Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars 003

We have hit summer, people. It’s freaking hot outside, which means over time I descend into the subway it feels like I’m actually going to hell. The plus side is that eventually it cools off and that’s the perfect time for a  dinner picnic. One of my favorite things to do is pack up our dinner and take it all to Central Park for a picnic. Even if you’re just eating your sad leftovers, it’s so much more fun when the air is cooling off and everyone is outside soaking up the long days.


About Us

High End Audiophile USB Cables

Musical Premise

Let me begin by saying that I firmly believe that there is no reason why digital audio can’t sound just as good or better than analog audio. While I certainly enjoy the smooth engaging sound of vinyl and also tape, I really appreciate the added benefits of having a library of digital files. However, I have too often experienced digital that sounds just a bit too, well, digital. You know what I mean.

For two years I have been striving to assemble the best music server, and the best DAC (within reason). But when I chose to thoroughly investigate the USB connection between those devices, I realized that the design of the USB link was paramount to achieving that analog flavor that I was after. So, I starting exploring the USB specification documents, and researching the science behind engineering a better USB cable.

Listening Experience

During the development of this cable, I made comparisons to numerous other USB cables from different manufacturers and of different designs. Our USB cables are characterized by a very low noise floor, which gives the cable a very smooth and relaxed sound, while maintaining great detail and a controlled bass response. Other cables could be edgy or digital sounding, or lacking in bass, or emphasizing bass frequencies which tended to cause bloom.

Our cables are highly refined, clean and open sounding with a solid bass and good micro-detailing. The music sounds involving and engaging. It is not fatiguing, which is evident when music contains difficult to render instruments like flute, harmonica or violins. An open soundstage is evident with clear imaging and plenty of air and sustain.

Personal Background

For a little background on myself; I am a software engineer, and I’m an avid electronics hobbyist. I Build my own music servers, and have built my own DAC with various tweaks. I’ve also built tube amplifiers and linear power supplies. So it’s with this electronics background and an understanding of the digital realm that I pursued my experimentations with building a better USB cable.

As computer audiophiles, we’ve all heard the adage that bits are bits, so how could a wire that carries digital make any difference. When you hear the difference between USB cables, you soon realize that the digital cable has a significant involvement with the enjoyment of the music. Being curious, I asked how USB cable architecture can make so much difference. When it’s done right, a good USB cable can improve one’s enjoyment of the music.

Design Approach

Digital noise and jitter is prevalent in all digital signals to a lesser or greater extent. It's a critical issue in USB cable communication, because the USB signal travels in real-time between a Music Server and DAC. Moreover, when errors in the music data occur, there is no provision in the USB specification for the DAC to request a re-send. Therefore, the integrity of the digital music must be accurately preserved within the USB cable traffic.

In designing this USB cable, I have carefully chosen the wire metallurgy, gauge, cable architecture and dielectric. I've paid special attention to reducing both digital noise and jitter timing issues in the cable. I carefully chose the wire shielding or the lack thereof. All wires that carry a voltage emit electromagnetic radiation as a field surrounding the wire. To combat this EMI effect, which impacts the wires in proximity to it, I chose to use wire shielding on the 5 Volt (Vbus) lead. However, I chose not to shield the data plus and data negative wires, because I want their EMI to dissipate away. Jitter noise is introduced by the timing of the USB packet transfers across the wire, and the nature of the positive and negative data lines which are utilized by the USB software to subtract noise that may accumulate on the wires. We provide our USB cables in basically two versions. The "Standard" cable has the 5 volt shielded wire for those DACs or USB converters that require voltage to communicate and/or operate. We also offer the "Data Only" cable for those DACS that do not need the 5 volt wire. We recommend using the data only design if your DAC can accommodate it.

Noise Concerns:

The source of noise in computer audio is the most important issue to deal with for discriminating audiophiles. It’s critical to realize that the modern consumer laptop or desktop computer is extremely noisy by nature. They work just fine for everyday use, even though they have noisy power supplies, inaccurate clocks, poor USB timing and inconsistent, shared power delivery. By disconnecting your computer or laptop power from your DAC or USB converter, and supplying clean power externally, you’ll seriously improve your digital sound.

USB Specifics:

The USB specification clearly defines the design parameters for the cable and transmission protocol. We followed the specs as closely as possible, only diverging when it made sense from an audio standpoint opposed to a computer data position. The two data lines work in a duplex fashion which allows for summing the data to eliminate noise built up during data transmission. The host USB device expects the music data packets to arrive at specifically timed intervals, in the microsecond range, and without phase shifting between the + or – data lines. The cable is supposed to be approximately 90 ohms impedance, give or take 15%. The binary data within the packet stream needs to be within specific voltage tolerances upon arrival to be correctly termed a one or a zero. There is no provision for resending the data if there is a bad read. Timing by the computer clock, the USB clock and the DAC clock are all working together to assure a properly timed stream of bits. This is extremely critical for the music to be rendered accurately. We have paid careful attention to these requirements, as well as other concerns, in the design of our USB cables.

Ken Matesich


S M ML L
Linear scaling factor 0.94 1 1.05 1.10
Projected area 18.56 21.00 23.15 25.41
Flat area 22.09 25.00 27.56 30.25
Glider weight 4.3 4.9 5.4 5.9 kg
Total line length 243 275 303 333 m
Height 6.30 6.67 7.00 7.80 m
Number of main lines 3/4/3 3/4/3 3/4/3 3/4/3 A/B/C
Cells 34 34 34 34
Flat aspect ratio 4.465 4.465 4.465 4.465
Projected aspect ratio 3.22 3.22 3.22 3.22
Root cord 2.82 3.00 3.14 3.29 m
Flat span 9.96 10.59 11.12 11.65 m
Projected span 7.73 8.22 8.64 9.05 m
In-flight weight range 55-75 70-95 90-110 105-130 kg
Trim speed 38 38 38 38 km/h
Top speed 50 50 50 50 km/h
Min sink 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 m/sec
Best glide 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0
Certification EN/LTF-A EN/LTF-A EN/LTF-A EN/LTF-A

Wasp Tala Dual Luna

The Adam comes in a lot of color. We have found that being seen in the air and on the ground is safe for instructors and new pilots. Bright colors help.
Over the years we have come a long way. CCB and mini-ribs creates fitted 3D cells, unsupported cells are supported with diagonal ribs and span wise bands clean up the bottom surface. All this new technology has greatly improved the safety and performance of beginner wings.

The use of shaped panels in the leading edge removes the creases along the ribs caused by the large cells. CCB is more effective on the big EN-A paraglider cells than smaller cells on more advanced models.

Located at the trailing edge, the mini Ribs produce a thinner trailing edge with less billow creating more responsive brakes.

We have found that elliptical cell openings give better lower surface tension making for smoother inflation, and re-inflation after collapses.

The Adam is constructed with lightweight but robust, proven, materials and only weighs 4.8kg.

Low line consumption at 299meters on the M size.

Top surface: Dominico N30
Bottom surface: Dominico N30
Internal structure: Dominico D30 DFM
Nose reinforcing: Plastic wire 2,3mm and 2,7 mm
Risers: 20 mm black Nylon webbing
Pulleys: Sprenger HS
Top lines: DSL70
Middle lines: TSL 140
Lower lines: TSL 280
Brakes: DSL70


Chromatography Definition And Classification Essay

Chromatography is based on the principle where molecules in mixture applied onto the surface or into the solid, and fluid stationary phase (stable phase) is separating from each other while moving with the aid of a mobile phase. The factors effective on this separation process include molecular characteristics related to adsorption (liquid-solid), partition (liquid-solid), and affinity or differences among their molecular weights [1, 2]. Because of these differences, some components of the mixture stay longer in the stationary phase, and they move slowly in the chromatography system, while others pass rapidly into mobile phase, and leave the system faster [3].

Based on this approach three components form the basis of the chromatography technique.

  • Stationary phase: This phase is always composed of a “solid” phase or “a layer of a liquid adsorbed on the surface a solid support”.

  • Mobile phase: This phase is always composed of “liquid” or a “gaseous component.”

  • Separated molecules

The type of interaction between stationary phase, mobile phase, and substances contained in the mixture is the basic component effective on separation of molecules from each other. Chromatography methods based on partition are very effective on separation, and identification of small molecules as amino acids, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. However, affinity chromatographies (ie. ion-exchange chromatography) are more effective in the separation of macromolecules as nucleic acids, and proteins. Paper chromatography is used in the separation of proteins, and in studies related to protein synthesis; gas-liquid chromatography is utilized in the separation of alcohol, esther, lipid, and amino groups, and observation of enzymatic interactions, while molecular-sieve chromatography is employed especially for the determination of molecular weights of proteins. Agarose-gel chromatography is used for the purification of RNA, DNA particles, and viruses [4].

Stationary phase in chromatography, is a solid phase or a liquid phase coated on the surface of a solid phase. Mobile phase flowing over the stationary phase is a gaseous or liquid phase. If mobile phase is liquid it is termed as liquid chromatography (LC), and if it is gas then it is called gas chromatography (GC). Gas chromatography is applied for gases, and mixtures of volatile liquids, and solid material. Liquid chromatography is used especially for thermal unstable, and non-volatile samples [5].

The purpose of applying chromatography which is used as a method of quantitative analysis apart from its separation, is to achive a satisfactory separation within a suitable timeinterval. Various chromatography methods have been developed to that end. Some of them include column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), paper chromatography, gas chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and affinity chromatography [6].

Types of chromatography

  • Column chromatography

  • Ion-exchange chromatography

  • Gel-permeation (molecular sieve) chromatography

  • Affinity chromatography

  • Paper chromatography

  • Thin-layer chromatography

  • Gas chromatography

  • Dye-ligand chromatography

  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

  • Pseudoaffinity chromatography

  • High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Column chromatography

Since proteins have difference characteristic features as size, shape, net charge, stationary phase used, and binding capacity, each one of these characteristic components can be purified using chromatographic methods. Among these methods, most frequently column chromatography is applied. This technique is used for the purification of biomolecules. On a column (stationary phase) firstly the sample to be separated, then wash buffer (mobile phase) are applied (Figure 1). Their flow through inside column material placed on a fiberglass support is ensured. The samples are accumulated at the bottom of the device in a tme-, and volume-dependent manner [7].

Ion- exchange chromatography

Ion- exchange chromatography is based on electrostatic interactions between charged protein groups, and solid support material (matrix). Matrix has an ion load opposite to that of the protein to be separated, and the affinity of the protein to the column is achieved with ionic ties. Proteins are separated from the column either by changing pH, concentration of ion salts or ionic strength of the buffer solution [8]. Positively charged ion- exchange matrices are called anion-exchange matrices, and adsorb negatively charged proteins. While matrices bound with negatively charged groups are known as cation-exchange matrices, and adsorb positively charged proteins (Figure 2) [9].

Gel- permeation (molecular sieve) chromatography

The basic principle of this method is to use dextran containing materials to separate macromolecules based on their differences in molecular sizes. This procedure is basically used to determine molecular weights of proteins, and to decrease salt concentrations of protein solutions [10]. In a gel- permeation column stationary phase consists of inert molecules with small pores. The solution containing molecules of different dimensions are passed continuously with a constant flow rate through the column. Molecules larger than pores can not permeate into gel particles, and they are retained between particles within a restricted area. Larger molecules pass through spaces between porous particles, and move rapidly through inside the column. Molecules smaller than the pores are diffused into pores, and as molecules get smaller, they leave the column with proportionally longer retention times (Figure 3) [11]. Sephadeks G type is the most frequently used column material. Besides, dextran, agorose, polyacrylamide are also used as column materials [12].

Gel-permeation (molecular sieve) chromatography.

Affinity chromatography

This chromatography technique is used for the purification of enzymes, hormones, antibodies, nucleic acids, and specific proteins [13]. A ligand which can make a complex with specific protein (dextran, polyacrylamide, cellulose etc) binds the filling material of the column. The specific protein which makes a complex with the ligand is attached to the solid support (matrix), and retained in the column, while free proteins leave the column. Then the bound protein leaves the column by means of changing its ionic strength through alteration of pH or addition of a salt solution (Figure 4) [14].

Paper chromatography

In paper chromatography support material consists of a layer of cellulose highly saturated with water. In this method a thick filter paper comprised the support, and water drops settled in its pores made up the stationary “liquid phase.” Mobile phase consists of an appropriate fluid placed in a developing tank. Paper chromatography is a “liquid-liquid” chromatography [15].

Thin-layer chromatography

Thin-layer chromatography is a “solid-liquid adsorption” chromatography. In this method stationary phase is a solid adsorbent substance coated on glass plates. As adsorbent material all solid substances used. in column chromatography (alumina, silica gel, cellulose) can be utilized. In this method, the mobile phase travels upward through the stationary phase The solvent travels up the thin plate soaked with the solvent by means of capillary action. During this procedure, it also drives the mixture priorly dropped on the lower parts of the plate with a pipette upwards with different flow rates. Thus the separation of analytes is achieved. This upward travelling rate depends on the polarity of the material, solid phase, and of the solvent [16].

In cases where molecules of the sample are colorless, florescence, radioactivity or a specific chemical substance can be used to produce a visible coloured reactive product so as to identify their positions on the chromatogram. Formation of a visible colour can be observed under room light or UV light. The position of each molecule in the mixture can be measured by calculating the ratio between the the distances travelled by the molecule and the solvent. This measurement value is called relative mobility, and expressed with a symbol Rf. Rf. value is used for qualitative description of the molecules [17].

Gas chromatography

In this method stationary phase is a column which is placed in the device, and contains a liquid stationary phase which is adsorbed onto the surface of an inert solid. Gas chromatography is a “gas-liquid” chromatography. Its carrier phase consists of gases as He or N2. Mobile phase which is an inert gas is passed through a column under high pressure. The sample to be analyzed is vaporized, and enters into a gaseous mobile phase phase. The components contained in the sample are dispersed between mobile phase, and stationary phase on the solid support. Gas chromatography is a simple, multifaceted, highly sensitive, and rapidly applied technique for the extremely excellent separation of very minute molecules. It is used in the separation of very little amounts of analytes [18].

Dye- ligand chromatography

Development of this technique was based on the demonstration of the ability of many enzymes to bind purine nucleotides for Cibacron Blue F3GA dye [19]. The planar ring structure with negatively charged groups is analogous to the structure of NAD. This analogy has been evidenced by demonstration of the binding of Cibacron Blue F3GA dye to adenine, ribose binding sites of NAD. The dye behaves as an analogue of ADP-ribose. The binding capacity of this type adsorbents is 10–20-fold stronger rhat that of the affinity of other adsorbents. Under appropriate pH conditions, elution with high-ionic strength solutions, and using ion-exchange property of adsorbent, the adsorbed proteins are separated from the column [20, 21].

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC)

In this method the adsorbents prepared as column material for the ligand binding in affinity chromatography are used. HIC technique is based on hydrophobic interactions between side chains bound to chromatography matrix [22, 23].

Pseudoaffinity chromatography

Some compounds as anthraquinone dyes, and azo-dyes can be used as ligands because of their affinity especially for dehydrogenases, kinases, transferases, and reductases The mostly known type of this kind of chromatography is immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) [24].

High-prssure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Using this chromatography technique it is possible to perform structural, and functional analysis, and purification of many molecules within a short time, This technique yields perfect results in the separation, and identification of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, steroids, and other biologically active molecules, In HPLC, mobile phase passes throuıgh columns under 10–400 atmospheric pressure, and with a high (0.1–5 cm//sec) flow rate. In this technique, use of small particles, and application of high presure on the rate of solvent flow increases separation power, of HPLC and the analysis is completed within a short time.

Essential components of a HPLC device are solvent depot, high- pressure pump, commercially prepared column, detector, and recorder. Duration of separation is controlled with the aid of a computerized system, and material is accrued [25].

Application areas of chromatography in medicine

Chromatography technique is a valuable tool for biochemists, besides it can be applied easily during studies performed in clinical laboratories For instance, paper chromatography is used to determine some types of sugar, and amino acids in bodily fluids which are associated with hereditary metabolic disorders. Gas chromatography is used in laboratories to measure steroids, barbiturates, and lipids. Chromatographic technique is also used in the separation of vitamins, and proteins.

Initially chromatographic techniques were used to separate substances based on their color as was the case with herbal pigments. With time its application area was extended considerably. Nowadays, chromatography is accepted as an extremely sensitive, and effective separation method. Column chromatography is one of the useful separation, and determination methods. Column chromatography is a protein purification method realized especially based on one of the characteristic features of proteins. Besides, these methods are used to control purity of a protein. HPLC technique which has many superior features including especially its higher sensitivity, rapid turnover rate, its use as a quantitative method, can purify amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, drugs, antibiotics, and steroids.

1. Cuatrecasas P, Wilchek M, Anfinsen CB. Selective enzyme purification by affinity chromatography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1968;61:636–43.[PMC free article][PubMed]

2. Porath J. From gel filtration to adsorptive size exclusion. J Protein Chem. 1997;16:463–8.[PubMed]

3. Harris DC. Exploring chemical analysis. 3rd ed. WH. Freeman&Co; 2004.

4. Gerberding SJ, Byers CH. Preparative ion-exchange chromatography of proteins from dairy whey. J Chromatogr A. 1998;808:141–51.[PubMed]

5. Donald PL, Lampman GM, Kritz GS, Engel RG. Introduction to organic laboratory techniques. 4th ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole; 2006. pp. 797–817.

6. Harwood LM, Moody CJ. Experimental organic chemistry:Principles and Practice. Oxford:Blacwell Science; 1989:180–5.

7. Das M, Dasgupta D. Pseudo-affinity column chromatography based rapid purification procedure for T7 RNA polymerase. Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 1998;28:339–48.[PubMed]

8. Karlsson E, Ryden L, Brewer J Protein purification. Principles, High Resolution Methods, and Applications. Ion exchange chromatography. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley; 1998.

9. Amercham Biosciences. Ion Exchange chromatohgraphy, Principles and methods, Amercham Pharmacia. Biotech SE. 2002;751

10. Walls D, Loughran ST. Protein chromatography:Methods and protocols, methods in molecular biology. 2011;681

11. Helmut D. Gel Chromatography, gel filtration, gel permeation, molecular sieves:a laboratory hand book. Springer-Verlag; 1969.

12. Determann H. Gel chromatography gel filtration, gel permeation, molecular sieves:a laboratory handbook. Chapter 2. Materials and Methods. 2012

13. Wilchek M, Chaiken I. An overview of affinity chromatography in affinity chromatography–Methods and protocols. Humana Press. 2000:1–6.

14. Firer MA. Efficient elution of functional proteins in affinity chromatography. J Biochem Biophys Methods. 2001;49:433–42.[PubMed]

15. Stoddard JM, Nguyen L, Mata-Chavez H, Nguyen K. TLC plates as a convenient platform for solvent-free reactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2007;12:1240–1.[PubMed]

16. Sherman J, Fried B, Dekker M. New York, NY: Handbook of Thin-Layer Chromatography; 1991.

17. Donald PL, Lampman GM, Kritz GS, Randall G. Engel introduction to organic laboratory techniques. 4th ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole; 2006. pp. 797–817.

18. http:/ .

19. Amicon, Dye-ligand chromatography. Applications method. Theory of matrix gel media, Amicon Division. Cherry Hill Drive, MA 01923: N.R. Grace&Company-Conn. 24; 1989.

20. Scopes RK. Use of differential dye-ligand chromatography with affinity elution for enzyme purification:2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase from Zymomonas mobilis. Anal Biochem. 1984;136:525–9.[PubMed]

21. Cutler P. Methods in molecular biology, Dye-ligand affinity chromatography. 2nd ed. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2004.

22. Mahn A, Asenjo JA. Prediction of protein retention in hydrophobic interaction Chromatography. Biotechnol Adv. 2005;2:359–68.[PubMed]

23. Queiroz JA, Tomaz CT, Cabral JM. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins. J Biotechnol. 2001;87:143–59.[PubMed]

24. Porath J. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Protein Expr Purif. 1992;3:263–81.[PubMed]

25. Regnier FE. High-performance liquid chromatography of biopolimers. Science. 1983:245–52.[PubMed]

26.”>chromatography .

Chromatography Essay

673 Words3 Pages

Chromatography is a separation technique in which the mixture to be separated is dissolved in a solvent and the resulting solution, often called the mobile phase, is then passed through or over another material, the stationary phase. The separation of the original mixture depends on how strongly each component is attracted to the stationary phase. Substances that are attracted strongly to the stationary phase will be retarded and not move alone with the mobile phase. Weakly attracted substances will move more rapidly with the mobile phase.
     Liquid chromatography is an analytical technique that is useful for separating ions or molecules that are dissolved in a liquid phase. If the sample solution is in contact…show more content…

The compounds are separated by collecting aliquots of the column effluent as a function of time.
     In liquid chromatography, the separator is called the column and consists in most cases of a tube filled with porous material called the stationary phase. A liquid, called the mobile phase, flows through the tube between the particles of stationary phase material. A liquid sample is taken from a mixture to be analyzed and introduced to a part of the system that is at elevated pressure. The sample is then transported to a separator by the flow in the system.
     After the column the separated compounds enter the detector, which measures a physical or chemical property of each, now relatively pure, compound and creates a proportional electronic signal. By calibrating with a standard mixture of known compounds, the nature of the compound in the

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A ceRNA Hypothesis: The Rosetta Stone of a Hidden ..

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate genes post-transciptionally by binding and degrading target eukaryotic mRNAs. We use a quantitative model to study gene regulation by inhibitory microRNAs and compare it to gene regulation by prokaryotic small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs). Our model uses a combination of analytic techniques as well as computational simulations to calculate the mean-expression and noise profiles of genes regulated by both microRNAs and sRNAs. We find that despite very different molecular machinery and modes of action (catalytic vs stoichiometric), the mean expression levels and noise profiles of microRNA-regulated genes are almost identical to genes regulated by prokaryotic sRNAs. This behavior is extremely robust and persists across a wide range of biologically relevant parameters. We extend our model to study crosstalk between multiple mRNAs that are regulated by a single microRNA and show that noise is a sensitive measure of microRNA-mediated interaction between mRNAs. We conclude by discussing possible experimental strategies for uncovering the microRNA-mRNA interactions and testing the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis.

A ceRNA Hypothesis: The Rosetta Stone of a Hidden …

(2011) A ceRNA hypothesis: the Rosetta Stone of a hidden RNA language?

A ceRNA Hypothesis: The Rosetta Stone of a HIdden …

Recent studies have reported that competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) can act as sponges for a microRNA (miRNA) through their binding sites and that changes in ceRNA abundances from individual genes can modulate the miRNA’s activity. Consideration of this hypothesis would benefit from knowing the quantitative relationship between a miRNA and its endogenous target sites. Here, we altered intracellular target-site abundance through expression of a miR-122 target in hepatocytes and livers, and analyzed the effects on miR-122 target genes. Target repression was released in a threshold-like manner at high target-site abundance (≥1.5×105 added target sites per cell), and this threshold was insensitive to the effective levels of the miRNA. Furthermore, in response to extreme metabolic liver disease models, global target-site abundance of hepatocytes did not change sufficiently to affect miRNA-mediated repression. Thus, modulation of miRNA target abundance is unlikely to cause significant effects on gene expression and metabolism through a ceRNA effect.

A ceRNA hypothesis: the Rosetta Stone of a hidden RNA language

Highly expressed, site-containing RNAs, either found naturally or delivered as research reagents, can act as “sponges” to titrate miRNAs away from other normal targets (; ; ; ; ). Theoretical and experimental reports have claimed that crosstalk between site-containing RNAs extends far beyond a few highly expressed sponges. Analyses of high-throughput datasets indicate that the activity of a miRNA is not just dependent on its levels, but also its relative target-site abundance, defined as the relative number of sites within the transcriptome for that miRNA (; ). One hypothesis suggests that this crosstalk has a widespread regulatory function, with the act of titrating miRNAs away from their other targets somehow explaining why so many target sites have been conserved in evolution (). This idea is extended to the notion that many miRNA targets act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that modulate the repression of other targets as their expression increases or decreases (; ). Experimental evidence for such a ceRNA crosstalk was initially described for the tumor-suppressor gene PTEN, which appears to be regulated by the abundance of its pseudogene (PTENP1) in a DICER-dependent manner (). Recent studies have reported the potential physiological relevance of other ceRNAs, including a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulating muscle differentiation (), an overexpressed 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) inducing cancer in transgenic mice (), and a circular RNA regulating miR-7 activity in the central nervous system (; ). However, such studies have used cancer cell lines with abnormal miRNA and ceRNA expression (; ), leaving their physiological relevance in primary cells unclear.

The ceRNA hypothesis and the non-coding revolution in cancer research and therapy [abstract]

Assessing the ceRNA hypothesis with quantitative ..

Regulation of gene expression by microRNAs whichguide the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to microRNA responseelements (MREs) on target transcripts is ubiquitous among mammals,usually resulting in degradation of the transcript or translationinhibition (). Aberrantexpression-fluctuation of a large number of miRNAs has been foundin cancer (,). Recently, numerous experimentsprovide support to the hypothesis that RNA molecules that shareMREs can regulate each other by competing for microRNA binding, forwhich the process is termed competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)regulation (–). An pseudogene,, has been observed to regulate OCT4A expression asan miR-145 sponge in hepatocellular carcinoma (). Unfortunately, miR-145 isdownregulated in most types of cancers, which confines the strengthof this regulation (–). ceRNA regulation mediated by severalpseudogenes has been demonstrated. Yet, whether or not thisregulation exists among transcript isoforms and the relatedmechanism have not been elucidated. Consistent with theco-expression of OCT4A and OCT4B, we hypothesized that OCT4Bregulates OCT4A as ceRNA.

1: Salmena L, Poliseno L, Tay Y, Kats L, Pandolfi PP

Salmena L, Poliseno L, Tay Y, Kats L andPandolfi PP: A ceRNA hypothesis: The Rosetta Stone of a hidden RNAlanguage? Cell. 146:353–358. 2011. : :

Linc2GO | A human LincRNA function annotation resource based on ceRNA hypothesis

Systematic exploration of autonomous modules in …


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Monday, July 23, 2018
Memory Glossary, Memory Terms

Term Definition
Cache Controller The circuit in control of the interface between the CPU, cache and DRAM (main memory).
Cache memory Cache RAM is high-speed memory (usually SRAM) which is dedicated to storing frequently requested data. If the CPU needs data, it will check in the high-speed cache memory first before looking in the slower main memory. Cache memory may be three to five times faster than system DRAM. Most computers have two separate memory caches; L1 cache, located on the CPU, and L2 cache, located between the CPU and DRAM. L1 cache is faster than L2, and is the first place the CPU looks for its data. If data is not found in L1 cache, the search continues with L2 cache, and then on to DRAM.
Card Memory A type of memory typically used in laptop and notebook computers. Credit card memory features a small for factor and is named for its similarity to the size of credit card.
CAS (Column Address Select/or Strobe)--A control pin on a DRAM used to and activate a column address. The column selected on a DRAM is determined by the data present at the address pins when CAS becomes active
CBR (CAS Before RAS)- a fast refresh technique in which the DRAM keeps track of the next row it needs to refresh, thus simplifying what a system would have to do to refresh the part.
Check Bits Extra data bits provided by a DRAM module to support ECC function. For a 4-byte bus, 7 or 8 check bits are needed to implement ECC, resulting in a total bus width of 39 or 40 bits. On an 8-byte bus, 8 additional bits are required, resulting in a bus width of 72 bits.
Checkboard A detail test pattern designed to exercise each individual cell in the memory and find possible shorts between adjacent columns and data buses
Clock An electrical current that alternates between high and low voltages. The speed of the clock is measured in Megahertz (MHz)
Clock speed The rate at which a computer's internal system clock operates. The clock is used to synchronize operations between the components within the clock.
CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor: a process that uses both N- and P-channel devices in a complimentary fashion to achieve small geometries and low power consumption.
Compact Flash Memory A fast, postage stamp size RAM that is removable. The CF Card weighs half an ounce, with roughly one-fourth the volume and one-half the thickness of a PCMCIA Type II Card. The CF Card fits into a CF PC Card Adapter making it compatible with a standard PCMCIA Type II slot on any notebook or desktop computer. This allows the easy transfer of stored digital information from the CF Card to a computer or printer. Currently, the most readily available application for the CompactFlash Card is the digital still camera.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)--The chip in a computer that has primary responsibility for interpreting commands and running programs. The CPU is the most vital component of a computer system. The speed of the CPU has a significant impact on overall system performance, but the CPU doesn't act alone. If slower memory is paired with a fast processor, the processor will be forced to wait for the memory to respond. When the speed mismatch is extreme, the user will see numerous memory errors and even complete system failure.
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iCivics WebQuests give kids an engaging look at specific civics topics and guide them to pre-selected online resources to learn more. Each WebQuest is made of slides that break down the topic, offer resource links, and ask questions that help students make connections between what they already know, what they learn from the resource, and how the real world works. WebQuests can be used on individual computers or by the whole class using a projector or interactive white board.

Use WebQuests to preview, teach, supplement, or extend classroom teaching.
Give students a controlled internet experience with pre-selected links.
Assign WebQuests in class or as homework and see student work through the iCivics Classroom feature.


Like most Elon students, I was drawn to the school because of the immense amount of academic opportunities offered and its natural surrounding beauty. In the initial information session, after learning of the five options to achieve the engaged learning graduation requirement, I looked at my parents and said, “I want to do all of those.” In that moment, I decided Elon would be a perfect fit for me. When time came for my junior year, the question was not should I study abroad, but where do I want to spend a semester if I can go almost anywhere in the world. Initially, I expected to travel far away to someplace exotic, but in my final decision, I chose London.

Four years ago, I travelled to London with my family. It is one of the largest cities in the world, filled with history and all different types of business. As a major city, it attracts people from all over the world, which helps create its rich and diverse culture. It will be comforting to travel to an English speaking country with many of my classmates. The city has so much to offer and I cannot wait to begin my exploration of it. Not only will I have a chance to experience many parts of England, but probably other parts of Europe as well. In my Cultures of Islam class, there is an optional three-day excursion to Istanbul that I eagerly signed up for. I am counting down the days until I embark on the European adventure of a lifetime.

What I really look forward to seeing is the growth that has occurred in the city of London. It will be interesting to observe how the Olympics caused the area to change. Even though many have compared London to New York City by saying it is slightly bigger, the Foundation for International Education where we are studying reminded us to prepare for a culture shock. Their materials mentioned how many students do not prepare for a foreign experience and it can come as a surprise. This admonition actually excites me because I want to go to a unique place to try different things. One can only imagine that any educational experience would be completely different from Elon, North Carolina — certainly London, England anyway. My semester stay will allow me to see how people from all over the world live and work together in the same city. It will be fascinating to examine how the city is divided and how people live in its various sections.

Travelers soon learn that there are many traditions that only “locals” are privy to and appreciate. Through living in London for the next four months, I believe I will have sufficient time to develop a true sense of its culture, and become more of an “insider” than a short-visited tourist before I leave.


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Statement by H.E. Mr. Fu Cong,Head of Chinese Delegation,Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs of the People's Republic of China at the General Debate in the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 NPT Review Conference

Mr Chairman,

First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your assumption of the Chairmanship of this session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 NPT Review Conference. I am confident that your rich experience and wisdom will guide this conference to a fruitful outcome. The Chinese Delegation assures you of its full support and cooperation.

This meeting formally launches the 10th review process of the NPT. Looking back, from its entry into force in 1970 and indefinite extention in 1995 onwards, the Treaty has gone through winds and rains for almost half a century, and turned to be one of international legal instrument with near universal ratification. Over the years, the Treaty has played a crucial role in containing the trend of nuclear weapon proliferation, reducing the risks of nuclear war, and promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

At a new historical starting point, the international arena is undergoing unprecedented developments. Complexity and uncertainty has become the new reality of international security. While recognizing the historical contribution of the Treaty, we also see new challenges laying ahead, with the international consensus of upholding the treaty under test.

First, the international security situation remains worrisome. Hotspot issues keep propping up, conflicts and even wars occur now and then. Non-traditional security threats continue to spread. Cold War mentality and power politics remain persistent. In pursuit of absolute security, some countries keep building and deploying global anti-missile system at the expense of strategic balance and stability. Under this background, how to effectively take forward nuclear disarmament is a pressing issue facing us in this review cycle of the NPT.

Second, the nuclear non-proliferation situation remains severe. Several countries still linger outside the Treaty system. The establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction is long delayed. Regional hotspot issues are still outstanding. The supply and demand of sensitive nuclear materials in a certain country are still seriously unbalanced. The double standards and utilitarianism approaches adopted by some countries are jeopardizing the authority of the Treaty and weakening the nuclear non-proliferation system.

Third, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is facing multiple challenges. The development of nuclear power is on the rise while the impact of Fukushima nuclear accident wears on. The nuclear terrorism threats allow of no neglect. Global nuclear security and safety need to be improved. The tendency of "value non-proliferation while neglecting peaceful uses" exists. The peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the developing countries are still faced with restraints in terms of technical, financial and human resources.

Mr. Chairman,

As the cornerstone of the existing international arms control and nonproliferation regime,the Treaty's role and function is indispensable and irreplaceable. Under current circumstances, this review cycle should learn from the successes and setbacks in past implementation, and focus on facilitating State Parties to bridge divergences, strengthen unity and confidence,take joint actions to promote the three pillars in a balanced manner and enhance its authority, universality and effectiveness.

First, to pursue a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept. In his address at the United Nations Office at Geneva in January, Chinese President Xi Jingping raised Chinese proposition of "building a community of shared future for mankind, and achieving shared and win-win development", and advocated to build up a world of lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity through dialogue and consultation, joint efforts and win-win cooperation. Towards this end, we calls on all Parties to make further efforts to eradicate the roots of conflicts and unrest, fully respect and accommodate other's legitimate security concerns, abandon the Cold War mentality and foster international relations featuring mutual understanding and trust, so as to create a strategic security environment favorable to the Treaty goal.

Secondly, to take forward nuclear disarmament in a rational and pragmatic manner. The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons in the end is in the interest of all mankind, in this regard, we fully understand the aspirations and expectations of all non-nuclear-weapon States, and support the achievement of eventual complete and thorough nuclear disarmament. Currently, the key task is to find a practical and feasible path to promote the nuclear disarmament process. Taking into account current strategic security environment, we should revitalize the existing multilateral disarmament mechanism, make full use of the Conference on Disarmament and other platforms, adhere to the principle of consensus, guarantee full,equal and effective participation of all stakeholders and seek international consensus as widely as possible. Meanwhile, we should take a step-by-step approach. Countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should continue to shoulder the special and primary responsibilities. Pending the realization of complete and thorough nuclear disarmament, nuclear-weapon States should undertake practical intermediate steps, including committing themselves to no first use of nuclear weapons, undertaking unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones, and conclude relevant international legal instrument accordingly.

Thirdly, to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime by addressing both the symptoms and the root causes. One of the root causes of the on-going hot-spot issues is that the security concerns of different countries are not equally treated and respected. The international community should abandon double standards and address these issues through political and diplomatic means. In order to ease the tension over the Korean Peninsula and pull relevant parties back to the negotiating table at an early date, China has put forward the "dual-track approach" and "suspension for suspension" proposal, on which we urge the concerned parties to make serious considerations. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an international agreement concluded through long tough negotiations by the P5+1 and Iran, and has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. All parties should continue to faithfully fulfill their obligations and jointly support and implement the JCPOA. The establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, as stipulated in relevant NPT resolutions, will be conducive to regional peace and stability. We encourage relevant parties to undertake flexible and pragmatic measures to break the stalemate and convene relevant international conference at an early date. Countries that have not yet joined the NPT should do so as non-nuclear-weapon States as soon as possible.

Forthly, to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy on the principle of fairness and efficiency. If nuclear weapon is damned as the Sword of Damocles hanging over mankind, then nuclear energy should be seen as the fire brought by Prometheus to mankind, which provides an important solution to energy security and climate change. Non-proliferation efforts should not undermine developing countries' legitimate rights in relation with the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. State Parties should give their continuous support to the central role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in this regard. Assistance and support to developing countries should be increased. Lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident should be drawn to help improve global nuclear safety. Capacity building on nuclear security should be strengthened to combat nuclear terrorism.

Mr. Chairman,

China has consistently supported the nuclear disarmament process, firmly upholded the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and vigorously promoted the utilization of nuclear power. China actively participated in the P5's endeavor to implement the review outcomes of the Treaty, and is ready to continue its leadership to the P5 Working Group on Key Nuclear Terms. China has made steady progress regarding preparation to the domestic implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).Last December, the Lanzhou Radionuclide Station has been certified by the Preparatory Commission of CTBTO, making it the first certified CTBT monitoring station in China. China firmly opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapon in any form, and actively engages in the political settlement processes of regional hot-spot issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. China vigorously participates in regional and global nuclear security cooperation, and will actively implement the Five Proposals including "building nuclear security capacity network" proclaimed by President Xi at the Forth Nuclear Security Summit.

Mr. Chairman,

Well begun is half done. We hope the First Session of the Preparatory Committee could get a good start-off for the review cycle, conclude a feasible roadmap on institutional arrangements, lay a good basis for States Parties to constructively advance the review work. China will stay in touch and work together with all States Parties to this end.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Mapping Your Unique Culture

Culture is arguably one of the most important aspects of an organization. It’s culture that can help you attract the right employees and retain your top performers. But culture isn’t static. It’s evolving. Many organizations spend a lot of time and effort in trying to fix their culture. To evolve it in the right direction. Before you can do that, though, it’s critical to take the time to really understand what that culture is and who you are.

So, how do you do that?

That’s what we discuss in this #MiChat with our guest Charlie Judy. Along with his partners at WorkXO, Charlie helps organizations to map their unique culture as the first step towards understanding how that culture impacts the company, and how to evolve it into a true competitive advantage.

By mapping their culture, companies can use that deep understanding of who they are to create authentic employer branding, stronger talent attraction strategies, and better alignment between workplace and enterprise strategy. Having this clarity around what aspects of that culture need the most evolution is crucial to using your time and energies wisely.


Vacation and sick leave are key benefits provided by most employers. Some companies have traditional vacation and sick leave policies while others have Paid Time Off (PTO) banks that lump all paid time off benefits together and allow the employee to decide how those days off will be used. There are pros and cons to both methods of granting time off to employees.

Traditional Vacation and Sick Leave

Typically, companies will grant a block of time for vacation and a block of time to be used for illness at the beginning of each year.  According to EAF’s most recent Policies & Benefits Survey, the typical employer grants 9 days of sick leave each year and the amount of vacation varies depending on years of service.  In general, most companies grant 2 weeks of vacation after 1 year of service; 3 weeks after 5 years; and 4 weeks after 10 years of service. For the most part, traditional vacation and sick leave plans do not permit the employee to carry unused benefits days over into the next year. And, while most companies will pay out unused vacation time at termination, most employers will not pay out unused sick leave. There are both advantages and disadvantages to the traditional model of granting time off:

Easy to track and manage Unscheduled, last minute calls because of illness
Easy for employees to understand how much time they have available. May end up granting more days off under separate leave banks than under a single PTO bank
Would only have to pay out unused vacation at termination (if your policy permits) and not sick leave People may call out sick even when they are well just to use their benefit “entitlement”

PTO Plans

PTO plans combine multiple forms of leave – vacation, sick, personal – into one bank.  Some employers (especially hospitals and similar types of 24/7 operations) also include holidays in these banks. Time off in these plans generally accrue per pay period or per number of hours worked. Like traditional leave plans, PTO plans also have their pros and cons.

Employees like the flexibility these plans allow and that flexibility can be used to attract applicants to the organization. Employees may come to work sick so that they don’t have to use time that, in their minds, they’ve reserved for vacation.
Greatly reduces the number of unscheduled days off. PTO plans typically pay out all time accrued at termination, which means larger payouts to employees.
The company only has to deal with one leave bank instead of multiple banks. Unused PTO usually rolls, which means the company carries that expense forward.  Typically these banks are either uncapped or capped at hundreds of hours, which again increase liability.
Encourages honesty and reduces absenteeism. May cause “presenteeism” resulting in employees showing up to work sick in order to maintain as much leave as possible for their vacation.

Converting from Traditional to PTO

1.  Determine how many days of PTO you will allow employees to accrue each year.  For example, if you currently offer 15 vacation days and 5 sick days to employees who have worked for you at least 3 years, those individuals may begin accruing PTO at a rate of 20 days per year.  Companies don’t have to use this method to determine number of days per year.  You could come up with a flat amount that makes sense for your organization.

2. Determine how many vacation/sick days are in each person’s bank.  Will you convert all or part of those unused days at the end of the year to PTO?  Or will employees lose the traditional benefits at the end of the year and begin accruing January 1?  OR will you allow employees to begin accruing but not using PTO mid-year so that there are some days available to them in their leave banks?

3. Decide how many days of PTO can be taken at one time for non-health related leave.  For example, will you allow someone who has accumulated 160 hours in their PTO bank to take 4 weeks of leave all at one time? Or will you limit it to allowing them to take a maximum of 1 week or 2 weeks of leave at one time?

4. What is the smallest increment of PTO that may be taken by an employee?

5. What’s the maximum amount of PTO that employees will be allowed to carry forward from one year to the next?  How much, if any, PTO will be paid out at termination? (Pay out of PTO, sick leave, vacation leave may be mandated by your state.  Review the pertinent laws for your state to make sure your policy complies with state law.)

6. Write your policy in such a way that clearly spells out how time off will be accrued, how it may be used, expectations for scheduling time off in advance, and under what circumstances PTO balances will or will not be paid out.

Converting from PTO to Traditional Sick & Vacation policies

Some companies find that PTO just doesn’t work for their culture or their needs.  Because traditional PTO plans allows a significant number of hours to be carried forward from one year to the next, some companies find that carrying those large balances forward on a balance sheet are detrimental to the financial health of the organization. Additionally, they find that it impedes cash flow when they have to pay out a large number of PTO hours to individuals who leave the organization.

1. Determine the amount of sick leave and vacation benefits you will award to employees at the beginning of the year.

2. Determine the PTO balances in each individual’s account and decide if you will pay this out at the end of the year or if you will allow all or a portion to carry over into the new year and require the individual to use it within a specific time frame or lose it.

3. What is the smallest increment of vacation or sick leave that may be taken by an employee?

4. Write your policy to clearly communicate how vacation and sick time will be awarded, whether or not all or a portion of it will be paid out or carried over into the new year, and under what circumstances sick leave and/or vacation will or will not be paid out.

Again, depending on the state in which you operate, you may or may not have an obligation to pay out PTO, vacation and/or sick leave.

Whatever type of leave policy(ies) you choose to adopt, they can be used as tools to attract and retain employees. Just make sure your policies clearly spell out how employees are awarded their benefits and under what circumstances they will or will not be paid at termination.


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TRUMPF Ltd is the UK subsidiary of TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG, a world leader in sheet metal fabrication machinery and industrial lasers. The company was founded in 1974 and celebrated 40 years UK business anniversary in 2014. Based in Bedfordshire, close to Luton International Airport, TRUMPF Ltd serves the UK market for machine tools, laser technology, power tools and electronics. Equipped with a fully operational showroom and spacious classrooms, the company can provide pre-sale demonstrations and comprehensive user training. TRUMPF Ltd also provide their own technical service as well as tooling and spare part management to support customers throughout the UK as promptly as possible. Your contact: marketing@uk.trumpf.com.

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City:  Gainesville, TX
Newspaper:  Gainesville Daily Register
Job Description:  The Gainesville Daily Register seeks an editor-general manager for our community daily in North Texas. Applicants need experience in digital and print journalism, and management-leadership skills to oversee the paper’s day-to-day general operations.
 The editor-general manager reports directly to the publisher and is responsible for news and opinion content as well as editorial production, including design and pagination. The person must be passionate about local news and possess the ability to train and coach the news staff in print and online reporting, writing, editing and photo-video skills.
 The editor-general manager is a key member of the senior management team and thus must be able to communicate clearly, contribute to the overall success of the paper and be active in the community.
 Gainesville is located on Interstate 35 in North Texas, 30 miles north of Denton, home of the University of North Texas. The community is well known as the Medal of Honor City in Texas.
 The Herald-Banner is a CNHI newspaper. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, CNHI is a leading publisher of local news and information products and services. Its newspapers, websites and specialty publications serve communities in 22 states.
Contact: Interested candidates should send a detailed resume, journalistic work examples and a cover letter on why they believe they are qualified for the editor-general manager position to lchappell@cnhi.com.


Treating Arctic Ecosystems as Systems

Treating Arctic Ecosystems as Systems
Life found in the Arctic

Why should we be concerned about shipping in Arctic waters? What would be the consequences of commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean? How do we anticipate the effects of climate change in the far north?

If we are to conserve and sustain Arctic ecosystems, we need to approach questions of this kind in terms of systems. An ecosystem has no leader to orchestrate the actions of its many constituent parts. Instead, the way it functions arises solely from the interactions of its component species (humans included), habitats, and physical features as they affect one another, directly and indirectly. The complexity that emerges from these many modes of interaction may frustrate clear understanding, including the ability to predict the outcomes of human actions, but we must address it nonetheless. In large part, this means recognizing the limits of our knowledge and acting with caution and care.

We learn a great deal if we pay attention to each part of a system separately, breaking complexity down into manageable pieces that can be studied with attention and precision. We also miss a great deal. It is not enough to know the nutritional needs and growth rate of the average ringed seal. We need to know about its prey (such as Arctic cod), where its habitat can be found, and crucially, how the seals and all that surrounds them react to change. Thinking about such relationships is the basis for ecology and ecosystem approaches to management.

Putting theory into practice, however, is difficult. Many observational and laboratory studies have looked at the way that changing one parameter can affect other parts of the system. For example, how does water temperature influence the survival rate of juvenile Arctic cod? This is an important question, because Arctic summer water temperatures are rising, creating opportunities for the Arctic cod’s competitors, such as saffron cod. The saffron cod is not as energy-rich as the Arctic cod, so a larger population of the former at the expense of the latter could leave a lot of hungry ringed seals.

But the essence of complexity is that things are never simple. Complexity is not the same as being complicated. A complicated system may have many moving parts, as in an elaborate clock, but the results are easily predictable, with dials and hands moving at a reliable pace in a regular direction. In a complex system, on the other hand, actions reverberate through many of the component parts, affecting the piece with which the action started, and thus leading to another cascade of effects. This is the famous “butterfly effect,” in which the flapping of an insect’s wings in one location may eventually have an impact on weather patterns a great distance away.

If animals are involved, complexity includes not just the physical effects that transform air movements into thunderstorms, but also the ability of the animals to adjust and adapt as conditions change. When sea ice disappears, some polar bears may have to forgo their usual diet of ringed seals and instead spend the summer on land—eating eggs, plants, and whatever else they can find.

Individuals and species will die out when change is too great, but change need not always be detrimental. Polar bears in the Chukchi Sea off northwestern Alaska appear fat and happy, contrary to what might be expected from the rapid loss of the region’s summer sea ice—so what might appear to be a simple story of temperature, prey, and predators has taken a twist. If we wish to understand why polar bears are thriving for now in the Chukchi, and how human actions might affect the bears and all that supports them, we must consider the ecosystem in which the Arctic cod, ringed seal, and polar bear live.

This ecosystem is not a static set of functions and processes and components that can produce only the species we know today. Instead, it is always altering in one way or another. It may be tempting at this point to throw up our hands in despair at the prospect of ever understanding a complex system well enough to make predictions about it. Such caution is sensible, as there are many examples in which predicted doom never came or promised abundance was met with disaster.

But systems are not irreducibly and hopelessly complex. If they were, humans would never have been able to discover the patterns and indicators that have allowed us to thrive in nearly every climate and landscape we find. For example, taking advantage of an annual salmon run seems a simple task, but sustaining a community and a culture over generations requires understanding more than where to catch a fish. The peoples of the Northwest coast of North America have done what they can to protect and enhance salmon stream habitat, which is the portion of the life cycle they can affect, while trusting the ocean to provide what the salmon need while at sea. The fishers also have paid attention to the strength of the salmon runs, to make sure that enough survived even in lean years to produce the next generation of fish.

These ideas, embodying care and caution, continue to be relevant if not essential in a world experiencing climate change, pollution, landscape transformation, industrial-scale catches of marine creatures, and ever-increasing demands upon our planet. When human activities and actions threaten to disrupt an ecosystem or any of its components, we have an obligation to consider carefully the consequences of our decisions—and to not claim surprise when something unexpected occurs. Complexity requires us to embrace the uncertainty we will inevitably encounter and to acknowledge that many things lie beyond our control.

While we need not treat every ecosystem as delicately fragile, neither can we expect every ecosystem to be resilient in the face of whatever we throw at it. Ecosystems cannot anticipate or plan, so we must be attentive to our interactions with the ecosystems that sustain us. Unfortunately, we have all too much evidence to show what happens when we treat ecosystems as simple, reliable mechanisms that magically provide us with air, water, and food no matter what we do to them. Being aware of the nature of complex systems offers us an alternative, as we consider questions such as those with which this essay began. We need to give the environment our continued attention, recognizing complexity so that we can do our best to avoid problems and can adjust our actions when things go awry.

This piece was originally published in Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development.


How It Works

WIPIC™ has a handle which contains an electric motor which generates vibrations transmitted to the brush bristles.

integrated motor

These Vibrations Have 2 Functions

The movements sent through the brush bristles allow the brush to move itself around on its own. The vibrations naturally and effortlessly guide the brush, making paint application easy. Because of this, the brush deposits paint in a straight line. That's because Wipic™ eliminates wrist movements, which cause fatigue and imprecision.

The vibrations continually push the paint towards the tip of the brush bristles, allowing for the application of a constant layer of paint on the surface being painted. These vibrations are powerful enough to push the paint, but they will never cause paint spray on startup.


The wager argument goes like this:

The most difficult thing about Nietzsche is his name.”

Too many bright people wasted their time on Hegel, let’s move on to something else.”

I only teach Ayn Rand because the funding of my American university highly depends on donations from a bank director who loves Rand. While in fact, she is a bad philosopher and an even worse writer. Europe does right in completely ignoring her.”

Today we will talk about my Karl Marx, my favorite!

The Ayn Rand professor is the only one who actually gave us texts and a lecture about the philosopher he clearly didn’t like. Nietzsche and Hegel only got the one sentence from each professor. Oddly enough, Marx wasn’t part of the lengthy reader.

Once they were allowed to teach about philosophers they actually respected, they were all great professors. Both Hegel and Nietzsche were taught by a different professor in another class. The American visiting professor was right, Ayn Rand is, as far as I know, completely absent in European universities. After reading some texts, seeing movies based on her book and listening to the lecture, I get why she is totally ignored.

Political and philosophical preferences make the classes more exciting and the university as a whole more interesting. It would be problematic when all the professors would have the same preferences. Luckily, this wasn’t the case at all. During my stay there was a Cold War between continental and analytic philosophers. Such fun!

Kazimir Malevich

Posted: December 20, 2013 in History/Philosophy

A grey and shady gentleman surrounded by the powerful red of the primitive and pure naked bodies.

On the December the 16th, the world acknowledged the existence of Ukraine. After watching the news on Russia Today, The Young Turks and REAL News there are some things all of them agree on: there is a protest in Ukraine, the country has economic difficulties and the show by John McCain was, to say the least, questionable.

RT focusses on the chaos and economic difficulties the protests created. The protesters can’t do much more than screaming “revolution!” and “down with the president!”Experts Stephen F. Cohen (professor Russian Studies at NYU) and Mark Sleboda (professor International Relations at MSU) were both very explicit in their condemnation of McCain’s appearance. I wonder what the experts would say about the police brutality, the protester’s demands and the role of the EU and Russia. Unfortunately they were only brought in to state the things in the before-mentioned list of inter-media agreements.

TYT is a fun news show, but they seem to lack a strong body of journalist to feed them information. It’s a bit unfortunate how the host remarked that the Ukrainian people don’t want to be the satellite country of Russia. Besides that biased remark, they weren’t able to bring much news. Ukraine exists, there is a protest and since we are for democracy, we support the protest. I wonder what TYT would say about a party like Svoboda, who is currently part of the pro-EU demonstration, but has neonazi connections. Or what about the objections RT made about the huge blockades, chaos and negative influence on the economy? Are protests by definition something we should support?

The REAL News brought in an expert from the start. Associate professor Jeffrey Sommers of Wisconsin-Milwaukee focusses mainly on the role McCain plays. Just like the RT professors, but with a bit more body, Sommers explained how McCain missed the end of the Cold War. At the end of the interview, the host asks what the people of Ukraine need. Unfortunately, Sommers doesn’t get much farther than stating the awkward situation of Ukrain’s economy and the need to develop the economy. Again, we didn’t get much farther than the list of inter-media agreements.

The lack of information about the protests in Ukraine, combined with the constant use of so-called experts seems an example of the declining quality of the news organisations. The result is a variety of news shows that, in this case, mainly report three points that everyone could have come up with. RT bothers me in their biased selection of topics and words; TYT made a clearly biased statement as a result of their lack of information; and REAL News doesn’t manage to bring the information in the right format. I sometimes hear these stories how groups of journalists were specialized in specific topics and regions. Not only would they know how to get the information and analyse it, they were also journalist and thus managed to bring the information in a text to the broad masses.

A few years ago I had a first encounter with Slavoj Zizek through through his appearance on a Dutch TV show*. He is funny, provocative and interesting. I’m sure there is no need to introduce him. Sometimes he’s a bit silly. But at other times I’m surprised by his knowledge of various debates in contemporary philosophy. Unfortuantely, some of his writings are working on my nerves. I just read a short article in The Guardian by his hand* about the Mandela memorial and the fake sign language interpreter. Urrgg…

The conclusion is quite alright:

Everything before this is unnecessary blabla. He wants to express a political point. In order to do so, he picks a highly mediatized aspect of the event and interprets it so that it becomes useful for his point. It’s fun to read, but I don’t see any value in it at all. You can write about how former Western politicians were in favor of jailing Mandela, about the ideas  of Mandela and how they conflict with contemporary politicians who were present at the funeral, you can write about a variety of topics to support one point Zizek is trying to make here. You can even keep the exact same conclusion! But at least the article would have some valuable information and a line of reasoning that is not just witty, but also sensible.