I didn’t have any way of contacting the guy either. All I had was the author’s name. So I’d been trying to track down a physical copy of it ever since, and to no avail. I couldn’t even be sure about the online versions because William Lily’s last name–confound Early Modern English!–is spelled variously (Lyly, Lilly, Lilie); and his grammar, which was actually a collaboration with John Colet (Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, who appointed Lily as first High Master of St. Paul’s School ), has several appellations: Royal Grammar; Latin Grammar; A Short Introduction of Grammar (which contains no indication that it is one of Latin grammar, and this is because, frustratingly, it’s only part of the title); Brevissima Institutio Seu Ratio Grammatices Cognoscendae ad Omnium Puerorum Utilitatem Praescripta, Quam Solam Regia Maiestas in Omnibus Scholis Profitendam Praecipit (hence the abridged English title). Unfortunately, it’s usually called “Lily’s Latin Grammar,” which is not what is printed on the title page:
Having finally pinned down a copy, I gleefully (but quietly) sat myself down to enjoy the book. Which I did. Until about a quarter of the way through, where the truly “Short Introduction of Grammar” abruptly ends and the real Brevissima Institutio starts. The first chunk in English is just “An Introduction of the eight parts of Latine Speech” listing their declensions and conjugations.
There begins on the next leaf a very scary lesson in daunting and densely-printed Latin. There isn’t a word of English to be found in the rest of the book–250 or so pages.
How could beginner schoolboys, with scarcely an iota of Latin grammar, have learned Latin from this, when I could barely get the gist of each sentence, and that only because I already know some Latin? Before seeing the book, I’d thought, Wow! Shakespeare used this text! It was the most popularly used Latin grammar in England in the Renaissance! How prestigious! Which is more or less true. It was made the sole authorized textbook in 1542 by royal edict under Henry VIII (which shouldn’t have impressed me considering some of the king’s other decisions), and, like the Authorized Version of the Bible, it was conferred a monopoly . This edict was maintained in the reigns of Edward VI and Elizabeth I, and, interestingly, the Grammar’s authorization by the Canons Ecclesiastical (1604) persisted even into the last century . So Shakespeare–and Ben Jonson, Milton, Dryden, among others–must’ve used an edition (the 1566 edition) of Lily’s Grammar . But now, I’m not so sure this really was the best textbook. To many grammarians, Lily’s Grammar was, for reasons more than one, a problem. Moreover, the edict was a problem–but a problem got around, for some grammarians got away with publishing their own textbooks as “corrected” and “improved” versions of Lily’s text . Authors were “limited to translating, elucidating, or supplementing the ‘regia grammatica’…with explanatory notes [which were] no doubt in part a subterfuge, allowing publication which would otherwise have been thwarted by its royal privilege” . One schoolmaster, Charles Hoole, says in his Latine Grammar (1651) that he will “‘translate’ Lily’s text and ‘correct’ Lily’s mistakes. His changes are so numerous, however, that he is, in effect, writing his own new textbook of Latin grammar. He adds commentary, deletes part of Lily’s text, and rearranges rules and other material. His most significant change is a bilingual format, with the Latin text on the left-hand page and the English translation on the right-hand” . My image of the reprint shows the opposite, English on the left and Latin on the right, and here the English text already seems to supersede the Latin. We, of course, read from left to right, so it is as if the Latin is the translation of the English, though the English is indeed a translation of text taken from Lily.
Translations of Lily’s grammar “paved the way for an interest in vernacular grammar for its own sake” . They point to both the futility of teaching Latin in Latin and the ascendancy of the English vernacular. As one man put it, “What can be more ridiculous than to deliver Rules for the Learning of any Thing, in a Language the Learner understands not?” He calls it a “palpable Piece of Absurdity” and compares it to learning Hebrew with a Hebrew grammar book . Another grammarian declared that “To learn an unknown Tongue by an unknown Art, must needs be a Barbarous and Gothic Custom” . So, many grammarians of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries shared my pedagogical concern. Grammar wars were waged as to whether Latin should be taught in Latin or in the vernacular. Many thought that students should first learn good English as a foundation, so that they had a familiar language to refer to and would be able to compare common grammatical elements . This seems common sense, since Latin was already a dead language–you could not be brought up in it naturally. Some grammarians of the eighteenth century also thought that learning Latin afterwards would reinforce students’ understanding of the grammar of both languages, a thought which stemmed from the concept of ‘universal grammar,’ that all languages shared common linguistic principles . One conservative, however, a Thomas Farnaby, thought that using bilingual translations would make schoolboys lazy , which is understandable. He rather seems like an extreme version of the Classics professor forbidding the use of those dangerous Loeb editions when translating. English translations on the same or facing page require Ulyssean will to ignore. Now, Farnaby actually tried to improve upon the royal grammar by publishing an all-Latin textbook à la Lily, called Systema Grammaticum (1641). Too bad for Farnaby, it was a flop, because teachers simply found bilingual texts more effective . By the mid-seventeenth century, it was decided that the vernacular should be taught as preparation for Latin , although clearly grammatomachias still carried on. Lily’s Grammar was no longer the best; publication rates rose in the early-mid seventeenth century to produce some 169 editions of Latin grammars, when there had only been twelve texts between 1542 and 1612 . But I found Lily’s Grammar problematic (and hilarious) for other reasons, too, which may or may not have been concerns for his contemporaries. In the Introduction of the eight parts of Latine Speech, adjectives are not their own part of speech, but classified as nouns; explanations of cases are all too reductive (though he rectifies this in Brevissima Institutio); the optative is a mood in its own right, though it hasn’t its own form (this isn’t so much wrong as it would be confusing). These may not have been issues at the time, but they certainly disagree with my sense of Latin grammar. Most curious of all, however, is the fact that he lists seven genders for Latin nouns: the masculine, the feminine, neuter–fine. But then he adds the “Commune of two,” the “Commune of three, the “Doubtful,” and the “Epicene.” I lie not:
“Commune of two”? It is not as if a parens (parent) can refer to both a man and a woman simultaneously in the same use. Likewise with “Commune of three.” The “Doubtful” is especially amusing, and dies is not so doubtful . It is amazing to me that Lily even found a seventh gender, as it is barely distinguishable from the sixth. His effort might have been put to better use in further explaining case usage. I sympathize with the man who added the footnote in this later edition; it was probably all he could do to mitigate this violent breach of biology. Now I understand why this book is only available by print-on-demand. And of all the editions of Lily’s Grammar at the Collection, this was the one I most approved of:
Photo of Hoole’s Latine Grammar courtesy of University of St Michael’s College, John M. Kelly Library. All other photos courtesy of the Osborne Collection, Toronto Public Libraries.
1. “‘…I never yet knew a boy that was induced, either by fair means or foul, to learn Lilly’s Latin grammar by heart, who did not turn out a man, provided he lived long enough,’” says a clergyman in George Borrow’s Lavengro. For more: Here.
2. p. 231, Grammatical Theory in Western Europe 1500-1700: Trends in Vernacular Grammar, Volume II, by Arthur Padley.
3. A Short Introduction or Method of Learning Grammar, Prescribed for the Use of All Boys, the Sole [Grammar] which His Royal Majesty Has Commanded to be Used in All Schools.
4. p. 232, Grammar Wars: Language As Cultural Battlefield in 17th and 18th Century England by Linda C. Mitchell.
5. p. 258, The English grammar school to 1660: their culture and practice by Foster Watson. You can see it Here.
6. p. 232, Padley.
7. p. 86, Mitchell.
8. p. 147, Padley. 9. Called Grammatica Latina in usum scholarum adornata in Latin.
10. p. 86, Mitchell.
11. p. 147, Padley.
12. Assuming, of course, that the learning of Latin is begun with learning grammar, p. 23, Mitchell.
13. p. 21, Ibid.
14. p. 20, Ibid.
15. p. 23-4, Ibid.
16. p. 17, Ibid.
17. p. 86, Ibid.
18. p. 17, Ibid.
19. p. 13, Ibid.
20. According to the Oxford Latin Pocket/Desk Dictionary, “dies is generally masculine, especially when used as a measure of time, but it is feminine in the sg. when referring to a particular or appointed day.” |
Every Fairy Book thus fair has included at least a few familiar favourites, and the Yellow Fairy Book, not to be left out of the loop, includes “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “How to Tell a True Princess” (an ironic retelling of “The Princess and the Pea”), “The Nightingale”, “Thumbelina”, “The Steadfast Tin-soldier”, and “The Tinder-box”, a fairy tale by Andersen which I’d actually never heard of but which bears a resemblance to the story of Aladdin. There are lesser-known tales from Mme d’Aulnoy, Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm, and other tales from Iceland, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Germany, France, and England. There are even a few (mostly depressing) stories from the Native Americans.
For this post, I decided to compile a few observations that I found intriguing, whether hilarious, quirky, or kind of disturbing. They are haphazard and in no particular order.
1. All stepmothers are bad. This is because it is biologically “unnatural” and counter to one’s basic instincts of self-interest to put children who don’t carry one’s own genes before children who do. “This propensity [to dispose of nonbiological children] is connected to a basic human drive to invest love, time, and energy in children that are biologically reproduced to carry on one’s species [i.e. one’s bloodline]” . Perfectly natural, but highly immoral. The popularity of adoption today is a mark of how civilised humans have become. Indeed, “[f]airy tales are all about basic instincts and genetic evolution within a civilizing process” .
Childless stepmothers, too (one hardly ever meets stepfathers, if indeed they exist [and if they do, I don’t think murdering stepkids would be their crime…]), are expected to be evil . They desire to eliminate all competition for male parental investment in order to optimize the chance of perpetuating their own genes (a phenomenon more commonly known as “jealousy”). Alas, stepmotherhood causes even apparently good women to go to the bad –it is unescapable.
2. Princesses do not always live happily ever after. At least, not within certain tales. There is a certain type of fairy tale in which the princess scorns the prince who desires to marry her. Traditionally, the undaunted prince returns in lowly disguise to woo the lady, who is won over and marries him once his royal identity is revealed. In “The Swineherd”, however, the prince spurns the princess in the end, because she “would have nothing to do with a noble Prince; [she] did not understand the rose or the nightingale, but [she] could kiss the Swineherd [alias the selfsame Prince] for the sake of a toy”. The insipid girl has no appreciation for real roses or songbirds, but is willing to pay (i.e. prostitute herself) with kisses, and to a swineherd no less. He actually shuts the door in her face. Proud and inelegant princesses do get punished (though I don’t think she could have had a particle of pride left once that first kiss had been forfeited). But who can say she didn’t find her happy ending beyond this fairy tale?
3. Daughters of evil, oppressive witch mothers are not assumed to be inherently bad and may hope to win the sympathies and love of good men. This is because evil witch mothers treat their daughters abominably. Perhaps the witch beats her daughter to obey her, or has turned her into an African , or has had her confined. The evil witch mother, on the other hand, is to expect no sympathy from anyone–least of all her own daughter, who she has abused or transfigured or imprisoned.
For instance, the Hunter in “The Donkey Cabbage” revenges himself by turning a witch, her daughter, and their maid into donkeys which he entrusts to a farmer, enjoining him to deal the old one “three beatings and no meal”, the youngest one “no beating and three meals”, and the middle one, the servant, “one beating and three meals”. Shortly afterwards the “old one” dies, and the other two become depressed. The compassionate Hunter restores them to their true forms, whereupon the daughter, ostensibly unmoved by her mother’s death, confesses that she’d only done her mother’s bidding under bodily threat and happily marries the man. In another tale, “The Three Brothers”, a daughter’s freedom is contingent upon her mother the witch’s demise–about which the former seems to have no qualms whatsoever.
4. The youngest of three brothers is invariably the hero of the fairy tale. If you are the third brother, a happy ending awaits you at the end of your tale–but not before you attend to many trials, which may or may not include getting blinded, your legs broken, and left for dead by your two backstabbing brothers who obviously never liked you very much. They will prove to feel threatened by your superior handsomeness and will want to snuff you out in order to succeed better at court themselves. But do not fret! Justice will be served, for you will set a pack of wolves on them or they will flee in terror from you, seemingly come back from the dead. You will have been healed and your invidious beauty restored, and that will carry you through , unless you have also been endowed with intelligence , in which case your wits will carry you the day.
If your brothers do not attempt to kill you, it will be because you are not worth it: you are a dunderhead. Banish the thought of affectionate brothers–there is no such thing, unless you are a sister. For if your brothers are not vicious would-be fratricides, they are arrogant, derisive churls. But their words shan’t hurt you because you are a shade too thick to comprehend. Nevertheless, your ignorance and innocence will win the day. Plus, if you are especially muttonheaded, you will have earned a colourful name for readers to remember you by, such as “Simpleton” , or “Blockhead-Hans”. And if you are in actual fact not a dunderhead, but merely misperceived as one, well, you shall all the same proceed more or less as if you were.
5. Heroes with supernatural assistants should take care that their helpers do not outshine them to the point of looking impotent. In “Prince Ring”, the eponymous prince has a massive, talking dog named Snati-Snati, no doubt magical in some way, who thoroughly outdoes his owner in every feat. When Ring and his rival go out to cut wood, Ring, with the help of his dog, presents a heap “more than twice as big” as his competitor’s. I think it’s clear whence the “more than” came. When Ring and his dog set out to slay two monstrous oxen, the former, at the latter’s counsel, takes on the smaller ox, while the latter falls on the bigger one: “With this Snati leapt at the big one, and was not long in bringing him down. Meanwhile the Prince went against the other with fear and trembling…”
Later, when they need to top a sheer cliff, Snati climbs its face, pulling Ring up by his tail. His master, it would seem, has a fear of heights: “…he pulled Ring up the lowest shelf of the rock. The Prince began to get giddy, but up went Snati on to the second shelf. Ring was nearly swooning by this time, but Snati made a third effort and reach the topped of the cliff, where the Prince fell down in a faint.” The writers of this tale tried really hard, one can see, to ennoble this character. Finally, in their fight with a troll’s ghost, the roles of master and servant are reversed: “Snati immediately sprang upon him, and Ring assisted in the attack”.
Now, heroes often have magical or animal helpers who aid them in their tasks by completing them in their stead. One might think this looks worse on the hero since he does nothing at all, but I say it is better, on the contrary. Where one does not lift a finger, there is no opportunity for one to look incompetent. But where one does take action, and only manages to take little, well! Not very impressive to the onlooker, is it?
Furthermore, if Snati were a genuine super-dog, I might hold off comparing Ring with him. But, as it turns out, Snati is actually a prince under enchantment, which Ring breaks. And Snati’s real name is Prince Ring as well! Gah!
6. Abducting a princess is the tried and true way of earning her loathing. Sometimes a male, normally a magic user, will fall so hopelessly in love with a princess that he will whisk her away on the spot. Confinement of the girl always follows, and plenty of rejection, for a girl cannot love him who is her captor. All she can do is repulse his advances and wait for her Prince Charming to deliver her. In the case of “The Wizard King,” the Wizard King, a widower, kidnaps a princess and tries to persuade her to marry him. She refuses, is sprung by the King’s son the Prince, whom she quickly weds. It was quite she lucky did, because otherwise she would have become a stepmother! And we all know stepmothers come to no good end.
7. Exceedingly long facial hair can be surprisingly useful. But beware! If the option is available to you, always choose the lengthy moustache over the lengthy beard. The former may come in handy as leashes for your pet lions; the latter, however, is not useful to you, but your enemy, who will seize you by your ill-advised extent of beard and dash you to your doom, as vividly illustrated below.
All observations were made based solely upon the Yellow Fairy Book. I am aware that material from other fairy/folk tales may and do qualify what I have said, but I do not address them here.
All images courtesy of the Osborne Collection, Toronto Public Libraries.
1. p. 131: Zipes, Jack. Why Fairy Tales Stick: The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre. New York: Routledge, 2006.
2. p. 131, Ibid.
3. In “The Six Swans”. In this tale, the stepmother has no children of her own nor does she have a particularly evil bent. Her husband the king, however, “could not look at her without a secret feeling of horror” and conceals the fact of his children by ensconcing them in the woods. I cannot help but think that the king himself triggered he evilness of his second wife in not trusting her with even the knowledge of his children. He keeps sneaking off to visit his kids. The queen becomes jealous and suspicious, and when she finds out about them she turns them into swans. So it seems that no stepmother is safe from harming her stepchildren, and that vying even for the husband’s attention will incur her wrath.
4. p. 134-135, Zipes.
5. Such as the Queen of Hetland the Good from “Hermod and Hadvor”.
6. In “The Glass Axe”.
7. In “The Grateful Beasts”.
8. In “The Three Brothers”.
9. In “The Flying Ship”.
10. In “Blockhead-Hans”. |
Today is Five Minute Friday! Woo-hoo! Just five minutes of writing, no editing. Who wouldn’t love that?
Today’s prompt: Look
Darkness. Thick, prevailing darkness is all he ever saw. Nothing more.
In blindness there are no pictures, no colors, no clarity. Only the blur of thoughts that scatter and falter through the grays and browns and blacks composing darkness of morning, noon, and night. In blindness, there is nothing there to see.
But lack of sight does not mean that the blind are not seen. “Jesus saw.” Powerful words right there. Jesus, incarnate God, looks and sees those who are lost in the blinding grip of darkness.
His solution, in the case of the blind man in John 9, is mud. Clumps of grays and brown and black. I don’t know why. Maybe the cold of the clay awakened the blind man to cease forgetting the eyes that did not work. Then there’s water for the washing. Followed by sight.
What must it have been like to look and see? Exhilarating light. Freedom in the colors of green and red and rainbows. Freedom to be both seen and seeing. New eyes to look and behold and say, “I have seen him–Jesus!” He is beautiful. He is light and glory and love composing a symphony of freedom morning, noon, and night.
Do you see only darkness today? Rest–Jesus sees you. When you are seen, you are loved. Light will come. Wait for the cold mud of his touch to wake you out of blindness. Then look, see, and be free!
Be free today, sweet friends. Be free indeed!
This month I’m participating with The Nester in her 31 Days challenge to write every day on a topic of choice. I’m writing this month on how Jesus make us free. Today I also joined up with Lisa Jo for her Five Minute Friday writing prompt. |
If you Google the term care circle, you’ll come up with two different things: websites to help you form giving circles, which pool individuals’ donations for philanthropic goals; and, groups of friends and family that form to help someone who is living with health challenges. I’m writing about the second sort today.
I have a friend who has been living with a serious illness for many years now. She’s one of the busiest, most social people I’ve ever met, but there have been times when she’s been worn down by her illness. That is what’s happening for her right now. So, she’s asked for a care circle. That way, she can expend as little effort as possible on preparing food and arranging to spend time with people, leaving her able to concentrate on taking care of herself. A good friend of hers set up the circle on the Lotsa Helping Hands website, which makes the whole process easier. Each of us joined her care circle on the website and can sign up for meals using a calendar on the site. It’s easy to see what dates are available and there’s little hands on co-ordination needed.
What’s left is the important stuff – cooking good food, eating together and spending time with friends. Maybe it’s my upbringing (actually, it’s definitely my upbringing), but for me there isn’t a lot that’s more meaningful than cooking for someone you care about. Choosing a recipe, buying and preparing the ingredients, improvising along the way and then, finally, sitting down and watching someone enjoy the food you’ve made; all of that adds up to caring. I think this attitude is unnecessarily gendered and subsequently trivialized, as most “female” pursuits have been. I’ve been on both sides of this food equation and people of all genders can create this kind of…well, let’s face it…love.
Food IS love! At least, it’s an expression of love, for oneself and one’s communities. I’m aware that’s a dangerous sentiment to express in a fatphobic culture, but the evidence is all around us. People are increasingly interested in cooking for themselves and their loved ones, facilitated by the accessibility of food websites and blogs. Communities are forming around issues like food security and safety. Here in Vancouver, the only movement rivalling the growth of food culture has been bicycle culture. Often, the two go hand in hand – Farmers’ Markets are some of the best-used Bicycle Valet locations.
I don’t think it’s a surprise that so much community-building effort is going into food issues. We’re moving into an era where people are looking for connection and community, moving away from the suburban separateness that marked the last half of the twentieth century. Food issues are also an unthreatening entry into social justice for a lot of people. This isn’t just an upscale phenomenon, like Growing Chefs fundraisers or foodie tours of the Okanagan. It’s also Quest Food Exchange’s canning workshop this summer, which cost only $5.00, including some canned peaches to take home. People are connecting up and down the economic scale on these issues. I hope this community-building will extend beyond food issues, as I think there’s potential for this energy to open up into other social justice issues, like housing and economic security.
Bringing us back where we started, I wanted to share a recipe with you that I made for my friend – it’s nourishing without being taxing on the digestive system and it’s flavourful without being spicy. You can also easily modify it to suit whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Swiss Chard and Cabbage Soup
10 cups low sodium chicken stock
15 oz. Swiss Chard, washed and chopped
3 cups cabbage leaves, washed and chopped
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves of garlic, finely diced or pressed
½ a lemon, juiced
½ a cup finely chopped parsley
1 small bunch fresh basil, or 1 tsp dried basil
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup short grain rice (if you use brown rice, parboil it ahead of time and finish cooking it with the soup)
1½ tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup grated Asiago cheese
Heat the chicken stock, keeping it at a simmer. If you’re using dried basil, add it now.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan or wok and add the onion. Cook gently until golden and then add the garlic and cook for a minute or two longer.
Add the cabbage, turn up the heat and cook for a minute or two. Add the Swiss Chard and cook for another minute more.
Add a ½ cup of the hot stock, turn the heat down, cover and simmer for five minutes.
Add the rest of the stock, bring the soup to a boil and stir in the rice, boiling gently for 10-15 minutes.
Add the lemon juice.
Remove from heat, stir in butter (and fresh basil, if that’s what you’re using).
Set the parsley and cheese out for guests to sprinkle on themselves, along with salt and pepper.
(adapted from ifood.tv – you can find the original recipe here: Swiss Chard and Cabbage Soup) |
Mr. Speaker, before running out of time on Monday, I was speaking about the witnesses who oppose this bill because they believe it is pointless and violates various civil liberties and human rights. They appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in 2011, when it was studying Bill C-17, the previous version of Bill S-7, in another Parliament.
This is what Denis Barrette of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group said:
The coalition believes that the provisions dealing with investigative hearings and preventive arrests, which are intended to impose recognizances with conditions, are both dangerous and misleading. Debate in Parliament on these issues must draw on a rational and enlightened review of the anti-terrorism law.
The first provision makes it possible to bring individuals before a judge in order to provide information, when the judge is of the view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the individual has information about a terrorism offence that has or will be committed. A refusal to cooperate may result in arrest and imprisonment for up to one year. Furthermore, the provision dealing with investigating hearings gives the state a new power of search. Not enough is being said about this. The fact is that this provision can compel an individual to produce an object before a judge or tribunal, which will then pass it on to the police.
Furthermore, the current provisions encourage racial profiling and profiling on religious, political and ideological grounds. In its report on Canada in November of 2005, the U.N. Human Rights Committee noted its serious concerns with respect to the excessively broad definition of terrorist activity in the Anti-terrorism Act. The committee stated...“The State party should adopt a more precise definition of terrorist offences, so as to ensure that individuals will not be targeted on political, religious or ideological grounds, in connection with measures of prevention, investigation and detention.”
This shows that alarms were already going off about a number of problems in Bill C-17 with respect to civil liberties and how such a bill could be used. These problems remain in Bill S-7. This bill clearly has a problem balancing security and fundamental rights. What worries me is that I see no valid reason for these provisions.
These provisions have been expired for five years, so how can they all of a sudden have become so important and necessary, when they never proved to be useful when they existed? None of the witnesses was able to think of a case that would require this kind of law. None of the witnesses said that these provisions were necessary. On the contrary, witnesses clearly told the Senate committee that there were major problems with respect to human and children's rights.
I would like to talk about what Ihsaan Gardee of the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations had to say:
We are mindful of the increased emphasis on public safety and national security in response to the threat of terrorism during the last decade.... We are also cognizant of the real risks to our free and democratic society posed by overreaction and fear when they are used as the basis of public policy and legislation. At the end of the day we risk eroding the foundational values upon which Canada rests, while not making us any safer from terrorism....
We strongly disagree with those who would suggest that attaining a balance between human rights and security is an insurmountable task. In addition to sharing many of the concerns others have raised regarding the proposed legislation, Canadian Muslims have particular misgivings regarding how...Bill C-17 [could] have a disproportionate impact on members of our communities that may be considered discriminatory.
With regard to the impact on individual freedom and liberty, after 9/11 every major criminal terrorism-related incident, from the Toronto 18 to the case of Momin Khawaja, has been disrupted and prevented without the need for preventive detention or investigative hearings.
I repeat: here is another witness who is saying that the measures set out in this bill are not useful and could even carry risks.
Let us go back to the statement made by James Kafieh. He said:
We also need to bear in mind that not everyone who chooses to remain silent in such circumstances is guilty, and that choosing to remain silent is not an admission of guilt or a proof of guilt. People may, for example, have legitimate concerns for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Such an extraordinary measure as investigative hearings should only be used for the purpose of preventing an imminent act of terrorism. It should never be used as an investigative tool for past acts. The present text of [the bill]...allows for investigative hearings for past events, for which the imperative of safeguarding of innocent life from imminent attack is wholly absent. This is, in itself, an escalation.... Such an escalation shows that we are already witnessing creep in the use of such provisions before the court.
He also said:
This [bill] allows for the arrest and detention of people without ever proving any allegation against them. It could also make people subject to conditions on release with severe limitations on their personal freedom, even if they have never been convicted of any crime. Anyone refusing to accept and comply with the terms of the recognizance may be imprisoned for up to 12 months. The legislation does not limit the number of times this provision may be reapplied.
How is this consistent with our Canadian values and the principles upon which our system of justice is founded? ...The most recent cases of five men who were detained for up to eight years without ever being charged or convicted of a crime should give us all cause for concern.
That is food for thought for our discussions on this type of bill. When it comes to combatting terrorism, we cannot just simply add slightly tougher provisions to the Criminal Code without understanding why. The fact that Canada is already a signatory to a number of international conventions that address this makes these measures unnecessary.
In 2001, when these provisions were being discussed, the aim of the Anti-terrorism Act was to update Canadian laws to meet international standards, particularly UN requirements. All the provisions of the Anti-terrorism Act, except for that concerning investigative hearings and recognizance with conditions, remain in effect today, which is what we are discussing today and what is being presented in Bill S-7.
To be perfectly clear, all the provisions of the original Anti-terrorism Act have remained in effect except for the two that expired in 2007, which were never used and which parliamentarians felt did not need to be renewed because they did not prove necessary.
Now, we are dealing with a Conservative government that says that the NDP is against making the country safer when it comes to combatting terrorism. In truth, this bill does not add anything substantive in terms of security. What is more, this bill will undermine fundamental human rights and freedoms. In my humble opinion, this represents a real risk. Canada already has a legal arsenal to combat terrorism, including international treaties, a complete section of the Criminal Code that deals with this, and a whole host of laws.
Furthermore, another provision in this bill would amend the definition of “special operational information” in the Security of Information Act. Under this change, the identity of a confidential source that is being used by the government would be considered to be special operational information. This would reduce the transparency of information.
Considering this government's track record when it comes to transparency, reducing it any further on such a delicate subject would really worry me.
In short, I oppose this bill because we already have very effective measures in place. This measure would be ineffective and pointless in the fight against terrorism.
This bill violates civil liberties and human rights and, once again, does so unnecessarily. In particular, it violates the right to remain silent and the right to not be jailed without a fair trial, two rights that are absolutely fundamental in Canadian society.
The provisions we are debating here today were invoked only once, and unsuccessfully. This perfectly illustrates the fact that we already have all the tools we need to combat terrorism. Thus, there is no reason to pass legislation that threatens our civil liberties. |
A common problem in Pre-K occurs when two children wish to play together, but they both want to play a different “game” or “story”. We often hear that “She/He doesn’t want to play with me!” when the real problem is that she or he doesn’t want to play one child’s story. It takes many experiences to realize wanting to play separate games is not the same as exclusion (a #1 No, No).
Here is a story from one of our Morning Messages that we used to demonstrate the common problem. I’ve also included the solutions our thoughtful young friends devised:
Once upon a time, two friends were playing in the loft. Sally wanted to play kittens but Harold wanted to play something else. Now they are arguing. What should they do?
- They should talk and figure out which one to play first. -Re
- They should think of a solution and start playing what they want to play. -So
- They should play one game and then the other. – El
- They should talk to each other. -Ra
- They should make the ideas together. – O
- Play something else. -Sa
- They should use their imagination and decide what they should play and then play together. – Ca
- They should think like Tucker Turtle and think of a thing they should do. – Cl
- Tucker Turtle goes to the park. -A
And in other parts of the room…… |
Geneva, 2 September 2011. A new kind of collision will soon be taking place at CERN1’s Geneva laboratory. The Collide @ CERN artists’ residency programme means that, as well as colliding particles, CERN will be bringing scientific and artistic creativity into contact. The programme was announced today at the Ars Electronica festival in Linz, Austria.
Collide @ CERN is an important strand of CERN’s policy for engagement with the arts, Great Arts for Great Science, announced in August. Collide @ CERN is an international competition that will run for a period of three years. Each year, artists working in different art forms will have the opportunity to take up a funded residency of up to three months. The programme is being made possible thanks to generous funding, to date from: Ars Electronica for the Digital Arts Prize (prize money); private individual donors (for the creative process grant/residency); and from the City and the Canton of Geneva for dance and performance (respectively for the prize money and creative process grant/residency). UNIQA Assurances SA Switzerland is the exclusive sponsor of all artists’ insurances for the Collide @ CERN programme.
“Science underpins much of modern society and has an influence on the everyday lives of all of us,” said CERN Director General, Rolf Heuer. “As such, it’s important for scientific organizations like CERN to engage with society on many levels, and for us, Collide @ CERN is an important element of that engagement.”
The first strand of Collide @ CERN was announced in partnership with Ars Electronica, one of the world’s leading digital arts organizations and CERN’s official cultural partner. Artists are invited to apply for the Prix Electronica Collide @ CERN prize for Digital Arts. The prize consists of a two-part residency. Two months will be spent at CERN, where the winning artist will team up with a scientist as inspirational partner; then one month will be spent at Ars Electronica, where the artist will develop work inspired by the time spent at CERN. Finally, the work will be showcased both at CERN and at the next Ars Electronica Festival, where the next application round for the Digital Arts prize will also be announced.
The second strand of Collide @ CERN, covering the disciplines of dance and performance, will be unveiled in November. This strand has been made possible thanks to the generous support of both the City and Canton of Geneva.
“The arts touch the parts that science alone cannot reach, and vice versa,” said Ariane Koek, CERN's cultural specialist. “Collide @ CERN gives CERN, artists and scientists the opportunity to engage in creative collisions that can occur when these two areas of human creativity and ingenuity come together.”
Some of the world’s leading artists have agreed to be creative patrons of the Collide @ CERN artists’ residency programme. They include Swiss architect Jacques Herzog, German visual artist Andreas Gursky, Japanese video artist Mariko Mori, Dutch photographer Frans Lanting, British musician Brian Eno and British sculptor Antony Gormley, who recently donated a sculpture to the laboratory.
“We are extremely grateful to our external funders, cultural partners and patrons who are making this latest CERN experiment possible,” said Koek. “Without them it could not happen.”
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world's leading laboratory for particle physics. It has its headquarters in Geneva. At present, its Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Romania is a candidate for accession. Israel is an Associate Member in the pre-stage to Membership. India, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Turkey, the European Commission and UNESCO have Observer status. |
Geneva, 30 April 2013. Twenty years ago CERN1 published a statement that made the World Wide Web ("W3", or simply "the web") technology available on a royalty-free basis. By making the software required to run a web server freely available, along with a basic browser and a library of code, the web was allowed to flourish.
The technology, invented in 1989 at CERN by Tim Berners-Lee, was originally conceived and developed to meet the demand for information sharing between physicists in universities and institutes around the world.
Other information retrieval systems that used the Internet - such as WAIS and Gopher - were available at the time, but the web's simplicity along with the fact that the technology was royalty free led to its rapid adoption and development.
“There is no sector of society that has not been transformed by the invention, in a physics laboratory, of the web”, says Rolf Heuer, CERN Director-General. “From research to business and education, the web has been reshaping the way we communicate, work, innovate and live. The web is a powerful example of the way that basic research benefits humankind.”
The first website at CERN - and in the world – was dedicated to the World Wide Web project itself and was hosted on Berners-Lee's NeXT computer. The website described the basic features of the web; how to access other people's documents and how to set up your own server. Although the NeXT machine - the original web server - is still at CERN, sadly the world's first website is no longer online at its original address.
To mark the anniversary of the publication of the document that made web technology free for everyone to use, CERN is starting a project to restore the first website and to preserve the digital assets that are associated with the birth of the web. To learn more about the project and the first website, visit http://info.cern.ch
1. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world's leading laboratory for particle physics. It has its headquarters in Geneva. At present, its member states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Romania is a candidate for accession. Israel and Serbia are associate members in the pre-stage to membership. India, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Turkey, the European Commission and UNESCO have observer status. |
New York, Pine Valley (PressExposure) March 17, 2012 -- Bel Marra Health, well known for offering high-quality, specially formulated vitamins and nutritional supplements, is supporting a recent study by the British Medical Journal that places fish oil as a leading supplement.
The benefits of fish oil are vast, but in a recent medical article published in the British Medical Journal, the effects of fish oil during pregnancy was examined in particular in terms of promoting good health in infancy.
Specifically, this research wanted to determine if fish oil reduces allergic disease in the developing fetus when administered during pregnancy. This clinical trial recruited over 700 pregnant women and randomly assigned each study participant to one of two study groups. The first study group was given a daily dose of 900 mgs of fish oil starting from the 7 month of pregnancy until birth, whereas the control group was given a daily dose of 900 mg of vegetable oil.
Dr. Victor Marchione M.D., expert in Pulmonary Medicine says "the study showed that the infants from the fish oil treatment group showed relief from skin irritations such as eczema, so targeted use of fish oil is proving very beneficial within this group".
Spokesperson for Bel Marra Health, Jim Chiang reinforces this stance, "with so much hype surrounding fish oils and Omega-3 fatty acids, the information in this study doesn't come as a surprise. The benefits can clearly be seen in this research".
(SOURCE: "British Medical Journal", Effect of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy on infants' allergies in first year of life: randomized controlled trial, February 2012)
Bel Marra Health, the maker of Omega-3 Miracle [http://belmarrahealth.com/productDetail.php?id=Omega-3-Miracle] a natural supplement containing optimal dosages of Omega-3 fatty acids, offers high-quality vitamins and nutritional supplements in formulations designed to address specific health concerns. All ingredients are backed with scientific evidence. Every product is tested for safety, quality, and purity at every stage of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, Bel Marra Health products are produced only in Health Canada approved facilities, going that extra mile to ensure our health conscious customers are getting top quality products. For more information on Bel Marra Health visit http://www.belmarrahealth.com or call 1-866-531-0466. |
Picture this. A busy office building, people everywhere, energy, tension, excitement, hustle, bustle… Phones are ringing, e-mails are flying, and computer keyboards are being hit non-stop. This is life in the fast lane.
In the typical modern corporation there will be strategic objectives and operational parameters, and of course, weekly reports, monthly goals, quarterly targets. And there is constant pressure to bring in the numbers. So, it is not uncommon to find stressed out people that are literally on the treadmill from the time they wake up until the time they hit their beds and collapse.
Long hours seems to be the norm for so many. And there is this never-ending pressure to check your messages. It used to be just e-mail but these days it is also WhatsApp and Slack and LinkedIn, and the occasional phone message (some people still do leave voice mail messages), and then there is social media, which is an abyss all on its own. The constant anxiety to stay up-to-date. Yes, stress is all around us, and it only seems to be getting more intense.
To hear someone joke, er, complain, about the pressures of modern day life is pretty common. So picture this now for a moment. A busy office worker talking to their manager :
I really need a few days off. I am just exhausted.
What’s the problem?
I am just tired of being on the phone all day, talking to customers, every day. It is exhausting. And some of the people are so rude.
Perhaps you just had a bad day. Tomorrow will be better. Come in a bit later tomorrow and try get some sleep tonight.
Ja, perhaps you are right. It was just… this one guy today… I spoke with him 3 times and every time it was so painful.
Now, think about this for a minute … what business are they in?
Are they selling something over the phone? An insurance product? A mobile phone offering? Or perhaps this is travel service?
Maybe. But, how about this : organized crime. No jokes. Yes, the modern company I am describing in this story today are in the ransomware industry.
And this company has an HR department, and thirteenth cheques, and career paths, and mentorship programmes… yup.
Mafia are online these days, and they are extorting companies and people using malicious software (malware). It is big business, and it is professionally run and it is growing fast.
In the last month the world heard about WannaCry – this is going to continue. Ransomeware is big business.
When you think of computer hackers, think of high tech office buildings, complete with canteens and corporate pubs, and with modern day stresses.
This is the new world of online organized crime – modern, sophisticated, and yes, twisted. |
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Transcript of Harlem Renaissance
Jordan, Clint Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance Music Josh Yi, Clint Durham,
Jordan Williams, Ashley Stigler Writing and literature Art As the idea of Pan-Africanism spread, new styles of music and literature were introduced, the foremost and most iconic being jazz, blues, and jazz poetry.
The purpose of these new genres was to unite and uplift the African-Americans by deviating from the norm. Events That Lead Up to the Harlem Renaissance Famous Artists History and inspirations Many of the African Americans used art as a way to express their heritage and celebrate where they are from. Aaron Douglas He focused on geometrical figures.
His particular style was based on silhouettes resembling African American characteristics such as spiritual desires and racial pride.
His influences were mainly from
jazz and folk traditions. African Americans used their unique racial experiences to create their artwork Fine arts became the way to communicate through out the African American communities in Harlem and through out the United States. African Americans during this time period used art to express what they love, such as dancing, singing, and listening to jazz music. Jacob Armstead Lawrence Palmer Hayden Beauford Delaney He used his artwork to express his old life and that of his peers who migrated from the South to the North during this time. Most of is pieces used bold colors and symbols to represent things from his past, such as his struggles, goals, and accomplishments. Many of his art influences came from the environment around him. His artwork also focused on the African American experiences, capturing both rural gatherings in the South and the urban lives of New York. He painted colourful, eye catching pieces that captured scenes of the urban landscape. His artworks from this time period express not only the character of the city of Harlem, but also his personal vision of equality, love, and respect for all people The Great Migration
Because life was becoming increasingly difficult for Blacks in the south, blacks began migrating North by the millions. Though racism was still present in the North, it was thought to be less brutal. Blacks also had more legal rights in the North. The North granted all adult men suffrage; provided better educational advancement for African-Americans and their children; and offered greater job opportunities as a result of World War I and the industrial revolution. This large movement of Blacks, known as the Great Migration, bought more than seven million Blacks to the North. Harlem: The Black Mecca
Meanwhile, many blacks were pushed out of the metropolitan area due to the re-development gentrification of midtown.
As a results, large volumes of blacks began moving to Harlem.
Between 1900 - 1920, the number of blacks in New York City doubled.
Many of the country's best and brightest entrepreneurs, artists, and intellectuals moved into Harlem.
They brought with them Institutions and businesses as well as their own talents and ideas.
The area soon became known as “the Black Mecca” and “the capital of black America.” The literature during the Harlem Renaissance was a way for the blacks to express their racial culture and to strive to fit in the already formed white culture and society. Oppression in the South The end of the American Civil War in 1865 ushered in a new era for Black in America of increased education and employment opportunities. During this time...
The first black middle class was created and its members began to want the same lifestyles as White Americans.
Plessy v. Fergunson in 1896
Jim Crow Laws
The South became an increasing hostile place for Black Americans who were harshly discriminated against.
The South's economy began to suffer as boll weevils began to infest cotton crop. This reduced the amount of labor needed in the South. The Construction of Harlem Housing executives planned to build a neighborhood in Harlem specifically designed for Whites who needed to commute into the city to work.
Building construction progressed faster than the transportation necessary to bring workers downtown.
Frustrated workers abandoned the once exclusive district.
Due to the lack of customers, landlords began selling black real estate agents such as Philip A. Payton.
They also began to rent directly to black tenants. Jazz Jazz was a new style of music that came about during the Harlem Renaissance. It was a completely new style that incorporated both African and European musical concepts. Jazz featured big bands, brassy sounds, a different way of counting, and improvisation, all of which were very new to the musical world of that time. Famous Jazz Figures Duke Ellington Duke Ellington was most notable for being a composer. He wrote over 1,000 compositions for the jazz, gospel, and classical genres. Louis Armstrong Nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, Louis Armstrong helped paved the way for jazz during the Harlem Renaissance with his soloistic appeal and improvisation on his trumpet. Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald was known as the "Queen of Jazz" for her vocal talent, especially in her range and ability to scat sing. Billie Holiday The few songs that Billie Holiday wrote became highly influential in the jazz world, especially with her protest songs, such as "Strange Fruit" While in grammar school in Lincoln, Hughes was elected class poet. Hughes stated that in retrospect he thought it was because of the stereotype that African Americans have rhythm. "I was a victim of a stereotype. There were only two of us Negro kids in the whole class and our English teacher was always stressing the importance of rhythm in poetry. Well, everyone knows, except us, that all Negroes have rhythm, so they elected me as class poet." Langston Hughes was an African American contemporary writer during the Harlem Renaissance who wanted to write as a "Negro Writer". He was considered a "Negro Writer" because he did not commit to writing about common 20s writing but instead created many poems and narratives focused mainly on black hardships and racial discrimination/segregation.
Hughes criticized men who were known as the midwives of the Harlem Renaissance: W. E. B. Du Bois, Jessie Redmon Fauset, and Alain LeRoy Locke, as being overly accommodating and assimilating eurocentric values and culture for social equality. Hughes tried to depict the "low-life" in his art,or the real lives of blacks in the lower social class. Alain Leroy Locke is considered the father of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He created the novel "The New Negro," which was intended to familiarize white society with black literature. Locke considered literature a means of self-expression, not of propaganda, and his belief was that, through their literary contribution, African-Americans would find their place in American history and mesh with the white society's culture. W.E.B Du bois wanted social progress for African-Americans and wrote strongly about social equality for blacks. He co-headed the NAACP and worked to find bring social freedoms to blacks in an effort for justice. In his most substantial book, "The Philadelphia Negro" he relates African-American urban life and white urban life. |
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Vincent van Gogh
Transcript of Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist born in 1853. His father was a minister and mother was a "moody artist".
"They wanted to add their own new ideas to art. They began to try new subjects, techniques, perspectives, and shapes to express their thoughts and emotions in art."
The Starry Night
What characteristics of Post-Impressionism do you see in The Starry Night?
Van Gogh was a Post- Impressionist. He suffered with mental illness in his life. He was poor his entire life and his work wasn't recognized until he had died (1890, age 37)
Vincent van Gogh's life was tragic and catastrophic. From failed loves and careers, poverty, mental breakdowns, and asylum stays he was a tortured artist. Some believe it is what made it art great.
Does certain artwork make you feel different emotions?
If so...you can partly thank
Vincent van Gogh
In constrast, Impressionists were realistic and about the present
Van Gogh used his art to make the invisible visible and provides different perspectives
What influence did the video say Vincent van Gogh have on artists and culture today?
What do you think
Vincent van Gogh is communicating?
What are the goals of the color, lines, and shapes in the paintings we looked at?
Van Gogh has inspired today's artists and our culture
How did Vincent van Gogh inspire these paintings?
Our culture is full of different perspectives. Artists create work that is full of emotions, their thoughts, and how they see the world.
Now it's your turn!
Created by Rachel Herrig |
More than 1.1 million publications were indexed in PubMed in 2016, bringing the total number of PubMed records to more than 27 million. It’s no wonder that systematic reviews have become popular (currently there are more than 40,000 systematic reviews in PubMed Health alone). Systematic reviews and related methods aim to pull together all relevant studies on a defined topic and synthesize the evidence to evaluate what’s known. The approach has been used to inform clinical research and practice for decades, and its use is spreading.
As with any research, systematic reviews are only as good as their methods. A critical method here is literature searching. Some librarians and information specialists have taken to PubMed Commons to tackle issues surrounding the quality and efficacy of search strategies and their reporting. They also hope to raise awareness of librarians’ expertise in this area. We interviewed 5 librarians to learn more about their perspectives and how they’re using PubMed Commons.
Designing and reporting for reproducibility
Melissa Rethlefsen is deputy director of the Eccles Health Sciences Library at University of Utah and section director of the Systematic Review Core, which is integrated with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. She has been investigating the quality of reported systematic review search strategies. She and colleagues at Mayo Clinic found that systematic reviews that included librarians as co-authors were more likely to meet standards such as those recommended by the Institute of Medicine. “It really does benefit you to have an information specialist or librarian on your team,” Rethlefsen says.
“Just like any other type of research, your method should be described clearly enough that it can be reproduced. We see so many systematic reviews that are published without this really critical information, and then it’s really hard to assess their quality,” Rethlefsen notes.
A number of journals have endorsed the use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Michelle Fiander, a systematic review librarian at the University of Utah, says, “PRISMA tells you what to say, what to report, the types of information that should be there. But they don’t tell you how.”
Mary Klem, a research and instruction librarian in the Health Sciences Library System at the University of Pittsburgh, has noticed the disconnect between statements concerning PRISMA and actual implementation. “In the article I commented on, the authors’ primary rationale for completing their review was that a prior review on the topic had not used a systematic or well-defined search strategy,” she shares. “I thought it was awesome that someone had critiqued a review like that! So I was disappointed to see that the documentation and searches in this new improved review weren’t thorough or comprehensive, and felt like I needed to note that.”
Putting expertise forward
Some librarians have used PubMed Commons because it’s visible, it’s fast, and they see potential for the impact to extend beyond a single publication.
“In a practical sense, using PubMed Commons seemed to be a better choice than writing a letter to the editor because of its immediacy and visibility,” Donna Berryman, the director of the Miner Libraries in the Institute for Innovative Education at the University of Rochester Medical Center, says. “Many, many people will find the article I commented on by doing a search in PubMed. If they look at the record for the article, my comment will be there. I’m not sure how many people would even look at a letter to the editor. In addition, there’s always a chance the letter won’t get published, and, if it does, there’s generally a long gap between when an article appears in a journal and when the letter to the editor might appear. All of those things argue against visibility. So, PubMed Commons gives my words visibility and immediacy.”
Wichor Bramer also favors the transparency and timeliness of PubMed Commons. He is a biomedical information specialist at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands, where he’s also currently working on his PhD on search methodologies for systematic reviews. He shares, “My last comment was on the details of a search strategy. Julie Glanville, who’s a famous searcher for reviews, responded to that, so you can communicate publicly with the authors.” Author responses can create a “vivid discussion that’s available for anyone to see.”
Bramer is also finding value as an author himself. He notes that he’s used comments on his first article comparing PubMed and Google Scholar to change the way he did some things for his second article. “The comments that we get help me create better articles in the future.”
For Fiander, PubMed Commons offers an opportunity to “get my voice out there and point out things. Maybe it will end up stirring some better standards among journal editors. If you have a paper and you’re indexed in there, you can comment. It’s easier than writing a letter to the editor. I think the freedom of it is good.”
Commenting with care
But freedom doesn’t mean off the cuff for these commenters. “I tend to read my comment, be careful that I’m being accurate, that I’m not overstating or saying something that’s inaccurate,” Fiander notes.
Berryman has commented once but suspects she will comment again. “PubMed Commons strikes me as a place to have reasoned, deliberate comments. It’s not like commenting on Facebook or Twitter. So, one thing I always think about is whether I can write my comment in a way that is constructive and will add to the body of knowledge – and that takes both thought and time.”
“I see it as post-publication peer review,” Bramer says. “I first create it. I don’t post it immediately. I put it away for maybe a day and look at it the next day and see different things, see if I can improve some things.”
Rethlefsen understands that commenting on PubMed, especially the first time, isn’t necessarily easy. “It’s not really a space where librarians had actively engaged before. Irreproducible search strategies were always a thing that librarians talked to each other about.” But she had concerns about what looked like, on the face of it, an excellent search strategy that she couldn’t reproduce. So she decided to go to PubMed Commons. “I worked on it, I deleted it, I re-wrote it, and I deleted it. And finally I pushed the publish button. It was intimidating because I’d never done it before. But once I got the reaction that I did [from colleagues and the librarian community], it became really clear to me that this was a more important space than I’d thought before.”
Feeling inspired? If you have a publication indexed in PubMed, then you’re eligible to join PubMed Commons and start commenting! Learn more about getting started with PubMed Commons. |
Welcome back to the dissection lab! This week we’ll be taking a look at issue and project management, primarily with the tool JIRA, developed by Atlassian.
Issue Tracking and Project Management
When developing software you need a clearly defined workflow. Who is working on what feature, how much technical debt do you have and what business needs are of highest priority. To allow maximum collaboration it is best to try and centralise information, at best a single resource that the entire team uses to keep track of the state of the project. In particular the team I am part of uses JIRA, it allows us to visibly see the amount of work that a project requires and how all of our different roles come together to achieve our goal.
Atlassian’s JIRA has been around since 2002 and allows an entire team to work from a single source. Each team member has a profile and they can create work issues or be assigned jobs to do. There is a lot of transparency and traceability by using tools like this. On the main JIRA dashboard you have an overview of the JIRA instance, i.e. assigned issues; and an activity feed which displays the latest changes that people have been making. Real time reporting is fantastic.
Say that a company wants to design a new piece of software, using JIRA they’d create a new project. When a project is created it is assigned an issue tag. This tag is a series of letters which is then assigned to every issue within that project. It allows different issues to be easily referenced across the platform. For instance a project called ‘Demo Test’ may have an issue tag of DT, an issue within that project will be assigned the issue key DT-1, another one DT-2 and so on. If two issues are related to each other you could created dependency links between their issue-keys or you could easily reference an issue on a different ticket. In order to manage projects they are broken down into a number of components, starting with epics.
An epic is a particular objective with such a level of complexity that it will require many tasks to be completed across a substantial amount of time. A general example of this could to automate testing or to develop a web portal. Long, strenuous tasks. To make managing these easier they’re broken down into User Stories.
Each story has a description which will state a number of scenarios which the story must fulfil, an acceptance criteria list which dictates everything that must be completed and verified for the story to be considered done and a general summary of the problem in a format like: ‘As a business owner I want to add the ability to take credit cards payments to the website, so that the customer has an alternate method of payment’. This easily says who, what and why. Normally a slightly more in-depth description will follow, here is an example of a user story I have worked on:
This particular story is part of an ‘automation’ epic and is assigned to the current sprint. Alongside this description a priority is assigned to the story and a reporter, in this case the reporter is my boss.
As a project will end up with potentially hundreds of user stories, sprints are used to bunch up stories into sorties of work. A typical sprint will last 2 or 4 weeks and as a team we decide which stories should be part in the upcoming sprint. The stories to choose from are inside a backlog like so:
We size up stories into who will be required and the amount of time needed. This way we try and keep a constant pace from sprint to sprint and distribute work fairly. On each story we can actually assign it a length of time which makes it easier to refine stories down and get the fit right for a sprint.
To break stories down into manageable chunk we use sub-tasks.
In a similar vein each sub-task has a description which explains what the task is, why it is necessary and how to complete it. Every time progress is made on the task it is updated so that other team members can go straight to JIRA to check the progress.
From all the added organisation it becomes very easy to gleam statistics about a team from the number of user stories they take on during a sprint and the number that are completed. This can indicate if a team is committing to too much or not taking on enough. JIRA comes packed with tools which can analyse sprints and produce: burn-down charts (the amount of work in a sprint), velocity charts (the amount of value in a sprint), cumulative flow diagrams (exact issue statuses across a time range) and sprint reports (issue list). These are great in after sprint retrospectives where teams can discuss what worked well and what didn’t. This all complements the AGILE way of working, to try things out and continually improve.
JIRA goes even deeper than this but for now I hope this is enough to dig your teeth into. The best way of becoming familiar with this is to just head over to Atlassian (https://www.atlassian.com/), grab a free trial of JIRA (cloud for a quick play, server to tool around setting it up yourself) and mess around.
Thanks for reading and please join me next time for some Continuous Integ |
During the course, write a 3-5 pages of a methodological approach you choose, preparing for your thesis, based on methodological literature. It is important to limit your focus on a specific methodology/method instead of trying to discuss the whole field of qualitative research! Consider the chosen topic from the following aspects: epistemology, ontology, paradigm, validity and reliability.
In practice this means addressing the following questions:
What is the methodology you chose? Why?
How has this methodology been applied by different researchers? Provide examples.
What kind of knowledge can be produced with the methodology? (epistemology)
What is the object of interest in the methodology: predicting, understanding, emancipating or deconstructing? (identifying the paradigm)
Does the methodology present reality in terms of objectivism or subjectivism, or something in between, how come? (ontology)
How can the results produced by this methodology be assessed? (issues of validity, reliability, ethics)
no filler pages – evaluation is based on content, not length:
An expert essay (5) provides an informed and concise response to all the questions.
A good essay (3) addresses most questions in an informed and knowledgeable manner.
A passing (under 3) essay provides fairly systematic knowledge about a method |
The Canterbury Tales are more than 600 years old, but they sound modern when they speak about equality and social justice.
Written by the 14th century poet and courtier Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales are told by a group of pilgrims travelling from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St Thomas Becket. Like Homer’s Iliad, the tales were intended to be read aloud. The setting is a story-telling contest and the prize is a free meal on the pilgrims’ return to the Tabard Inn (which burned down in 1676).
Chaucer painted word portraits of people who would be easily recognised in his society, including a knight (suspected by at least one commentator of being a mercenary), a prioress, a carpenter, a cook, a much married woman, and a brawny miller – an occupation regarded in Chaucer’s day as shifty and dishonest. Their tales range from pious to comic, from classical erudition to bawdy vulgarity.
Born to a prosperous family of wine merchants, Chaucer served three English kings as diplomat, customs controller, and supervisor of royal residences. He travelled widely, visiting Italy where he probably acquired a copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy and Boccaccio’s Decameron – both to some extent models for The Canterbury Tales.
The Decameron has more similarities with The Canterbury Tales than any other work. It features several narrators who tell stories on a journey they have undertaken to escape the Black Death. Chaucer’s original plan in The Canterbury Tales was for each character to tell four stories, two on the way to Canterbury and two on the way back. Instead the text ends while the party is en route. Chaucer either planned to revise the structure or else left it incomplete when he died on 25 October 1400.
Among the earliest books published by William Caxton on his new printing press in London were two magnificent editions of The Canterbury Tales, the first in 1476 and the second, illustrated with woodblock prints, in 1483. According to the medievalist Derek Pearsall, the earliest surviving manuscripts are not Chaucer’s originals but were compiled by a scribe shortly after Chaucer’s death. The most beautiful is the Ellesmere Manuscript, owned by the Huntington Library, California.
Today, pilgrims visit the shrine of Geoffrey Chaucer in London’s Westminster Abbey. In December 1399 Chaucer was granted the lease of a tenement in the garden of the Abbey’s Lady Chapel. The following year, when the poet died, Henry IV approved his burial at the entrance to the chapel of St Benedict. In 1556, the present grey Purbeck marble monument was erected to his memory and, in his guide to Westminster Abbey published in 1600, the historian William Camden noted that the bones of the poet were transferred to this tomb. Chaucer became the founding member of the Abbey’s Poets’ Corner.
In the early 1800s, the English writer and artist William Blake began work on a scene from The Canterbury Tales. Blake saw each of the pilgrims as representing a human archetype and tried to capture them in one work. In a note to accompany it, he wrote:
“Some of the names or titles are altered by time, but the characters themselves for ever remain unaltered, and consequently they are the physiognomies or lineaments of universal human life, beyond which Nature never steps… Every age is a Canterbury pilgrimage; we all pass on, each sustaining one or other of these characters.” |
The Voice of America Park, where we walked yesterday morning, is listed as an Ohio Ornithological Society birding site. This site described the following birds of interest that you might see there in the summer: Bobolinks, Henslow’s sparrows, savannah sparrows, eastern meadowlarks, occasionally breeding sedge wrens. I was able to snap a few photos of birds there. Most I recognized, but the many varieties of sparrows are a little hard to track down. I accept any and all offers of help or corrections with the identification of these birds.
This little baby was sitting on the spouting of the park office when we arrived. He has brown on his head. I don’t know what kind of bird he is.
We walked around a small lake that was ringed with cattails on this side.
This was my first sighting of a red-winged blackbird.
Ducks are abundant in the reeds along the water’s edge. Sometimes they are alone and sometimes in groups of three or more.
As we walked by with Arthur, sometimes the ducks would waddle down the shallow bank and into the water.
I tried not to take it personally.
Here’s a better shot of a red-winged blackbird.
A bird, I think it is a robin, emphasizes that we are in an important bird area.
When we saw this bird from a distance, we thought it might be a brown-headed cowbird. But looking at it now, I don’t think so. It looks something like a sparrow, but it’s belly is dark. I’m going to have to figure this one out.
Here is the same unidentified bird in flight.
The red-winged blackbirds are abundant. They perch on the tops of things.
They are stunning in flight with their flash of red.
Unlike the red-wing blackbird that commands a post at the top of tree, this little bird hides among the stems of the thistles and wildflowers.I think it is some kind of sparrow. You might notice there is a black bird hiding here too.
This bird got its feathers ruffled. I know what that feels like.
When it smooths things out and turns around, I can confirm it is a robin.
These baby ducks are getting getting big.
Queen Anne’s Lace is one of my favorite wildflowers. It grows abundantly here.
There are also fields of thistle here, which I think the yellow finches like. In the background you can see the road that borders the park. Without the background drone of traffic, this park would be a true oasis of nature indeed. As it is, the cricket chorus and bird song provide a welcome distraction from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
I think these are a type of sparrow as well. They could be a thrush of some sort, perhaps.
Another bird I need to look up when I have the time.
See what I mean about these red-wing blackbirds? They’re everywhere.
I believe this is an American Goldfinch.
If you are faint of heart, you might not to look closely at this photo and just keep moving on. I didn’t realize it at the time when I was just trying to get a nice shot of the red-winged blackbird. I snapped a series of photos. Once I got them on my computer I could see what I really shot was a small little drama in nature where the dragonfly meets its end at the beak of a bird. I’ll spare you the rest.
On our way out of the park again, I was trying to capture the flight of what I believed to be swallows. They have a distinctive pointed shape. But they darted around so quickly, never landing, that I was unsuccessful. I did see this bright little cardinal, however.
And the baby bird is still here. I sure hope everything works out okay for this little guy.
For more bird photos, see my bird page under the wildlife tab above.
Go team Prevent Alzheimer’s Thank you Lisa, for the catch phrase. If you are reading this and are clueless, see my last post Suggestions for prevention of Alzheimer’s.
This morning I walked for 35 minutes. I don’t know how far that was, but it was up and down hills, so I think it counted.
Yesterday I did not eat any desserts. No cookies, donuts, ice cream or anything else that is clearly not healthy. I did eat a plum and a salad. I really need to increase my intake of fruits and vegetables.
Let me know how you’re doing. |
"This is the generation of the great LEVIATHAN, or rather, to speak more reverently of that mortal god, to which we own under the immortal God, our peace and defense." -Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan
We might think that this is rather silly but I think it points to an important truth about the continuity between our lives on this earth and our lives at the resurrection.
I think the Reformation polemic against merits and rewards has been overdone and there is a very legitimate place in Christian theology for the logic of rewards. The resurrection of the Just isn’t merely about receiving a crown, it is fundamentally the consummation of our deepest desires and loves as it grasps and discerns what is true and beautiful about the beloved at its very fundamental level and receives it as a reward at the resurrection.
In this Fallen Postlapsarian world, there are limits to which we can attain what we want or desire. I will, for example, not be able to hear a live performance by Bach, or ever have an opportunity to talk to Queen Victoria or Elizabeth (both of them!). I doubt I will ever fully comprehend String Theory or master Topology in this life. Closer to home, there are many things which we would not be able to enjoy in our life time, many broken relationships which we would not be able to mend, many people whom we do not have the pleasure of their company or friendship. In short, there are many things of beauty, truth and goodness which we shall never have the opportunity to enjoy in this fallen imperfect life.
It is important that the resurrection of us be precisely the resurrection of ourselves, concerned with the fundamental desires and loves which constitutes our lives. While not discounting the radical fiery purification of our subjectivity and internal states which the resurrection will bring, yet, if the goodness of creation is not to be utterly and completely denied, after the divine conflagration of our souls and the transformation of our desires and our loves, there must still remain a semblance of our former desires which now desires rightly and discerns truly what is true, good and beautiful about the objects of our longing.
One of the connotations of the “pie in the sky” idea is that we so abandoned this world for another wholly other worldly reward that it negates all that is true and good in this life. This sarcastic connotation must be rejected. While rightly restrained in our eschatology that not all that all which is rightly desired and loved can be attained in this life, but we also cannot have a too dualistic eschatology wherein our desires and loves in this life becomes so utterly obliterated and transcended that what we love and desire in our risen state bares no continuity or resemblance to what we love and hope in this life.
Therefore, if the resurrection is not to remain a mere afterthought or insurance against damnation, but instead is to be a reality which encompasses our deepest desires and longing, the doctrine of rewards needs to be revived and rightly articulated. This is so that we might not illegitimately resort to sinful means to attain them in our despair that we shall never have them, but keeping to God’s will and being patient in suffering in not being able to have our desires in this life, we endure in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection where then shall we all attain unto what is deepest and truest about our desires. We should therefore turn the concept on its head and say, yes there will be pie in heaven and it will be delicious!
So keep decorating that mansion, for therein lies the hope of the Resurrection. |
Unfortunately, at a time when many are worried about doing everything they can to keep their jobs, the general mood at many workplaces is pretty somber. Just when kindness can make our work a little easier, the days go just a little faster, and everything just a little bit better we tend to keep our heads down just to try to survive the next line of layoffs.
It’s ridiculous how unkind we can be to our coworkers. If you are all working in the same place, even if you might be in different departments, you are on the same team; working toward the same goals. The general nastiness or indifference for one another affects everyone negatively breaking us down as individuals and as teams. It is impossible to think that our lack of kindness doesn’t affect the work environment. If kindness is lacking at your workplace, here are a few simple ways you can start a kindness revolution at your organization:
Lead by example if you are the leader at your organization. Make kindness a focus and pledge to be kind to everyone you encounter from vendors to clients to colleagues. Give your permission to call you on it when you forget your pledge. If a lack of kindness has been a problem for a while, you might have to move slowly. After all, you wouldn’t want your coworkers to walk in one day and think you’ve been brainwashed.
Put an end to petty criticism. Boy, are we tough on each other! We criticize just about everybody and everything. We talk about one another’s hair, clothes, cars, etc. We scrutinize every little word and laugh at each other’s mistakes. Give each other a break! Negativity should not be your default reaction.
Welcome new employees with open arms. Often it’s the new guy who gets the most abuse at work. It’s interesting that organizations can be short-staffed with everyone putting in extra time and effort, just praying the boss hires someone to lessen the burden, and then when the new guy does start, he is welcomed with less than open arms. What is up with that?
Recognize one another’s strengths, not weaknesses. In many workplaces, kindness goes out the door when younger and older employees must work together. Young employees get frustrated when their older colleagues can’t use the latest technology quickly and efficiently. And older workers become frustrated with their younger counterparts’ different work ethic. The problem is that the parties on both sides of the age gap are focusing on what they view as the other’s weakness. Encourage all to value what their teammates bring to the table. Remind everyone that there is a reason each of them was hired.
Be nice to the “others.” Many organizations suffer from intra-office turf wars. What results is departmental teams that are sometimes outright nasty to one another – the Sales team can’t stand Purchasing. Purchasing can’t stand the Warehouse. No one gets along with IT and on and on! The reality is everybody works hard. Try a little kindness with the people who work in other divisions. You might be surprised how it actually makes things better for you. |
Patrick lights the Paschal Fire on the Hill of Slane. Richard King window, Church of St Peter and Paul, Athlone
A joint post – text by Robert, images by Finola
Last week we talked about Ireland’s very first saint – Ciarán (or Piran), who was born on Cape Clear. His aim in life was to convert the heathen Irish to Christianity, but they were having none of it: they tied him to a millstone and hoisted him over the edge of a cliff. Fortunately – and miraculously – the wondrous millstone floated him over to Cornwall where he became their Patron Saint and is celebrated with great acclaim on March 5th every year.
A typical representation of Patrick, older and bearded, in bishop’s robe, holding a shamrock in one hand and a crozier on the other. Skibbereen Cathedral
To return the favour of gaining an important saint from Ireland, the British have given Ireland their special saint – Patrick – and he is being celebrated this week in similar fashion. So here’s the story of Saint Patrick, seen through the eyes of an Englishman (albeit one with Cornish connections) and illustrated by Finola with a series of images from her collection.
Still traditional – looking fierce – but this one has beautiful detailing, including the interlacing surrounding the cherubs. St Carthage Cathedral, Lismore
Of course, there’s the real Patrick – the one we know through his own Confessio. The best summary we’ve come across of what can be deduced from the historical documents is the audio book Six Years a Slave, which can be downloaded from Abarta Heritage, and which is highly recommended (be warned – no snakes!). But what you’re going to get from me today is the good old-fashioned Patrick, with all his glamour and colour and centuries of accrued stories – just as he’s shown in Finola’s images.
Six Years a Slave – this Harry Clarke window in the Church of The Assumption, Tullamore, seems to depict Patrick tending sheep during the period of his captivity
Patrick was born and brought up somewhere in the north west of Britain. He was of Romano British descent: his father was a a decurion, one of the ‘long-suffering, overtaxed rural gentry of the provinces’, and his grandfather was a priest – the family was, therefore, Christian. In his own writings Patrick describes himself as rustic, simple and unlearnèd. When still a boy, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates and taken to be a slave in Ireland. He was put to work on a farm somewhere in the west and spent the long, lonely hours out in the fields thinking about the Christian stories and principles he had been taught back home.
Patrick is visited by a vision – the people of Ireland are calling to him to come back and bring Christianity to him. Richard King window, Church of St Peter and Paul, Athlone. Read more about Richard King and the Athlone windows in Discovering Richard King
After six years he escaped from his bondage and made his way back to Britain – apparently by hitching a lift on a fishing boat. Because he had thought so much about Christianity during those years away, he decided to become a bishop which, after a few years of application, he did. Although he had hated his enforced capture he was aware that Ireland – as the most westerly outpost of any kind of civilisation – was one of the only places in the known world that remained ‘heathen’, and he was nagged by his conscience to become a missionary there and make it his life’s work to convert every Irish pagan.
Detail from Patrick window by Harry Clarke in Ballinasloe
When you see Patrick depicted in religious imagery he always looks serious and, perhaps, severe. You can’t imagine him playing the fiddle in a session or dancing a wild jig at the crossroads. In fact he was well know for his long sermons: on one occasion he stuck his wooden crozier into the ground while he was preaching and, by the time he had finished, it had taken root and sprouted into a tree!
Patrick with his hand raised in a blessing, accompanied by his symbols of the Paschal Fire and the shamrock. Harry Clarke Studio window, Bantry
Perhaps it was his severity that caused him to be respected: while giving another sermon (at the Rock of Cashel) he accidentally and unwittingly put the point of his crozier through the foot of the King of Munster. The King waited patiently until Patrick had finished sermonising then asked if it could be removed. Patrick was horrified at what he’d done, but the King said he’d assumed it was all part of the initiation ritual!
In Richard King’s enormous Patrick window in Athlone, the saint is depicted as youthful and clean-shaven. Here he is using the shamrock to illustrate the concept of the Trinity
Patrick first landed on the shores of Ireland just before Easter in 432 AD and established himself on the Hill of Slane – close to the residence of the High King. In those days the rule was that only the King himself was to light the Bealtaine Fire to celebrate the spring festival, but Patrick pre-empted this by lighting his own Paschal Fire on the top of the hill, thus establishing his authority over that of the High King (see the first image in this post). Somehow, he got away with it – and the fire has been lit on the top of the Hill of Slane every Easter from that day to this.
Another panel from the Richard King window – Eithne and Fidelma receive communion from Patrick. They were daughters of the King of Connaught; Eithne was fair-haired and Fidelma a redhead, and they were baptized at the Well of Clebach beside Cruachan
St Patrick seems to have been everywhere in Ireland: there are Patrick’s Wells, Patrick’s Chairs (one of which in Co Mayo – the Boheh Stone – displays some fine examples of Rock Art), Patrick’s Beds and – on an island in Lough Dergh – a Patrick’s Cave (or ‘Purgatory’) where Jesus showed the saint a vision of the punishments of hell.
Patrick blesses St Mainchin of Limerick. Detail from the Mainchin window in the Honan Chapel, by Catherine O’Brien for An Túr Gloinne
The place which has the most significant associations with Patrick, perhaps, is Croagh Patrick – the Holy Mountain in County Mayo, on the summit of which the saint spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting and praying, before casting all the snakes out of Ireland from the top of the hill – an impressive feat. To this day, of course, there are no snakes in Ireland – or are there? See my post Snakes Alive for musings on this topic (it includes a most impressive window from Glastonbury!)
Like many Patrick windows, this one, By Harry Clarke in Tullamore, shows Patrick banishing the snakes. This one has all the gorgeous detailing we expect from Clarke, including bejewelled snakes
When Patrick considered that he’d finished his task, and the people of Ireland were successfully and completely converted, he returned to Britain and spent his retirement in the Abbey of Glastonbury – there’s a beautiful little chapel there dedicated to him.
This depiction of Patrick on the wall of his Glastonbury chapel shows him with familiar symbols but also several unusual symbols – an Irish wolfhound, high crosses, and Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain
It’s logical he should have chosen that spot to end his days as it must be the most blessed piece of ground in these islands, having been walked upon by Jesus himself who was taken there as a boy by his tin-trading uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. St Bridget joined Patrick there in retirement and they are both buried in the Abbey grounds, along with the BVM who had preceded them to that place a few centuries earlier.
From the George Walsh window in Eyeries, Patrick returns to convert the Irish
A depiction of Patrick below comes from St Barrahane’s Church of Ireland in Castletownsend where he is shown alongside St George. The window dates from before Irish independence and is an attempt to show the unity of Britain and Ireland through their respective patron saints. Perhaps meant to represent friendship between the countries, nevertheless nowadays it seems to display a colonial overtone that is an uncomfortable echo of past mores.
The window is by Powells of London and dates to 1906
So let’s leave Patrick doing what he came back to do – a last panel from the Richard King window in Athlone shows him performing his saintly task of converting the Irish – one chieftain at a time. |
“Two Leagues from Nagasaki there’s a High towering Mountain called Unzen, and on the Top three or four vast Lakes with boiling sulphurous Waters, heated by subterraneous Fires. These Waters break out sometimes in wide Openings and Gapings of the Earth, with whole Mountains of Flames, called by the Japanese the Mouths of Hell… or Infernal Waters. These wide Openings happen only once in Eighteen Years, but then it overflows like a Deluge, with whole Torrents of stinking Waters, mixed with Sulphur and Brimstone, insomuch as one can’t look upon them without Horror. The Waters smoke and boil as if they stood upon a hot Fire, and make so hideous a Noise that we may properly compare them with the Lakes of Brimstone and Fire mentioned in the Apocalypse. For the rest, the Waters are so hot… that the least Drop penetrates to the Bone.”
Crasset — History of the Church of Japan, 1707.
Eighteen Christians, four of them found among the local baron Matsukura’s own subordinates, were taken in procession up the slopes of Unzen to the boiling lakes. One, gazing upon a Mouth of Hell, brightly opined that for him it would be the Gateway into Paradise. Another shouted praises to Jesu Cristo and hurled himself into the lake, much to the annoyance of another Christian, Paul Uchibori, who warned the others that they were there to be martyred, not to commit the sin of suicide. Thereafter, the Christians were thrown one-by-one into the waters of Unzen, all except Paul, who was vengefully dipped headfirst several times.
It was not the last time that Old Matsukura’s men would climb Unzen with a party of martyrs. One of Matsukura’s own officers turned himself in at Shimabara, claiming that he had gone into hiding in Fukae, but had realised that his lord would get into trouble with the Shogun if it was found out that he had allowed a Christian to escape. After making this incredible confession, he was duly sent up the mountain with another group of Christians, whereupon Old Matsukura’s men attempted to get some better results.
Simply killing the Christians had been proven unproductive, particularly since so many of them went uncomplaining or even gratefully to their deaths. Instead, Matsukura’s men tried to prolong their agony, dipping them in and out of the lakes, splashing them repeatedly with scalding water, and even slicing gashes into their flesh, to increase the pain. When none of this had any appreciable affect, they resorted to a far crueller method. They separated one John Chizaburo from the survivors, and allowed him to sit down and rest for a while. They then told the survivors that the man had been allowed to sit down because he had agreed to cast aside his Christian faith.
Eventually, the torturers gave up, tied the survivors together and doused them in scalding water until they died. The pitiful corpses, which ‘appeared as if they had been flayed alive,’ were then weighted with stones and dumped in the lake, in an attempt to discourage other Christians from filching holy relics.
Excerpted from Christ’s Samurai: The True Story of the Shimabara Rebellion by Jonathan Clements. |
Health Care Aide: Working Safely and Effectively as a Health Care Aide & Communication in the Health-Care Environment
Students interested in completing the Health Care Aide program can begin the path by enrolling in Working Safely and Effectively as a Health Care Aide and Communication in the Health-Care Environments. These courses will inform students of the importance of their roles and responsibilities of the Health Care Aide when communicating effectively as a member of the health-care team. Students will also complete the following high
school CTS credits: HCA3400, HCA3405, HCA3410, HCA3415 & COM1255.
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to explore a career in the field of healthcare. Students will earn CTS credits and will be prepared to enter the Health Care Aide programs available at local colleges. |
There is a strange thing in our emotional vortex that we are not able to explain.
Perhaps you can recognize yourself in one of these situations, or make one of your own. A smoker knows he or she has to quit, but hides to have a cigarette. A man takes an extra job, even though he already puts in more than 60 hours/week. A mom signs up for another volunteering activity for her children’s school even though she already volunteers in three different areas. A partner wants to stop a disastrous relationship with a lover but still calls he or she. An employee wants to quit a job, but fears doing so.
We all have a need for change, but something holds us back. It is the zone we live in, that which we know well; a zone where we feel safe, even when it is not what we really want.
It is our comfort zone.
Change is scary. It means takings risks and jeopardizing what we know. It is like living on a tiny island we hate, and being afraid to leave it because of what might happen if we sail away.
We ask ourselves these kinds of questions:
Would we be lonelier on the sea? Is it dangerous? Are people friendly over there?
Let’s try other questions starting with “what if…,” like a novelist ready to start writing a new story.
What if…we enjoy the cruise?
What if …we meet new and interesting people?
What if…the journey itself is worth it?
What if…different means better?
What if you take the challenge to get out of your comfort zone?
This journey outside your comfort zone is long, and yes sometimes scary, but here on the Buoy Blog you will find buoys to help you set up your sails.
There is no one best way to embark on the journey out of your comfort zone. It depends on you and what you want to do. Here on the buoy list you will find five tips to remember while you sail out of your comfort zone.
A way to take those steps is to write down a list of challenges you can take to get out of your comfort zone. Read our buoy list here. Then we will try them all to see how life is behind the foggy horizon.
Fair winds dear friends and remember: every step is a challenge, but every step, even the smallest is a victory.
Florence and Kathleen
The Buoy Bloggers |
The pink ribbon was created by Mrs Evelyn H Lauder and Self Magazine 20 years ago.
This ribbon exists to talk about breast cancer, because we need to know the healthcare routine to early breast screening, and to reminds us –us women and men (yes gentlemen, you too),– to take care of ourselves.
The Pink Ribbon says the fear of cancer, but it is mostly a symbol of hope. It also shows the great solidarity and generosity of all the people who support the fight against breast cancer.
For more information, you can check this web site:
Think pink, talk pink and take care of yourself! |
My place of employment recently launched a new effort to curb waste. Instead of a trash bin at your desk, you now have to walk a few feet over to a waste station that contains three bins. One for regular waste, another for recycling, and a third for compost. Some people complained a little bit about having to walk to the bin, but overall it’s gone over pretty well.
One the items that they highlighted when describing the program is that coffee cups from places like Starbucks and Caribou are not recyclable due to the film that coats them. They encouraged all of us to start using a reusable mug for our coffee to help cut down on waste. Therefore, that’s what I’ve started doing, and after 3 solid weeks I realized I haven’t had a disposable cup of coffee during the work-week since. I picked up a nice insulated 16oz cup from Starbucks and I’ve been using it ever since. It fits perfectly into my car door cupholder, and so I’ve been just leaving it in my car at the end of the day, and it’s ready for me each morning.
I’ve also noticed that by using an insulated cup, that keeps the coffee much warmer, that I’m not drinking it nearly as fast. Some mornings I would have back-to-back cups of coffee, and now I sometimes can nurse my brew until close to lunchtime. This isn’t just better for the environment, but also my pocketbook. It’s also nice that most shops give you a discount if you bring your own cup.
If you haven’t made the leap to using a re-usable cup I highly recommend it. It cuts down on waste, keeps your coffee warmer, and is all around a way to be a good steward of our resources. |
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune (July 10, 1875 – May 18, 1955) was a dedicated educator and civil rights leader. She is best known for starting a school for black students in Daytona Beach, Florida (now Bethune-Cookman University). She is also known for her role as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and as a friend to Eleanor Roosevelt.
Mary Jane McLeod was born on July 10, 1875, in a log cabin on a small rice and cotton farm near Mayesville, South Carolina. She was the fifteenth of seventeen children. Both of her parents and several of her older siblings had been born as slaves. After emancipation, her mother continued to work for her former owner, while her father farmed cotton near a large house called 'The Homestead.' Her parents worked incredibly hard to be able to buy their farm and provide a strong financial foundation for their children.
Her parents prized self-sufficiency and service, and they instilled the same values in their children. Many of Mary's earliest memories involved books and learning. When Mary was still a very small child, she was playing alongside a child of her mother's employer. The white child found Mary looking at a book, and grabbed it away from her, telling her she couldn't read because she was black.
The cabin in Mayesville, South Carolina, where Mary McLeod was born. Photo source: The Freeman Institute Foundation
Mary was undeterred, and when the Trinity Mission School -- a free school for black children run by the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freemen -- opened nearby, Mary happily walked the four miles each way to attend classes just so she could learn to read. Her mother remarked that while many kids had to be forced to go, young Mary, the first in her family to attend school, seemed to know that education would be her route out of poverty.
It was here where she met her teacher and mentor, Emma Jane Wilson, a graduate of the all female Presbyterian Board of Missions' Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College), a school dedicated to providing young black women with a secondary education, and training to become teachers and social workers, located in North Carolina. Inspired by the work of her teacher, Mary hoped to also study at Scotia and to eventually become a missionary in Africa. Mary was a determined student, and her achievements were so impressive, Miss Wilson went out of her way to secure a scholarship for Mary to be able to attend Scotia, which she did from 1888 until 1894.
After graduating, her benefactress sent her the funds to attend a two-year course at Dwight L. Moody's Institute for Home and Foreign Missions (now the Moody Bible Institute) in Chicago, where she intended to train for missionary work abroad. While there, she was the only African American woman, and one of only a few non-whites attending classes. Unfortunately, her dream of becoming a missionary in Africa was thwarted when she was informed that black missionaries were not being sent to Africa at that time. Disappointed but undaunted, she directed her energies to becoming a teacher, with the possibility of becoming a 'home missionary' -- someone who served within the United States as a teacher or social worker.
"Africans in America needed Christ and schooling just as much... My life work lay not in Africa but in my own country."After graduating, she remained in Chicago for year, where her dedication to public service was only strengthened by her work visiting prisoners in jail and work with the Pacific Garden Mission, where she served lunches to the homeless and and gave assistance to people living in the growing slums of the city.
A young Mary McLeod Bethune. Photo source: Emory University
Mary was only at the Haines school for a year, but in that time she was strongly influenced by Laney's teaching philosophy and her personal strength.
"I was so impressed with her fearlessness, her amazing touch in every respect, an energy that seemed inexhaustible and her mighty power to command respect and admiration from her students and all who knew her. She handled her domain with the art of a master."While the school was primarily dedicated to teaching girls, Laney would not turn away boys who appeared. Mary shared Laney's belief that the way to improve the lives of all black people lay in the task of educating black girls and women.
"I believe that the greatest hope for the development of my race lies in training our women thoroughly and practically."In 1897, she was sent to teach at the Kendall Institute in Sumter, South Carolina. Here, she met Albertus Bethune, and the two were married in 1898. The next year, they moved to Savannah, Georgia, where Albertus had a job lined up. Their son, Albert, was born later that year as well. Mary continued to do social work while caring for Albert, but it was evident early on that she could not be content as a homemaker.
Mary McLeod Bethune, c. 1910 or '11. Photo source: Florida Memory
Mary was frustrated by her lack of opportunity to follow her calling to public service. A pastor from Palatka, Florida, was visiting Savannah, and convinced her to join him as manager of the mission school he was opening there. Her little family moved again. Mary taught classes and ran an outreach program visiting prisoners in the local jail, where she read and sometimes sang to them. Albertus had troubling finding steady employment, and in addition to her teaching duties and social work, Mary sold life insurance to make ends meet. The relationship between Mary and Albertus was strained, but Mary put her energies into expanding the Palatka school and improving its curriculum.
Over her five years at the Palatka Mission School it began to thrive, but Mary still felt unsatisfied. She believed that her calling was to help young black women specifically, and in order to realize this goal, she would need to found her own school. She began to search out possible locations, and on the recommendation of a visiting pastor, she finally settled on Daytona Beach, Florida. In fact, this decision would have far-reaching benefits in later years. Daytona Beach had more robust economy than either Palatka or Sumter, because of its growth as a tourist destination for wealthy white liberals from the North East, as well as a large community of blacks who worked for the Florida East Coast Railroad and were desperate for educational opportunities for their children.
In 1904, with her son Albert in tow, she rented a room in a boarding house and immediately set to work finding a suitable space. She finally found a rundown building next to the local dump. The landlord was convinced to take a down payment of only $1.50. To be able to afford the $11 a month rent, she had to come up with tuition and donations, which meant she had to open as quickly as possible. The space was completely bare, and she went around town locating donated or discarded furnishings, and other items her students would need, many of which she had to build or repair herself. Her desk was an old barrel, and many of the seats were simple crates. She used elderberry juice to make ink for the ink wells, and burned wood to fashion pencils.
"I haunted the city dump and the trash piles behind hotels, retrieving discarded linen and kitchen ware, cracked dishes, broken chairs, pieces of old lumber. Everything was scoured and mended."In October of 1904, the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls (also referred to as the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona) opened with only five students, each paying a tuition of 50 cents a week.
Mary McLeod Bethune with a line of girls from her school: Daytona Beach, Florida, c. 1905. Photo source: Florida Memory
This may have been Mary's first school, but she was no novice. She'd learned from some of the best. She knew precisely what courses should be offered, and how to engender support from her community as well as those with political power and wealth. The curriculum of her school reflected her philosophy that the financial independence of each young woman would be the key to her success in life as an African American in the Deep South. In addition to academic and religious studies, her students were expected to learn the domestic skills that would help them find jobs to support themselves -- housekeeping, weaving, cooking, sewing, etc. This philosophy was in line with that being advanced by Booker T. Washington and others. In fact, Bethune had met Washington in 1896, and was honored to receive him as a visitor to her school in 1912. During her struggle to get her school going, she had a dream where he had visited her, holding out a dirty handkerchief, from him he produced a large diamond, which he handed to her and said, "Here, take this and build you school."
Two years later, in 1906, it was clear that her school was a success, and that there was need for a larger building. Bethune set out on a new drive to raise money to move the school to a larger, more permanent building. The community rallied behind her, and parents of students and members of local black churches helped to raise funds by cooking and selling sweet potato pies, ice cream, and fried fish, among other things. Bethune went door-to-door looking for donations, put on fund-raising concerts singing spirituals in the hotels entertaining their wealthy white guests, and reached out to prominent members of the larger community for assistance. In 1907, with the help of wealthy businessmen, she was able to purchase land and build a brick school. It was also at this time that her marriage to Albertus effectively ended. He left the family and moved back to South Carolina, although he never filed for a divorce. He died in 1918.
Sewing and needlework classes at Daytona Normal and Industrial School, c. 1905. Photo source: Florida Memory
Also following the example set by Washington, she found it helpful to seek assistance from wealthy white organizations. In particular, she received a generous donation of $62,000 (roughly worth $1 million in today's economy) from John D. Rockefeller in 1905. But she also reached out to local organizations, such as the ladies of the Palmetto Club of Daytona as well as other wealthy and well-connected women from around the country (and even as far away as England), for assistance, often asking them to serve on the Women's Advisory Board. Women serving on the board were active in generating publicity and fund-raising for her school as well as offering guidance on administration, although there were several 'celebrity' members as well, including Jane Addams of Chicago's Hull House.
She also sought out powerful white men to sit on the Trustee Board -- men like the inventor of Ivory soap, James N. Gamble of Procter & Gamble. She knew that these men and women would help bridge the gap between the races in Daytona, and to foster that she instituted integrated Sunday afternoon Community Meetings intended to entertain as well as inform the members of both the white and the black communities about the school's goals and successes.
As her school continued to grow, including many boarders, she continued to add more education courses. By 1916, she was able to offer a complete high school curriculum, and included nursing, teaching, and business classes to serve the calls for more black teachers, nurses, and secretaries. By 1920, the school had 351 students. She renamed it the Daytona Normal an Industrial Institute to reflect the changes in the curriculum.
Daytona Normal and Industrial School students at their barn, c. 1912. Photo source: Florida Memory
Despite the demonstrated academic success of the school, it was a constant struggle to find funding. She had to continually do fund-raising work to keep up with the bills. Even with all the support from wealthy investors and her community, it still did not meet the needs of the school. This can be directly attributed to racist beliefs about educating blacks, and especially black girls. While similar school for whites were routinely well-funded, black schools were given donations that were effectively "left-over" money. And white schools could count on higher tuition from the families of their students, while Bethune's school and others, served a much poorer segment of the community. Additionally, they did not receive money from the state as they were not accredited, and could not apply for accreditation because they served black students. Add the Great Depression to this already stressful economic state of affairs, and it is no surprise that Bethune truly ran herself ragged looking for funding.
Finally, in 1923, the school was merged with the Cookman Institute for Men from Jacksonville, Florida, one of the first schools for African American men, preceding many of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Now co-ed, Bethune-Cookman College, served as many as 800 students, and offered Junior College level classes. In fact, the curriculum at Bethune-Cookman was comparable to that offered by the white Daytona High School, and was considered to be "the best school for Negroes in Florida" by an official on the General Board of Education. In fact, during the Great Depression, it was Bethune-Cookman that served the educational standards of the State of Florida for black students, when the state could not.
Bethune continued to serve as the president of the college from 1923 until '36, at a time when few women held similar positions elsewhere. She was extremely proud of her students, and used her school as an exhibit for donors and curious tourists, showing off what could be achieved by educating African American youth. As word of her dedication to her cause and perseverance spread, more donations were received. Eventually, what had started out as a small, rented building next to a dump grew to a 32 acre campus, with 14 buildings and 400 students, and even included a farm to be more self-sufficient.
The Mary McLeod Bethune Home now serves as a museum. Photo source: Wikipedia
In 1936, her expanding duties elsewhere began to take up more of her time and she reduced her responsibilities to only serve part-time. By 1942, she was forced to resign because the work of constant fund-raising was taking a toll on her health. But not before she managed to turn Bethune-Cookman College into an accredited four-year college.
Her house on campus is maintained as a National Historic Landmark.
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Eliza Ann Grier - the first black woman to receive a MD in Georgia
Very little is known about her early life. She was born during the Civil War. Her parents were slaves in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which made her a slave as well. After emancipation, her family moved to Atlanta, where she grew up and attended school. She originally intended to become a teacher, and attended Fisk University.
Ruth Roessel - Navajo teacher and author
As a teacher and author, Ruth Roessel played an influential role in the lives of several generations of Navajo students. Drawing on her experiences in the limitations of the education system that removed native children from their culture and yet left them unprepared for careers after college, she worked hard to improve and revise the educational opportunities for her community ...
Women's History Month - María Rebecca Latigo de Hernández
María Rebecca Latigo de Hernández was born in 1896 in Garza García, outside of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexicon. Her father was a professor. This leads me to believe that education was important to her family, and even though she was a girl, her parents still encouraged her to learn. She taught elementary school in Monterrey, Mexico. |
Anthropolgically, humankind seems “wired” to minimize the existance of others for purposes of domination to capitalize on access to resources. The natural inclination for mankind to war with those who are different or with those whom practice or believe alternatively-have long been catalysts for arguements, brawls, conflicts and in some cases the genocide of total populations.
BEEF is nothing new. As a matter of fact, it is merely an alternative phrase used to represent CONFLICT THEORY. However, those that sensationalize the Hip Hop culture, in particular, would have consumers believe that this occurrence is warranted and based on a version of facts that may or may not be actual.
This media fueled epidemic serves as the hype necessary to stir consumer interest in the artists latest album, magazine, clothing line or other marketable product. Unfortunately the “side effects” are the hollowing of cultures and groups that once prided themselves on evoking love, peace, unity and COMMUNAL prosperity.
Establishments also known as BIG BUSINESS, usually based in business operations- have historically used anything that could be seen as “different” against their chosen “enemy” to ward others who would otherwise find the differences to be attractive rather than repulsive. The agenda of the particular Establishment can vary. However, the underpinning of any “BEEF” is usually related to capitalism.
At the end of the day people are engaging in verbal meles for the sake of increasing profitability. People are killing, maiming and demoralizing other human beings because of some contrived conflict stirred by hands that could literally care less whether any group other than their own falls victim to predatory behavior.
I had to add a little levity to a very serious problem among the ethical retardation of those that drive the capitalism steam engines.
This post was inspired by the well produced documentary aired on <<>> |
MIT Linguistics has celebrated the Halloween season with an annual pumpkin carving party since 2010, the year that Michael Yoshitaka Erlewine PhD ’14 dazzled his fellow scholars with this Stata-o’-lantern. It was created in the likeness of Building 32, MIT's iconic Ray and Maria Stata Center, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and home to the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and more.
“I somehow had the idea of trying to carve the Stata Center,” says Erlewine, now an assistant professor of linguistics at the National University of Singapore. “Of course, this would require a deconstruction of the pumpkin form itself!”
Other notable designs over the years have included a Noam-o’-lantern in the likeness of Professor Emeritus of Linguistics Noam Chomsky; a pumpkin sporting the Chinese character for language; and a carving of Professor of Linguistics Norvin Richards with his trademark Davis Square t-shirt.
“I entered the program in 2011 and I think the carving began spontaneously a year before me,” says Snejana Iovtcheva, current PhD student who has organized the annual event since 2013. “It became an MIT Linguistics tradition. We now have also candies, cookies, cakes, too! It is fun for all the students, but especially so for international students who are new to pumpkin carving.”
Prepared by SHASS Communications for Scene at MIT, an MIT News column
Emily Hiestand, Communications Director
Daniel Evans Pritchard, Communications Associate
Photo: Courtesy of MIT Linguistics
Have a creative photo of campus life you'd like to share with MIT News?
Submit it to Scene at MIT. |
Its fair to say that most people of a certain age had (or are still having) a Dave Mathews Band phase. But who would have thought the band would show up in blog post about shipwreck kitsch? Maybe it’s a stretch, but bass player Stefan Lessard apparently used a bass guitar made out of shipwrecked timbers on the 2001 album Everyday. I think it qualifies as kitsch even if the wood’s tonal properties was partly responsible for what producer Glen Ballard describes as Everyday‘s “very rich low end.”
Stefan Lessard had this bass that was made out of timber that sank in Lake Superior at least 100 years ago and was buried under silt for all that time. It kind of is like petrified wood, but sounds like a diamond.
Try as I might, I couldn’t find any more information or even an image of this shipwreck bass (Please send along anything you might have!). But it’s good to know that shipwrecks still resonate through American culture like they did during the nineteenth century (sorry, couldn’t resist that one)!
Many thanks to Andrew D. A. Bozanic, my colleague at the University of Delaware, for sending along this fantastic kitsch reference! For more shipwreck kitsch check out this earlier post. |
Ether was discovered in 1275. It was used in the past as a general anesthetic to make people unconscious during surgery. Now other chemicals are used because ether has side effects and can catch fire. Ether is used as a solvent by scientists for chemical reactions.
People used to take ether as a recreational drug (drugs used for fun, such as alcohol) in the 1800s. People would either drink a drink with small amounts of ether in it, just like people drink alcoholic drinks, or inhale the fumes given off by pure or nearly pure ether. This could have addicted these people to the ether if they did that often enough. It was a big problem in some places, like Ireland and Poland. It first became popular because Europeans thought it was unladylike to drink alcohol. Women would drink ether instead, as would teetotalers, people who had decided not to drink alcohol.
It became illegal to sell ether in Poland in 1923.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Diethyl ether| |
Interstate Highways in Alaska
There are Interstate Highways in Alaska that get money from the government. Even though these are Interstate Highways, most of them are not grade separated, which means drivers must use a specially made group of ramps to get to the road. They mostly are along roads with two lanes. Also, there are no signs for these Interstate Highways.
The four Interstate Highways in Alaska are:
- Interstate A1 goes from Anchorage to the Canada border. It is 408.23 miles (656.98 km) long.
- Interstate A2 goes from Tok to Fairbanks. It is 202.18 miles (325.38 km) long.
- Interstate A3 goes from Anchorage to Soldonta. It is 148.12 miles (238.38 km) long.
- Interstate A4 goes from Palmer to Fairbanks. It is 323.69 miles (520.93 km) long.
References[change | change source] |
The Minnesota Twins are a Major League Baseball team in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They began in 1901 as the Washington Senators, based in Washington, D.C. They moved to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in 1961. That area is often called the "Twin Cities", so the team was renamed the "Twins". They have often worn a "TC" emblem on their uniforms and caps.
As the Senators, they were not very successful overall. They had some strong teams in the 1920s and 1930s, but most years they played poorly. As the Twins, they have had much better success, with two World Series championships, in 1987 and 1991, and many other post-season games.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Minnesota Twins| |
Proverbs For A New Day: XXI-XXV
XXI: In the face of adversity, reach out to the one constant since the dawn of time. Reach out to God, Divinity, a clear and present source of all that is Love. Be not afraid. Be not stressed. Be still and awaken to the Peace of God.
XXII: For You are my source. You are my comfort in the night. I feel your presence in my waking and my sleeping. God is never-ending triumph over fear. Reach for the Lord. Lean into His Strength.
XXIII: Give unto the Lord your first thoughts of the morning. Tithe your mind and heart to the source of all that is Good and Wise and True, before you rise from your bed. Begin your day in communion with God.
XXIV: All that you are is God’s. All that you possess is God’s. There is nothing that is about you in love and joy that is not God’s. And so remember Him with laughter. Remember Him with songs and jubilation. Remember Him with time spent in meditation upon His goodness.
XXV: If all that can be seen were to spin out of control and seem to be lost in darkness, there would still be God. There would still be a Light shining far off in the distance, waiting to connect with the Light within your heart. Link your Light to God and build your roadway to Heaven. |
Below please find a beautiful story on how the rosary changed a woman’s life from grave sinner to saved sinner. We are so lucky to be traditional Catholics that believe in the truth. These type of stories buoy the spirit to carry one our current path.
This story appear on the America Needs Fatima website:
The Rosary, Her Ladder to Heaven
There was once a woman named Ellen who led a life of scandalous sin.
One day, in a tired, depressed moment, when the glamour seemed to have gone out of life, Ellen entered a church. By chance, the sermon being preached was about the beauty and power of the Rosary. Ellen was impressed.
On leaving the church, she bought a set of beads, but concealed them so no one in her circle would know. As she prayed her beads, something wonderful began to happen. She felt such sweetness, and consolation that she could not stop reciting the Hail Marys.
By and by her wicked life loomed before her in all its horror, and, one day, she could not help but look for a priest to hear her full confession. She confessed her sins with so much feeling and contrition that the confessor was amazed.
After her confession, feeling the lightest she had ever felt, Ellen knelt before the altar of the Blessed Virgin, and recited her Rosary. Lo, and behold she heard a voice coming from the statue: “Ellen, you have already offended my Son and me so much. From now on, change your life and I will grant you a large share of graces.”
“O, Most Holy Virgin, my lady,” cried the poor sinner, “it is true that until now I have been wickedly sinful, but you can do all; help me! On my part, I abandon myself to you, and I will spend the rest of my life doing penance for my sins.”
True to her word, Ellen distributed all her goods among the poor, and began a rigorous life of mortification. Habit dies hard, so she was tormented with terrible temptations, but she always had recourse to the Blessed Mother and her Rosary, and with her help, was always victorious.
As time went on, Ellen was favored with many graces, with visions and revelations and even the gift of prophecy. Finally sickening and near death, she received visits of the Blessed Virgin and her divine Son who came to cheer and console her. And as Ellen breathed her last, her soul was seen flying toward heaven in the form of a beautiful dove.
The Rosary was her ladder to heaven.
This story was adapted from The Glories of Mary by Saint Alphonsus Liguori |
The autumn has set in which means in Germany that it’s high time to prepare your own plum pie alias Zwetschkenkuchen- Pflaumenkuchen.
If you don’t know what it is I can give some explanation: Zwetschgendatschi is a sheet cake or pie made from yeast dough or shortcrust dough that is thinly spread onto a baking sheet and covered with pitted zwetschgen. It is popular as a summer cake and has different local labelings throughout Germany Austria, and Switzerland.
The people from Augsburg (Bavaria) claim to have invented the cake. It is considered the city’s signature dish and according to the original recipe it is made with shortcrust pastry. Due to this dish the City is nicknamed “Datschiburg” and it is said that the look resembles the city’s coat of arms, the “Zirbelnuss”.
Here is the best Plum pie recipe for you:
Ingredients: 200 gr melted butter, 200 g sugar, 1 package vanilla sugar, 4 eggs, 100 ml cream, 600 grams of flour, half a packet of baking powder
For the filling: 1 kg plums, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tbsp tearum or plum brandy
Preparation: First, whip the butter with the sugar, and egg yolks, then add the cream and the stiff egg white, finally, add the baking powder and vanilla sugar. Meanwhile, wash the plums and pit, then chop into small pieces.
Sprinkle plums with the cinnamon, vanilla sugar and sugar mixture, add 1 tbsp of rum (+ 1 package vanilla sugar, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon) and leave to stand up to 10 minutes. After the dough is ready, arranged plums on the top optionally. Sprinkle the baking tray or cake tin with breadcrumbs and place over the cake. Put pie into the oven and bake at 180 degrees for 40 minutes. When the cake is ready and still hot, bestrew it with powdered sugar and cinnamon mixture. Cut round (see picture) or rectangular slices from pie. Garnish with mint leaves. The plum pie is even more delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. |
What you will do:
You will need to bring an toy or treat from home to include in your group’s still life. You’ll work with your group to create an interesting composition that includes everyone’s stuff.
Your Still Life MUST include:
-at least 3 glass marbles
-1 object from each person in group (or 2 extra marbles!)
-at least 1 treat (wrapper is optional)
-A clean background
Your group will arrange all of the objects on a piece of white foam core with a white backdrop.
You could use a game board for a background.
Bring in candy or sweets that are non-perishable AND any toy items that you feel comfortable leaving at school and using for a still life.
Very small things like jewelry
Flat things like keys, calculators, phones, etc.
*Your object must have height, width and depth
Bring in a few things in case the one you like most will not work
**If you forget to bring something, you’ll add 2 extra marbles!
1. Bring in candy or sweets that are non-perishable AND any toy items that you feel comfortable leaving at school and using for a still life. Please keep toy items on the small side and make sure the treats will not rot.
2. You will be working with your group to take all the photos that you will use as references. Each of you could choose a different version of your still but everyone must work from the still life that you create.
3. BEFORE you start shooting, each group member needs a job: Photographer, Lighting Director, Props Manager or Editor
4. Then, everyone should get out all the toys & teats and add the 3 (or more) marbles. Decide upon the background (white foam core or game board. *If you include wrappers or packaging, you must include ALL text on the wrapper!
5. The Props Manager should arrange and rearrange all of the objects so that they create an ASSYMETRICAL or an Acute triangle. There should be a variety of heights.You can put long items on their side to make leading horizontals. View the objects through the camera’s view finder and experiment with several different arrangements to create an interesting composition.
6. Photographers: don’t get too close with your cameral and cut off too much. Also, you shouldn’t be too far away from so everything is grouped in the middle of your paper. The Editor can crop in tightly on them AFTER you upload your photos!
7. Props Manager: Arrange your objects carefully & AVOID TANGENTS! Tangents are where 2 lines just touch each other in a way that causes spatial ambiguity and a slight jarring on our eyes. It’s not always obvious but tangents can really ruin a perfectly good piece and can unwittingly change the composition in your drawing.
8. RULES FOR TAKING PHOTOS:
- The Props Manager should be the only one to TOUCH the objects.
- Take very close shots (use Macro setting!)
- The Editor uploads, files & chooses the best photos. Print ONLY ONE photo per person!
- You may eat your candy AFTER your photos have printed
9. After uploading & saving in a folder, The Editor will narrow it down to the best 3 photos. Before printing any of them, show them to me to discuss which is most successful.
10.Sketch the objects lightly in pencil on colored pastel or charcoal paper. Check your COMPOSITION…proportions, placement of toys and treats. Use the quadrant grid to help but REMEMBER: your paper should have the same 4 quadrants as your photo! After you are CERTAIN that it’s sketched accurately, add color to the drawing using the prismacolor pencil techniques you practiced.
This assignment is all about capturing the surface quality of your still life objects. Take your time to get the texture of your objects right, particularly shiny candies or transparent gummy bears.
Some examples by my AP Studio Art students:
Here’s a great video showing how to draw a snickers bar:
Hyper-Reallistic Painting of a Fried Egg by Marcello Barenghi
VARSITY OPTION: include glass or plastic containers for the candy or toys.
What follows is an excellent tutorial on how to draw glass is from DrawCentral.com
Drawing glass objects can be a very technically difficult process. There’s very little room for error when drawing glass, or you can easily ruin the effect. While it may seem like a daunting task, drawing glass objects is one of my favorite things to do. Once you get the technique down, it is incredibly easy, and lends itself to very realistic drawings.
The first step, as with any drawing, is to draw the basic outline of the object. For this tutorial, I have chosen a simple glass ball, so my outline is going to be a plain circle.
Next, you will need to outline the highlights and reflections of your object. Even though mostglass is clear, it still reflects some light and leaves highlights on its surface. Pay close attention to how light is distorted within the glass, and try to replicate it as close as possible. This step may leave you with a drawing that looks like a confusing bunch of lines, but it will come together in the end.
For example, in this glass ball, I see a large highlight at the top, along with several dark reflections that run along the edge of the ball, with mostly empty space in the middle. Your drawing will obviously differ depending on the object and its surroundings.
After you have the outlines drawn, you can begin to add shading and volume to your glass object. This process is very similar to the tutorial that I wrote on drawing metal, in that dark shades, next to almost stark white highlights will give you the effect of glass. A trick that helps me often when drawing glass is to start by filling in the darkest areas of the glass that you’ve outlined. This will help to keep you from getting confused and forgetting which areas are dark, and which are highlights.
After you’ve gotten your dark areas filled in, you can fill in the base color of your glass. Though glass is generally colorless, there is usually still a shade that fills in most of the object. For this glass ball, there is a shade of grey that starts darker at the top, and ends completely white at the bottom. If the base color of your glass object is completely white, then you don’t have to worry about this step.
The most important part in this entire process is to try and draw every highlight, shadow, and reflection as close to reality as you can. Draw only what your eye sees. It might not make sense to your eyes at first, but the end result should be very realistic.
*Tip: Keep your lines as clean and solid as possible to replicate the effect of glass.
Try it in Prismacolor pencil!
Below is a great video on how to draw glass marbles in colored pencil:
Here’s a video of marbles done in watercolor: |
When starting out with CQRS, designing the ‘events’ is not always obvious or easy. The more experienced you are, the more likely your habits will lead you astray. This post will help you spot the problems early and stay on the right track.
1. Watch out for the ‘Updated’ word
Watch out for event names that include the word ‘Updated’ or ‘Edited’. These are usually associated with state based operation like those found in REST (Representational state transfer) or CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete). Through heavy use of ORM’s like Entity Framework and NHibernate, we have trained ourselves to think in CRUD terms. In the classic bank account scenario, when depositing money, what would make a good event name? A sensible answer may be ‘AccountUpdated’, why not, after all you have just updated the account, right? So here’s the issue. Can you read from the name of the event what just happened? AccountUpdated could refer to a deposit, a correction of the account holder name, a credit or the application of a charge etc. Event message names should reflect what just happened, as well as describe the actual change in it’s content. In fact, the words you use for event names are important and should reflect the ‘ubiquitous language’ of the domain.
2. Event Streams that don’t make Sense to a Domain Expert
Another indicator of bad event naming can be found when looking at the event stream. Would a domain expert be able to infer from the names alone what has just happened in the system? The following 2 event streams clearly illustrates the difference:
Stream 1 – Badly named events
Stream 2 – Well named events
This also makes it easier to debug your application. Out of place events stand out in an event stream when they are clearly named.
3. Event Messages are not View Models
Another common temptation is to put the view model fields into your event. The key purpose of an event message is to represent what has just happened. The message should contain the information needed to rebuild the state of the domain object. It may well end up looking like a view model but that should not be the driving force behind it’s design. Given the bank account example above, you can spot this kind of issue when looking at the fields. A deposit event may have the current balance but will have have the amount deposited. i.e. the change in state!
Events are also subscribed to by de-normalisers which can use the information to build out a highly optimised read model. By keeping the contents of the event focused on describing the state change, it gives you greater scope to produce better and potentially more diverse read models.
4. Event Names should be Past Tense
This seems obvious but remember that an ‘Event’ is always something that has happened. It should therefore reflect this in it’s name being in the past tense.
5. Missing Commonly Required Fields
Here are a list of common fields found in a typical event and what they are used for:
- AggregateId – This field is used to associate the particular event to a specific aggregate root.
- Date Time Stamp – Ordering of events is crucial. Replaying events in the wrong order can result is unpredictable outcomes.
- UserId – This field is commonly required in line of business applications and can be used to build audit logs. It is a common field, but not always necessary and depends on the specific domain.
- Version – The version number allows the developer to handle concurrency conflicts and partial connection scenarios. For more information, take a look at Handling Concurrency Issues in a CQRS Event Sourced system.
- ProcessId – At it’s simplest, this field can be used to tie a series of events back to their originating command. However, it can also be used to ensure the idempotence* of the event.
* Idempotence refers to the ability of a system to produce the same outcome, even if an event or message is received more than once.
There are no hard and fast rules as to what to include, however the list above will give you some guidance toward the right direction.
6. Mutable Events
Given the reliance of events to be the source of truth, it is vitally important to ensure they are immutable. That is to say, once an event object is created, it should not be possible to change any of it’s fields. This property of messaging in general has some profound implications on your over all system. Immutable objects are far easier to test with, can be reliably sent around a system or communications bus and play well in a multi threaded environment. I follow a very simple pattern when creating my events:
public class CustomerCreated : Event
public readonly Guid AggreagteId;
public readonly int Version;
public readonly Guid UserId;
public readonly Guid ProcessId
// Other fields specific to this event
public CustomerCreated(Guid aggregateId, int version, Guid userId, Guid processId)
AggreagteId = aggregateId;
Version = version;
UserId = userId;
ProcessId = processId;
The 6 indicators described above are just rules of thumb. Use them as a guidenot a rule book. They should help you avoid some common early mistakes. The process of naming events gets easier as your knowledge of the specific domain grows and matures. It is often harder to find the right names early in a project and usually hints at missing concepts and lack of understanding. When you do get it right and your events form the basis of a common language, domain experts are then able to clearly reason about your system and feel able to communicate their ideas and requirements far more clearly. |
The Finder is the first thing that you see when your Mac finishes starting up. It opens automatically and stays open as you use other apps. It includes the Finder menu bar at the top of the screen and the desktop below that. It uses windows and icons to show you the contents of your Mac, iCloud Drive, and other storage devices. It's called the Finder because it helps you to find and organize your files.
Open windows and files
To open a window and see the files on your Mac, switch to the Finder by clicking the Finder icon (pictured above) in the Dock. Switching to the Finder also reveals any Finder windows that might be hidden behind the windows of other apps. Learn more window actions, including how to resize, close , minimize , or maximize a window.
When you see a document, app, or other file that you want to open, just double-click it.
Change how files are viewed in windows
If you prefer to view your files as an alphabetical list instead of as icons, choose View > as List from the Finder menu bar, or use the View buttons at the top of the window. You can also view files in columns or using Cover Flow. Learn more about the ways to view your files.
Use the sidebar in windows
The sidebar in Finder windows contains shortcuts to AirDrop, commonly used folders, iCloud Drive, devices such your hard drives, and more. Like items in the Dock, items in the sidebar open with just one click.
To change the items in your sidebar, choose Finder > Preferences from the Finder menu bar, then click Sidebar at the top of the preferences window. You can also drag files into or out of the sidebar. Learn more about customizing the sidebar.
To create a folder:
- Click where you want the folder to appear, such as on the desktop or in another window.
- Choose File > New Folder from the Finder menu bar.
This works for folders, not documents. To create a document for use in a particular app, open that app, then use its File menu to create a new document.
To move a folder or file into another folder:
- Drag the item onto the closed folder.
- Or double-click the folder to open it, then drag the item into the folder window.
To change the name of a folder:
- Click the folder once to select it.
- Press the Return key on your keyboard, type a new name, then press Return again.
Some folders can't be renamed, including these:
- Applications: Your apps (programs) go in this folder.
- Desktop: Your Desktop folder and your desktop provide two ways of viewing the same files, so anything that you put in the Desktop folder also appears on your desktop.
- Documents: When you use an app to create and save a new document, the app might save your document here. You can save documents wherever you want, or move them to other folders after saving them.
- Downloads: Safari and other apps save downloaded files to this folder.
- Music, Pictures, and Movies: Some apps store their libraries of music, pictures, or other media in these folders, though the items in a library might be available only within its app. For example, to see the pictures or movies you imported into Photos, open the Photos app.
- Other folders that come with your Mac
Search for files
To search from a Finder window, use the search field in the corner of the window:
Select a search result to see the file's location at the bottom of the window. To get to this view from Spotlight, choose the last item in the Spotlight search results: “Show all in Finder.”
In both Spotlight and Finder, you can use advanced searches to narrow your search results.
To move a file to the Trash, drag the file to the Trash in the Dock. Or select one or more files and choose File > Move To Trash (Command-Delete).
To remove a file from the Trash, click the Trash to open it, then drag the file out of the Trash. Or select the file and choose File > Put Back.
To delete the files in the Trash, choose File > Empty Trash. The storage space used by those files then becomes available for other files. In macOS Sierra, you can set up your Mac to empty the trash automatically. |
From mindless consumption to a sustainable fashion system.
Over the last two decades, with the rise of fast – and incredibly cheap – fashion, many of us seem to be increasingly losing the perspective on our clothing consumption. As a secondary effect of globalisation, retailers are able to source very inexpensive materials and production facilities for their businesses. The low costs enable fast fashion companies to drop the prices, resulting in a fierce competition between brands. At the same time though, the spending on clothing goes up, as all sorts of campaigns like “Buy One Get One Fee” trigger increased consumption. From 2001 to 2005, the spending on women’s clothing in the UK increased by 21% (men’s clothing by 14%). During the same period though, clothing prices dropped by 14% in real terms, meaning that the number of garments purchased per person increased by over a third over these four years. All according to a report from the Institute for Manufacturing. The question we must ask ourselves at this point is: why on earth would we need all these clothes?
During the Copenhagen Fashion Summit last month, Vanessa Friedman, fashion critic at The Financial Times, claimed that the solution for the many of the current issues of our fashion system lies rather in building a “sustainable wardrobe”, than in “sustainable fashion”, which she sees as a contradictory term. According to Friedman, the answer is to shop less, and in a more conscious and deliberate manner; filling your wardrobe with pieces that last in terms of style and quality. Or, as quoted by Vivienne Westwood back in 2012: “ Buy less, choose well, make it last”.
15 years ago, I remember purchasing clothes 2-4 times a year, mostly due to seasonal needs – or the fact that everything I had was worn out. Nowadays, with the internet and the global, ever increasing interconnectivity, we pick up new styles and trends daily. Styles and trends that we want to wear instantly. Consumer demand puts pressure on the retailers, and especially within the fast fashion sector, to bring the latest trends to their stores – the sooner the better. The average high street fashion chain has new pieces in every week, which requires very short production lead times. A system resulting in inhumane conditions for underpaid garment workers, in countries like Bangladesh and China. The infamous Race to the Bottom.
To illustrate the core issues of the current fashion system, you need to look no further than the nearest high street apparel store, and what takes place there on a daily basis. After observing the typical customers, even ever so briefly, it becomes quite clear that, in here, clothing shopping is no longer about wardrobe needs. Tons of garments are tried on; and then left in a sad pile in the fitting room cubicle. Often, shopping is done in the lunch hour; meaning there is no time to try on the pieces: “So let’s have one of everything, it’s so cheap anyway. And you can always bring it back if it doesn’t fit”. Once at the till, there is hardly time to wait for the garments to be un-tagged, or the transaction to be completed.
As a consequence of these behaviours; in 2012, 1.7 BN garments in the UK (30% of the total clothing purchases) were left unworn in the cupboard or even in the shopping bag. Not needed, unwanted, and no one could be bothered to bring them back to the store.
Think about it; buying a piece of clothing requires more consideration and effort than that. Ideally this is an item that you will keep, love and care for, for at least a few years. In addition, a garment does not come from nothing; it has been designed, ordered, stitched, embellished and then shipped to the store. Everyone who has been engaged in this process deserves more respect from us consumers than just the current trend of mindless consumption.
It is easy – not to say convenient – to blame the retailers for the vicious wheel of fast fashion, with associated issues like climate change, poor working conditions, and the growing landfill. But the truth is not as simple as that. As fashion consumers, we must carry our fair share of the responsibility; and the core thing to do is simply reconnecting with our clothes: caring about each garment and respecting the process behind it.
On the 24th of April, the fashion world was celebrating the Fashion Revolution Day, which was created in remembrance of the Rana Plaza disaster last year, where over 1100 Bangladeshi garment workers were killed as their factory collapsed. During this day, people all over the world were wearing their clothing inside out, showing that they had taken their time to see, and consider where the garment came from: where it was produced – and to what price. On Instagram and Twitter, the hashtag #insideout was employed as fashionistas from around the Globe were asking retailers: “Who made YOUR clothes?”
Even if you (like me) like to wear your clothing the right way round for everyday, take a moment now and then to consider who produced it – and under what conditions. To use the words of Carry Somers, fair trade hat designer and founder of the Fashion Revolution Day: “Consumer demand can revolutionise the way fashion works as an industry. If everyone started to question the way we consume, we’d see a radically different fashion paradigm.”
Care, reconnect; and be considerate and deliberate about your wardrobe. Fashion is an amazing part of society; and therefore we must, little by little, transform the system to a (more) sustainable one. To a force for good.
Words: Johanna Bergström |
We all know about usb drive it is a essential tool for carrying data from one place to another place.In other words we all pronounce a word for usb drive is called pendrive. Pendrive is a common name of usb drive which is used in our daily life. In pendrive we store offline data and carry this data from one place to another and pendrive is also used for transfer data from one pc to another pc. But here we learn about how to use your pendrive as a ram and use it for gaming and operate other high graphics softwares without hanging your pc. So let’s start here.
Step-1 First insert the usb device in the usb port and then open file explorer in your computer.
Step-2 Now open the properties of the usb drive , which usb drive you want to use as a ram ,now select on the “ready boost” option in the properties dialog box.
Step-3 Now select the “use this device option” from the dialog box , and then click on apply option
Now your device will be used as a ram in your computer.
*For removing your your usb device from using as a ram
Step-4 Now again click on the properties of the same usb drive , then again click on the “ready boost” .
Step-5 Now we will click on the ” do not use this device” option in the dialog box.
.I think it is helpful to all specially for gamers who want to play high graphics game but they can not play because of less ram in pc. Now by this trick make your usb drive/pendrive as a ram and enjoy gaming and other things on your pc without hanging your pc. |
Generator uses the human body as an electrode to power portable electronics
March 26, 2014 by Lisa Zyga
(Phys.org) —It's well-known that the human body is a good conductor of electricity, and now researchers have taken advantage of this fact to create a small generator that uses the body as an electrode to power portable devices without the need for batteries. The "body contact electrode" replaces a grounded electrode that was used in a previous version of the generator, which would have been impractical for portable devices.
"At present, the generator is more suitable for low-power devices," coauthor Haixia Zhang, a professor at Peking University, told Phys.org. "In our future plans, we hope it can be used as a back-up power source for portable electronics."
The device's full name is a single-friction-surface triboelectric generator, or STEG. Due to the triboelectric effect, when certain materials rub against each other, they can become electrically charged. The most well-known example of the triboelectric effect is static electricity. Activities such as tapping a mobile phone with a STEG covering can also produce these electric charges. The STEG then harvests the electric charges, which can be used to power low-power electronics.
In their study, the researchers covered the front panel of a mobile phone with a flexible, transparent layer of STEG composite material. The body contact electrode—contacted with the palm of the hand or the fingers—was located on either the back side or the border of the phone to complete the electric connection.
The researchers demonstrated that patting the phone with the palm of the hand or tapping the phone with a finger causes electrons to be exchanged between human skin and the STEG material. After repeated patting/tapping, electric charge moves back and forth between the induction electrode and the charged skin.
Although researchers have a good understanding of how the triboelectric effect works, the difficulty lies in designing a generator that can achieve good performance. Somewhat surprisingly, when the researchers replaced the grounded electrode in the STEG with a human body electrode, the STEG achieved an increase in both the output current and the amount of charge transferred.
With these improvements, the STEG has potential applications for low-power portable electronics and wearable devices, which may include implanted medical devices and sensors. The researchers plan to further improve the STEG performance in the future.
"For the STEG devices, we are making efforts to improve the output of the STEG device, attempting to use new materials and fabrication methods," Zhang said. "The advantage of the human body as a good conductor will be taken to develop several novel triboelectric generator devices as well."
Bo Meng, et al. "Single-friction-surface triboelectric generator with human body conduit." Applied Physics Letters 104, 103904 (2014). DOI: 10.1063/1.4868130
© 2014 Phys.org. All rights reserved. |
Smart bandage covering your wound and healing progress looks to 5G tech
April 18, 2017 by Nancy Owano
(Tech Xplore)—Some technology watchers this week are talking about "smart" bandages, and the question is, why are they smart, and what can they do?
The bandages in the news can detect how a wound is healing and then can send messages back to doctors treating the patient. The Daily Mail said that tiny sensors within the bandages would report back to medics about events such as detected infections and blood clotting.
Wouldn't the patient be able to tell if something is wrong? Not always. Wearing a dressing that is not transparent, and unaware of any trouble signs, problems could go undetected.
The work on the smart bandages is at Swansea University, namely by a team led by Swansea University's Institute of Life Science (ILS). The ILS site said it has become home to a growing cluster of life science and healthcare companies.
David Dulin, BBC News, said Sunday the bandages could be set for trials within the next 12 months.
5G technology is playing an important role here. The bandages would be reporting information back to a doctor via 5G wireless. Mark Real in Android Headlines: "The use of smart bandages is just one of the new use cases based on 5G networks. As 5G networks support lower latency and increased bandwidth compared to existing solutions, more sensor-equipped devices can be connected to the Internet."
The smart bandage effort is part of a 5G test hub for digital innovation, said Dulin. BBC News talked to Prof. Marc Clement, chairman of the ILS, who said experts at the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre are also involved in the project.
Clement said 5G was presenting the opportunity to produce "resilient, robust bandwidth" for the purpose of healthcare.
"Sometimes we revere doctors so much that we tell them all is well," said Clement, "but all of the evidence is there before them in this 5G world, so the clinician and patient can work together to address the challenge."
The technology could (1) monitor what treatment is needed and (2) track the wearer's activity levels.
The bandages' nano-sensors would be used to track improvements in the injury.
Prof Clement talked about how that would work: "It would connect that wound to a 5G infrastructure and that infrastructure through your telephone will also know things about you - where you are, how active you are at any one time."
Interestingly, Clement recognizes this undertaking as a multi technology link where 3-D printing is involved in the manufacture of such dressings. You have biochemistry, nanotechnology, printing specialists, all interconnecting with the end result of health care for the wound patient, suggesting better outcomes, better quality of life and a cost effective infrastructure
Dulin in his report said, "Experts in nano-technology would develop the tiny sensors while 3-D printers at ILS would be used to produce the bandages which would bring down the cost."
Jim Norton in the Daily Mail made the observation that "Existing methods of detecting infections can take up to 48 hours to come through – as well as removing wound dressings, which can be painful and distressing."
Sarah Knapton, science editor, The Telegraph, said that "Currently patients with wounds are advised to return to the doctor in a certain amount of time. But each case may need a longer time to heal, or may have become infected before the visit."
Explore further: Clinical trial of infection detecting bandages begins
© 2017 Tech Xplore |
This platform is intended for evaluation by the GBIF-TDWG Vocabulary Management Task Group (VoMaG) in collaboration with WP 4 of the Virtual Biodiversity Research and Access Network for Taxonomy (ViBRANT). It is under development as an easy to use platform for:
- the definition, curation, translation, annotation and discussion of basic concepts and terms in biodiversity terminology,
- the collaborative development of vocabularies and ontologies
- and as a service for discovery and interlinking of concepts in biodiversity.
Each concept is described on a separate page. Concepts may be classes or properties or yet undefined. Concepts can be organized into one or more vocabularies maintained by a formally designated expert group. When the definitions for concepts are consolidated they can be included into one of the term vocabularies and published at the GBIF Resources Repository. The wiki approach is based on voluntarily contributions to maintain the concept descriptions. The approval of user accounts to this wiki is moderated—please request a user account if your are willing to contribute!
|This project is funded under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n°261532 (ViBRANT).
Disclaimer: Information on this website is provided at the sole responsibility of the ViBRANT Project Consortium. It does not represent the opinion of the European Community and the European Community is not responsible for any use that might be made of it. |
This is a large map (a couple of MB for the full image if you follow the link), but I know some people are very interested in maps and other details about fantasy worlds. I have had the map printed on poster board and will have the 2’x3′ image with me at Planet Comicon coming up this March 14th-16th. (I hope to see some of you there, it will be a perfect change to get the new Daughter’s Revenge signed!)
The Heirs of Cothel Series takes place across a number of countries on the western side of Tet and later books in the series will have the characters traveling north.
There are a number of significant features in this part of the world. Several of these aspects may appear in the Heirs of Cothel Series as well as other stories I intend to write in this setting.
A couple of items to note:
- The mountain range that is referred to as the Rim Mountains has isolated this section of the world from other parts of it. Around the Sea of Tet, humans have ruled and lived for hundreds of years, having driven the elves out of what had been their homeland into the Rim Mountains (which serve to further isolate the humans around Tet).
- Many of the countries around Tet are in a temperate climate zone. The further north one goes, the more tundra and arctic the landscape. Along parts of the norther border of the landmass, sea ice does not always melt each year.
- The Lost Kingdoms are what is left after a series of countries collapsed from internal and external strife. Mostly the eastern side of the map is ruled by warlords and people declaring themselves “prince”. Quite a bit of pirate activity comes out of the islands in that area.
The Sea of Tet is a large inland sea. Most of the known countries use Tet for commerce and travel. Its waters are often contested and piracy is common, especially in the East, where all recognized countries have fallen to internal strife and war. This eastern area, too close to the mountains, is often referred to as the “Lost Kingdoms”.
The long mountain range stretching from the Southwest to the Northeast is known as the Rim Mountains. Long ago, at the close of the Elven Wars, the elves were driven into these mountains. Human leaders today proclaim their greater dominance and strength in keeping the elves, known as the spawn of the Demon God Elrin, held in check. In truth, the elves, still rife with internal struggles and hatreds, have never recovered their numbers and are unlikely to unify a force to contest the human control of the lands around Tet.
Because of the long running hatred between the elves and the humans, no one, at least no one respectable, lives in “The Bad Lands” which are close to the mountains. Only those fleeing persecution as witches or warlocks, criminals who’s lives are forfeit, and people with nothing left to live for may try to survive in those untamed wilds. Those that do try, always keep their numbers small to avoid the notice of the elves.
The Endless Sea is much more treacherous than Tet and while the histories talk of people coming from lands across its never ending waves, there has been little to no trade or communication with those whole live there.
Nothing is known of the area on the other side of the Rim Mountains. Most believe it to be a great desert of sand, nothing more than a wasteland.
Map of the countries around the Sea of Tet
This is the area around The Sea of Tet. Country borders are marked in green with Cothel’s country name listed. Mother’s Curse is set primarily in Cothel. |
People often ask why I wrote the book Wisdom: Life’s Great Treasure. In short, it is because of what I observe in my work. For many, life is complicated, it is not working, it does not make sense and they do not know what to do about it. I see people living with false ideas and assumptions about reality, and know it’s just a matter of time before their lives become a train wreck.
The bottom line is that modern people lack wisdom. They do not know that it exists. They are unaware of their need for it and/or they do not know where to find it.
The word “wisdom” comes from the Hebrew word chokmah that literally translates to have “skill or expertise in living.” This essential component of wisdom gives one the ability to see things as they really are and not merely as they appear. This ability is vital to the foundation of wisdom, because we continually develop ideas explaining how our lives work as we move through various seasons of life. These ideas govern our thinking, and show us what the world is like and how we are to live in it.
I am finding that people today do not seem to be aware that there is a pattern or fabric to all of reality. Life is governed by certain laws and principles that God has woven into our earthly existence and I identify many of these laws and principles and how they work in everyday life.
One of my primary reasons for writing this book however, is to provide a resource for parents to use in teaching their children to be wise. It is clear in the book of Proverbs that a parent’s primary responsibility is to instruct his or her children in the ways of wisdom.
Parents feel compelled to make sure their kids are well educated because knowledge will best equip them to succeed in the real world. However, it is crucial to see that it is not the quantity of your knowledge that matters most but the quality of your knowledge. This is wisdom. Every day in the news we see very talented, well-educated people make dreadful decisions that wreck their lives and families. The world is full of knowledgeable fools.
Of course parents also attempt to teach their children to be moral and good. Clearly, good moral choices are crucial to experience a high quality of life, but most of the choices and decisions we make in life are not moral. Most of our decisions involve using good judgement. Wisdom is much more than being moral and good. It is what gives our thinking true clarity.
Think of some of the decisions and issues our children are faced with today and will have to contend with in the future:
- The people with whom they choose to surround themselves.
- Understanding how to be a good friend.
- How they spend their time.
- Establishing their priorities.
- Making their college choice.
- Managing their finances.
- Their dating and marriage choice.
- Their career choice.
Wisdom provides insight into the true nature of reality – both physically and spiritually. It allows us to grow in competence as we respond to the realities of life. Wisdom is knowing how things truly work and then living in harmony with it.
This explains why wisdom is of such great value and why Solomon said “She is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire compares with her.” (Proverbs 3:15)
As a parent, I believe wisdom is the great treasure we should impart to our children, because they desperately need it.
Richard E. Simmons’ newest book Wisdom: Life’s Great Treasure makes a timeless graduation gift for the high school or college graduate in your life –son or daughter, niece or nephew, grandson or granddaughter. Also available on Amazon.com.
“This book creates a map for readers of all ages that can be referred to again and again in their life’s journey.” – Kari Kampakis, blogger and author of Liked and 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know. |
This post is going to rub some people up the wrong way. I’m going to say something that many parents haven’t considered, or something that they don’t want to consider when making choices about the internet for their child….This post is about caring about other families kids online.
If you think this post is too long… at least watch the video at the end of it, you might be shocked what you find out about Kik.
At last nights cyber safety talk, there was of course some discussion about Kik Messenger (rated 17+). If you are not up to date with the changes to Kik Messenger lately, and why it is now considered by many police, cyber safety experts and teachers to be one of the most dangerous apps for kids, read here first.
(Welcome Back) I know, that even after last nights talk there will still be parents, that even after hearing from myself, the police and a school principal about how Kik Messenger can be dangerous for their child, will still decide to allow their child to use this app. They may feel that their child is mature enough (even at 12 years old or younger) and is educated enough NOT to use the adult hook-up, speak-to-stranger apps, and the Snapchat style photo messenger app, to name a few, that are now enclosed within the Kik messenger app. They believe that their child is going to be safe with the parents supervision and guidance.
I believe that the parents that allow their underage kids to continue to use this app against all informed advice and against the Kik terms of service, setting the age of users at age 17+, are failing their community.
Many of you will have just flicked away from my blog after reading that…How dare she! She is telling us how to parent!
For those of you still reading, bear with me, you are going to read something you almost never see written anywhere.
Peer Group Pressure
Peer-group pressure effects not just our kids, but it is also evident in adults, I’ll explain.
No parent wants their kid to be “the loner”…to be left out. No parent wants to have a fight with their child over an app that “everyone else can use” and let’s face it, setting rules and boundaries around apps is hard enough, without feeling that your child will be ostracised if they are not allowed it.
I hear that some parents are also under peer group pressure from other parents who feel that with good supervision Kik Messenger IS safe. Some parents feel that the drama around this app and others is just scare mongering. We can also include the parents that haven’t got a clue what their kid is doing online or on their mobile device in the group of parents who are allowing their children to use Kik Messenger. So with an estimate of around 75% of kids in primary school and highschool apparently using Kik Messenger (suggested last night by the Police Youth Liaison Officer) , if your child is the only child without access to this app, some parents are worried that their child might become a social outcast…and no parent wants that. Some parents might also think “What’s the point of signing your child up to iMessage, Skype or even Viber (which while not that safe is still much safer than Kik) if none of the other kids are using these safer apps”.
Cyber Safety Needs To Be A Community Responsibility!
Here’s the thing that I’m guessing most of these aforementioned parents haven’t considered…YOU might be THE most internet savvy parents who have, through great parenting, developed an amazing, open and honest relationship with your child. You are sure your child knows the rules of the game, no inappropriate photos, no friending strangers…always asking permission to use each new app that shows up in Kik Messenger…that’s right Kik now has over 400 apps enclosed within it.
But…if one child in your child’s social media network gets badly hurt by using Kik, or views the readily available porn through Kik’s apps, or is contacted by a predator, or gets badly bullied on Kik, because the child didn’t listen to advice, or they don’t have cyber savvy parents who supervise and have educated them as you have done with yours, I believe the community of parents who allow Kik to be used by their underage children have failed these vulnerable children. The child who has been hurt on Kik Messenger hasn’t only been let down by their own parents’ lack of awareness and vigilance, but this child has been let down by the entire community of parents who opt to continue to allow their underage kids to use the adult’s only app Kik Messenger. Common-sense NOT peer group pressure or lack of awareness needs to prevail here. Especially when there are much safer options.
Cyber Safety is not just about our own kids, it’s about everybody’s kids, isn’t it?
At some schools where I’ve spoken, the parents have decided to try something. They have decided to form a parent committee to try and get a groundswell of agreement to encourage all the parents to test out a no underage kids on Kik or Facebook rule. They have suggested that they would like the parent body to search for alternative social media and messaging apps for their kids to communicate socially online. To try Skype or iMessage, or at least a messaging app without hidden adult apps enclosed within, or a social network especially created for children. A messaging app that doesn’t prompt you constantly to share your private profile name on other potentially unsafe social media apps, and one with good reliable simple privacy settings, that actually do block. These parents aspire to do this, to help ALL the children at their school stay safe online. To help protect the kids who are especially vulnerable online, children, who like to push boundaries, kids who are under 6 years old who are influenced by older primary school kids talking about Kik, and who perhaps have parents who don’t know what is safe to use online…who arn’t in the Cyber Safety loop. To give an alternative safer solution for kids who want to be part of the amazing online social world.
A Question for the community: Do we let these more vulnerable kids suffer as victims, because we feel our “protected” kids have a right to use a popular trendy new app?
Kik Messenger Is One Of THE Most Dangerous Apps For Kids:
I’ll say it again, Kik messenger is no longer JUST a messaging app, parents, please get yourself an account, and search for the apps or “cards” within it, (see below video to find out where). They are hidden in the left hand side of the app chat window. Try the “cards” out, and judge for yourself. Think about your child’s friends, kids that don’t have the skills or maturity or the parental supervision that your family perhaps does.
The privacy settings in Kik Messenger do not stop your child from being approached by someone they do not know. Even if they don’t advertise their account name on other social media, if they follow the prompts and sync their account with their address book, which they all do, the app will scan their address book and not only suggest other Kik users they know but will also suggest anyone else related to that person to them, including adults, friends of friends ect. This is how many kids are getting connected with adults on Kik. Anyone who does find you on Kik can send you messages and photos without your approval, and many kids are getting sent pornographic images from adults without even approving friendship. The “Ignore New Contacts” privacy setting does not block approaches, it only puts them in a separate message tab, and Kik Messenger then sends you a reminder about those “ignored messages” with the full content of the message in an email every now and then.
No Child Is Really Safe On Kik
Remember how social media works, any online post can potentially be misinterpreted, changed, or made fun of, and can then be shared on to others outside your child’s original network. Screen shots or recording, copy and paste can all be used to share, even if a share button isn’t present. You can’t “follow” your child on Kik. You can’t supervise their interactions. Logging into your child’s Kik account will delete all the messages.
Parents, no matter how vigilant, cannot control what other people’s children do with their own children’s posts. Make sure your children are mature or old enough to handle the emotional fall out if one of their posts end up in the wrong hands. Surely waiting until the kids are old enough before being exposed to the adult online world is not unrealistic?
What about this idea of community support to find other ways for kids to socialise online safely? Do you think it could work? Or is it simply too bad if someone else’s kid gets hurt due to lack of supervision or awareness? Some school parents have already started to create a Pledge around safe apps in in their child’s school, has your school done this?
The video below demonstrates the apps or “cards” within Kik Messenger, where to find them and what some of them do. |
My brother-in-law believes that a natural approach to health – as a first line of defence – is nonsense… give him a pharmaceutical drug to ease any ills and he’s happy. Me? Well, I sit on completely the other side of the fence. I absolutely believe that nature knows best… and the latest study on how you can improve your brain function naturally proves that once again.
Blueberries benefit your brain
Research on the brain-boosting power of blueberries started about four years ago. Since then, numerous studies have shown how blueberries can help protect your brain. The latest study comes from the University of Exeter, which started the first “complementary/alternative” medicine programme in the UK a few years ago. The researchers measured brain function in 26 healthy men and women ages 65 to 77 using a range of standard cognitive tests. They also measured resting brain blood flow and monitored brain activity in memory centres with MRI imaging scans.
The participants were divided into two groups. The first group drank 30 millilitres of concentrated blueberry juice daily (the equivalent of eating 230 grams – or about a cup – of blueberries a day) for just 12 weeks. The second group were given a placebo drink.
After the 12 week period, the results showed that the blueberry juice group had improved brain function, blood flow to the brain, and activation of brain centres during cognitive testing. They also experienced improvements in working memory.
And these brain-boosting benefits may all be down to potent antioxidants called flavonoids, found in fresh fruit and vegetables, which are not only rich in nutrients but also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, numerous studies have shown that older adults who eat a plant-based diet have better brain function. The Exeter researchers focused on the brain-boosting power of blueberries, but they extended their conclusions to anyone eating more than five portions of fruits and vegetables per day.
While this a small study, it was by all means conducted efficiently and it showed dramatic results that do not require huge numbers of people to show statistical significance.
In fact, if I need to defend these results in the next conversation I have with my brother-in-law, I’ll quote Lord Rutherford, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry a century ago: “If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.”
Talking about brain function and preserving your memory, Agora Health has recently been working closely with medical anthropologist and epidemiologist Dr Marc S. Micozzi on an exciting project. Keep an eye out for more information in next week’s Daily Health eAlerts. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about Dr Marc S. Micozzi, click here.
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Enhanced task-related brain activation and resting perfusion in healthy older adults after chronic blueberry supplementation,” Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) 3/1/2017 |
In August of 2010, NPR reported on a scale developed by a forensic psychologist, Michael Stone, on which murderers could be placed according to how evil they are (from slightly evil to really, really really evil). To illustrate the scale, NPR developed this graphic:
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the artists designing this graphic did not purposefully associate darker skin-like colors with more evil and lighter skin-like colors with less evil. I think this is a fair assumption, though I don’t know for sure that this is true. But let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.
If they didn’t do this on purpose, then race never consciously entered their minds. Once you notice that the colors are skin-like colors, and if you are a member of a society that discriminates against darker-skinned people, you immediately see that this graphic reproduces those stereotypes… AND YOU CHANGE THE COLORS. Any color, going from light to dark, will illustrate intensity. How about red? In Western societies, red is associated with anger. If you insist on using black because black signifies evil in our culture, how about using a true black (that is very rarely if ever seen on people) and a gray scale? How about any color other than brown?
I think this is likely a case in which the producers of the image did not think. And not thinking is one of the most insidious ways that racism and other bigotries get reproduced. People who don’t think about race are the most likely to endorse racial stereotypes. When people who think about race are distracted — with another task, or loud music, or some other intervening stimulus — they are more likely to think stereotypically than when they are not distracted. We can’t be colorblind. Our unconscious is steeped in racial meanings. Consciously fighting those associations is the only way to be less racist.
Not thinking about race is a cousin to thinking racist thoughts. Only thinking hard about race helps alleviate racism. And this graphic is an excellent example of why.
Originally posted in 2010.Lisa Wade, PhD is a professor at Occidental College. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture, and a textbook about gender. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. |
Today, I woke up feeling doubtful and stressed because of the changes happening around me. Then there’s this fear of not being able to fulfill expectations I have of myself. But everyone goes through this, right? And they manage to deal with changes that happen in their own ways. I am told the best ways are to have courage in your daily life and to not be afraid of working hard.
I always liked to think I was never afraid of working hard. I tried to study well, go deep and understand something, be able to contribute in class. But even then, I was a terrible organizer of things and I always operated out of fear and stress.
Here I am again, reacting the same way to the next dilemma I find myself in. And this time, I can’t just make myself believe what I’m doing is ‘working hard’. I can’t go on operating out of fear and stress. The only way I see out of it is to pursue things that scare me, that put me out of my comfort zone. Things that make me question myself more often. But I can’t lose my mind as I try to do this – which is why organisation.
But really, this heavy word *organisation* is simply the following of routine and focusing on the work you have to get done. In my case, using words to express the ideas I manage to catch. It is as simple as that. There is nothing romantic about it, which is why it doesn’t appeal to young people like me.
But romanticizing something is a very useless thing to do. For the longest time I romanticized working hard. But I really thought I was working hard when I was merely sitting in one place worrying about the wrong things. Wrong things like whether this will get me good marks, whether these marks will get me into that college, whether getting into that college will make me one of the cool kids, whether this assignment will please my teacher, whether this story will please my boss and make me go viral.
When instead, I could have made better use of that time by trying to address things like whether I understand something from what I am studying, whether I really want to go to that famous college, whether my assignment is really good, whether I have cracked the story I am presenting to my boss to my satisfaction.
Like I said, I am in a difficult and/or exciting phase in my life – it all depends on the way I choose to see it. There are big changes and big learnings. There is love and there is heartbreak. There is youth and there is growing up. So on this dull, sad and stressed Saturday, it’s Maya Angelou – the knight in shining armour – to the rescue. (no female equivalent for knight? I shall use it as a gender-neutral term then!)
My day is suddenly better. This poem below is the reason why it is necessary for writers to do their unromantic, relentless work: to be able to pass on the struggle to the next generation without letting them focus on the fear part of it.
Am I romanticizing writing this time? Well, circle of life.
So in case you are having a bad day, here’s the poem that turned my day around. And if you aren’t, bookmark it for a rainy day.
Still I rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave. |
Thankful to my grandparents and his generation who planted these trees.
Keeping the tradition alive wishing everyone a very happy World Earth Day.
Below writing 👇👇👇Via http://www.indiacelebrating.com/events/world-earth-day/
“World Earth Day is celebrated every year as an annual event by the people all across the world on 22nd of April in order to increase the awareness among people about the environment safety as well as to demonstrate the environmental protection measures. First time, the world earth day was celebrated in the year 1970 and then started celebrating annually on global basis by almost 192 countries.
World Earth Day observance was started to celebrate as an annual event to get national support in order to better take care of the environmental safety by solving its issues. In 1969, there was a peace activist of the San Francisco named John McConnell who actively involved in starting this event and proposed a day to get together for the environmental safety. John McConnell had chosen this event to be celebrated in the spring equinox on 21st of March in 1970 whereas United States Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson had chosen this event to be celebrated on 22nd of April in 1970.
They had contacted the people to join this event to get together for solving their environmental issues for better future. During the first time celebration of the earth day millions of people shown their interest and participated to understand the motto of the event. Instead of deciding one date for the celebration of the earth day, it has been started celebrating on both of the dates. Generally, the earth day event celebration starts with the common practice of new trees plantation in the required areas worldwide.” |
Have you ever wondered how a CT (or CAT) scanner creates an image of the inside of a person? The answer is computing. CT and CAT are short for computed (axial) tomography. Computing is the secret sauce that is poured over the hundreds or thousands of X-ray photos that make up a CT scan, to merge them into a single image.
To create an image of the interior of a person or an object using tomography, you need two things:
- A way to see through the object. If you want to do tomography, you need to take projections of the object, from (lots of) different directions. The best-known way to do this is with X-rays, but there are others. This first article on tomography explains projections.
- A way to actually reconstruct the inside of the object. The second article switches to multiple projections, and shows a straightforward (but incorrect) attempt at reconstruction, which provides an initial (blurry) image. The third article then introduces filtered backprojection, which provides a correct representation of the inside of the object. The fourth article introduces algebraic reconstruction techniques.
In the context of tomography, the term projection has a very specific meaning. A projection in a given direction must be the sum of the density of the object in that direction (mathematically, it must be a line integral). Let’s follow an X-ray beam that hits a single detector pixel. The beam originates, at the other side of the object, from an X-ray source, a device that creates X-rays by accelerating electrons and colliding them with a metal target (the X-rays in CT scanners are not produced by radioactive decay).
On their journey through the object, some of the X-ray photons are absorbed. If the chance that a photon is absorbed in the first half of the object is 50%, then about half of the photons will make it through that first half. In the second half, the same thing happens: half of the photons are absorbed. Of course, since we started with only half of the original photons, only a quarter of those will be absorbed now, and the final quarter will make it all the way through. This means that photon absorption is an exponential process, and that a normal X-ray image is not a projection that is suitable for tomography.
Below is a (simulated) X-ray image of a box (a hollow cube) with a (solid) ball inside. The material of the box is a little less dense (it absorbes less photons) than the material of the ball. There is a hole in the ball for two-thirds of its length. The brightness of this image represents the number of photons that have reached the detector, and only photons that are not absorbed by objects in the scanner reach the detector. So, the sides of the box are the darkest part of the image, since they are the thickest. The front and back (together) also absorb some photons, so they appear as light gray. An area of pure white surrounds the box, since there is no object there, and all photons reach the detector. Again, this image is not suited for tomography, since it is not the sum of the intensity of the objects.
How to correct for this? The following formula describes the relation between the intensity \(I(s)\) of the X-ray beam and the density \(\mu(s)\) of the object, which are both dependent on the distance \(s\) traveled through the object.
The integral sums the density \(\mu\) along the path through the object, and the exponential models the fact that the photon absorption is not linear. \(I(0)\) is known, since it is the initial intensity of the X-rays. \(I(s)\) is what is measured at the detector. To single out the integral, we take the logarithm of both sides of the equation, to get
This \(p(s)\) is a projection that represents the sum of the density along a line. So, to prepare X-ray images for tomographic reconstruction, take the ratio of photons that arrive at the detector and photons that were produced by the source, and take the negative logarithm of that.
Below is the projection image that was computed from the X-ray image above. The brightness in this image directly corresponds with the sum of the density of the objects, so this image is suitable for tomography.
The next article shows that it is possible to actually reconstruct a tomographic image from (lots of) projections like this. |
By Anna Yukhananov
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Britain was the largest grant donor to the World Bank's fund for poor countries in the latest round, followed by the United States, Japan and Germany, as the traditional top four donors shuffled their rankings.
Becoming a top contributor to the World Bank's International Development Association, or IDA, gives a country added influence over the bank's development policies, and leverage over how cash is spent.
Every three years, the World Bank passes the hat among its richer members to raise money for IDA, which gives grants or low-interest loans to the world's 82 poorest countries.
After the last fundraising meeting in Moscow last week, the World Bank said it raised a total pool of $52 billion. But it declined to share individual contributions until March, once its board officially signs off on them.
For the first time, some of the money given to IDA came in the form of low-interest loans, not grants, as domestic budgets have been strained by a sluggish recovery from the global financial crisis. The World Bank said about $4 billion of the pool came in the form of concessional loans.
The 46 donor countries decided on a discount rate that would count a small portion of each loan as a "grant equivalent," to enable comparison among the pools of cash.
Britain pledged about $4.6 billion (2.8 billion pounds) over the course of three years in grants, and another 500 million pounds in concessional loans, according to a ministerial statement last week.
The United States was next, with $3.9 billion in grants, a U.S. Treasury spokeswoman said. She added that Washington will seek to increase its contribution as the federal budget for the next fiscal year is finalized.
Japan was the number three donor in terms of grants or "grant equivalent," after the United States and Britain, and it also pledged a large amount in the form of loans, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
Japan declined to provide specific figures.
Germany was fourth, pledging $2.2 billion (1.6 billion euros) in grants, conditional on parliament's approval, the spokeswoman of the foreign aid ministry told Reuters.
The money will start getting used for IDA from July 1, 2014.
The United States has given the most to IDA since the program began in 1960, followed by Japan and the United Kingdom.
However, the portion of the U.S. contribution has steadily fallen, from 22 percent in 1960 to just over 12 percent in the last replenishment in 2010. Britain was also the top IDA donor in the 2007 funding round.
In recent years, as rich donors have faced pressure to deal with bloated budgets, the World Bank has also started to tap emerging market donors, including China and Brazil.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said last week emerging markets played "a very large role" in the latest funding round.
(Additional reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto in Tokyo, William Schomberg in London and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Leslie Gevirtz) |
This post was inspired by Marilyn’s Photo Story prompt “A Face In The Crowd”. I usually find that Marilyn’s photos or stories send me off on a slightly different path and today was no exception as the story of her granddaughter’s high school graduation started me thinking about the first theatre performances I ever attended. I’ve never been to a graduation ceremony, mine or anyone else’s.
I do like the theatre though. One of my aunts had a love of amateur theatre and when we were children my sister, cousins and I were taken to see her perform in musical comedies two or three times a year. I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my introduction to live theatre and even though the actors and musicians were all amateurs and some were certainly better than others it was very entertaining and at ten or twelve I was not overly critical.
There were actually some good performers in the Northern Light Operatic Society, the little company that my aunt was a founder member of. A lot of them were British migrants like us who had done similar things in England and wanted to continue in their new home. I just looked them up and found that the company is still going. The first performance I attended was “Quaker Girl” in 1966 and it was in fact the groups first ever show. My fourth grade teacher Louise Appels I think her name was, played the leading role.
I remember that my mother did not always share my enthusiasm although she would dutifully attend one show each time to see her sister sing. She used to say “It’s just people dressed up.” She preferred to watch a good film. Years later though, when my sister and I took her to some professional productions she thoroughly enjoyed them so I think that what she really meant was that it was not real to her because she knew it was her sister and friends dressed up and pretending. She couldn’t take them seriously. For me that aspect of it was quite interesting. I saw teachers from my school get up and transform themselves into characters which made them very different from the people I saw in the classroom or the playground. My cousins became involved when they were a bit older and my aunt pushed me to try it as well but I never would. I now think that she thought it might help me overcome my shyness but it was too big a step for me to take. If she’d suggested I get involved backstage or in some other area I might have felt differently. Backstage always fascinated me. I enjoyed it when we older kids were occasionally taken to a Sunday rehearsal and would watch lines being read and dance numbers practised. We’d get to go backstage down steep stairs and narrow corridors to dressing rooms that didn’t seem big enough to hold so many people. I saw that grease paint looks really peculiar in natural daylight.
It seemed posh to be going to the theatre too. It was the sixties and people still dressed up a bit to go out at night so we wore our good clothes. We would always meet people that we knew in the foyer, schoolmates with their families, teachers or friends of my aunt and uncle who would talk to my uncle while we kids bought ice creams or sweets or looked at the production photos to see who we could recognise.
Of course being amateur productions sometimes things would not go according to plan but it didn’t seem to matter and I can’t remember seeing any major disasters. I do remember one hilarious moment during a performance of “The New Moon” however. It was at a dramatic point in the story and the audience was listening intently. There is revolt on the ship New Moon and the captain cries “Is this mutiny?” from somewhere in the audience comes the voice of a small child “Yes!”
The whole audience dissolved into laughter and even the cast were having a hard time keeping straight faces. In true show business tradition though they pulled themselves together and went on with the show. |
Throwing oneself in a pool of frenzied people and fighting to purchase consumer products that have been slightly discounted: is there a better way to begin the holiday season? Well this year, malls will monitor and analyze that frenzy as they will track customer’s as they go from store to store using their cell phone signals. Is there an option to opt out? No. Well, yes…leaving the phone in the car. Here’s an article from CNN Money.
Malls track shoppers’ cell phones on Black Friday
Attention holiday shoppers: your cell phone may be tracked this year.
Starting on Black Friday and running through New Year’s Day, two U.S. malls — Promenade Temecula in southern California and Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Va. — will track guests’ movements by monitoring the signals from their cell phones.
While the data that’s collected is anonymous, it can follow shoppers’ paths from store to store.
The goal is for stores to answer questions like: How many Nordstrom shoppers also stop at Starbucks? How long do most customers linger in Victoria’s Secret? Are there unpopular spots in the mall that aren’t being visited?
While U.S. malls have long tracked how crowds move throughout their stores, this is the first time they’ve used cell phones.
But obtaining that information comes with privacy concerns.
The management company of both malls, Forest City Commercial Management, says personal data is not being tracked.
“We won’t be looking at singular shoppers,” said Stephanie Shriver-Engdahl, vice president of digital strategy for Forest City. “The system monitors patterns of movement. We can see, like migrating birds, where people are going to.”
Still, the company is preemptively notifying customers by hanging small signs around the shopping centers. Consumers can opt out by turning off their phones.
The tracking system, called FootPath Technology, works through a series of antennas positioned throughout the shopping center that capture the unique identification number assigned to each phone (similar to a computer’s IP address), and tracks its movement throughout the stores.
The system can’t take photos or collect data on what shoppers have purchased. And it doesn’t collect any personal details associated with the ID, like the user’s name or phone number. That information is fiercely protected by mobile carriers, and often can be legally obtained only through a court order.
“We don’t need to know who it is and we don’t need to know anyone’s cell phone number, nor do we want that,” Shriver-Engdahl said.
Manufactured by a British company, Path Intelligence, this technology has already been used in shopping centers in Europe and Australia. And according to Path Intelligence CEO Sharon Biggar, hardly any shoppers decide to opt out.
“It’s just not invasive of privacy,” she said. “There are no risks to privacy, so I don’t see why anyone would opt out.”
Now, U.S. retailers including JCPenney and Home Depot are also working with Path Intelligence to use their technology, Biggar said.
Home Depot has considered implementing the technology but is not currently using it any stores, a company spokesman said. JCPenney declined to comment on its relationship with the vendor.
Why Apple and Google need to stalk you
Some retail analysts say the new technology is nothing to be worried about. Malls have been tracking shoppers for years through people counters, security cameras, heat maps and even undercover researchers who follow shoppers around.
And some even say websites that track online shoppers are more invasive, recording not only a user’s name and purchases, but then targeting them with ads even after they’ve left a site.
“It’s important for shoppers to realize this sort of data is being collected anyway,” Biggar said.
Whereas a website can track a customer who doesn’t make a purchase, physical stores have been struggling to perfect this kind of research, Biggar said. By combining the data from FootPath with their own sales figures, stores will have better measurements to help them improve the shopping experience.
“We can now say, you had 100 people come to this product, but no one purchased it,” Biggar said. “From there, we can help a retailer narrow down what’s going wrong.”
But some industry analysts worry about the broader implications of this kind of technology.
“Most of this information is harmless and nobody ever does anything nefarious with it,” said Sucharita Mulpuru, retail analyst at Forrester Research. “But the reality is, what happens when you start having hackers potentially having access to this information and being able to track your movements?”
Last year, hackers hit AT&T, exposing the unique ID numbers and e-mail addresses of more than 100,000 iPad 3G owners. To make it harder for hackers to get at this information, Path Intelligence scrambles those numbers twice.
“I’m sure as more people get more cell phones, it’s probably inevitable that it will continue as a resource,” Mulpuru said. “But I think the future is going to have to be opt in, not opt out.”
– Source: CNN Money |
It seems like every few weeks that we hear news of a new study of the early universe showing that black holes formed earlier than expected and that structure in the pattern of galaxies extends to larger distances than expected.
The ruling paradigm says that galaxies formed when hydrogen gas and dark matter slowly clumped together under its gravitational pull. Stars were formed which continued to collapse togther to form galaxies. The early stars which were large would die quickly and form black holes which would coallesque to form supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies.
The process was seeded by density perturbations in the gas that existed at the time of last light scattering. The effects of these perturbations are seen in the cosmic microwave background and are very familiar to cosmologists. They are believed to be due to fluctuations during the inflationary epoch and they have the right scale invariant spectrum to fit that hypothesis. You can model the formation of galaxies and large scale galactic structure in cold dark matter models using computer simulations. With the right parameters set for the mass of dark matter particles you can get good agreement with observations.
But the agreement is not good enough. It predicts that the black holes form after the stars, yet we see quasars appearing in the early universe containing huge black holes that must have formed much earlier. The latest example is a quasar with a mass of 2 billion suns observed at just 770 million years after the big bang by ESO’s Very Large Telescope. We have seen proto-galaxies and gamma ray bursts from even earlier.
We also observe structure in the distribution of galaxies that extends out to very large scales. This is not predicted by the cold dark matter theory of structure formation. An example is the Great Sloan Wall, a vast planar structure covering 5% of the size of the observable universe. Up to these scales the distribution of galaxies forms clusters and filaments as well as voids separated by these walls. How could these have formed so soon and so big?
One possible answer is that they did not form through gravitational collapse at all, but instead by a process of caustic focusing of dark matter by gravitational waves. Let me explain.
We know very little about how the inflationary epoch ended. The vacuum state would have changed as the inflationary scalar field dropped into a broken phase. There may have been a phase transition but it may have been a soft second order transition or even a smooth crossover. We don’t even know when it happened. It may have been the elctro-weak transition or something earlier. With new physics from the LHC we may be able to work out how it happened.
It is likely that the transition did not happen simultaneously at all points in space. Fluctuations would mean that inflation continued a little longer in some places than others. This would leave a remnant gravitational wave background in the universe which in time would have cooled and weakened as the universe expanded more slowly. It would be hard to detect directly today because of its very low frequency and weak amplitude, but in the early universe during baryogenesis it would have been stronger.
The effect on baryonic matter would however have been washed out by electromagnetic forces acting more strongly than anything these waves could do. Dark matter on the other hand is uncharged and only interacts weakly. The gravitational waves, if strong enough could have influenced the distribution of dark matter. This is more true if dark matter particles are heavy so that they move more slowly at a given temperature. So what would happen?
In fact heavy particles would follow geodesics through the gravitational waves which would focus them onto caustic surfaces. The process is very similar to the focusing of light through the waves on the surface of the sea of a swimming pool creating familiar patterns of light on the bottom. The caustic lines are replaced with surfaces stretching across the universe just like the ones seen in the Sloan Survey. Where the walls meet even denser concentraions of matter would form.
Caustic light patterns formed by water waves quickly shift to disappear and reform elsewhere, but when enough dark matter is concentrated into one place it will itself gravitate and form dark stars or black holes which lock in the pattern. This could have happened very early in the universe, possibly even before the cosmic radiation background last scattered off hot baryonic matter.
The ordinary stars would form around these structures either by gravitational attraction or due to the pressure of radiation from dark stars and gas falling into the black holes. Either way the structure in the distribution of galaxies would be largely determined by the caustic patterns provided by the gravitational waves so it can extend much further depending on the spectrum of the waves at large wavelengths. The large black holes that form quasars would originate from concentrations of dark matter at the densest points where the caustic planes meet.
Even as more discoveries appear to contradict the ΛCDM theory cosmologists stick to the old paradigm because it almost works. Λ, the cosmological constant is there and so is Cold Dark Matter, but that does not mean that they explain the formation of super-massive black holes and large scale structure in the universe. Cosmologists need to wake up to this fact and start exploring alternatives such as the caustic theory outlined here. As usual I will quietly wait while they ignore it and eventually reinvent the idea for themselves. Good luck guys. 🙂 |
Can Princeton Democrats take responsibility for adding new housing in Princeton? Based on a letter in last week’s ‘Packet’, it seems that the tide may be shifting toward a realization that more housing is necessary and even desirable. The letter, from longstanding PCDO member Anne Neumann, offers a useful range of solutions on the question of affordable housing, but strays into a partisan framing of the debate on expanding housing opportunity:
“Republicans argue that zoning and other building regulations constrict supply and drive up costs, so we should eliminate regulations. Then the free market will build housing for both high- and low-income households….”
Although some Republicans favor allowing the market to run its course without excessive
intervention from governmental bodies, the G.O.P. is also home to reactionaries, Social Darwinists, and the Agenda 21 people; all of whom are quick to find reasons to oppose building new homes. Locally, Hopewell Township Mayor Harvey Lester jumped ship from the local Democrat party that had helped elect him, in favor of the Republicans, who he reckons are less likely to favor new development.
Democrat-run towns also have a tendency to under-build, leading to infamous housing shortages in places like New York, San Francisco, and also Princeton. But when housing is in short supply, it is always the least well-off who get squeezed out. The shortage has arisen, in part, because of a liberal tendency to see new housing as an attack on the existing community, perpetrated by the infamous ‘greedy developers’. Yes, developers want to make a profit, but they are no greedier than every other business that sells something that people want to buy.
In the past, as the economy grew and land values increased, Princeton allowed developers to build more intensively. Hence, today’s residential neighborhoods replaced the farms, which had replaced the forests and wilderness. By dividing valuable land between more people, a developer gives more people the chance to own a share in a community. If Democrats are interested in creating access to jobs and education, this is a process to celebrate, especially because we know (thanks to the work of Douglas Massey, of Princeton University), that there are few things more able to lift people out of poverty than living in a community of opportunity.
Permitting new housing in Princeton also offers a chance to ensure that new homes are built to the highest environmental standards and in places where transit and active transportation can work. As a matter of leadership on climate change, Democrats should step up to the challenge of meeting housing needs. It is always a challenge, because new housing eventually means new pressure on existing amenities. But these challenges are over-stated by those who present our town as a fragile snowflake. We have met these challenges in the past, and we can meet them in future, with the innovation and ingenuity that can be expected from a town like Princeton.
Around the nation, people who might describe themselves as liberals and even left-wingers are coming round to the idea that to make homes affordable to everyone, we need to make room for many more homes. In New York, Mayor de Blasio’s housing plan envisages substantial new construction. More homes should be provided by non-profit agencies, corporations, and small developers, if we are going to meaningfully address the affordability crisis. Saying this doesn’t automatically make somebody a ‘corporate shill’ (as is inevitably heard when a contentious planning debate is taking place). It is a simple statement of commitment to expanded housing opportunities for everybody. Increasing supply is not just a matter for Republicans, but for Democrats as well, and that’s a relief in these days of partisan trench warfare.
Princeton is currently revising the municipal Housing Element of the municipal Masterplan to take account of recent court decisions regarding affordable housing. How much housing should the town aim to build between now and 2015? And what are the main issues with new construction? Have your say in the comments section below! |
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (Yearling, 1970)
Written by American children and young adult author Judy Blume, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was a young adult novel. Margaret Simon is in sixth grade. Her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish. The central conflict of the novel is from Margaret trying to settle her mixed religious heritage. Alongside the religious conflict, Margaret confronts other pre-teen issues — buying her first bra, getting her first period, using belted sanitary napkins (in more current editions of the novel these have been updated to adhesive sanitary pads), envy towards other girls’ bodies, liking boys and whether to voice a difference of opinion from her friends’.
The success of Are You There God? It’s Margaret inspired Blume to write Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, a book about puberty from a boy’s perspective in 1971. |
The Motivation for Creating the WATESOL NNEST CaucusTESOL Inc. established its Non-Native English Speaking Teachers (NNEST) Caucus back in 1998, to help fight discrimination against NNESTs and to help educate TESOL professionals, administrators, and employers to the genuine benefits that NNESTs bring to English Language Teaching. Since that time the NNEST Caucus has proved a bona fide success with almost 1,200 members, with several anthologies on NNEST issues in print or in press, with over 40 presentation titles at the Long Beach TESOL Convention where the acronym “NNEST” appeared in the title. The efforts of the TESOL NNEST Caucus had been supported by many members of the local TESOL community prior to 2004 including, Silvio Avendano, Godele Gulikers, Me Young Kim, Ximena Suarez, Gloria Park, Sarah Shin, Karen Taylor, and Brock Brady. (I know this list is not inclusive; forgive me if I left you out and drop me a line at email@example.com).
Still, many people locally are not familiar with the basic issues or research concerning non-native English speaking teachers, and employment discrimination is an issue that arises regularly. This being the case, in Fall 2004 the WATESOL Board authorized the creation of an NNEST Caucus.
NNEST Caucus' goals are the following:
Together with CATESOL NNLEI) our Caucus is the only NNEST entity that functions as part of a local TESOL affiliate. CATESOL (California TESOL) has had Non-Native Language Educators' Issues Interest Group since 1992.
However, in discussions with the Board and other interested WATESOL members, there seems to be little desire to consider a NNEST SIG (Special Interest Group). A primary argument for establishing an NNEST entity as a caucus was that SIGs and caucuses may fulfill very different roles. Karen Taylor made a very good argument about this during the annual 2004 TESOL NNEST Caucus Business Meeting at the Long Beach Convention in March: SIGs tend to be about where you teach, Caucuses tend to be about who you are (or whom you choose to advocate for).
Thus, the WATESOL NNEST Caucus was established to... |
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